5 amazing things to in Ölüdeniz, Fethiye
Ölüdeniz is our new favorite summer town located on the Turkish Riviera. We spent 5 days there in early summer, and it was not nearly enough.
Next to top 5 things to do, I have also included tips for you to get the best out of these experiences.
Table of Contents
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Paragliding
You absolutely have to try this unique and exciting activity in Ölüdeniz. It is one of the best places to paraglide in the world. Many local and foreign pilots come to the region to fly solo or commercial. Throughout the day, you can see tandems gliding across the sky.
I must admit, I was quite nervous and scared at first, but I’m so glad I took the leap. And guess what? I loved it!
We flew with Fly Infinity, and the flight cost us approximately €90. If you want to capture the memories, you can also opt for video and photo shooting, which costs an additional €20. We were a group of four friends, and we visited Fethiye off-season. This allowed us to bargain. I know that during summer, the price can be higher.
I found that the best paragliding experience in Get Your Guide is also the most affordable one.
For safety reasons, using your own phone during the flight is not allowed. My advice is to book a morning session at either nine or ten, or go for the late afternoon session at five pm to avoid getting sunburned. Remember to wear sneakers or closed shoes, along with shorts and a t-shirt. Depending on the weather conditions, you may fly at altitudes of 1200m, 1700m, or 1800m. The pilot will provide you with instructions for takeoff, and trust me, if I could do it, anyone can!
Once we were up in the sky, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and freedom. Nothing else mattered as we marveled at the fantastic view of Babadağ Mountain and Ölüdeniz Bay. And here’s an interesting twist: My pilot even asked if I wanted to try flying myself. How could I say no to such an opportunity? They also offered some acrobatic moves, which, in hindsight, I probably should have declined. He stopped the moment I said no.
The entire flight lasts around 25 to 35 minutes, and every second is absolutely worth it. Don’t think twice about it, give paragliding a try in Ölüdeniz. And the best part? You land right on Ölüdeniz Beach!
Ölüdeniz Beach
Plan a day to enjoy the Ölüdeniz Beach. It’s a public beach, and you can rent two sunbeds and an umbrella for just €10. Keep in mind that it’s a pebble beach, so don’t forget to pack your watershoes. The water here is crystal clear, and the view of Babadağ Mountain is breathtaking. While you relax on the beach, you can also watch paragliders soaring through the sky. Sometimes, you’ll even witness groups of pilots gathering for a spectacular show.
You can also order food directly to your table on the beach. I am so glad that we planned a whole day at the beach.
Babadağ Mountain
If you decide to go paragliding, a bus will take you up the mountain, where you can enjoy the stunning view. However, if you’re not into flying, you can still experience the beauty of Babadağ by taking a cable car to an elevation of 1700m. From there, you can go even higher using a chairlift. The ride is truly enjoyable. A round-trip ticket costs around €12 per person. There are three stations, and at each station, you’ll find a cafe or restaurant, making it a great spot for catching the sunset or having dinner. Just remember that the cable car closes at 9 pm, so plan accordingly.
Boat Tour
A boat tour is a must-do activity in every town along the Turkish Riviera. The tour costs around €20-€25 per person and includes lunch. We go on a boat tour every time we are in Turkey. We either ask our hotel to arrange a good value deal, or walk along the marina in the evening, and find the value we like. They all have similar itineraries.
We chose the alcohol-free option. Mixing alcohol with summer heat and boating amplifies the dangers of dehydration and heat strokes, and is a major cause of preventable accidents and fatalities on the water. If you still want to have an unlimited alcohol option, the tour price is, of course, higher.
The boats leave around half past 10 am and return by 5 pm. There are usually two types of boat tours, party boats in the shape of a pirate ship or more chill tour boats. We preferred the latter. The boat tour takes you to five different bays. In some of them, you can directly step onto the land, while in others, you can dive into the crystal-clear water from the boat.
Our first stop was the Butterfly Valley. As the name suggests, this place is known for its butterfly inhabitants, although the increasing popularity has negatively affected the local flora. You can only reach this bay by boat. We had the opportunity to spend an hour here. We decided to hike up to the waterfall and were lucky enough to spot some butterflies along the way.
Our initial plan was to reach the waterfall, but we found satisfaction in a very small one we saw on the hike and decided to return back. The last 100 meters of the hike were steep and rocky, and our footwear wasn’t suitable. If we had known in advance, we would have brought our hiking shoes on the boat.
The next stop was the Aquarium Bay, a lovely spot for swimming and enjoying the sea. Following that, we visited St. Nicholas Island, which is home to a historic town. You can spot ruins scattered around the island, some even submerged underwater. I attempted to hike up the island, but it was quite challenging, so I returned to enjoy the water instead.
During our journey to the next stop, we were served lunch. You can choose between chicken or fish, and personally, I always recommend going with the chicken in such places.
Our next stop was a place called Cold Water, where a natural pool awaits you. You can feel the ice-cold water rising from the bottom while the surface remains pleasantly warm. It’s truly a refreshing experience.
Our last stop was Develi Bay. Each bay was way more beautiful than the previous one, and we didn’t get tired of swimming. At 5 pm, our boat tour ended at the Ölüdeniz Beach.
Turkish cuisine
Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about the cuisine in Turkey! Turkey cuisine never disappoints, and, needless to say, we had fantastic food in Fethiye.
Gar Restaurant
As soon as you arrive at the Fethiye bus terminal, you’ll notice the Gar Restaurant. Make your way to Gar Restaurant number 1 and order their famous lahmacun. Thank me later!
Morina Deluxe Hotel
Of course, being a coastal town, you must indulge in the seafood. We mostly dined at our boutique hotel’s restaurant.
Don’t miss the opportunity to try sea bass, levrek in Turkish, grilled to perfection. Add a drizzle of pomegranate syrup, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over it, and enjoy it with a seasonal salad.
Another dish we loved was Sac Kavurma, which is sateued beef served on a thin iron pan, served with rice and greens.
We consider ourselves fortunate for choosing such a fantastic hotel, from the delightful poolside experience to the delicious food, and the most friendly personnel. I highly recommend the Morina Deluxe Hotel for your stay in Ölüdeniz.
