The Ultimate Oludeniz Turkey Travel Guide

Welcome to our ultimate Oludeniz travel guide! After spending time exploring this popular holiday hotspot on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, we’ve assembled a guide to help you make the most of any visit to Oludeniz. Whether you’re planning on stopping by for a day-trip, or have a holiday booked and are actually staying in Oludeniz, we hope this guide can inspire you on the best things to do, where to eat, drink, relax, and much more.

A huge number of people flock to Oludeniz for its famous paragliding experiences. It’s also a top choice for those that want to relax. Whatever your interests or desires, the town has a lot of appeal for everyone.

Why visit or stay in Oludeniz?

Oludeniz is world-famous for its stunning beach scenery; there’s a reason it’s the number one paragliding location on earth! A beautiful, long sandy beach and Blue Lagoon are the key reasons to visit. However, its sheer number of hotels, restaurants, shops and resort amenities also makes it a popular place for holiday seekers. Life in Oludeniz is relaxing during the day, with an upbeat atmosphere on an evening.

We recommend a visit to Oludeniz for anyone, simply due to its beautiful scenery and activities on offer. Staying in Oludeniz appeals to those who want a traditional, relaxing beach holiday, with a typical tourist feel. For those that prefer a less-touristic, more traditional place to stay, we recommend Fethiye Old Town. You can then visit Oludeniz for the day.

The best time to visit Oludeniz

As with much of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast region, you can visit throughout the year and still have enjoyable, sunny weather. In our opinion, the best time to visit Oludeniz is April – June, or the month of September. These months welcome slightly cooler temperatures (whilst still being quite hot). Crowds are lower and accommodation prices are generally more affordable.

July and August are the hottest, busiest times to visit. Some might like the guaranteed heat, especially if relaxing on the beach a lot of the time. Others might find it too hot.

See an overview on average monthly temperatures below:

The top things to do in Oludeniz

See below for our top picks on the very best things to do in Oludeniz.

Oludeniz Beach

Alongside the lagoon, Oludeniz Beach is the star of the show. It’s the first thing you’ll see when paragliding; it’s also the key allure to holiday seekers. The beach is neatly maintained, with a long stretch of white sand and plenty of sun loungers that you can rent. It also hosts a number of on-beach restaurants.

Throughout the summer months, the sea is a cool but refreshing temperature. It’s perfect for swimming or just going for a dip to escape the hot sun. Spend as much time as you like relaxing on the beach or going for a walk, as this is definitely something you won’t want to miss! As the beach is long, it’s easy to find a sun lounger.

Oludeniz Blue Lagoon

A long walk along the beach stretch and adjoining the beach, Oludeniz Blue Lagoon is a relaxing bay with calm waters. Free to enter and explore, but often crowded, it’s well worth arriving early for a nice spot on the lagoon shores. The area has a number of restaurants, changing facilities, sun loungers and water sports activities, making it ideal for a relaxing beach day.

Go paddleboarding on the lagoon, hire a small peddle boat or simply chill out on the beach and go for the occasional swim. There’s no doubt that Oludeniz Blue Lagoon is one of the best things to do in Oludeniz. However, it does get very busy.  

Paragliding from Mount Babadag

Paragliding is no doubt the most adventurous thing to do in Oludeniz. As the world’s number one paragliding spot, amateurs and professionals flock to the town for a chance to glide above the scenic beach cove. No matter your age, we thoroughly encourage you to try this unique activity, even if you’re ever so slightly tempted.

Paragliding experiences generally start with booking a flight with one of the operators in Oludeniz’ beach town, either on the morning of the flight, or the day before. You can also book online. You’ll then be taken by van up to the top of Mount Babadag, which sits at almost 2000 metres above sea level, with panoramic views of the coastline.

The final step of the journey is a running take-off from the runway, attached in tandem to your instructor. The ascent down to the beach area takes around 15 minutes and can be as smooth or exhilarating as you’d like. The runway you’ll land on sits directly alongside Oludeniz Beach.

Top tip: As paragliding is an extreme sport, we recommend thoroughly researching operators and reading reviews on your instructor before booking.

Boat trip to butterfly valley

Along the coastline from Oludeniz sits a thin bay known as Butterfly Valley. Appropriately named for the many butterflies that make the valley their home, the attraction is worth visiting due to its stunning coastal scenery. Towering cliffs sit on either side of the bay, with a thin slither of white sand beach in the centre.

One of the best ways to visit Butterfly Valley is by boat. Yachts, grand pirate-like ships and standard tourist boats depart from Oludeniz every day, onward to this popular tourist destination. A boat tour generally involves stops along the coastline and some snorkelling, before finally reaching Butterfly Valley. The beach is often crowded, but the scenery is breath-taking.

Top tip: In addition to visiting Butterfly Valley by boat, we recommend driving to the top of the valley by car. Here, you can see views of the bay from above.

Check out the bars and restaurants

As a tourist hotspot, Oludeniz has no shortage restaurants, with cuisines ranging from traditional Turkish, to seafood, fine dining, and even Thai food. We admit, some of the restaurants in town are a little touristic and don’t have the delicious dishes and authenticity you’d find elsewhere. However, there are some hidden gems. Explore the dining scene for yourself and enjoy a meal with a view on an evening.

There’s also a lively bar scene! Chill out with a cocktail in a beach bar during the day, or visit one of the handful of rooftop bars for a sunset cocktail. Oludeniz Beach area doesn’t have the late night party atmosphere of the main town, but it does have a good nightlife scene and plenty of bar options. Hisaronu is the place to visit for a strip of late-night bars and clubs.

Later in our Oludeniz travel guide, we’ll cover our recommendations on the best bars and restaurants to check out. Continue reading…

Ride a cable car to the top of Mount Babadag for the best views

What’s the best scenery you’ve ever seen in your life? Well, whatever it is, prepare for that to be challenged! A sunset ride to the top of Mount Babadag contains one of the most breath-taking views you’ll ever see! The cable car ascends 1800m, almost reaching the summit of the mountain, passing by the cliffside and overlooking the Oludeniz coastline the entire way.

When you reach the top of Babadag and disembark, you’ll get to see the take-off platform for the many paragliding flights. There’s also a number of viewpoints, a restaurant and some nice areas to relax and take in the sights. The round-trip on the cable car takes around 30-40 minutes.

Go for a long stroll on the promenade

One of the best things to do in Oludeniz is simply walking along its long beach promenade. It stretches from Oludeniz town, where you’ll find the paragliding landing strip, all the way to Oludeniz Blue Lagoon. The entire walk will take you around 20 mins. Take a morning stroll and stop for a coffee in a beach-facing café, or walk the promenade as the sun goes down for beautiful sunset views.

Lycian Way hike

The Lycian Way is a popular hiking route that stretches from Fethiye, all the way to Antalya, giving impressive views of Turkey’s coast along the way. The full hike takes around 14 days to complete, but you can always walk a small section of the route. The start of the Lycian Way route is very close to Oludeniz, making it a great place to check out on a morning before heading into town. Spend a few hours (or as long as you like), completing a small section of this iconic hiking trail.

Browse the local shops

There’s a long street of shops, beauty businesses, bars and restaurants in Oludeniz’ beach town. Night and day, this street is always busy and is mainly occupied by tourists. Whether you want to take in the atmosphere and just see this area of town, or fancy a spot of shopping, this is the place to go.

The shops here mainly sell tourist souvenirs, cheap clothing, beach essentials and generic homeware, but there are a few more authentic stores. It’s a good place to check out if you need some beach-ware, sun cream or a holiday accessory.

Water sports

Oludeniz Beach isn’t just good for relaxing. It has a number of more adventurous activities too! You can parasail, rent a jet ski, paddleboard, ride a banana boat, plus all of the other water sports you’d expect on a beach holiday. We found prices to be very reasonable, too. We personally recommend checking out the water sports booth at the end of the beach, near Oludeniz Blue Lagoon. They have the best reviews amongst vendors and a wide range of activities.

Indulge in some beauty and pampering treatments

When visiting Oludeniz, we were surprised to see so many beauty shops, massage parlours and Turkish spa’s. They’re everywhere! Apparently, there’s huge demand for these treatments in Oludeniz. It makes sense, as it’s a great way to wind down and relax on holiday. If you fancy an afternoon of pampering, check out one of these parlours on the main shopping street. Some are better than others, so be sure to check reviews before booking.

Getting around Oludeniz

Oludeniz is quite a spread out area, with its main town being a 60-minute walk (or 7-minute drive) from its beach town area. Depending on where you’re staying, you may be able to get around on foot. For longer journeys, the yellow ‘official’ taxis are everywhere to be seen. They’re accessible and affordable. We recommend hiring a car if you plan on venturing to areas around Oludeniz. A lot of hotels have parking included, street parking is free, and there are a few paid-for parking options in central areas.

Where to stay in Oludeniz

Not only is Oludeniz a popular place to visit, it’s also one of the most popular places to stay on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Most travel agents have the town as a key tourist destination on their websites, with plenty of accommodation options. Hotels vary in budget and size, ranging from the basic, budget-friendly apartment, to a higher-end boutique hotel.

Most hotels near Oludeniz beach area are small, bed and breakfast options. The larger all-inclusive resorts are located away from the beach at the top of Oludeniz’ hill, near the main town. Check out our recommendations on the best Oludeniz hotels below.

Staying in inland Oludeniz/ Hisaronu vs Oludeniz Beach

The area known as Hisaronu is located inland from the beach at the top of a hill. It’s a 7-minute drive or 1 hour walk to the beach, so you’ll need to rent a car or catch a taxi to the beach if staying in this area. It offers affordable accommodation options, larger hotels, supermarkets and plenty of shops. It’s the best place to stay if you want a holiday on a budget or want to be in close proximity to the nightlife area of Hisaronu.

Oludeniz Beach town, as its name suggests, is a small town that’s right on Oludeniz’ long stretch of white sands. It has smaller, boutique-style hotels and you’re within a short walk of all the major sea-front attractions. We personally prefer this area whilst staying in Oludeniz, if budget permits.

There are also a number of hotels between Oludeniz town and the beach, spread out across the cliffside. No matter where you stay in Oludeniz, taxis are affordable and accessible, so you’ll easily be able to get around.

The best Oludeniz hotels

Oludeniz Blu Luxury Unique Hotel (Luxury)

View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 5/5

A top-rated, adults-only, luxury hotel near Oludeniz Beach. The hotel is secluded and quiet, offering amazing swim-up pool rooms, a trendy restaurant and an intimate, boutique appeal. It’s perfect for couples.

Mozaik Boutique Hotel Rooms & Apartments (Moderately priced)

View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 5/5

Mozaik Boutque Hotel Rooms and Apartments suits those that want a spacious resort near Oludeniz Beach, with self-catering options for cooking a few meals in the room. It has a huge pool compared to others in the Oludeniz Beach area, an on-site gym, restaurant, and lots of relaxation areas. Its apartments are very large, making it great for families.

Blue Star Hotel (Moderately priced)

View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

Blue Star Hotel is well-located hotel, right in the centre of Oludeniz beach area. It has modern, well-designed rooms and a ‘village-style’ design, with many outhouses surrounding the swimming pool. You’re a 2-minute walk from Oludeniz Beach and its many bars and restaurants.

London Hotel (Budget)

View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

London Hotel is a super affordable hotel in the Hisaronu area of Oludeniz. Its rooms are basic but modern, with some excellent balcony views. It also has a beautiful garden restaurant and bar area that’s perfect for a sunset drink. London Hotel suits those that want a budget holiday in Oludeniz and don’t mind being a short taxi ride to the beach.

Manaspark Deluxe Hotel Olufemi (Luxury)

View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

A beautifully scenic hotel that’s located near the top of the hill from the beach. It’s secluded, spacious and luxurious, offering large rooms with a view and plenty of facilities. It suits those that want a relaxing break with lots of pool time, but to be within a short drive of the main attractions. It has all-inclusive and half board options for those that want to eat at the hotel.

The best Oludeniz restaurants

Buzz Beach Bar (Oludeniz Beach)

View on Google Maps | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

If you want a restaurant with a cool atmosphere, beautiful décor, but also great food, stop by Buzz Beach Bar on the Oludeniz beach promenade. Decorated with ‘bohemian-style’ wooden furniture and mood lighting, Buzz is a great place to visit day or night. It has a number of classic Turkish dishes, but also pastas, steaks, pizza and Mediterranean favourites.

Ottoman Restaurant (Oludeniz Beach)

View on Google Maps | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

Ottoman Restaurant is a firm favourite place to eat near Oludeniz Beach, for those that want to sample authentic Turkish food. It serves up classic Turkish meat stews, grilled meat skewers, ‘Pide (Turkish pizza)’, pizzas and seafood dishes.

Blue Star Restaurant (Oludeniz Beach)

View on Google Maps | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

A small but intimate restaurant that’s part of the Blue Star Hotel. This is a great place to eat for special occasions, romantic evenings with your partner, or if you just want a nice hearty meal. Meat and seafood dishes are their speciality, but the menu is varied. Choose to sit outdoors in the garden area, or indoors for a cooler setting with ambient lighting.

Barracuda (Hisaronu)

View on Google Maps | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

We had an excellent meal in Barracuda restaurant and highly recommend it! It features a picturesque garden dining area that’s lit up on an evening, sometimes hosting live entertainment as you eat. The menu is diverse, including the usual Turkish dishes you’ll get to love, but also Thai cuisine, seafood and juicy steaks. It’s perfect for a warm summer evening.

The Olive Tree Restaurant & Bar (Hisaronu)

View on Google Maps | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

Set in a traditional Turkish building with a nice garden and patio area, The Olive Tree Restaurant is great for a sunset dinner. It has a menu consisting of Turkish dishes, alongside seafood, fresh fish and a number of popular Mediterranean options. There’s something for everyone! Its outdoor patio tables are perfect for a romantic evening out.

The best Oludeniz bars

Oludeniz is a great place to relax, eat and go on an adventure. It’s also a top choice for party-seekers, or those that just like a casual drink with a view. The Oludeniz area further up the hill, inland from the beach, is host to the resort area known as Hisaronu. This strip of bars and restaurants is known to be one of the best party-holiday destinations on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast, and many young people travel here for this exact reason.

Away from Hisaronu, Oludeniz has a much quieter nightlife scene. The Oludeniz Beach area is home to a selection of fancier cocktail bars, rooftop terrace bars and combined bar and restaurants that have a lively, but less of a party atmosphere.

Below, we share some of the best bars in Oludeniz, both near the beach, and within the party hotspot of Hisaronu.

Buzz Beach Bar

View on Google Maps | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

Located opposite Oludeniz Beach, Buzz Beach Bar is a dining option that appeared in our restaurant recommendations above. However, it’s also a great place to grab a drink on an evening. As the sun goes down, the dim lights come on, setting the scene for a boho-beach-chic spot that serves up some excellent cocktails. Visit for food and stay well into the evening for drinks.

Jade Terrace Food & Drink

View on Google Maps | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5

Another terrace bar/restaurant with views of Oludeniz Beach, Jade is a good bar for those that want peace, quiet and beautiful scenery as they enjoy a glass or wine or two. It has more of a restaurant vibe than a bar, but there’s no doubt that it has some of the best views in town. We recommend visiting for a pre or post-dinner drink before heading somewhere a little livelier.

Cloud 9 Restaurant & Bar

View on Google Maps | Tripadvisor rating 4/5

Cloud 9 Restaurant and Bar is yet another bar that’s directly opposite Oludeniz Beach. It sits on a rooftop, making it a great place to visit for laid-back sunset drinks. It has a relaxing lounge area, comfortable chairs and a wide selection of drinks.

Hisaronu bar strip

The lively nightlife area of Hisaronu, up the hill from Oludeniz town, has no shortage of bars to choose from. Venture to this spot (View on Google Maps) on an evening and you’ll see the whole street lit up with colourful lights. Some bars have tables and plenty of seating for people watching. Others have a livelier club atmosphere.

The following are some top-rated bars to check out in this area, all within walking distance of each-other:

• Summer Jam
• Bar One Hisaronu
• Bar Rosso Cocktail & Lounge
• Efes Garden Cocktail Bar

Our top tips for visiting

• If visiting Oludeniz for the day, arrive early. The beach; especially the Blue Lagoon area, is extremely popular. Head straight to the lagoon for a chance to get a sun lounger in a good location. You can then explore the rest of Oludeniz later in the day.
• During the summer months of June – September, Oludeniz is a very busy and popular place. Make restaurant reservations where you can and arrive early for a guaranteed table.
• If paragliding is a must-do for you whilst in Oludeniz, aim to spend a few days here. Weather changes quickly and there’s always a chance your first flight could be cancelled or changed. Book in advance of arrival and check the reviews for the flight operator you book with.
• You can get to Oludeniz from other nearby towns (such as Fethiye) by taxi, or using a car rental. If you’re bringing a car, be sure to park in the paid-for main town car park (view on Google Maps) or the Oludeniz Blue Lagoon car park (view on Google Maps). Free street parking is available but it’s often hard to find. Therefore, we recommend a stress-free stop in one of the paid-for car parks, which are very affordable.
• Hotels near the beach are generally smaller, boutique-style and come at a higher cost. For affordable accommodation options and more hotels to choose from, stay near Hisaronu up to the road from the beach.
• On a similar note, if accessibility to the beach is important to you or you’re travelling with kids, stay in the beach-town area for less walking. The uphill climb to town can be quite a challenge!
• Yellow, metered taxis are available in the centre of Oludeniz beach-front promenade. It’s very easy to catch a cab to your hotel if you don’t want to walk.

That brings us to the end of our ultimate Oludeniz travel guide. We hope we gave you an overview of what to expect from this iconic Turkish beach town and you’re now set for your visit! If you have any other questions about Oludeniz or would like to share your own thoughts, post a comment down below. We’d love to hear from you!

By Ricky

Author bio:

An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.

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