Oludeniz, Turkey - Turquoise Waters, Hidden Gems and Breathtaking Views

After spending three days in Kemer, we headed to another paradise in Turkey, Oludeniz. This is a tourist village on the southwestern coast of Turkey. With its stunning views, deep blue lagoon, unique mountain slopes and turquoise waters, it is a mesmerizing place.

You can find accommodation for every budget in Oludeniz. For example, the apartment we stayed in cost 77 dollars and was fully equipped. The kitchen had everything we needed and all the essentials for a comfortable stay. The hosts even left us drinks and water.

Our place was in the upper Oludeniz area, about three kilometers from the sea. There are affordable hotels and rental apartments in this part of the village. However, to fully enjoy Oludeniz, you definitely need a vehicle. You can take a minibus or a taxi. But renting your own car is the best option. You can also rent ATVs and buggies from local offices. Just remember, in Turkey, driving is on the right side.

When we arrived at the main beach area, we noticed paragliders soaring overhead.

Before swimming, we followed the mouthwatering smells and sat down at a stall selling traditional Turkish gozleme. They prepare the dough right there, you choose the filling and they cook it on a griddle. A little later, our Turkish tea arrived in classic tulip-shaped glasses. Our gozleme was ready too, thin, hot, generously filled and absolutely delicious. I could have been full just with this. The prices were at European levels. we paid 180 lira for two teas and one gozleme.

Then we headed to the beach. There is a short promenade in front of the beach with restaurants, cafes, bars and even hookah spots. It is a small but pleasant place for a vacation. The paragliders fly right above your head. Almost all the sunbeds were taken and the color of the water was amazing. The beach is pebbly, which feels like a foot massage, but it is not suitable for those who prefer sand. The view of the mountains is beautiful and the waves are quite strong.

It was our first time in Oludeniz. Compared to other resorts, its biggest advantage is nature. The scenery is incredible. I recommend wearing water shoes when entering the sea, especially if your feet are sensitive like mine.

About the scenery: on your left the beach, behind you the mountains, on your right paragliders and sunbeds. You can walk all the way to the end of the beach and soak in the atmosphere. The water is wonderful and refreshing. Since there are still occasional rains, it is not too warm but just perfect. The weather is hot, the sun is strong, so swimming is a real relief.

One of the best things here is taking a cold shower after swimming. There are freshwater showers on the beach. Along the main street going up from the beach, you will find cafes, bars, shops and souvenir stores. It is lively both during the day and at night. The weather is great, the water is perfect. This place has a unique charm. We planned our trip for three nights and four days and it was more than enough. It even felt like we had been there for half a month.

There are not many sightseeing spots here, but plenty of places for fun. And of course, we dedicated a day to visiting Fethiye. After breakfast, we went shopping and came back around noon. I even bought myself a new swimsuit. There is a big market in Fethiye where you can find everything from fruits to souvenirs at affordable prices.

Prices at the Fethiye market are even higher and many are listed in pounds, showing it is mostly for British tourists and wealthy visitors. Bags were hanging everywhere and even the perfect replicas of the latest Rihanna bags were sold for one hundred lira. The variety of sunglasses was impressive. This is the place to stock up. Classic Turkish style models like black frames with golden details looked really cool.

To summarize the market: jeans, classic trousers, various perfumes, colorful t-shirts, thick sweatshirts, bright women’s dresses and of course Calvin Klein boxers, a staple of Turkish markets. Soft towels, bed linens, giant Turkish delights and fresh sweets. We could not resist and bought some. The price was three hundred lira per kilo and we bought about one hundred lira worth. I won’t describe the entire market, but the main point is this is a massive market with endless products.

After the clothing market, you enter the fruit and vegetable section. Fresh vegetables first, then fruits like watermelon, melon, cherries. The prices are much better than in Oludeniz, at least half the price. There were also many types of nuts and huge stalls with dried fruits. Right next to them a giant cheese stand with all kinds of cheeses. And for those with a sweet tooth a massive olive section. It is impossible to describe, rows of fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheese. We bought one kilo of nectarines for thirty lira. In Oludeniz, it would have been sixty, double the price. We also got a melon, it smelled amazing.

The market is set up by a river. It takes only thirty minutes by minibus to get to Fethiye. If you are looking for a busy, vibrant atmosphere, head to Antalya or Kemer. The vibe there is completely different. But we prefer peaceful, quiet places. Although you always pay a little more in these kinds of spots.

A little further on, we reached a viewpoint with an amazing view of Oludeniz and the beach. You can see the crowd of paragliders perfectly from here. Oludeniz, the beach, the coastline, the main street, all in one frame.

Then we went out to explore new places. The view we found was even better. The color of the water was unbelievable. Oludeniz is built on a slope. The hotels closest to the beach have the advantage of easy sea access. It is very convenient to sunbathe and go back to your room. But there are also hotels uphill and staying there means constantly walking up and down, especially if your hotel has no beach shuttle.

The next beach is just around the corner called Kıdrak. It is basically the same as Oludeniz beach but much quieter. Perfect for those who want to avoid crowds. You can get there by car, taxi or motorcycle. The view is as enchanting as Oludeniz itself, another hidden paradise nestled among the mountains.

Then we drove for a few minutes to Butterfly valley. Normally, boat tours go there but we came by car. There is a parking lot up top. The view is amazing. You can see the beach from above. I love places like this.

Now let me show you a secret spot we found. A quiet corner where no one is around. We approached slowly, making sure the rocks were sturdy. Stunning. You stand on a cliff but the view is breathtaking.

There are two ways down to Butterfly valley: either by walking narrow trails or by taking one of those pirate boats. We chose the second option and picked a boat called Black pearl. We hadn’t had this much fun in a long time. We went up to the upper deck. From there we could see all the boats. The weather was perfect and sunny. But everything on these boats costs extra. Alcoholic drinks 250 lira, soft drinks and beer 150 lira. At first a pirate walks around taking photos with everyone to sell later. In such scenery it gives you goosebumps. It really feels like a movie.

We admired the luxury boats passing by. Some even had helicopter landing pads. Our boat was quite calm, which made it more enjoyable. The first stop was Butterfly Valley Beach. The water was crystal clear. Looking down, you could see huge rocks under the water. There were sunbeds on the beach too, available to rent. Corn, ice cream, beer, all for sale. And the water was still cool. But the view was perfect.

If it weren’t for the mountains, this place would never be so special imo. The symbol of the area is the Jersey tiger butterfly but we didn’t see one. It felt more like a Valley of People. There is another viewpoint above. The view from there is even more impressive.

The next stop was a lagoon with a hot spring. And yes, it really was hot. Hot water gushes from a rock underwater, mixing with the sea water. A miracle of nature. This place is worth seeing just for that. Greenery, deep blue water, amazing. Turkey’s nature is really unique. Marmaris is still ahead but this place amazed us.

The last stop was near Saint Nicholas Island. The water there was crystal clear. Our boat was probably the most affordable option. You can jump right into the sea. The water is ice cold but very clean. And finally, on the way back, a foam party started on the boat. Everyone was dancing.

Along the Blue lagoon, there are many bars and restaurants. You get a card, load money onto it and pay your orders with that card. Any remaining balance is refunded when you leave. There is a walking path along the lagoon but be careful. Some spots are really dangerous. That’s why many people don’t go all the way to the end. They find a nice corner to swim and sunbathe. Some even pitch tents and camp on the beach.

Then we took a catamaran. It is dolphin-shaped and can be rented for 500 lira. The further you go out to sea, the clearer the water gets and there is no one around. Our new fun was to approach other boats and take nice photos. I never thought renting a catamaran would be this fun.

We also visited Fethiye, just 10 km from Oludeniz. First, we went to a viewpoint where you can see the symbol of Fethiye, the Amintas Rock Tombs, dating back to 350 BC. Most people come here to walk along the coast. A day is enough to explore Fethiye. Keep in mind, there are no beaches in the city center, only a marina.

Then we took mountain roads to Kayaköy. Entry is free. There are restaurants and souvenir shops around. You can climb the hills and explore the abandoned houses. It’s an incredible place. We felt like we were in an ancient ghost town. Most houses are ruins. After the population exchange in 1923, Greeks left this village. Since then, it has been slowly decaying.

Then we left, but this place seems like it will stand for centuries. If you visit this area, remember there are many mountain trails nearby. Behind the mountains are Oludeniz and the famous Babadağ. These places are perfect for trekking. The Lycian Way also passes here. It stretches 540 km from Fethiye to Antalya. Most people don’t visit because they prefer all-inclusive hotels. But for those who want to discover the real Turkey, this region is a must.

Oludeniz is a great choice for a holiday. See you on the next Turkey tour.