Ölüdeniz Beach & Blue Lagoon: The Complete Guide

Ölüdeniz — literally meaning "Dead Sea" in Turkish (due to its calm waters, not the one in Jordan) — is arguably the most photographed beach in Turkey and one of the most iconic in the entire Mediterranean. The turquoise Blue Lagoon, surrounded by pine-clad mountains and a dramatic paragliding backdrop, is the image that sells Fethiye to the world.

But there's more to Ölüdeniz than that one postcard shot. This guide covers everything you need to know — from the best time to lay your towel down to how much you'll actually spend, written by someone who lives 15 minutes away.

Blue Lagoon vs. Ölüdeniz Public Beach

This is the number one thing visitors get confused about. There are actually two beaches side by side:

Blue Lagoon (Mavi Lagün) — Paid Entry

The famous postcard image. This is a protected National Park with a shallow, incredibly turquoise lagoon. The water is warm, calm, and almost impossibly blue. It's surrounded by a sand spit and the mountains behind create a natural amphitheatre. Sunbeds, toilets, showers, and a small café are available inside.

Ölüdeniz Public Beach (Belcekız) — Free

The longer stretch of beach just in front of the town. Sandy beach, deeper water, plenty of restaurants and bars right behind it. This is where the paragliders land — watching them come in is free entertainment all day. No entry fee, but sunbed rental available from beach bars.

How to Get to Ölüdeniz

From Fethiye Centre

Ölüdeniz is 14 km south of Fethiye town centre. Getting there is easy:

• Dolmuş (minibus): Departs every 5-10 minutes in summer from Fethiye bus station. ~25 minutes, around 30-40 TL. Runs from 7am to midnight in peak season.
• Taxi: ~500-700 TL one way. Not recommended unless you're in a group.
• Rental car/scooter: Easiest option for flexibility. Parking available at the beach (paid).

From Dalaman Airport

Dalaman Airport is approximately 65 km from Ölüdeniz (about 1 hour 15 minutes by car). Options: airport shuttle services (book in advance, ~€15-20 per person), private transfer (~€40-50 for the car), or rent a car at the airport.

From Hisarönü / Ovacık

If you're staying in Hisarönü or Ovacık, Ölüdeniz is just 3-4 km downhill. Many people walk down (20-30 minutes) and take a dolmuş back up. Dolmuş runs frequently and costs around 15-20 TL.

Best Time to Visit Ölüdeniz

Best Months

May-June and September-October are ideal. The water is warm enough for swimming (24-27°C), the crowds are manageable, and the weather is perfect (28-32°C). July and August are peak season — expect packed beaches, 35°C+ heat, and higher prices for everything.

Best Time of Day

Early morning (before 10am) or late afternoon (after 4pm). The midday sun is brutal in summer, and the beach is at maximum capacity from 11am-3pm. Sunset from the public beach, watching paragliders land against the golden sky, is genuinely magical.

Water Temperature

What to Do at Ölüdeniz

• Swim in the Blue Lagoon — The shallow, warm water is perfect for families. You can walk out 50+ metres and still be waist-deep.
• Watch paragliders land — Free entertainment from the public beach. Hundreds of paragliders float down from Babadağ daily.
• Go paragliding — Book a tandem flight from Babadağ. You'll land right on the beach. See our Paragliding Guide.
• Take a boat trip — Small boats depart from the beach to Butterfly Valley, Kabak Bay, and St. Nicholas Island. ~150-250 TL per person (prices vary by season and operator).
• Hike to Kıdrak Beach — A 40-minute walk south through the forest leads to a quieter beach. Entry fee applies (nature park).
• Walk the Lycian Way — The famous long-distance trail passes through Ölüdeniz. Day-hike to Kabak (~4.5 hours) or Kayaköy (~2.5 hours).

Where to Eat

The restaurants directly on Ölüdeniz beach are tourist-priced and generally mediocre. For better value:

• Buzz Beach Bar — On the public beach. Good cocktails, decent food, lively atmosphere.
• Ölüdeniz town centre — Walk 5 minutes inland for significantly cheaper restaurants with better food.
• Hisarönü — 10 minutes uphill by dolmuş. Wide range of restaurants, much better value than beachfront.
• Pack a picnic — Bring food and drinks into the Blue Lagoon. There's shade under the pine trees.

Accommodation Near Ölüdeniz

Ölüdeniz, Hisarönü, and Ovacık form a triangle of accommodation options:

• Ölüdeniz — Walking distance to the beach. Hotels, pensions, and apartments. More expensive.
• Ovacık — 2 km uphill. Mix of hotels, villas, and apartments. Good value, quieter.
• Hisarönü — 3 km uphill. The "bar street" area. Lively nightlife, plenty of restaurants. Very British.
• Fethiye town — 14 km away but much more authentic Turkish experience. Better for longer stays.

Essential Tips

• Bring water shoes — The public beach has pebbles that can be sharp. The Blue Lagoon is sandier.
• Sunscreen is essential — The sun reflects off the water. You'll burn faster than you think, especially in June-August.
• Cash is useful — Some beach vendors and dolmuş drivers prefer cash. ATMs are available in Ölüdeniz town.
• Don't leave valuables on the beach — It's generally safe, but use common sense.
• Sea urchins — Stick to sandy areas. Rocky sections can have sea urchins. Water shoes help.
• Weekdays are better — Turkish families flock to Ölüdeniz on weekends, especially in July-August.