Ölüdeniz is world-famous as one of the most popular regions of Fethiye in southwest Turkey. With its natural beauties, fascinating lagoon and deep blue sea, Ölüdeniz is one of the indispensable destinations not only for those who want to have a seaside holiday but also for those looking for adventure. Visitors who come here encounter many activities where they can have both a calm holiday and adrenaline-filled moments. So, what are these activities that you can enjoy your holiday to the fullest in Ölüdeniz? Here is your detailed guide.
One of the most exciting activities that visitors to Ölüdeniz should not miss is undoubtedly paragliding. Ölüdeniz is considered one of the best places in the world where you can do paragliding, and the summit of Babadağ is the starting point for those who want to experience this experience. Babadağ is located at an altitude of approximately 2000 meters above sea level, and the view that opens before your eyes before starting the flight here is breathtaking.
Paragliding is an adrenaline-filled experience, as well as a unique way to see the natural beauties of Ölüdeniz and its surroundings from the air. You can safely throw yourself into the sky in tandem flights with experienced instructors. During the flight, you can watch not only the turquoise blue waters of Ölüdeniz, but also the unique views of the Lycian Mountains. While enjoying the freedom of the sky during the flight, which lasts approximately 30-45 minutes, you will want to relive this unforgettable experience when you land.
Paragliding is indispensable for those who love adventure and also offers unique frames for photography enthusiasts. Photographing the Ölüdeniz lagoon and beaches from high above is among the memories you will keep for a lifetime. At the end of the flight, you can crown this experience right on the sea shore by making a soft landing at Belcekız Beach.
Another popular activity that comes to mind when Ölüdeniz is mentioned is boat tours. Boat tours offer a perfect opportunity to discover the natural beauties of Ölüdeniz and reach the unique bays in the vicinity. These tours are organized daily and allow you to discover the hidden paradises of Fethiye Gulf.
One of the first stops on the tours, which usually start early in the morning, is the Butterfly Valley, located just off the coast of Ölüdeniz Lagoon. You will encounter a fascinating nature among the steep rocks of the valley and in the summer months, you can witness the dance of butterflies, as befits the name of the valley. Butterfly Valley also offers trekking trails where you can proceed to the inner parts of the valley with a short walk.
Another stop on the boat tours is St. Nicholas Island. This island, famous for its church ruins from the Byzantine period, offers both historical and natural beauties. You can take a short walk here and travel back in time with a magnificent view from the highest point of the island.
Boat tours usually last all day and you can enjoy the sea with swimming breaks given at the stops. Especially the Blue Cave and Aquarium Bay are ideal stops for those who love snorkeling with their clear waters and colorful underwater world. Ending this day on the boat by watching the sunset from the sea will be one of the most peaceful moments in Ölüdeniz.
Ölüdeniz has countless beauties to be discovered not only on the surface but also underwater. Diving and snorkeling activities are ideal for those who are especially interested in the underwater world. In the calm and clear waters of Ölüdeniz, you have the opportunity to discover fish of different colors, corals and underwater caves.
Both diving courses for beginners and diving tours that go deeper for professional divers are organized in the region. Afkule Diving Point in particular is one of the most popular diving points in Fethiye, and while diving here, you can meet marine life and reach historical wrecks. The natural underwater caves formed by the rocks in the depths of Afkule are a paradise for divers.
For those who prefer snorkeling, places such as Kabak Bay and Soğuk Su Bay, located right around Ölüdeniz, are ideal choices. While swimming in the crystal clear waters of these bays, you can see the natural life under the sea with the naked eye. Snorkeling is a lighter activity than diving, so it is especially preferred by families with children.
If you like nature walks and being in touch with history, do not leave Ölüdeniz without discovering the Lycian Way. The Lycian Way is one of the most well-known long-distance walking routes in Turkey and starts from Fethiye and extends to Antalya. This route bears traces of the ancient Lycian civilization and during the walk you can see the ruins of ancient cities, magnificent views and lush nature all together.
Since Ölüdeniz is one of the starting points of the Lycian Way, this walking route offers a unique nature and history experience for Ölüdeniz visitors. The ancient stone roads, rock tombs and castles you come across during the walk will be an exciting discovery for those interested in history. At the same time, the walking trails usually have sea views and you can see the fascinating blue of the Mediterranean at every step.
The Lycian Way walk includes trails of varying difficulty levels, so there are routes suitable for both experienced hikers and those who want to do shorter, easier walks. One-day walks starting from Ölüdeniz usually end with stops with magnificent views, such as Faralya Village. In Faralya, you can both experience the peace of nature and buy organic products from local villagers.
The area around Ölüdeniz and Fethiye offers adventure enthusiasts a paradise full of off-road jeep safari and ATV tours. These activities allow you to have an adrenaline-filled day and also provide the opportunity to discover the natural beauties of the region from a different perspective. Off-road jeep safari tours are usually held on tracks covering regions such as Saklıkent Canyon, Yakapark, Tlos Ancient City. While having an adrenaline-filled experience on mountain roads and river crossings with 4x4 jeeps, you can reach the hidden beauties of the region.
Jeep safari tours start in the morning and last all day. During the tour, you can get information about the historical and cultural richness of the region with the guides and enjoy the natural beauties. You will encounter breathtaking views while passing through high mountain roads and witness water splashes in enthusiastic river crossings. You can also have a picnic in the unique atmosphere of nature during the tour.
ATV tours offer slightly shorter tracks and are ideal especially for those looking for individual adventure. With ATVs, you can enjoy speed and nature on forest roads, village roads and mountainous areas. ATV riding is usually carried out with tours that last half a day and are accompanied by professional guides. Both jeep safari and ATV tours satisfy adventurous souls and allow you to discover the hidden natural beauties of the region.
One of the most peaceful ways to discover the natural beauties of Ölüdeniz and its surroundings is horse tours. Horse tours, especially organized in regions such as Faralya, Kayaköy and Patara Beach, allow you to be alone with nature and see the historical and cultural riches of the region up close. These tours are usually organized with a guide and are suitable even for novice riders.
Horse tours in mountainous and forested regions such as Faralya offer both magnificent sea views and lush nature together. On these slow-paced tours, you can listen to the sound of nature and get information about the flora and fauna of the region from the guides. Tours around Kayaköy allow you to go on a historical journey among ancient ruins. In addition to the abandoned Greek houses in Kayaköy, churches and old cemeteries are also interesting stops where you can visit on horseback.
You can also enjoy horseback riding in larger and flatter areas such as Patara Beach. A horseback tour experience right by the sea offers unforgettable frames for both photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. These tours are usually held in the early morning or at sunset, so you can feel the peaceful atmosphere of the region in the best way. Horseback tours are a perfect option for both those who want to spend a day in nature and those who are interested in horseback riding.
The natural hot springs and mud baths in and around Fethiye are one of the unique activities that make your holiday both fun and beneficial to your health. The Dalyan region, which is especially close to Fethiye, is famous for its healing hot springs and mud baths. The mud baths here are known for their skin-renewing and toxin-eliminating properties. Traditionally, people put mud on their bodies, wait for about 20-30 minutes, and then cleanse this mud in the hot spring waters.
Mud baths are a great opportunity to cool down and improve skin health, especially on hot summer days. The mineral-rich content of the mud gives your skin a natural glow, while the hot spring waters relieve muscle pain and provide relaxation. In addition, fun moments are experienced during mud baths. You can take lots of photos while covering your body with mud and make this experience unforgettable.
Hot springs are preferred not only for relaxation, but also for their healing properties for health problems. They are known as a source of healing, especially for joint pain, rheumatism and skin problems. The hot springs in Dalyan are fed by natural spring waters and the warmth of these waters relaxes your body. Mud bath and hot spring experience is a perfect activity for those who want to taste the healing power of nature and get rid of the stress of daily life.
Saklıkent Canyon is one of the most popular natural wonders in the region, located approximately 45 minutes from Fethiye. This canyon, which is approximately 18 kilometers long, is filled with an icy river fed by the snow waters of Akdağ and is an ideal escape for those who want to cool off in the summer months. Especially on hot summer days, Saklıkent's cool waters and shaded canyon paths are like heaven for tourists visiting the region.
When you enter the canyon, you feel the fascinating atmosphere of nature as you move between high rocky walls. During the walk, you can move along the river and cool off by entering the cold water at some points. Some areas in Saklıkent consist of narrow passages, which makes for adventurous moments. In addition, short trekking tours organized in the interior of the canyon offer a great experience for those who want to discover the natural beauties.
Saklıkent Canyon is not only a region rich in nature walks, but also in water sports. You can go rafting in the depths of the canyon or have a fun adventure on the river by walking against the current. While wandering around the canyon, you can come across small cafes and resting areas at many points. Here, you can sit on the edge of the river, dip your feet in the cold water, cool off and enjoy the peace of nature.
At the restaurants at the end of the canyon, you can taste local flavors and eat by the river to relieve the tiredness of the day. Saklıkent Canyon is a must-visit destination for both adventure lovers and those who want to spend a cool day in nature.