Camping in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz: A Guide

Camping in Ölüdeniz: where can you pitch a tent?

Ölüdeniz is a small seaside resort, and its campsites are around the lagoon rather than in it. The Blue Lagoon is protected as Ölüdeniz Nature Park: you pay to get in during the day, it closes in the evening, and pitching a tent or sleeping in a vehicle inside the park is forbidden. Rather than pitching up on a beach, choose a licensed campsite, where you'll have showers, toilets and electricity.

The campsites closest to Ölüdeniz are on the road down to the lagoon and on the hillside at the start of the Lycian Way. Camps at the start of the trail offer tent pitches, ready-pitched tents and campervan spots with electricity, water and waste hook-ups, about 3 km from the beach. On the lagoon road there are camps with tents and bungalows; the road down is narrow, so take care if you're driving something large.

These camps are for people who want to stay close to everyday life in Ölüdeniz. The Ölüdeniz boat trip leaving the jetty in the morning, tandem paragliding flights landing from Babadağ and the restaurants along Belcekız beach in the evening are all a few minutes away. Parking in Ölüdeniz is hard in summer, so it's easier to leave the car at the campsite and take a dolmuş down. There's more about the resort in our Ölüdeniz travel guide.

Kıdrak Bay: a quieter cove next to Ölüdeniz

Kıdrak is a peaceful bay surrounded by pine forest, about 3 km beyond Belcekız beach. The beach lies within Kıdrak Nature Park and there's an entrance fee. Sources disagree on whether you're allowed to pitch a tent inside the park, so call and ask before you go.

On the hillsides near the bay there are also small private campsites offering tents and bungalows, a good option if you'd like to stay away from the Ölüdeniz crowds but still reach the beach quickly.

Camping in Butterfly Valley

Butterfly Valley, south of Ölüdeniz, is a protected bay enclosed by steep cliffs on both sides. There are no permanent buildings in the valley; you stay in tents run by the site that manages the valley. You can bring your own tent, but only to that area and for a fee; you can't camp anywhere else in the valley.

Prices usually include breakfast and dinner; electricity comes from a generator at set times and the internet is weak. Space is limited, so book ahead between May and September. There's also a separate fee to land at the valley from the sea.

Boats to the valley leave from Ölüdeniz. The path down from Faralya village is very steep and dangerous; accidents and people getting stranded are common, so don't try it. If you'd like to see the valley before staying, the Ölüdeniz boat trip stops at Butterfly Valley; for more on getting there, see our Butterfly Valley article.

Kayaköy, Faralya and Kabak: camping in nature

Kayaköy, about 7–8 km from Ölüdeniz, is the abandoned village known for its stone houses; we've covered its history in our Kayaköy article. Around the village, small campsites among the olive groves and pines offer tent pitches, campervan spots and bungalows. It's not by the sea, but it's quiet, and Ölüdeniz is a short drive away.

Kabak Bay, about 20 km from Ölüdeniz and beyond Faralya, is where a pine-forested valley runs down to the sea. The campsites on the slopes offer tents and bungalows, and some include meals. The road down to the bay is narrow and winding, so check with the campsite before you bring a large campervan.

Faralya and Kabak are on the Lycian Way, so it's easy to stay at a campsite and do day walks. For routes and how to get there, see our article on Lycian Way starting points.

Other campsites around Fethiye

If you'd rather stay closer to Fethiye town, Katrancı Bay Nature Park, on the Fethiye–Göcek road, has a forest campsite that takes tents and campervans; there's an entrance fee. The pine forest runs right down to the sea, and it's quieter than Ölüdeniz.

Opening months and prices change every year. Before you go, call the campsite to check there's space on your dates and what showers, toilets and electricity are available.

Tent, campervan or bungalow?

A tent is the cheapest option and the closest to nature. You can bring your own or rent a ready-pitched tent at many campsites. Before choosing, ask about showers, toilets, hot water and power points; in summer, a shaded pitch makes a big difference.

If you're travelling by campervan, look for pitches with electricity, water and waste hook-ups; there are campsites around Ölüdeniz that offer them. The roads to Kabak and Faralya are narrow and winding, so large campervans are better off at campsites on the lagoon road, in Kayaköy or at Katrancı.

If you don't fancy sleeping in a tent, many campsites have wooden bungalows or small cabins that combine the camping atmosphere with the comfort of a bed. They fill up early in summer.

The best season for camping

The most comfortable months for camping are May–June and September–October. In May it's around 27°C by day and 15°C at night, with the sea at about 20°C; in September daytime temperatures reach 32°C and the sea 27°C. In July and August it climbs to 35°C during the day, the midday heat in a tent is hard going and the campsites are at their busiest.

Many campsites open only in the summer season, and few stay open in winter. For month-by-month air and sea temperatures, see our Fethiye weather by month article.

Camping packing list

The basics: tent, sleeping bag and mat, head torch or lantern, power bank, camping stove and a simple cooking set. Nights get cool in May and October, so bring a light jacket or fleece.

The sun is strong in Fethiye: a hat, sun cream and plenty of water are essential. Take water shoes for the rocky coves, and closed shoes with a sturdy sole for walks on the Lycian Way.

Lighting fires in or near forests is forbidden; only use a barbecue where the campsite allows it. In summer, access to some forest areas in Muğla is sometimes temporarily banned because of the fire risk, so check the announcements before you go.

Things to do while you're camping

If you're staying around Ölüdeniz, boat trips are the easiest day out. The Ölüdeniz boat trip stops at the Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas (Gemiler) Island, Camel Beach, Aquarium Bay and Soğuksu Bay, and lunch on board is included.

Paragliding from Babadağ is the symbol of Ölüdeniz; no experience is needed for a tandem flight, and the paragliders land on Belcekız beach. If you'd like to see Saklıkent Gorge and Tlos, you can join a safari tour.

Of these, Prime Turist runs the boat and diving trips, paragliding and the safari tours, and most of them offer hotel pick-up.

Frequently asked questions

Can you camp for free in Ölüdeniz? The Blue Lagoon is a nature park, and camping and staying overnight inside it are forbidden. The licensed campsites nearby charge a fee but offer showers, toilets and security; don't pitch a tent on the beaches.

Which campsite is closest to Ölüdeniz? The campsites on the road down to the lagoon and at the start of the Lycian Way are a few kilometres from the beach; the camps around Kıdrak Bay are also close.

Can you camp in Butterfly Valley? Yes, you stay in a tent on the area run by the site that manages the valley, and meals are usually included in the price. The valley is reached by boat and space is limited, so book ahead in summer.

Where can you stay in Fethiye with a campervan? There are campsites with electricity and water hook-ups around Ölüdeniz and in Kayaköy, and the Katrancı forest campsite on the Fethiye–Göcek road.

What's the best season for camping? May–June and September–October. The weather is mild, the sea is good for swimming and the campsites are quieter.