What to Do in Oludeniz: 10+ Activities for Your 2024 Getaway

What to do in Oludeniz

​Planning a honeymoon trip with your loved one? Seeking adventure as a solo traveler?
Looking to enjoy an incredible vacation and wondering what to do in Oludeniz during your trip to Turkey?

In this post, I’ll tell you my own recommendations for the best activities you don't want to miss in Oludeniz.
My recs are based on my own personal experience. (I’ve been to this beautiful gem 7 times in the last few years!)

Things To Do In Oludeniz:

1. Paragliding
2. Enjoying the beach and swimming in the Blue Lagoon
3. Islands Boat tour and the Blue Cave
4. Butterfly Valley
5. Ride the Cable Car
6. Quad Biking Safari
7. Day Tour to Saklikent Gorge
8. Lycian Way Hiking
9. Other activities

A place must have phenomenal vacation value to get me to return over and over.
Here I’ll share the details of my favourite adventures to do in Oludeniz — activities you may never experience anywhere else in the world:

1- Paragliding: Only Oludeniz Paragliders know why the birds sing

When it comes to what to do in Oludeniz, paragliding must come first on your list.
Oludeniz truly offers the best paragliding experience in the world.
Enjoy soaring through the sky for a spectacular birds-eye view of Oludeniz. Now you’ll know why birds sing!
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At sunrise, sunset, or during the day, the total adventure takes around 2 hours.
Transfer is included to one of the 4 departure points at the top of Babadag mountain.
Flying time from take off until landing at Oludeniz beach is between 25-30 min

Photo Hint:

Take your signature profile picture or once-in-a-lifetime, amazing selfie in Oludeniz while you enjoy paragliding directly above the Blue Lagoon.

Special Secret:

Most pilots are fully qualified and experienced so ask your professional pilot to make 360-degree turns and do some tricks while in the air to get the adrenaline rush of a lifetime!

Travel Tips:

• Schedule your paragliding at the beginning of your trip to Oludeniz in case you need to reschedule due to unforeseen bad weather conditions.
• If you choose to take your cellphone make sure to have it in a Nick Phone Case

​2- The Blue Lagoon: Swim where the Aegean Sea Meets The Mediterranean

The Blue Lagoon, also known as “The Dead Sea,” is found at the end of Oludeniz beach.

It is more calm and peaceful than your Laz-Z-Boy couch.
When choosing what to do in Oludeniz, remember the swimming is phenomenal!
Rent a kayak or pedalo to explore the breathtaking water of Oludeniz.

Something extra special to enjoy in Oludeniz?

Snorkeling in the underwater world of the Blue Lagoon!
Entering the Blue Lagoon beach costs around $4 USD. Well worth it for half a day there.

What can you enjoy in Oludeniz for free?

The main beach and other spectacular beaches in the area have no charges.

Travel Tips:

• Get water shoes as the Blue Lagoon features a pebbly beach
• Sunscreen, sun hat & sunglasses are highly recommended

​​3- Boat cruise: The Blue Cave and Beyond

When thinking about what to do in Oludeniz, you must take one of the amazing boat tours.
Choose a big double decker boat, the Oludeniz pirate boat, or small and even private boats are available to enjoy in Oludeniz.
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Options include full-day trips and shorter excursions. Make sure to include a swimming stop at the Blue Cave on longer trips.

Departure time is around 10:30 am, returning around 5 pm. Prices are reasonable and include lunch.

​4- Butterfly Valley: Explore this Hidden Gem

Want to unplug and forget the outside world? Butterfly Valley in Oludeniz is your ideal escape.
The most convenient way to access the stunning butterfly species of the Butterfly Valley is by boat.
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Although many boat trips include short stops at the Butterfly Valley, you may not have enough time to fully enjoy it.
Use the Butterfly Valley boat taxi from Oludeniz beach to spend as much time as you like there.

Trails head from the beach to the waterfalls. Choose one and enjoy spectacular scenery while watching the brightly colored butterflies.
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Not enough time to visit the Butterfly Valley by boat? Consider driving to the lookout area for a spectacular view. ​

​5- Babadağ: Ride the Cable Car to Babadag Mountain Top

Paragliding not your thing? Soar above the Babadag mountain and enjoy the phenomenal scenery on the newly opened cable car.
It should be high on your list of what to do in Oludeniz.

The cable car takes you from the hill just above Oludeniz all the way to Babadag mountain top in just 16 minutes.
Using the chair lift takes you further up the mountain. It’s only 5 more minutes and you won’t regret it.​

Grab something to eat or drink at your preferred level and put your camera to work!Breathing the freshest air you can imagine and watching paragliders garnishing the sky above the stunning turquoise water of the Blue Lagoon from nearly 2000 meters is definately a $1M experience.

6- Quad Biking: Seeing another side of Oludeniz

​When choosing what to do in Oludeniz, the Quad Biking Safari is suitable for nearly everyone!
Ride the Oludeniz backroads and explore the alpine forests along mountain paths and country trails while enjoying stunning views.

Single and double quad bikes are very easy to handle even for beginners.
Just listen to the safety briefing given by your guide and do some practicing before starting your Safari.
Bring appropriate clothing for the dust, avoid open-toe footwear and make sure to get your safety gear from your guide.
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Take the easy path or master the terrain and feel the adrenaline rush with no need for a driver’s license.
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7- Saklikent National Park: Hike through the hidden Canyon

Saklikent is one of the deepest canyons in the world (300m)!
It means “The Hidden City” in Turkish and it’s a hub for Trekking and Rock Climbing lovers just an hour’s drive from Oludeniz.

Enter to find a wooden boardwalk going through the rocks along the turquoise river.
While suitable for everyone, remember that continuing on to the waterfall will be a bit challenging.
What to do in Oludeniz if you are a hardcore rock climber? Grab your climbing gear and climb over the waterfall!
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2-3 hours should be enough time for trekking the Saklikent canyon and having lunch; if you have more time activities to enjoy include:

• River Rafting (Tubing)
• Zipline
• Bungee Jumping
• A Mud Bath​

Travel Tips:

• Plan to arrive at Saklikent in the early morning, before it gets too busy.
• Take spare clothes and shoes (Rubber shoes are recommended and can be bought/rented there.)

8- Lycian Way: One of the best hiking trails in the world

The Lycian Way is considered one of the best trails to hike on earth..
More than 500 KM long, it follows the coast of Lycia between Oludeniz and Antalya, taking around 4 weeks to complete.

Unless you’re a hardcore hiker, limit your excursion to the most beautiful stretch of The Lycian Way (from Ovacık to Faralya), which takes 4-5 hours.
The hike to Faralya is somewhat challenging, but the breathtaking views are worth it!
A must to have on your list of what to do in Oludeniz.​

Try to do this hike in April-May or September-October so it isn’t too hot. It’s recommended to use map/trail apps (Ex. Maps.Me or All Trails).

9- More activities to do near Oludeniz

​My recommendations for what to do in Oludeniz are based on my personal preferences and experiences, however there’s definitely much more to do in Oludeniz such as:

• Scuba Diving
• Horseback Riding
• Exploring the Ruins of Kayakoy
• Turkish Baths
• Day trips to Pamukkale

When is the best time to visit Oludeniz?

The season begins in May and ends in October.
For the best selection of what to do in Oludeniz, avoid the hottest weather and the crowds in July and August.
May and September are ideal.

​How to get to Oludeniz?

The closest airport to Oludeniz is Dalaman International Airport (DLM is around 60 KM away).
Rent a car and drive from the airport or take a taxi.

​How many days should I spend in Oludeniz?

Plan to stay at least 4 days in Oludeniz.
When thinking about what to do in Oludeniz, there is so much to enjoy you may want to stay longer.

​​​Where to Stay in Oludeniz?

​Hotels:

​My favourite hotel in Oludeniz is the Blue Star hotel. It’s a quick 1 minute from the beach, very close to everything, and the price is reasonable.

​Villas with Private Pools:

If you’re looking for more privacy, check out Kayakoy Holiday Cottages–the private pool is perfect.

​​​Where to eat in Oludeniz?

1. Secret Garden Resturant
2. The HangOut Restaurant Lounge
3. Takil Resturant
4. Bella Gusto
5. Mamma's kebab house

​I hope you benefit from my experiences regarding what to do in Oludeniz. Check out my next article to know more about "What to pack for your trip to Oludeniz".