The clean deep blue water of Oludeniz Beach is the main reason it is considered to be a top beach destination in all of Turkey. Situated in southwestern Turkey, the beach is actually a sandy bay at the mouth of the Blue Lagoon. The word Oludeniz literally means dead sea; an appropriate description to its ridiculously consistent calm waters. The stunning beach resort area also includes a small coastal village, part of the Fethiye district. While here, you can choose to enjoy a stress-free laidback vacation or indulge in action packed activities.
A strong breeze is constantly plaguing Oludeniz Beach. This characteristic coupled with the surrounding steep cliffs and panoramic views, makes it an ideal spot for paragliding. A typical paragliding expedition starts with reaching the top of Mount Badabag, choosing a solo or tandem flight and eventually gliding your way to the beach. Indeed, the beach has earned a worldwide reputation as the place to visit for paragliding enthusiasts. Thus, when you’re on the beach sipping your favorite drink, don’t be surprised to see paragliders hovering above the beach like birds.
If you have spent enough time relaxing on the beach and would like to move a little, try exploring the hiking opportunities offered in area. One of the most popular routes is the Lycian Way; a more than 500 kilometer trail which begins in Oludeniz Beach and leads hikers to nearby villages and towns. Aside from paragliding, there are outfitters who provide tours to the surrounding mountains. Joining day long cruises, diving and snorkeling are also some of the enjoyable activities offered around the bay area.
Finding comfortable accommodation is not a problem in Oludeniz as the area offers a wide range of choice, from budget hotels, family inns, boutique hotels and all-inclusive hotels. Most of the lodging places can be booked online and well in advance. If you plan to stay a couple of weeks, you also have the option of renting a holiday villa, an apartment and cottage in and around Oludeniz. To satisfy your shopping needs; head out to Carsi Caddesi, which is the main shopping street near the beach. While here, you can browse through a number of colorful shops that sell beach clothing, gifts and souvenir items.
To solidify its status as a vibrant, sports beach, Oludeniz is the host of the annual air games, usually held in October, and it is the biggest event of its kind in Europe. The Oludeniz Air Games is a high-flying sports spectacle that signifies the end of the summer season. During the event, spectators are treated to extreme competitions like skydiving, base-jumping, acrobatic paragliding, fighter jet demonstrations, complemented by live concerts and performances.
Oludeniz boasts a relaxed, fun and easy-going “beach bar” culture. A number of its bars, cafes, and restaurants are situated along the promenade bordering and overlooking the main beach. Some of the iconic joints are the laid-back café of Cloud 9 and Kumsal, which serves authentic Turkish cuisine.
The closest airport to this great beach resort is Dalaman Airport, which is about 30 miles away. You can take a taxi straight to the beach area from the airport. From the nearby major town of Fethiye, there are also shared taxis called Oludeniz dolmus that conduct frequent loops and transport passengers to the beach.
