Famed for its stunning lagoon, the Ölüdeniz Nature Reserve lies on the south-west coast of Turkey. It encompasses a pebbly bay that’s backed by rugged mountains, which provide a launching site for paragliding flights. Ölüdeniz is located along the Lycian Way, a long-distance walking trail that connects Hisarönü and Geyikbayırı.
You can swim in the idyllic waters of the “Blue Lagoon” or simply relax on the Ölüdeniz Nature Reserve’s Blue Flag beach. Want to come face-to-face with the local marine life? Scuba diving trips are available to explore the underwater caves nearby, with several sites also accessible to snorkelers.
Ölüdeniz is often lauded as one of the best places in the world to go paragliding due to its stable weather conditions, strong thermals and breathtaking views. Tandem paragliding flights are available from the top of Mount Babadağ, which can be accessed by cable car.
Getting there
The Ölüdeniz Nature Reserve is a 10-minute drive from the village of Ölüdeniz and 30 minutes from Fethiye. Dalaman Airport is just over an hour away and has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Dolmus buses connect to Ölüdeniz and the beachside area is ideally explored on foot.