Butterfly Valley

Last update September 28, 2026

Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) is a cove on the Turquoise Coast, lying roughly half an hour’s drive from Ölüdeniz, even though no road actually goes all the way to the beach. Generally, people take a shuttle boat from Ölüdeniz, a journey which takes between 15 and 20 minutes and stops directly at the sand. Cliffs rise to a height of 350 metres on either side, and a waterfall of about 50 metres in height feeds a stream that runs across the beach and then enters the sea. The valley gets its name from the butterflies and moths in it, mainly the Jersey tiger, but do not expect to see large numbers of them. You might see a few, it depending on the season and the time of day.

From Fethiye and Ölüdeniz day trips typically allow you only one or two hours at the location. During that time you can swim and have lunch on the beach, but it isn’t long enough to walk to the waterfall and return. If you would like to see the waterfall as well as the shorter climbs beyond it, then take the shuttle boat rather than go on a full tour and arrange for a longer visit. Take water shoes as the beach is not soft and be sure to take your rubbish with you since the valley is a protected area and littering is prohibited.

You can reach it on foot from Faralya, the village situated above the valley. The path is steep and rocky and in certain sections you have to hold on to a rope in order to descend. Make sure to wear proper shoes, avoid attempting it after it has rained or in the dark, and if you’re new to this type of trail it would be advisable to have a guide. If you prefer to just look, there are viewpoints on the Faralya side from which you can see the entire valley without having to climb. Faralya is also a quieter place in which to spend the night than on the beach, and the trail is included in the first section of the Lycian Way following Ölüdeniz.

If you wish to have the valley to yourselves, then you should stay over night. The simple tents and bungalows are situated on the beach, and when the last day’s boats leave in the afternoon the crowd follows them away. In April, May, September and October the water is clearer and there are fewer people than in July and August. The valley is usually open from March to November, so it’s advisable to check in advance if you are visiting at one of the ends of that period.