Ölüdeniz is the second most famous “Dead Sea” (which the town’s name translates to) on the planet. Here you’ll find beautiful turquoise waters next to picturesque beaches, backed by pine-forested hills and the celebrated Ölüdeniz Tabiat Parkı. The national park contains the famed Blue Lagoon, world-renowned walking trails, and a valley where thousands of butterflies gather every year. The impressive Babadağ mountain looms over the beaches and tranquil bay.

After a hard day hiking, scuba diving, or paragliding off a nearby mount, the town has plenty of dining and nightlife establishments to offer distraction from those tired muscles. The town is also an excellent place to base yourself for visits to local sights such as the ruins of Telmessos in nearby Fethiye and the curious ghost town of Kayaköy, or for enjoying the myriad of pirate-themed ships moored off the coast.

The closest airport to Ölüdeniz is Dalaman Airport (DLM), which is roughly a 90-minute drive. Shuttle buses travel to the nearby town of Fethiye, just 5 miles away, where minibuses known locally as dolmuş serve Ölüdeniz. Most intercity bus services from elsewhere in Turkey arrive at the main bus station in Fethiye. There is also a ferry service from Rhodes that arrives at Fethiye.

Ölüdeniz is small and very walkable or bikeable and there are cycle hire facilities in town. There are a myriad of wonderful hiking and cycling trails within the national park that borders the town and a wide selection of boat tours and cruising options on the beautiful ocean waters.

With lots of family holiday resorts peppering the region, the high summer months of July and August can feel a little chock-a-block in Ölüdeniz. This is the time, though, to indulge fantasies of sitting on a beach, listening to the waves, and absorbing as much sunshine as possible. If you plan to fully explore the national park or any of the local historical sites, then a late spring or early autumn sojourn might be more optimal. Winter is cooler and damper, and many of the tourist-focused businesses close for the season. Lovers of upward momentum will want to head to the area in October as there’s an annual Air Games Festival, dedicated to paragliding and base jumping, while June enjoys a town-wide arts and culture festival featuring concerts and exhibitions.

Trek the Lycian Way

Opened in 1999, this 310-mile walking trail is the longest in Turkey and is considered one of the finest in the world. Traveling all the way to Antalya, the Lycian Way trail starts in Ölüdeniz. It heads along the coast, passing fascinating ancient sites, stunning views, and rugged mountain peaks on the way. It’s estimated that the entire route would take a hardy hiker about a month, so it’s advisable to plan extensively before embarking. Authorities discourage people from taking on too much of the route at the height of summer’s blazing heat.

Behold Butterfly Valley

Situated in the foothills of the Babadağ mountain, this natural wonder feels mythical. It’s also not the easiest location to access. You need to take a boat or a water taxi followed by a hike and a bit of a climb to get to Butterfly Valley. But once here, you’re rewarded with a valley swamped with majestic butterflies as well as breathtaking scenery, waterfalls, and pine forests. For the best butterfly action, visit between June and September.

Kayaköy

Once known as the Greek enclave of Levissi, this abandoned village is certainly unique and also fairly spooky. The town was founded in the 14th century and was inhabited until the 1920s. Now it’s a mysterious maze of empty dwellings, deserted churches, and relics of a lost community.