Recent years have seen Turkey’s popularity as a holiday destination increase significantly. It’s outside Europe and culturally unique, but close enough to be affordable and accessible. It also boasts a great climate pretty much all year round, beautiful landscapes and some truly excellent nightlife.
Fethiye and Ölüdeniz, two towns on the southwestern Turquoise Coast are some of the most popular places to visit in the country, and in this article we’ll show you why they’re perfect for a fun-filled getaway.
Ölüdeniz
This town’s name literally translates as ‘dead sea’, in a reference to its calm waters, but it is more often given the more picturesque-sounding name ‘blue lagoon’. Its beautiful Mediterranean location has made it a favourite for tourists, and plenty of bars and nightclubs have sprung up to deal with the increased demand. Here are some of the best.
Crusoe’s Beach Club
Café by day and nightclub by night, the wonderful views on offer at Crusoe’s make it a perfect place to spend an afternoon or start a night out. Sit back and enjoy the sunset before you get up and dance along to whichever international DJs are on the decks for the night.
Shadows Bar
If you fancy something with a bit more variety, why not enjoy dinner and a show at this wonderful nightspot?
Attractions include:
- Good food and drinks
- Dancing and karaoke
- A range of different shows
Mojito Bar Ölüdeniz
If you prefer your music played (and sung!) by professionals, the soul nights here provide a great atmosphere. Relax, dance and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.
Sugar Beach Club
Want to feel like a VIP? Then head down to Sugar to enjoy the private beach, complete with excellent cocktails and a resident DJ.
Top Tip: Get here before sundown to enjoy views of Babadag – the area’s highest mountain.
Buzz Beach Bar
This relaxing spot is perfect to make the day after feel a little less ‘day after’. Set right on the beach, the rooftop seating and ocean-front restaurantmake this one of the best places to refresh yourself after a big night out. With cocktails and frozen margaritas served later in the day, this is also a great place to slowly ease into another night of partying.
Fethiye
Bigger than nearby Ölüdeniz, Fethiye boasts a storied past and a fascinating cultural heritage, with various ruins available to visit. More relevant, though, is its status as one of the best tourist towns in the whole country. Read on to learn about the excellent bars on offer here.
Kum Saati Bar
Also known as The Hourglass, this venue is a strong contender for one of the busiest on the bustling (and aptly named) Bar Street.
Flow
Billing itself as an artsier, trendier alternative to its competitors, Flow earns its status with a great cocktail menu and live music from 9pm.
Deniz Kafe
This unassuming café-bar is the ideal spot for a relaxed drink in beautiful surroundings. You can also order some food if you find yourself getting peckish.
Top Tip: Grab one of the tables set on wooden platforms on the water for a truly relaxing, picturesque experience.
Café Café
The café so nice they named it twice, this is an unmissable spot for a daytime break. There are plenty of reasons to love this spot:
- Delicious cakes and light snacks
- Great service in a bustling location
- Some of the best coffee in the city
Where to Stay
London Hotel –With air-conditioned rooms and private balconies offering stunning views of the gardens and nearby mountains, you can’t get much better than this hotel. The variety of food and drink available is fantastic – guests are served a daily Turkish breakfast, teas, coffees and cake at the London Café freshly prepared smoothies at the hotel bar. What better way to cure a hangover?
Monta Verde Hotel & Villas – Boasting lush gardens and bright, airy rooms, the Monta Verde makes the most of its location amidst the pine trees in the foothills of the nearby mountain town of Ovacik. Guests have access to two swimming pools, a sauna and a gym, while the rooms all come with private bathrooms and balconies.
How to Get There
The flight from London to Dalaman airport takes a little under four hours, and five airlines fly the route direct, keeping prices relatively low. Avoid summer and Christmas holidays to get the best deals, and book a transfer to take you the 58km from the airport to town for a quick and easy journey. Shared shuttle buses are also available and are a great way to keep costs down.
Overview
- UK to DLM flight time: 3 hours 55 minutes
- DLM to Ölüdeniz distance: 58 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct transfer time: 1 hour 10 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
As the best rated airport transfer provider in destinations across the globe, Shuttle Direct is proud to provide affordable services from experienced and friendly drivers, guaranteed to get you to your destination quickly and without hassle.
