Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi)
Butterfly Valley sits at the foot of a 350-metre cliff on Turkey's south-west coast, a few kilometres from Ölüdeniz. A small beach, a waterfall in the canyon behind it, simple bungalows and tents on the sand — and crystal water that turns turquoise from above. Most visitors arrive by boat. A few try to hike down from the Lycian Way. This page covers both options, plus what's actually at the bottom.
What's down there
- The beach. 200 m of pebble-and-sand cove, no buildings, no music, no jet skis. A protected SIT-1 nature zone.
- The valley. A 1.5 km flat walk inland to the waterfall — through the canyon between two cliffs, past butterflies in summer (the Jersey Tiger moth gives the place its name).
- The camp. A handful of basic bungalows, hammocks, and a single restaurant. The whole place can sleep about 50 people.
- No road in. The only ways down are by boat or by a steep, unmarked rope-and-cable descent from the cliff above.
How to get there
1. By boat from Ölüdeniz (the normal way)
Day-trip boats leave Ölüdeniz beach hourly from 10 am in season, return last around 5 pm. £8–£12 round trip. About 30 minutes each way. Some boats are dedicated Butterfly Valley shuttles; others are "Six Islands" tours that stop here for 90 minutes.
2. Staying overnight on the beach
Book a bungalow direct with Butterfly Valley Camp (kelebeklervadisi.com). Half-board at the beach restaurant, ~£25–£40 per person per night. They'll meet you with their own boat from Ölüdeniz at a fixed time. Bring earplugs — the waterfall and crickets are loud.
3. By boat from Faralya village above
Cheaper than Ölüdeniz boats, less crowded. Walk to Faralya (a 14 km Lycian Way stage from Kayaköy) and arrange a small boat through any pension — about £15 round trip.
The rope-ladder descent — read this first
The Lycian Way trail itself does NOT descend into Butterfly Valley. It passes high above the valley between Kayaköy and Faralya, gives you the famous "look down" view of the bay, and continues along the cliff to Faralya. From there, the marked trail descends to Kabak bay, not to Butterfly Valley.
Best season
| Month | Weather | Boat traffic | Stay overnight? |
|---|---|---|---|
| April–May | 22–26 °C | moderate | Camp opens late April |
| June | 28–32 °C | busy | Yes — peak butterfly season |
| July–August | 33–37 °C | very busy, last boats fill 1 hr early | Hot at night |
| September | 28–30 °C | moderate | Best month — warm sea, less crowded |
| October | 22–25 °C | quiet | Camp closes mid-October |
| November–March | — | no boats | Closed |
What to bring on a day trip
- Water (1.5 L — restaurant prices are 3× normal)
- Reef-safe sunscreen — no shade on the beach
- Cash in Turkish lira — no card readers, no ATM
- Walking sandals if you want to do the waterfall walk
- Snorkel — clear water, small fish at the rocks
Frequently asked questions
Are there really butterflies?
Yes — the Jersey Tiger moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria) breeds in the valley between June and September. They cluster in the inner canyon. Outside that window you'll see almost none.
Can you see Butterfly Valley from the Lycian Way without going down?
Yes — the famous viewpoint is on the trail between Kayaköy and Faralya, on the cliff edge above the bay. A 5-minute detour off the marked path. You can also see it from the parapente landing at Ölüdeniz.
Is overnight worth it?
If you like very basic, off-grid, communal nights with a single shared meal and no electricity in your bungalow — yes. If you want a hot shower, a private bathroom or any quiet — stay in Faralya or Ölüdeniz instead and visit by day.
Is it on the way for a full Lycian Way walker?
No — Butterfly Valley is a side trip. The Lycian Way passes above it. Day-walkers staying in Faralya often take a boat down for an afternoon then return.
How does it compare to Kabak?
Kabak (one cove south, on the Lycian Way) is bigger, easier to reach by road, has more pensions and yoga retreats. Butterfly Valley is smaller, harder to reach and feels more isolated. If you're walking the trail, you'll see Kabak naturally; Butterfly Valley needs the side-trip detour.