From Fethiye to Ölüdeniz: getting there and what to do

Ölüdeniz is a beach resort in the Fethiye district of Muğla. It sits south of Fethiye town, below the slopes of Babadağ. Most visitors base themselves in Fethiye or in the resort itself and go back and forth during the day.

Getting there from Fethiye and the airports

Minibuses, known locally as dolmuş, run regularly between Fethiye and Ölüdeniz. Taxis are the other option. The road passes through Ovacık, a resort area lined with hotels and guesthouses.

The nearest airport is Dalaman, about 55 km from Ölüdeniz, roughly an hour by road. Antalya Airport is about 200 km from Fethiye. Regular intercity buses connect Fethiye with Antalya, İzmir, Ankara and Istanbul.

The lagoon and Belcekız beach

The lagoon lies at the north-west end of the bay, inside the Ölüdeniz-Kıdrak Nature Park. The park covers 1,020 hectares and is run by the state nature conservation directorate. Its water is shallow and calm. Springs on the lagoon floor and a small tide keep the water moving.

Belcekız beach runs along the open bay and holds a Blue Flag. A sand spit called Kumburnu separates the bay from the lagoon and is used as a day beach. The beach is mostly pebbles, so water shoes help.

Paragliding from Babadağ

Babadağ, the mountain behind the resort, is almost 2,000 m high. It is the most popular paragliding site in Türkiye. Tandem pilots take passengers from the upper slopes, and the descent to the beach takes about 30 minutes. The summit can be icy all year, so bring a warm layer even in summer.

By boat to Butterfly Valley

Butterfly Valley is a narrow canyon at the foot of Babadağ, about 5 to 7 km from Belcekız beach by sea. Shuttle boats leave from the beach. The valley has been a first-degree natural site since 1995, and building there is banned. Butterflies are easiest to see between June and September.

The canyon walls rise about 350 m. A path also leads down from Faralya village, but it has rope sections and loose ground. Go with a guide if you take it, or use the boat.

Practical notes

The facts in this guide were checked against GoTürkiye, the Dalaman Airport regional guide and encyclopaedia entries. Fares and timetables are not listed because they change often.