Oludeniz and Fethiye lie at the centre of one of Turkey’s most scenic destinations – a magnificent coastal region of secluded coves, soaring cliffs, pine-clad mountains and ancient archaeological sites overlooking Turkey's Mediterranean Coast.
Commonly known as ‘the Turquoise Coast’, the region is blessed with crystal clear waters perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving, as well as pine-clad valleys and mountains for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.
The resorts of Oludeniz and Fethiye are conveniently placed to offer all you need for a memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway in Turkey.
The region around Oludeniz and Fethiye offers a treasure trove of ancient archaeological sites overlooking Turkey's Mediterranean Coast and a choice of must-see attractions, including the following…
The family friendly resort of Oludeniz climbs up a narrow valley overlooking a picturesque lagoon surrounded by a pine forest facing the Mediterranean Sea.
The region’s national park status means the development is mainly low-rise. It stretches from the small beachside village of Oludeniz to the larger and more active towns of Ovacik and Hisaronu, which sit on a plateau about 4km from the beach. Here you can find the densest area of hotels and dance clubs, especially in Hisaronu.
The larger hillside resorts offer a regular shuttle bus service to the beach; alternatively you can take a dolmus (shared minibus) or hire a bike.
(Telmessos) – Founded some 3000 years ago, the seaside town of Fethiye offers a range of sightseeing attractions close to gorgeous beaches, numerous hotels and shopping options.
Sunbathe and swim on Çalis Beach, enjoy thrills in the water park at Sultans' Aquacity or ride a dolmus to the idyllic Oludeniz Lagoon and Belcekiz Beach.
Cruise Fethiye Bay for a day or join a week-long Blue Cruise to see the best of Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast.
Visit various archaeological remains including a Roman amphitheatre and a Crusader castle built by the Knights of St John and see the Tomb of King Amyntas – a dramatic 350 BC Lycian stone sarcophagi carved into a cliff face overlooking the town.
Browse for Turkish leather, jewellery and handicrafts in the old shopping district of Pasputur. After dark, choose from a selection of bars and open-air discos near the yacht harbour.
Fethiye is also the starting point for the Lycian Way, a 500km hiking trail that winds through the rugged mountains of the Tekke Peninsula to Antalya.
(Kayaköy) – From the village of Oludeniz or from Fethiye Castle, follow a 6.5km trail through towering pine trees and scenic hillside views to this ghost town of almost 3500 identical stone houses and several mosaic-floored churches.
Once inhabited by Greek settlers, the town was abandoned in 1924 during the forced population exchange between Turkey and Greece in which the respective minorities in each country were repatriated to their ethnic homeland.
Accessed from Kalkan, the historical Xanthos Valley offers a treasure trove of ancient Lycian sites at Tlos, Xanthos, Letoon and Patara.
Kalkan is around 67km from Fethiye and the area is easily reached and explored by hire car, dolmus or tour bus.
The oldest ancient city in the region offers several ruins to admire, including: the City Gate, which dates to the Hellenistic era; Roman ruins such as Vespasian's Arch, the acropolis and theatre; numerous Lycian tombs including the Obelisk, featuring lengthy inscriptions in both Lycian and Greek; and the Lion's Tomb, a sarcophagus featuring carvings of lions and a bull in battle.
Mentioned by Homer in the Iliad, the ancient capital of Lycia is famous as the site of two collective suicides, when the inhabitants ended their lives rather than admit defeat to invading armies.
Explore one of the oldest and most important cites in ancient Lycia, dating from 2000 BC.
Scramble over a rocky hillside scattered with ancient Lycian rock-carved tombs, stone sarcophagi, a Roman amphitheatre and hilltop Ottoman castle, which offers panoramic vistas of the famous Xanthos Valley.
Tlos is around 4km northwest of the Saklikent Gorge and 39km from Fethiye.
This one-time ancient port city is now land-locked and lies almost buried beneath sand dunes.
Discover partially restored marble-paved streets lined with columns then view numerous ruins, including ancient walls, stone sarcophagi, an amphitheatre, a ruined temple and a circular pit, which may have been the seat of the oracle.
The ancient city is located just behind Patara Beach.
Discover the ruins of three temples and a theatre at the former religious centre of ancient Lycia.
A sturdy platform provides easy access to this 480m-high sandstone gorge, created by the constant force of spring waters flowing down from Mount Akdag.
Enjoy scenic views and perhaps wade through the chilling waters of the Gökçesu and Ulupinar springs. Saklikent Gorge is just 40km from Fethiye.
The region surrounding Oludeniz and Fethiye offers a choice of golden-sand beaches scattered along Turkey’s Gulf of Göcek, including the following…
Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on Turkey's most famous beach – a 1.8km-long, 50m-wide crescent of course golden sand and small pebbles set in a picture-perfect location.
Surrounded by soaring mountains and protected by a pine-clad promontory, Belcekiz Beach (also known as Oludeniz Beach) shelves gently into calm turquoise water with perfect swimming conditions for small children.
At the western end of the beach is the much-photographed tranquil blue water of Oludeniz Lagoon, surrounded by pine woods.
Go swimming and snorkelling in the calm waters or try paragliding from the top of nearby Babadag Mountain (1950m) to land on Belcekiz Beach below.
Oludeniz is one of the world’s most popular sites for paragliding: a local paragliding centre provides tandem glides and solo courses for beginners.
Beach facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, beach volleyball, toilets and a choice of beachside kiosk restaurants and bars.
Although the area is collectively known as Oludeniz, this long beach is officially known as Belcekiz Beach.
Turkey’s top beach destination offers a range of accommodation to suit all budgets, including the beachfront Club Belcekiz Beach and nearby LykiaWorld, a 5-star beachfront theme park that is ideal for families, located just 2.4km south of Belcekiz Beach.
Oludeniz is located 8.5km south of Fethiye on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, around 50km from Dalaman Airport. A dolmus (shared taxi) services Belcekiz Beach frequently from Fethiye.
(Fethiye) – Unwind on the course golden sands of this 4km-long beach that shelves into the clear blue waters of Fethiye Bay.
Facilities close to town include parasols and sun loungers for hire, with a choice of bars and restaurants scattered along the beachfront.
At the picturesque northern end of the beach, known as Koca Calis, high winds and shallow waters offer perfect conditions for windsurfing and a local windsurfing school offers lessons and equipment hire.
Renowned for its magical sunsets, Calis is easy to reach by water taxi from Fethiye Marina and is lined with a choice of bars, restaurants and hotels.
Calis Beach is located around 5km north of Fethiye town centre and 15km north of Oludeniz.
Sunbathe on the golden sands of this small and pristine 300m-long beach that fringes a long picturesque inlet framed by soaring bush-clad cliffs.
Go swimming and snorkelling from the beach or hike into the pristine Butterfly Valley, famous for its walking trails through a preserved ecosystem consisting of various flora and fauna such as the rare tiger butterfly, which turns the valley a bright red during the months of April and May.
The Lycian Way hiking trail passes through the valley on its way to Antalya.
Apart from cheap backpacker lodgings and a snack bar, there are no facilities on this secluded beach, which lies only a short distance south of Oludeniz and a half-hour drive from Fethiye.
Water taxis leave from Oludeniz Lagoon and Belcegiz Beach several times a day.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on one of Turkey’s best beaches – an 11km-long and 50m-wide pale golden-sand beach that lies beneath hilly bush-covered sand dunes.
Facilities at the small beachside café include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, changing huts, cold drinks and food.
Patara Beach is also a nesting ground for the caretta caretta turtle, which is why the beach is off-limits after dark and umbrellas must be place within 20m of the sea.
A short walk behind the beach stand the remains of the ancient Roman and Byzantine port city of Patara – the 4th century BC birthplace of St Nicholas, canonised for his charitable good works and thereafter known in modern times as Santa Claus (or Father Christmas).
The sand-swept ruins include a Roman theatre, a triple-arched triumphal gate, a basilica and Lycian tombs. Come for a day or stay longer at the pleasant Hotel Lumiere in Patara town.
Patara Beach is just 15km east of Kalkan – a 20-minute drive by dolmus, and around 80km from Oludeniz and Fethiye.
Unwind on this small crescent of sand and shingle that sits at the end of a dramatic gorge facing a deep, turquoise cove framed by soaring cliffs.
Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire. Beach vendors sell cold drinks and snacks. Go swimming in the warm crystalline water and explore the phosphorescent caves nearby.
This attractive beach is accessed by descending 400 steps from the nearby highway – a 10-minute dolmus ride from the port of Kalkan, where you can find a choice of bars and restaurants.
Kaputas Beach is 83km south of Fethiye and 9km west of Patara.
Sunbathe on the sand spit at the idyllic pine-fringed Oludeniz Lagoon, windsurf at Koca Calis Beach, explore underwater caves and sunken ruins in the crystalline blue waters of the Gulf of Fethiye or paraglide from the summit of Babadag Mountain to Belcekiz Beach.
Inland, hike into the unspoiled Butterfly Valley, wade through the often thigh-high waters of the Saklikent Gorge, canoe down the Xanthos River, white-water raft the Grade 4 and 5 rapids of the Dalaman River and horseback ride through sand dunes dotted with Roman ruins at Patara – perfect for adventurous honeymoon couples.
Sign up for a day trip or week-long cruise around the scenic Gulf of Fethiye, with stops to visit Butterfly Valley and Patara Beach and time for swimming above sunken Byzantine ruins in Hamam Bay and off Gemiler Island.
Scramble over ancient Greek and Roman ruins at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xanthos-Letoön and visit the sand-swept ruins of Patara, where St Nicholas (aka Father Christmas) was born in the 4th century AD.
Explore the deserted village of Kaya Koy and in Fethiye, visit the hilltop Crusader castle, ponder the Roman amphitheatre and examine several stunning Lycian rock tombs dating back to the 4th century BC.
For retail therapy, browse a range of jewellery, carpet, kilim and leather shops in Paspatur, Fethiye’s historic Ottoman centre. Sip Turkish coffee at a sidewalk café or pamper yourself with a Turkish bath and massage at a traditional hamam.
After dark, explore the seafront bars at Oludeniz and Belcekiz Beach or hit the dance floor at discos in Hisaronu or Fethiye.
Turkey’s top beach destination offers a range of accommodation to suit all honeymoon budgets, including the beachfront Club Belcekiz Beach at Oludeniz and the palatial Ece Saray overlooking the marina at Fethiye.
Hillside Beach Club
Location: Kalemya Koyu, Fethiye
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD610 per room (all-inclusive)
Description: This all-inclusive (including drinks) luxury resort faces a private beach in an isolated cove near Fethiye and Oludeniz Beach. Modern guestrooms offer balconies or terraces of varying sizes with sea views. Amenities include LCD televisions with satellite channels, complimentary wireless Internet access, air conditioning and minibars.
Facilities incl.: 6 restaurants, 4 bars, indoor and outdoor pools, concierge, health club, full-service spa, Turkish bath and sauna, 5 tennis courts, 24-hour room service, free Internet cafe and numerous all-includive activities.
Ece Saray Marina & Resort
Location: 1 Karagözler Mevkii, Fethiye
Rating: 4-star
Prices: from AUD274 per room
Description: This luxury resort sits within a landscaped garden overlooking the western end of Fethiye's marina. Spacious guestrooms, trimmed with rosewood and embellished with the finest Vakko textiles, offer Parisian-style wrought-iron balconies above scenic views. Bathrooms, designed in Italian marble, come with amenities such as designer soaps and plush bathrobes. Facilities incl.: 2 restaurants, 3 bars, outdoor pool, concierge, 24-hour room service, spa, Turkish bath and sauna, 5 tennis courts, 24-hour room service and free Internet cafe.
Club Belcekiz Beach
Location: Oludeniz Beach
Rating: 4-star
Prices: from AUD117 per room
Description: This beachfront resorts sits at the very end of Ölüdeniz Beach. Modern guestrooms come with updated bathrooms and balconies or patios. Facilities incl.: 4 restaurants, 3 bars, outdoor pool, fitness centre, concierge, 24-hour room service, Turkish bath and sauna, various water sports and tennis courts.
Accommodation is also available in the bustling hillside villages of Ovacik and Hisaronu, just 4km inland from Belcekiz Beach.
The best time to visit Oludeniz and Fethiye is during spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) when temperatures range between 16°C (61°F) and 25°C (77°F).
However, if you prefer really hot weather, visit in summer from July to mid-September – temperatures often exceed 35°C (95°F) during July and August.
For more climate info: Oludeniz and Fethiye Weather Guide…
Fethiye and Oludeniz are located on the Gulf of Göcek, on the southwest coast of Turkey, around 55km (34mi) west of Dalaman. Oludeniz is around 13km (8mi) south of Fethiye.
The most convenient route to Fethiye and Oludeniz is by air to Dalaman Airport (DLM), located 53km (33mi) west of Fethiye, and 60km (37mi) from Oludeniz, followed by a shuttle bus and/or taxi.
A daily bus service connects Fethiye with Izmir, Istanbul and Antalya. By road, Fethiye is around 170km (105mi) southeast of Marmaris and 295km (183mi) southwest of Antalya (a four-hour drive).
During the summer season, from mid-June through August, a high-speed catamaran service operates daily between Rhodes and Fethiye, taking 1 hour 30 minutes.
Information on how to get to Fethitye and Oludeniz…
Latest update: Oludeniz & Fethiye, Turkey: 10 May, 2022
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