Travel bucket list idea:

Oludeniz Beach

Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey

Bucket List Experience

Aerial iew of sandy beach with umbrellas, green forest, mountain in summer.

Last updated: 05 April, 2024

Expert travel writer: Jeremy Seal

The beach that launched a thousand brochure covers, Oludeniz combines a gorgeous swathe of sandy beach with a tranquil lagoon, backed by tamarisk trees and mountains.

The beach is the most famous in Turkey and does get busy – the further you walk from the resort end, the more chance of peace and quiet. The lagoon is ideal for families with clear, shallow, water and relaxed beach clubs, offering good Turkish food and loungers under the trees.

And while Turkey’s signature beach is busy with landing paragliders and banana boats, the adjacent lagoon is very much more somnolent: mountain-backed shallows, lined by tamarisk trees, loungers and ice-cream cabins, which offer easy swimming and shade.

Logistics

Price: Free

Minimum age: Any

Age suitable: +

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Oludeniz beach is 20-minute drive south of Fethiye. The main beach immediately fronts the town, while the separate lagoon beach lies beyond the western end of the town (easily walkable). The town beach offers sailing and windsurfing facilities, and is the landing point for paragliders descending from Babadag Mountain.

There is parking for the lagoon, but it can get very busy in high season. The section of beach closest to the resort is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants, many with rooftop decks that are fantastic for sunset drinks. The beach is free, but sun loungers and parasols are charged by beach attendants.

When to do it

May to October has the best beach weather though most foreigners avoiding July and August, when Turkish visitors are in abundance. May to June and September to October, cooler but largely dry, are perfect.

April and November can bring rain but there are also long spells of lovely weather; these are great times of year to experience a quieter Turkey.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Oludeniz Boat Trip to Butterfly Valley and St Nicholas Island from Fethiye

Fethiye

Take a fun boat trip around Ölüdeniz’ bays and islands on this full-day cruise. Admire the stellar views as you sail past mountains, headlands and coves. Visit Butterfly Valley, famed for its bright butterflies, and perhaps walk through the canyon to see its waterfalls. Refuel with lunch and drinks (own expense) on deck, and then sail to St Nicholas Island, where you can relax or climb to the ruined hilltop monastery before a final swim stop and your return to Ölüdeniz.

Price: €33

Min age: 0

Rating 4.35 / 5 [31 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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