Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Turkey / Turkish Aegean / Fethiye / Olu Deniz
 |  | Travel Reviews : Olu Deniz |
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| | | | Review by Mary Render from Hull
Within easy reach of everything we wanted to do, either by walking or hopping a dolmus or taxi.
Definitely want to return soon.
Review by Susan Jones from 76 Larchfield Ave, Newton Mearns, Glasgow, G77 5QW
The locals call it 'Blackpool in miniature' and that sums it up. Very tacky, cheap and cheerful, full of neon lights and no culture.
Restaurants we visited were of a good standard and not expensive.
Would consider another holiday in Turkey but certainly not this commercialised area.
Review by peter rowley from york
villa arla is in Ovacik a quiet location but within easy walking distance of Hisaronu for very good restaurants and shopping.
Review by charlotte kantecki from Denham, uxbridge
Will definitely be returning in the future!
Review by Kevin and Jacinta Billingham from Consett
Olu Deniz, it must be good because we've been back and forth for qiute a few years now.We find that Olu Deniz has a lot to offer for all ages all set in a great looking and laid back location. You have all different types of nightlife, catering for all different types of people and age groups, all within walking distance of each other.During the daytime you have all the different sports on land and water,or if your not that energetic and you just want to relax then this is the place to do it, the place where you forget about time. Amasing choice of menu's served up in a choice of traditional or modern or a la carte venus.The people in Olu Deniz are the friendliest that we've come across and we don't blame them they know that there living in touch of the world's paridise. One of the reasons we tell our friends about Olu Deniz is quite simple, you can go to any part of Turkey for a hoilday and it will be lovely, but the Turkish people go to Olu Deniz for their holidays.Who can blame them? !!!!
Review by amy dorey from waterlooville
Olu Deniz was a lovely place, not as cheap as expected, but we felt very safe and welcome there. The views of the mountains and of the beach were stunning! The people were very warm and friendly, particulary towards our 2 year old little girl, which was lovely!
Review by Sue Smith from Chelmsford
Olu Deniz has a welcoming warm sea with plenty of sunbeds to relax on and a good supply of refreshment areas and cold showers to cool off and clean up in at the end of your time on the beach. There are numerous places to eat and lots of adventure activities to book including para-gliding over the bay of olu-deniz giving stunning views from 1700 metres up. The actual lagoon was a little disappoining from the post card image but great if you have young children and want to watch them enjoy the calm sea from close by. A very enjoyable resort.
Review by Gary Barnfield from Sheffield
Great place to go. So much to see and do you will not have the time to do it all. The people are friendly and unlike Europe which is getting expensive with the strong Euro the prices are still cheap and terrific value e.g. beautiful 6 island boat trip from 11am to 5.30pm including lunch only £5. Where else can you get that these days?
Review by mick gray from leigh on sea, essex
great value for money.
Stunnimg views of the blue lagoon.
Review by visitor
Olu Deniz is still developing but currently provides a good base to explore the surrounding country side and coastal regions. The Villa which we occupied was ideally situated either for visits to local towns and beaches or to travel further afield to historic sites of interest. The exact location of the Villa was ideal for a relaxing holiday.
Friendly locals
Olu Deniz in Turkey is the most stunning place I have ever been to. I went there last year for my honeymoon.
I'm trying to save hard to go back there for my first wedding anniversary in July.
The local people are so sweet and very welcoming. You don't get hounded to go into bars and restaurants. My husband and I didn't want to leave.
I don't really want to go anywhere else now I've been there. It's the cleanest resort I have been to, and by the time you leave for home, you will have made a good few friends.
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
Avoid the summer crowds
I've been to Olu Deniz three times in the last four years and each time we've had a fantastic holiday.
The people are freindly and welcoming, food and drink good value and the blue lagoon is a beautiful place to spend the day sunbathing.
I would recommend going in late August/early September when it's not so crowded.
Go on a jeep safari and book with Explorer, a company based in Hisarou. They are brilliant and will always throw in a free boat trip if you book a coupleof trips with them.
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
Beautiful place
A beautiful place. I would recommend it to anyone from families to couples.
The scenery was brill, the food was brill, the locals were really friendly and it was cheap to eat out. Not to mention the beaches.
I would definitely visit again.
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
Cheap and laid-back
Olu Deniz has amazing scenery, lovely people and it's very clean and cheap too.
There is lots to do during the day and night, enough bars and nightlife for most, with a nice laid-back atmosphere in late June.
It's easy to get to other spots on cheap, local transport including Hisaronu and Fethiye.We had a great time here - only wish we could have stayed longer.
Don't forget a ten pound note for a visa! Take some sterling notes with you as it is often the preferred currency and most things are priced in it. It means you can easily keep track of costs.
The only thing we would have done differently would be avoid tour reps when it comes to local excursions. Shop around instead - there are many travel agents over there.
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
Good for kids' activities
We visited Olu Deniz last year in August and are visiting again in July.
Paragliding is highly recommended, even for 11 year olds. George, at Easy Riders was very good and also persuasive.
Belcehan Beach was a very clean hotel and the staff were friendly. There were many varied restaurants with different menu prices for every budget.
Boat trips are also a must.
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
A tranquil getaway
A place of natural beauty and tranquillity, an ideal destination for people who want to just get away from it all and forget about their rat race lives and really chill out.
The lagoon is something to behold and will stay in your memory for the rest of your life. It's no wonder they filmed The Blue Lagoon in such a prime location.
In my view, you can't go to a better place for your holiday. I am going back in June for the fifth time in four years and staying in the same hotel,The Flamingo Hotel.
It's a peach of a hotel, with good, helpful, courteous staff. A special mention goes to the manager, who always makes you feel like you are part of his family, a gem of a man.
All in all, I can honestly say that I would recommend Olu Deniz to anybody. Go to Turkey and enjoy one of the unspoilt parts of the world before progress spoils it.
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
Great for couples
One of the best places I've been to. Perfect beaches and beautiful scenery. The locals are lovely too.
Take a trip to Fetiye market on a Tuesday for some good bargains. My friend and I stayed at the Greenland Hotel in nearby Ovacik. It was wonderful, very clean, with good food and very accommodating staff. The hotel runs a free, daily bus service to its private beach at Olu Deniz.
I would highly recommend this place for couples and families.
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
Nothing could stop us going back
This was the best holiday ever, it had it all, lovely sun, sand, water.
The boat trips were cheap - book it on the boat. The people were lovely, the place was very child-friendly.
Nothing could stop us going back
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
Heaven on earth
Heaven on earth is the only way to describe this idyllic corner of Turkey.
Walking through the forest to the blue lagoon you would be forgiven for thinking that you'd emerge somewhere much more exotic.
Hisaronu provides a welcome breeze from the searing heat of the beach, with a great selection of bars, cafes and shops to keep you occupied. The town of Fethiye is approx a 15 minute dolmus ride and the harbour area and old town are typically Turkish, with plenty of opportunity to practice your bartering skills.
The Turkish people are the most hospitable, friendly and humbling people - one man at a bazaar urged me to take my leather goods and return the following week to pay for them!
This is a great area, with something for everyone no matter how varied your interests - history, culture, natural beauty, shopping or clubbing.
We've been four times and have compared it to other holiday destinations but always find them lacking....even the Caribbean.
On our last visit my friend fell asleep on the transfer coach waking when we had reached our hotel nestled among the pine-clad slopes of Babadag mountain and exclaimed "It's great to be home!"
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
Pampered in paradise
Nestling in its own cove just a few kilometres from the picturesque Turkish resort of Olu Deniz and set against the stunning backdrop of Babadag Mountain, LykiaWorld is far from your average hotel.
With 19 swimming pools, countless restaurants and an entrance which wouldn't look out of place in Jurassic Park, the Turkish resort is vast and palatial, verging on imposing.
Scores of waiters in crisp white suits pander to one's every whim. Sport, wellbeing and entertainment are in abundance. It even has its own beach. Huge, it is. Homely, it is not.
Stuck for a book? Head for the onsite library. Need to get online? An internet cafe is a mere stone's throw away.
Tennis, jet skiing, skating and basketball are just a selection of activities on offer at LykiaWorld. There's chess for the cerebral and aerobics for keep-fit fans.
I tried out paragliding from 6,000ft up Babadag Mountain, with expert instructors who put me at ease. Be sure to look out for lumbering tortoises on the drive up.
And if you don't have a head for heights, there's even an onsite diving centre, with courses to suit all.
LykiaWorld also prides itself on pampering visitors. The onsite Thalasso spa and gym is fronted by its very own muscle-bound mascot, UK-born Mike Mitchell, aka Mr Universe 2003.
I tried out a traditional Turkish bath and outdoor massage, unwinding to the sounds of waves crashing over the cliff. But prudes beware - it's traditional for clients to strip off completely.
Other treatments include an onsite hydrotherapy massage pool, as well as more beauty-based indulgences.
Travel guide: Olu Deniz
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| | | | Purpose-built parties
After sunset, LykiaWorld really comes into its own. A team of more than 50 animators host stageshows in the purpose-built amphitheatre most nights.
Despite the no-expense spared feel to the place, the night-time entertainment was more Butlins than West End. The costumes were crass and the Pop Idol stage show distinctly average. But as far as effort goes, it scores a 10 out of 10.
There's also a weekly party, complete with live bands and fireworks. For the more loose-limbed, the onsite nightclub pumps out dance tunes until 2am.
If sipping cocktails and lounging by LykiaWorld's myriad pools doesn't appeal, the complex is well situated to explore authentic Turkey.
I took a jeep safari to nearby Fethiye and beyond, taking in local mud baths, Xanthos's ancient amphitheatre, the ghost town of Kayakoy, and the dramatic Salikant Gorge.
As we snaked through the hills, local tomato wagons trundled by and children ran out from their homes to greet us. It was a day out to remember.
LykiaWorld in Olu Deniz is perfect for families, who love the convenience of buffet meals, children's clubs, sport and entertainment at their fingertips.
But at times, the village theme of bars and shops, left me feeling like an extra in The Truman Show.
And despite several adult-only areas, the scores of youngsters could leave some couples feeling like they're stuck in Alton Towers, long after closing.
If you're a holidaymaker who loves the all-inclusive package, then LykiaWorld simply can't be bettered.
But for the more adventurous traveller to Turkey, who only requires a bed after a day's exploring, the opulence of LykiaWorld probably won't suit.
For what it is, LykiaWorld can't be faulted. The service is excellent, the food fit for a king and the range of activities second to none. Put simply, it's a Turkish delight.
Feeling inspired? Book a holiday.
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| | Destination Guide : Olu Deniz |
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| | | Miles of white sand |  | Why go on holiday to Olu Deniz?
Because it's a beach-lovers' paradise with miles of white sand and shingle beaches. Plenty of watersports are available and regular excursion boats take you to more isolated and picturesque spots.
In the off-season you can get the time and space to appreciate the beauty of the coastline and mountains.
How much does it cost?
As a rough guide, seven-day packages start at around £470 in the peak months and fall to around £300 off-season. Return flights to Dalaman cost around £180 but can be much cheaper in the quiet months.
Mid-range hotel accommodation in a double room costs about £30 per night. The Dolmus (minibus) to Dalaman costs approximately £1.
When should I go?
If you want a tranquil beach holiday, August may not be the best time to go. Temperatures soar to 90F (33C) and the package holiday crowds are at their peak.
The weather can be fine in May and June and October (26C or 77F) and the cost is considerably less.
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| | | Flit through Butterfly Valley |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Olu Deniz has some of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey and a landlocked lagoon which is marvellous for children. Some beaches charge a small fee but Belcekiz beach, which is very much the centre of town life, is free.
Are there any day trips available?
The beautiful Kidrak Forest Park is two kilometres from the town. Excursion boats, operating though the summer, can help you explore the coastline. They charge around £8 for a day trip, including lunch.
Excursions tend to take in Gemile Beach, the Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley and St Nicholas Island.
Is Butterfly Valley worth seeing?
The home of the unique Jersey tiger butterfly is a great place for a day trip.
If you want to spend more time there you can spend the night on a treehouse platform for about £2.50 a head - not to be advised in the cooler months, or for lone female travellers.
Are there any large towns nearby?
Fethiye is only 8.5km away and is easy to get to by bus from Olu Deniz. There are also excellent facilities for diving here.
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| | | Enjoy Mediterranean cooking | | Where's good for nightlife?
Up above the harbour, Liman Caddesi boasts several bars. Towards the end of the street an old house has been converted into the Yasmin Bar, which is classically decorated and offers an odd mix of music.
The adjoining Lycian Fire is also worth checking out. Locals prefer the Yes Bar in Cumhuriyet Caddesi in the bazaar.
What's the food like?
Turkish cuisine is at the heart of Mediterranean cooking. The ingredients are often simple but high-quality and usually fresh. Try dolma (stuffed vine leaves), fresh fish and seafood, local varieties of bread and fresh fruit and veg.
What should I buy?
There's not much in the way of shops in Olu Deniz and if you want to do some serious shopping your best bet is to take a bus to Fethiye.
As well as locally-produced honey, Turkish delight and other traditional Turkish sweets, popular souvenirs include onyx, leather clothing and accessories, carpets, jewellery and crafts, meerschaum pipes, sandals and beach wear.
What is there for children to do?
Kids will love swimming in the lagoon. They also enjoy boat trips and a lot of the bigger hotels offer entertainment for children.
Tourist office
Turkish Tourist Office, 170-173 Piccadilly, 1st Floor, London, W1V 9DD. Tel. 020 7355 4207.
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| | Fact File : Olu Deniz |
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| | | Olu Deniz | | Did you know?
Olu Deniz means Dead Sea.
Language
Turkish
Visas
UK nationals may enter Turkey after obtaining a multiple-entry sticker visa at the border or airport. You don't need to apply in advance, but at time of writing, you'll need £10 sterling to pay for it.
Getting there
Fly directly to either Istanbul or Dalaman from the UK. Dalaman is the nearest airport.
Flying time from London
Four hours
Getting around
Dolmuses - Turkish mini-buses - are cheap and run frequently to and from the town.
Currency
Turkish lira - TL
Costs
As a rough guide, expect to pay: moderate restaurant meal £10; bottle of beer £1; 24-exposure camera film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride £6.15.
Weather
Summer 30-37C (86-97F), winter 15-21C (59-69F).
Time difference
Two hours ahead of GMT
International dialling code from the UK
00 90 252
Voltage
220V; plugs are two-pronged, so UK appliances will need an adapter.
Opening hours
Banks open from 8.30am-noon and from 1.30pm-5pm Monday to Friday. Shops open from 9am-noon and 2pm-7pm Monday to Saturday.
Health - Before you go
No jabs are required but protection against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid is recommended. Make sure you have health insurance.
Health - When you are there
Don't drink tap water and take the usual precautions in the sun.
Warnings
Women wishing to avoid attracting unwanted attention may want to dress like the locals - keeping torso, legs and upper arms covered.
Emergency
The emergency number is 155 for police, 112 for an ambulance. The nearest British Consulate is in the Yesil Marmaris Travel Agency and Yacht Management building at Barbaros Caddesi 249, No 118 Marina, 48700 Marmaris. Tel: 252 412 6486.
Customs
Unrelated men and women must not sit next to each other on public transport. Shaking your head from side to side means 'I don't understand'.
Pets
You can take animals into Turkey with the correct paperwork but they would have to go into quarantine on return to the UK.
Tipping
In the cheapest restaurants, tipping is not necessary. In more upmarket eateries a 10-15% charge is normally added to your bill, but this goes to the owner, so most people choose to leave another 5% for the waiting staff. In taxis, just round up the metered fare.
Tourist office
Turkish Tourist Office, 170-173 Piccadilly, 1st Floor, London, W1V 9DD.Tel: 020 7355 4207.
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| | Available rental properties in Olu Deniz |
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| |  | | Villa Lauray Turkey
Luxury 3 bed air conditioned villa with own freshwater pool, Peaceful location in foothills of mt. Bagadad with beautiful views of valley and mountain. Central for Olu Deniz, Fethiye and Hisaronu.
|  | | Villa Jolio
Luxury detached 3 bedroom mountain side villa. Air-con, private pool, gardens and wilderness views. Hisaronu, Olu-Deniz and Fethiye nearby. High quality at low cost for tranquillity.
|  | | Villa Pembe D
Ideally located 4 bedroom 3 bathroom detached villa with pool. 10min walk to bustling Hisaronu. 10min dolmus(bus) to Olu Deniz/Blue Lagoon or Fethiye
|  | | Villa Yildiz, Ovacik, Oludeniz, Fethiye
Charming character villa on small, peaceful complex- very large pool & fabulous mountain views. Easy access to Oludeniz, Hisaronu & Fethiye. Great comfort, location, atmosphere & value.
|  | | Detached Villa, Ovacik nr Fethiye
Luxury Modern Villa (sleeps 6) situated on the hillside of Ovacik, on a delightful private complex, set in landscaped gardens with pool.
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Holiday Rentals in Olu Deniz |
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 |  | Family and kids (44) | | | Beautiful Scenery (19) | | | Beach (12) | | | Activity holiday (9) | | | Good dining (9) |
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