Ölüdeniz — Blue Lagoon, Paragliding & Trail Hub
Ölüdeniz ("dead sea" in Turkish — referring to the calm lagoon) is the most-photographed beach in Turkey: a still turquoise lagoon backed by pine-covered cliffs and the 1,960-metre Mt Babadağ. Paragliders launch from the summit and land on the beach all day. It's also the closest resort to the start of the Lycian Way at Ovacık.
Quick orientation
"Ölüdeniz" usually means three connected places, 5–10 minutes apart:
| Area | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Belcekiz beach | The seafront strip with the parapente landing zone, restaurants, beach bars | Couples, beach holidays |
| Blue Lagoon | The famous calm lagoon — small entry fee (~£1) — kayaks, SUP, swimming | Day visit from anywhere |
| Hisarönü | 3 km uphill — bars, English pubs, cheaper hotels, nightlife | Younger groups, party crowd |
| Ovacık | 5 km further — small village, Lycian Way km-0 marker | Hikers starting the trail |
Paragliding from Babadağ
The 1,960 m summit of Mt Babadağ has six launch ramps at different altitudes, served by a Swiss-built cable car. Tandem paragliding flights run dawn to dusk in season:
- Standard launch (1,700 m): ~30 min flight, £80–£100
- Top launch (1,960 m): ~40 min, £100–£130 — includes the highest commercial tandem launch in Europe
- Acro / aerobatic flight: £130–£150 with experienced pilot
No experience needed — your pilot does everything. Best conditions early morning (still air) or late afternoon (thermals settling). Avoid the windy mid-day window.
The Blue Lagoon
The protected lagoon is the iconic image of Ölüdeniz. Small entry fee, shaded by pines, very calm water, deeper at the far end. Kayak and SUP rental on the beach (£8–£12/hr). Best for swimming early or late — the boat traffic is heaviest 11 am–3 pm.
Where to stay
Belcekiz beach hotels
Right on the main strip, walk to the lagoon and the parapente landing zone. Good for first-timers who want everything on the doorstep.
Hisarönü
Cheaper hotels and apart-hotels. Walk down to the beach in 25 minutes; dolmuş runs every 10 min. Lively bar street ("the strip").
Ovacık village pensions
Best for Lycian Way walkers — quiet, simple, breakfast included, walk to the trail start. Stay one night before you set off.
5* lagoon-view hotels
Liberty Hotels, Olu Deniz Beach Resort, Hillside Beach Club just round the headland. All-inclusive options with private bays.
Connection to the Lycian Way
The marked Lycian Way begins at Ovacık (a 7-minute drive uphill from Belcekiz beach). The first stage walks from Ovacık to Kayaköy in about 9 km of easy descent. Most through-walkers spend their first night in Ovacık village or Belcekiz, then start the trail the following morning.
See the Western Route page for the Ovacık → Kaş plan and the Getting there page for airport transfers.
What else to do
- Boat trip to Butterfly Valley — see our guide
- Ghost village of Kayaköy — abandoned Greek hilltop village, 9 km on the trail or 15 min by car
- Saklıkent gorge — wading day trip 1 hour east
- Twelve Islands boat trip from Fethiye — full day, £20–£30
- Faralya for the Butterfly Valley viewpoint — Lycian Way day-walk to the cliff edge
Getting to Ölüdeniz
- Dalaman airport (DLM): 60 km, 1 hr 10 min by transfer (£40–£55) or shuttle to Fethiye then dolmuş (£14 + £1.50)
- Antalya airport (AYT): 4.5 hours by intercity bus, only worth it if you're already on the east coast
- From Fethiye centre: Dolmuş every 15 min, £1.50, 25 min
When to visit
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Trail / paragliding |
|---|---|---|---|
| April–May | 22–26 °C | Quiet | Best for Lycian Way; paragliding fine |
| June | 30 °C | Building | Trail too hot end of month; perfect parapente |
| July–August | 33–37 °C | Packed | Beach + paragliding only — no walking |
| September | 30 °C | Still busy | Sea warmest, late month trail returns |
| October–early Nov | 23–26 °C | Quieter | Best dual-use: walk + swim |
| Late Nov–March | 10–18 °C, rainy | Low season | Most pensions closed; paragliding limited |
Frequently asked questions
Is paragliding safe?
Tandem paragliding has a low overall accident rate, but Ölüdeniz has seen several fatal incidents tied to specific operators. Pick a registered pilot, check reviews on TripAdvisor for recent comments, and skip flights when wind is gusting visibly.
Can you swim at Belcekiz beach?
Yes — Belcekiz is open sea, paragliders land on the beach but not in the swimming zone. The Blue Lagoon (next bay) is calmer and better for kids.
Best base for Lycian Way: Ölüdeniz or Fethiye?
Ovacık (within Ölüdeniz) is closest to the trailhead — best for walkers. Fethiye is bigger, has more shops and the bus station — best if you need a day to organise. Many walkers do both: a day in Fethiye, a night in Ovacık, then start walking.
Is Hisarönü family-friendly?
Hisarönü is a British party-strip neighbourhood — bars, karaoke, English breakfasts. Couples and families generally prefer Belcekiz or Ovacık.