Holiday in Ölüdeniz

What makes Ölüdeniz special as a destination?

Ölüdeniz, the Blue Lagoon on the Lycian coast, is one of the most photographed beaches in Turkey — and rightly so. The protected lagoon shimmers in surreal turquoise and aquamarine tones, framed by dense pine forests and the imposing Babadag Mountain, which rises steeply over 1,900 meters from the sea. It is precisely this mountain that makes Ölüdeniz the world capital of paragliding: Hundreds of tandem paragliders take off daily from the summit of Babadag and glide down to the beach over the lagoon in 30 to 45 minutes. The flight offers a breathtaking panorama over the entire Lycian coast, offshore islands, and the endless blue of the Mediterranean — an experience that leaves even seasoned frequent flyers speechless. The lagoon itself is a nature reserve with an entrance fee, which ensures water quality and tranquility. Outside the lagoon stretches the public Belcekiz Beach with its fine pebble beach and a wide range of water sports. The famous Lycian Way begins (or ends) here, and the Butterfly Valley — a gorge accessible only by boat with a waterfall and over 100 species of butterflies — is just a short boat ride away. The nearby Ghost Village Kayaköy, an abandoned Greek settlement with over 500 vacant stone houses, offers a moving insight into the history of the Greek-Turkish population exchange of 1923.