Oludeniz beach

I went to Ölüdeniz beach in September while staying at one of the nearby casual hotels. It's a lovely pebble beach where you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella for 200 lira (just choose an available one and a vendor with a card machine will come to you for payment). You can also order a drink from one of the bars by the beach, take a dip in the pleasant water, or buy roasted corn from the young boys who occasionally walk along the beach. The beach is generally well-maintained, although you may find bottle caps and cigarette butts among the pebbles in some areas. There are various activities available, such as snorkeling, boat trips, and kayaking. Different vendors offer these experiences, so it's best to ask around and negotiate the best deal for yourself. The bars and clubs along the beach play loud music late into the night, resulting in competing sounds. During my visit, the crowd consisted of 60% Turkish tourists and 40% British and other European tourists. The presence of Europeans is evident in the food, prices, and nearby entertainment options. While there are two good restaurants serving Turkish cuisine, the rest try to cater to the masses with burgers, overcooked pasta, and steak. Many things are advertised in foreign currency, but you can get a better deal if you pay in Turkish lira. Despite these quirks, I had a great experience at Ölüdeniz. I never felt bothered, and the staff at local establishments were always polite and helpful. The surrounding mountains and paragliders dotting the sky added to the beautiful ambiance.

I visited the beach during the off-peak season, so the temperature ranged from 18 to 25 degrees. It wasn't crowded, which was nice. However, the beach primarily consists of pebbles, making it uncomfortable to walk barefoot or sit on. Nevertheless, it's still suitable for a pleasant stroll. Although I usually enjoy swimming in the sea while on vacation, I didn't feel comfortable doing so here. On the bright side, there are plenty of lounges and dining options available by the beach. Another positive aspect was the presence of free beachside restrooms.

The beach is quite bustling, but the traffic can be overwhelming to the point where even taxis refuse to take us to our hotel. Apart from that, it is truly a delightful place with friendly people.

This beach is meant to be a protected nature area, but it is completely overrun with garbage left behind by countless tourists. The beaches, the surrounding environment, and the water are all polluted, evident from the visible oil and fuel residue left by the numerous tourist boats. Additionally, the prices at the shops, bars, and cafés are unreasonably high considering the quality they offer. Shade is scarce, and the majority of people here are either rowdy tourists or families with noisy children. We have no intention of returning. A much more enjoyable way to appreciate this once beautiful beach is by taking a paragliding flight and admiring it from above.

The beach is absolutely beautiful and offers an amazing opportunity for paragliding. You can enjoy a tandem jump for approximately €60, which is truly a once in a lifetime experience. However, the restaurants located on the beach are quite expensive, so it's advisable to purchase your snacks from the supermarket instead. The sea is stunning with its mesmerizing blue color, and if you have some spare time, taking a ride on the cable car is definitely worth considering.