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Hi everyone! I’ve just returned from a trip to Turkey, Fethiye/Oludeniz, and I can’t wait to share my impressions.
This is an unusual and veeery beautiful place in Turkey. I hope my notes will help you when choosing a destination for your next holiday.
If you’re considering a slightly different side of Turkey, with dramatic nature and lots of vivid impressions, Fethiye and Oludeniz are a great choice. Here’s the essence of this trip:
Direct flight from Chisinau to Bodrum or Antalya – about 1.5 hours, then roughly 3 more hours by private transfer to the resort.
Oludeniz is a cosy resort right on the shore of the famous Blue Lagoon, with incredible views.
The Lycian Way starts nearby, and Butterfly Valley lies just to the south – both perfect for light hikes and great photos.
Water sports, rafting, paragliding, yacht trips and a cable car up into the mountains – a playground for active travellers.
Hotels with breakfast, evenings in local restaurants: a good dinner with wine starts from about 10–15 euro per person.
Mountain lodges with a STUNNING view, infinity pools and a homely atmosphere – one of the strongest impressions of the trip.
Flight and the road to a dream holiday
The flight: from Chisinau you take a direct flight to Bodrum or Antalya. Just about 1.5 hours in the air and you’re already in Turkey. At the airport, a private transfer was waiting for me, and the road to my dream holiday then took another 3 hours or so. Yes, the transfer is quite long, but honestly – it’s a small price to pay for such a beautiful place.
Oludeniz: Blue Lagoon, the Lycian Way and Butterfly Valley
We stayed in the small town of Oludeniz. The location is fantastic! The resort sits right on the shore of the famous Blue Lagoon. The Lycian Way hiking trail starts here, and Butterfly Valley is located just to the south of the village.
Excursions, sea and trails: what to do in Oludeniz
Excursions and entertainment. Oludeniz is an ideal place for fans of active holidays!
Right on the beach you can try various water sports: canoeing, kayaking and small touring boats. You can also swim in bays with stunning turquoise water.
From the beach, at 11:00, a boat leaves for a stunning bay – Butterfly Valley. There you can hike up to a waterfall and spend the rest of the day sunbathing in a beautiful lagoon with crystal-clear water and dramatic cliffs all around.
You can also set off on your own for a hike along the Lycian Way. Right around Oludeniz you’ll get some of the most beautiful views of the mountains and the sea. For a day hike and fantastic photos, the first 5–10 km are more than enough. Make sure you bring comfortable footwear!
Local excursion agencies offer river rafting, paragliding or yacht trips through the area’s picturesque lagoons.
If possible, rent a car – it will let you reach beautiful spots such as Help Beach and Sea Me, drive up Mount Babadag or head into Fethiye town itself.
There is also a cable car in Oludeniz that takes you up into the mountains. I highly recommend it – the view from the restaurant at the top is gorgeous!
Hotels, food and lodges in nature
Hotels and food. We booked a hotel with breakfast only. There are so many beautiful places in the region that it didn’t really make sense to tie ourselves to an “All Inclusive” system. As for restaurant prices – everything is quite affordable and very tasty. A good dinner with wine cost us from about 10–15 euro per person.
For those who love being surrounded by nature, I really recommend looking into mountain lodges – small cabins in the hills with a STUNNING view, beautiful infinity pools and a very cosy, homely atmosphere. We stayed in one of them for a single night, and I was genuinely impressed!
What to do in Fethiye and Oludeniz
Oludeniz is the kind of place where you can easily combine lazy beach days with plenty of action. Here are some ideas for your stay:
— Spend your mornings on the Blue Lagoon beach, swimming in turquoise water and admiring the mountains dropping straight into the sea.
— Rent a kayak, canoe or small boat and explore the quieter coves along the shoreline.
— Take a trip to Butterfly Valley: hop on the boat from the beach, hike up to the waterfall and relax on the small, very photogenic beach.
— Walk part of the Lycian Way (5–10 km) for incredible mountain-and-sea panoramas – perfect for a one-day hike.
— Sign up for river rafting, a paragliding flight or a yacht tour through the lagoons – great for an extra dose of adrenaline and emotion.
— In the evenings, pick one of the local restaurants, order fresh fish, meze and a glass of wine and end the day in a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.
A perfect day in Oludeniz: 1-day itinerary
Morning: enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the hotel terrace, then stroll down to the Blue Lagoon beach and swim in the warm, clear water.
By 11:00: board the boat that leaves from the beach towards Butterfly Valley. On the way, soak in the rugged cliffs and unreal colour of the sea.
Daytime: at Butterfly Valley, hike up to the waterfall, take some memorable photos, then spend time on the beach in the crystal-clear lagoon, framed by steep rock walls.
After lunch: head back to Oludeniz, take a short stroll through the resort, and maybe rent a kayak or canoe again for a sunset paddle.
Evening: have dinner at a local restaurant (around 10–15 euro per person with wine), walk along the seafront and relax back at your hotel.
Two days in Fethiye and Oludeniz: route idea
Day 1: dedicate it to the Blue Lagoon and Butterfly Valley. In the morning enjoy the beach and water sports in Oludeniz, then take the boat to the valley, hike to the waterfall, relax on the beach and head back to your hotel in the evening.
Day 2: go for a light hike on the Lycian Way (the first 5–10 km) to see some of the area’s best sea-and-mountain views. After the hike, take the cable car up into the mountains, have lunch at the restaurant at the top and savour the panorama.
If you have a car or private transfer, add a stop at Help Beach or Sea Me to change the beach scenery, and in the evening visit Fethiye town – stroll along the promenade and the old streets.
To end the day, it’s wonderful to have dinner in a mountain lodge with an infinity pool or simply return to your familiar hotel by the sea.
How to get to Fethiye and Oludeniz
The main route from Chisinau to this part of Turkey looks like this:
— From Chisinau, take a direct flight to Bodrum or Antalya. The flight takes about 1.5 hours – very quick.
— At the airport you can arrange a private transfer. In my case, the drive to Oludeniz took another 3 hours or so. The road itself is quite scenic, so time passes easier than you’d think.
— If you want more flexibility, you can rent a car. That way you can comfortably reach not only Oludeniz, but also Help Beach, Sea Me, Mount Babadag or Fethiye town, all at your own pace.
Personal impression and final thoughts
Thanks to everyone who read my review to the end. I want to stress that everything I’ve described is my personal, subjective experience.
If you ask me, “Would you go back again?” my answer is: definitely YES! It’s a beautiful place with an amazing sea – perfect for those who love nature and crave strong, bright impressions.
Yours, Ion Admiral!
Frequently asked questions about Fethiye and Oludeniz
Here are some practical questions and answers for travellers thinking about a holiday in the Fethiye/Oludeniz area.
When is the best time to visit Fethiye and Oludeniz?
The best time is during the warm season, when the sea is well heated and the weather is stable and sunny. That way you can really enjoy the Blue Lagoon, hikes on the Lycian Way and boat trips on the sea.
How long does the journey from Chisinau to the resort take?
The direct flight from Chisinau to Bodrum or Antalya takes about 1.5 hours. The private transfer to Oludeniz then adds roughly another 3 hours of driving.
Isn’t such a long transfer too tiring?
The transfer is indeed on the longer side, but it’s offset by the scenery along the way and by how beautiful the resort is. For a place like this, many travellers feel it’s a fair trade.
Is it worth renting a car in Oludeniz?
Yes, renting a car gives you a lot more freedom. You can easily reach Help Beach, Sea Me, Mount Babadag, Fethiye town and many other beautiful places without depending on organised tours.
What activities can I find on Oludeniz beach?
On the beach you can rent canoes, kayaks and small boats, explore coves with turquoise water and sign up for boat trips or yacht cruises along the coast.
What does the Butterfly Valley excursion involve?
From Oludeniz beach, around 11:00, a boat departs for Butterfly Valley. There you can hike up to a small waterfall, take photos and relax on a compact beach with clear water and steep cliffs all around.
Is the Lycian Way suitable for a one-day hike?
Yes, it’s perfect for that. For a day hike, the first 5–10 km are enough. In this area you get some of the most impressive views of the mountains and sea – just wear good, comfortable shoes.
What other activities do local agencies offer in Oludeniz?
Local agencies offer river rafting, paragliding flights, yacht tours through the lagoons, various excursions in the surroundings and cable car rides up into the mountains with a stop at the restaurant at the top.
What meal plan should I choose at a hotel in Oludeniz?
I personally chose a hotel with breakfast only. There are many restaurants and cafés around, so you don’t really need to tie yourself to All Inclusive – especially if you plan to explore and dine in different places.
How much does dinner at a restaurant in Oludeniz cost?
Based on my experience, a good dinner with wine cost from about 10–15 euro per person, depending on the restaurant and what you order.
What is special about staying in mountain lodges near Oludeniz?
The lodges are small cabins in the mountains with spectacular views, infinity pools and a warm, homely vibe. Even a single night there can leave a very strong impression.
Who is a Fethiye & Oludeniz holiday best for – and would you return?
This area is ideal for people who love nature, walking, sea activities and strong impressions. I would definitely go back again and I recommend it to anyone who wants more than just a standard All Inclusive hotel stay.
