Turkey's most photographed beach with an impossibly blue lagoon protected by a national park. The calm, shallow inner lagoon is perfect for families while the outer sea offers swimming and water sports. World-famous paragliding launch from Babadağ Mountain above.
Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon, located near the resort town of Fethiye in Muğla province on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, is among the country's most photographed and visited beaches. The lagoon's name translates as Dead Sea, a reference to the sheltered, almost still water enclosed within the national park boundary rather than any lack of life — the water is a vivid turquoise that shifts from pale jade in the shallows to deep cobalt where the lagoon opens to the Mediterranean. The beach divides into two distinct zones: the protected inner lagoon, entered through a narrow channel and managed as part of Ölüdeniz Natural Park, and the longer outer beach known as Belcekız, which extends for roughly 4.5 kilometres along the Fethiye coastline.
The inner lagoon charges an admission fee — around 50–80 TL for adults, revised seasonally — and is ideal for families with young children because the water is rarely more than waist-deep over much of its length, the bottom is fine sand and pebble, and the sheltered position keeps surface chop minimal. Sun loungers are rented within the park zone. The outer Belcekız beach offers a wider range of amenities: beach clubs, restaurants, water-sports operators providing jet-skiing, parasailing, and boat excursions, as well as the departure point for tandem paragliding flights that launch from Babadağ Mountain at 1,960 metres above the beach. Watching dozens of paragliders spiral down against limestone cliffs is a signature sight of any afternoon at Ölüdeniz.
The beach surface is predominantly fine shingle and coarser sand, firmer underfoot than pure pebble. Beach clubs on the outer stretch rent sun loungers and umbrellas, typically starting around 200–350 TL per set. Restrooms and showers are available at multiple points. Lifeguards patrol designated swimming zones from June through September. Food ranges from çay and gözleme kiosks to full-service restaurants with sea views.
Road access runs via a winding mountain highway from Fethiye, roughly 15 kilometres and around 20 minutes by car or dolmuş. Parking is available but can fill by mid-morning in peak summer; arriving before 9 am is strongly advisable. Boat trips from Fethiye harbour also drop visitors at Ölüdeniz as part of the 12-island and Blue Cave day circuits, offering an alternative to the mountain road.
Amenities
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- water sports
- showers
- paragliding
Good to know
- Best for
- families, swimmers, sunbathers, photographers, couples
Highlights
- Inner lagoon with calm, shallow turquoise water protected as a national park — entry by admission ticket and ideal for families
- World-famous paragliding tandem flights launching from 1,960 m Babadağ Mountain with landings on the beach
- Belcekız outer beach extending 4.5 km along the Turquoise Coast with full beach-club amenities and watersports
- Exceptional water clarity and iconic turquoise colour — one of the most photographed coastal scenes in Turkey
- Base for Blue Cave and 12-island boat excursions departing from Fethiye harbour
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 9 am to secure parking; the coastal road from Fethiye backs up severely from 10 am onward in July and August
- The inner lagoon charges a separate park admission fee — carry cash as card machines at the entrance can be unreliable
- Book tandem paragliding flights online the evening before for lower prices than walk-up operators on the beach
- The outer Belcekız beach is free to enter; the national park inner lagoon requires the paid admission ticket — these are separate areas
- Jellyfish occasionally appear in September — check conditions with local beach clubs before a long stay
When to visit
May and June offer warm water, uncrowded beaches, and reliable sun before the peak July–August rush. September is excellent for swimming with calmer crowds and water temperatures remaining above 23°C.
Accessibility
The outer Belcekız beach is largely flat and accessed from the road with minimal steps, making it manageable for visitors with mobility aids on the firmer sand and shingle. The inner national park lagoon has a sloped gravelled path to the shore; beach wheelchairs are not officially provided, and the pebble water's edge can be uneven. Visitors with limited mobility may find the outer beach more practical.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for Ölüdeniz?
The outer Belcekız beach is free. The inner protected lagoon within Ölüdeniz Natural Park charges a separate admission fee, approximately 50–80 TL per adult as of 2025. Prices are revised seasonally and posted at the park entrance.
How do visitors travel from Fethiye to Ölüdeniz?
Frequent dolmuş (shared minibuses) run from Fethiye town centre throughout the day, with the journey taking around 20 minutes. Taxis are available and metered. Boat day trips from Fethiye harbour also include Ölüdeniz as a stop.
Is Ölüdeniz suitable for children?
The inner lagoon is very family-friendly, with shallow, calm water and a sandy-pebble floor. The outer beach has lifeguard cover during summer months. The gentle gradient in the lagoon makes it suitable for young swimmers.
When do paragliding flights operate?
Tandem flights from Babadağ Mountain run weather permitting, typically from May to October. Multiple operators on the beach accept bookings; flights last 25–45 minutes depending on the chosen package.
Are sunbeds available on the beach?
Yes — both within the national park zone and on the outer Belcekız beach. Operators charge around 200–350 TL for a pair of sunbeds and an umbrella. A stretch of outer beach remains unlet for visitors using their own equipment.