Ölüdeniz holiday guide: the Blue Lagoon, paragliding & Butterfly Valley

T By Thomas · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Airports

Dalaman (DLM)

Best time to go

May-June and September-October

Type

Village

Ölüdeniz is the image on countless Turkey brochures: a sheltered blue lagoon and a curving spit of white pebbles beneath pine-covered mountains, with paragliders spiralling down from the peak of Babadağ above. The village behind Belcekız Beach is small and lively, with hotels, bars and restaurants along a pedestrianised promenade.

Flights to Dalaman take about 4 hours from London. Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK in summer and three in winter, plugs are the two round-pin type, and cars drive on the right. For entry rules and the bigger picture, see our Turkey guide.

Where to stay

• Ölüdeniz village and Belcekız – hotels and apartments steps from the beach and the promenade. Best for being by the sea, though prices are higher than up the hill.
• The lagoon area – a few resorts sit near the Blue Lagoon nature park, quieter in the evenings.
• Hisarönü and Ovacık – about 10 minutes uphill, with plenty of family hotels, villas with pools, bars and British-style pubs. Dolmuş minibuses run down to the beach all day.
• Kayaköy – a peaceful valley with small hotels and restaurants beside the abandoned stone village.
• Town life nearby – Fethiye is about 25 minutes away for markets, the harbour and boat trips.

Things to do

1. Blue Lagoon – shallow, calm water inside a protected nature park; there's a small entry fee and sunbeds to hire.
2. Paragliding from Babadağ – tandem flights launch from the mountain high above the bay and land on the beach. Choose a licensed operator.
3. Babadağ cable car – ride up the mountain for huge views and cafés, even if you don't fly.
4. Butterfly Valley – a steep-sided valley with a beach, reached by boat from Ölüdeniz.
5. Boat trips – day trips visit Butterfly Valley, St Nicholas Island, Cold Water Bay and the Blue Cave.
6. The Lycian Way – the trail starts near Ölüdeniz; the section to Faralya above Butterfly Valley is a popular walk.
7. Kayaköy – walk over the hill to the ghost village through pine woods.

Best time to visit

May, June, September and October are best for swimming and walking. July and August are hot, often in the mid-30s °C, and the beach is at its busiest. Paragliding runs through most of the year, weather permitting. Many hotels close between November and April.

Getting there

Fly to Dalaman (DLM), with direct flights from most UK airports from spring to autumn. The transfer to Ölüdeniz takes about 1h15, a little less to Hisarönü and Ovacık. Shared transfers in packages may take longer.

British passport holders don't currently need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days, and passports should be valid for at least 150 days from arrival. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Getting around

Frequent dolmuş minibuses connect Ölüdeniz with Hisarönü, Ovacık and Fethiye. The village is compact and walkable. Taxis are available but cost more than in town. A hire car helps for Saklıkent or the drive to Kalkan and Kaş.

Top attractions in Ölüdeniz

Landmark

Hagia Sophia

Istanbul's 1,500-year-old former cathedral and imperial mosque, with a vast dome and glittering Byzantine mosaics.

Ölüdeniz on the map

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