What makes paragliding in Ölüdeniz so awesome?

   Visit Ölüdeniz in the daytime and look up at the sky. In Ölüdeniz everyone gets a kind of overwhelming urge to look up… It’s like a reflex action.

Anyway, look up and you’ll see many colourful paragliding canopies being flown by their pilots and often but not always with passengers. You’ll see them all soaring and floating like magnificent butterflies above you. And it’s not unusual to hear a gasp from people on the ground as, like you, they watch skilful solo pilots performing extraordinary acrobatic manoeuvres. “Why,” you may ask yourself, “are there so many people high in the air above Ölüdeniz?” The answer is simple. It’s because so many people come to Ölüdeniz for one thing: to experience the best paragliding in the world

An easy to travel distance from the lively seaside town of Fethiye, Ölüdeniz is described as the most picturesque holiday destination in Turkey. If you have been there you’ll know this is true. As well as being stunningly beautiful, paragliders consider Ölüdeniz to be one of the best locations in the world because of its consistent flying conditions. This is due to its unique (and awesome) geography.

You’ll catch glimpses of the magnificent landscape even before you arrive in Ölüdeniz. You can’t miss seeing the spectacular Babadağ (Father Mountain), as it towers 1896 metres above the sea. As you descend the winding road to the beach, you’ll get a clear panorama of the beautiful glittering sea below, tempting you to swim in its blue, azure and turquoise waters. You may also catch sight of sailing yachts, traditional gulets and daily boats moving making their way along the coastline.

You’ll also recognise the world famous Kumburnu Lagoon, sheltered by pine forests and see the rugged mountain range opposite, which extends along the Tekke Peninsula, gradually fading into the distant haze. The big sky, dramatic peaks, beautiful beaches, dense forests and tranquil coves and bays make this area a delight for travellers seeking a unique natural environment.

And if this isn’t enough, imagine how it must feel to see all this amazing geography and nature spread out below you as you glide across the clear blue sky, perhaps looking down at the people staring up at you

For decades, Ölüdeniz has enjoyed a well-deserved international reputation with solo paragliding enthusiasts but it also attracts an increasing number of first-timers, who are seeking the ultimate tandem paragliding adventure.

As an extreme sport, paragliding in Ölüdeniz is closely regulated by national as well as local organisations and at companies such as Hanuman, their teams of professional, highly experienced paragliders take safety issues very seriously.

Hanuman’s professional team of certificated, skilled tandem paragliders only fly when the weather conditions are suitable and before take-off they explain in detail everything to their passengers to ensure a safe flight.

There are three main take-off areas on Babadağ mountain, all of which are accessible by road or cable car.

There are modern facilities on the mountain for paragliders and visitors.

Paragliding in Ölüdeniz will give you a bird’s eye view of the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea; as well as having the best paragliding experience ever, thanks to Babadağ’s microclimate and meteorological conditions.

How to get to Ölüdeniz

Getting to Ölüdeniz is easy… and there are several options. Dalaman Airport is just an hour away by car, bus or coach. There are direct flights from EU countries and the UK as well as domestic flights from Istanbul and Ankara.

Fethiye, the nearest town, has an excellent bus station (Otogar) with regular, efficient, reasonably priced and comfortable coach/ bus services to and from—quite literally—towns and cities all over Turkiye. Turkish public transport is great… there’s a regular minibus service from Fethiye to Ölüdeniz.

There are plenty of official yellow taxis too, the prices of which are regulated.

Göcek and Yeşilüzümlü are all within an hour’s drive of Ölüdeniz and Kalkan is about 90 minutes away.

Where to stay in Ölüdeniz

Ölüdeniz, distinctive for its “low-rise” architecture (only two storeys are permitted) and long, beautiful beach and pedestrian-only, treelined waterfront, is full of great places to stay that suit all budgets and lifestyle choices—singles, friends, couples and families of all ages. All nationalities are made welcome in Ölüdeniz—and there’s plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars to choose for all tastes, as well as plenty of lively or relaxing nighttime venues to enjoy.

It’s no exaggeration to say that as a holiday destination Ölüdeniz has something to offer everyone…whether you just want to relax or do something more sporty, like walking, trekking and hiking; after all, Ölüdeniz is the beginning of the world-famous Lycian Way.

The Lycian Way

Ölüdeniz is the start of the Lycian Way, a coastal trail that winds for about 520 km (320 miles) though mountains and valleys all the way to Antalya. On every step of your journey you will encounter Anatolia’s rich history and culture, as well as the region’s breathtaking scenery.

For meteorology and geography buffs

The proximity of majestic Babadağ to the sea, the height of the mountain and the topography of the surrounding countryside, all contribute towards making Ölüdeniz a spectacularly beautiful place and a consistently excellent location for flying. As well having a unique microclimate and being home to countless endemic plant species, a matchless wealth of flora and fauna, due to the geography, it generally also offers reliable meteorological conditions (although anyone wishing to fly solo should check the weather conditions beforehand). This is why afficionados of paragliding regard Ölüdeniz to be among the best places for flying in the world.