Travel time: Year-round
Fethiye is defined by a classic Mediterranean climate (Köppen classification Csa), offering a dramatic seasonal shift between bone-dry, sun-drenched summers and cool, rainy winters. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, the region’s weather is largely predictable, governed by its position on the Turquoise Coast and the sheltering influence of the surrounding Taurus Mountains.
In Fethiye, the rhythm of the day is dictated by the sun and the sea. During the warmer months, mornings start calm and clear. By mid-afternoon, the Meltem winds—a seasonal northwesterly breeze—often kick in, providing a refreshing cooling effect that locals rely on to break the heat. The temperature typically peaks between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. In the evening, the air remains warm, often staying above 20°C (68°F), though the lack of clouds allows for some radiative cooling once the sun sets over the Aegean.
Summers are intense and arid. Temperatures regularly hover between 30°C and 35°C (86°F–95°F), with August often seeing spikes up to 40°C (104°F). Rainfall is almost non-existent during this block. The heat "feels" drier than in some tropical regions, though humidity can rise slightly in late August, making the air feel heavier.
This is often considered the "golden season." The searing heat of August fades into a comfortable 20°C–25°C (68°F–77°F). Critically, the sea remains at its warmest (around 24°C / 75°F) well into October, having absorbed heat all summer. Brief, intense thunderstorms begin to appear in late October, signaling the transition to winter.
Winters are mild but wet. This is when Fethiye receives the bulk of its 800-900mm of annual rainfall. While daytime temperatures stay around 12°C–16°C (54°F–61°F), nights can be crisp, occasionally dropping toward 5°C (41°F). Frost is rare at sea level, but snow is a common sight on the peaks of Mount Mendos and Babadağ overlooking the town.
Spring brings a rapid warming. While the sea is at its coolest (16°C–17°C / 61°F–63°F) following the winter, the air quickly warms to the low 20s. By May, the landscape is exceptionally lush, and the "beach season" officially begins as sea temperatures climb back toward 20°C.
Topography plays a major role in how weather is experienced locally:
Fethiye is historically a safe haven for sailors because its natural harbor is protected from the strong northerly gales that plague other parts of the Mediterranean. However, the region is prone to "Lodos" winds—strong, warm southerly winds from the Sahara that typically occur in winter. These winds can bring dust, high waves to the outer islands, and a sudden, unseasonal spike in temperature, followed by heavy rain.
Locals adapt to the climate with a practice known as the "summer migration" to Yayla (highland) houses. When the coastal humidity and heat peak in August, many Fethiye families move to mountain villages where the air is thin, dry, and cool. In the town itself, life shifts to the periphery of the day; the streets are quiet during the afternoon heat and burst into activity after sunset when the "felt" temperature finally becomes pleasant.