Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon
Ölüdeniz
Turkey's most photogenic beach, with a turquoise lagoon and a white sand spit. Paragliders launch from 1,969-metre Mount Babadağ and swoop down over it.
Ölüdeniz means 'Dead Sea' in Turkish. The name comes from the lagoon, which is enclosed by a sand spit, so the sea stays as calm as a mirror even on windy days. It lies about 14 km south of Fethiye, on the Lycian coast. The lagoon is a nature reserve, and a small entry fee applies. Its water shifts from pale turquoise to deep blue, and it is shallow and warm, which suits family swimming. The long beach outside the lagoon, Belcekız, is a public beach lined with holiday hotels and restaurants.
This is a world-famous paragliding destination. Tandem flights take off from Babadağ at 1,969 metres. You fly for about 30–40 minutes with a certified instructor, looking down over the lagoon and the Mediterranean, then land on the beach. The price is about 100–150 euros, including return transfers to the summit, and varies by season. On good days, more than a hundred canopies fill the sky.
Other activities include a boat trip to the 'Twelve Islands', a visit to Butterfly Valley, or a walk along part of the Lycian Way.
Getting there: from Antalya, the drive takes about 3.5–4 hours. From Dalaman Airport, it takes about 1 hour. Frequent minibuses run between Fethiye and here.
Opening hours
Open all day (lagoon reserve approx. 08:00–20:00)
Nearby sights
- Lycian Way (Fethiye section)
- Tomb of Amyntas
- Babadağ Paragliding & Cable Car
- Kayaköy Ghost Town
- Fethiye Museum
- Paspatur Old Bazaar & Fish Market
- Gemiler Island (St Nicholas Island)
- Butterfly Valley