{"id":2573,"date":"2025-05-16T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=2573"},"modified":"2025-05-20T13:07:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T13:07:31","slug":"i-visited-turkeys-viral-beach-its-not-what-it-seems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/16\/i-visited-turkeys-viral-beach-its-not-what-it-seems\/","title":{"rendered":"I visited Turkey\u2019s viral beach \u2014 it\u2019s not what it seems"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"An\t<\/div>
Online, the Blue Lagoon in \u00d6l\u00fcdeniz is portrayed as a deserted paradise (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A stretch of Turkey\u2019s <\/a>southern coast is said to be one of the most Instagrammable <\/a>places in the country, thanks to its dazzling turquoise water and breathtaking scenery.<\/p>\n

Found in the holiday town of \u00d6l\u00fcdeniz in Fethiye, the \u2018Blue Lagoon\u2019 is home to a large cove that lies against a picturesque setting of dramatic rocks and verdantwoodland.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Until the early 80s, it was considered a (fairly) hidden gem.<\/p>\n

And there is no doubt that it is beautiful. The problem is, everyone <\/em>knows it.<\/p>\n

When I visited Fethiye in April, like everyone else, I traipsed to the Lagoon to see what the fuss was about. <\/p>\n

Having paid 100 Lira (around \u00a32) to get in, I followed a short path that ended at a lovely spot \u2014 crammed with tourists. The sand was smattered with sunbathers and families, all with the same idea. And this was before holiday season had hit.<\/p>\n

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Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Of course, I waded into the water (note to visitors: take flip flops or water shoes, it\u2019s stony) and got my obligatory picture. But there was no way of doing it without capturing a load bodies in the background. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
The lagoon isn\u2019t as deserted as we\u2019re led to believe (Picture: James Christiansen)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Online, this place is portrayed as an unspoiled paradise, but it\u2019s definitely not the deserted scene we see on social media.<\/p>\n

It was time to get out of there, in search of truly undiscovered gem. This is everything I found, and everywhere that\u2019s worth your time, along Turkey\u2019s magnificent Turquoise Coast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Look up<\/h2>\n

Never mind where the influencers film \u2014 I realised that stunning scenery had been staring me in the face all along. <\/p>\n

While there\u2019s no doubt the Blue Lagoon is gorgeous, Fethiye is also home to the Taurus mountains, which form a spectacular backdrop as far as the eye can see.<\/p>\n

No amount of pictures can capture the majesty, which is probably why it hasn\u2019t gone viral on TikTok<\/a>. You really have to see it to soak it all in.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"METRO\t<\/div>
Sitting against the Med, Fethiye is a great spot for early summer sun \u2013 and just one hour from the airport (Picture: Metro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Covered in Red Pines and Cedars, the most prominent mountain in the region is Babada\u011f, aka Father Mountain. <\/p>\n

It towers nearly 2,000 metres high, and you can actually get pretty close to the top via cable car. <\/p>\n

It takes about 15 minutes and there are two stops: one at 1,200 metres and another at 1,700 metres, where you\u2019ll also find the\u00a0Babadag 1700 Grill & Bar, which offers incredible views of the Fethiye coastline while you eat.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t have time to check it out, but it gets good reviews on TripAdvisor. A Babadag Sunset Dinner costs around \u00a325 for adults and \u00a313 for kids under 12.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Paragliding\t<\/div>
You can take a cable car to the top of Babadag Mountain to admire the view (Picture: Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Step back in time<\/h2>\n

In the district of Fethiye you\u2019ll also find Kayak\u00f6y, a \u2018ghost town\u2019 where hundreds of derelict stone buildings embroider the hillsides.<\/p>\n

Once home to Greek Orthodox Christians, the town was abandoned after the 1923 population exchange between Greece <\/a>and Turkey. Today, the crumbling houses and churches offer visitors a haunting glimpse into the past.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Kayak\u00f6y\t<\/div>
Kayak\u00f6y is a \u2018ghost town\u2019, where hundreds of derelict stone buildings populate the hillsides (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The area is still home to just under 1,000 people, and it was here that I discovered a small, friendly restaurant called Kahvalt\u0131c\u0131 Mahmut which serves delicious Turkish breakfasts.<\/p>\n

Forget your full English, this was serious grub, with plate after plate of dips \u2014 my favourite was tahini with grape molasses. <\/p>\n

We\u2019re talking a variety of cheese and fresh fruit and veg, alongsideomelettes, b\u00f6rek (filo pastry with savoury filling), meat with mushroom,\u00a0lokma (like donuts and very popular with my teenage son) as well as unlimited hot flatbread and Turkish tea. It costs 750 Lira per person (around \u00a314) but children under 7 eat free.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
Breakfast at Kahvalt\u0131c\u0131 Mahmut cost around \u00a314pp and is worth every penny (Picture: James Christiansen)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Later, I took a walk around the dusty streets and discovered the tree-shaded Kuyuba\u015f\u0131 cafe, which I was told is a popular local haunt that does a good cup of authentic Turkish coffee.<\/p>\n

Served in a tiny cup, the finely ground coffee beans have been slowly boiled in a pot called a cezve, until the liquid foams.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re offered water as well, which I soon learned is an essential palate cleanser as the coffee is so strong. While it was too much for me \u2013 give me a milky latte any day \u2013 my husband was hooked straight away.\u00a0<\/p>\n

See the sea somewhere else<\/h2>\n

Because the Aegean and Mediterranean meet in the region, the Blue Lagoon is not the only spot with jaw-dropping scenery. Just a couple of kilometres away, in fact, is Kidrak Beach.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s another one you have to pay to enter, but has an out-of-the way feel as it doesn\u2019t have crowded beach bars or family facilities.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Grandparents\t<\/div>
\u00c7al\u0131\u015f Beach is a gateway to the chilled beaches of \u015e\u00f6valye island (Picture: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Definitely one if you\u2019re looking for a beautiful but bare basics beach haven.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, if you\u2019re desperately seeking that Insta shot, take a water taxi from from \u00c7al\u0131\u015f Beach to \u015e\u00f6valye island, another chilled beach with sea hammocks in the water.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Eat local and explore the Old Town<\/h2>\n

On most days we took a taxi to explore the city of Fethiye, which took about 15 mins and cost \u00a37. <\/p>\n

The city is a popular cruise port \u2013 the most-visited on the Turquoise Coast \u2013 where the harbour is lined with boats, some lavish, others cheap, cheerful and ready to take holidaymakers on day trips.<\/p>\n

In the Old Town are rows of covered walkways, where local shops sit next door to stores selling knock-off football shirts and designer gear. If you like a good browse, you can spend hours weaving your way around the streets.<\/p>\n

For those who prefer to wile away time eating and drinking there are plenty of bars and restaurants with seafront views. However, I was told by our villa owner there was one area we had <\/em>to head to for food \u2014 it did not disappoint.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the fish market, you can choose what you want and have it cooked in front of you by one of the restaurants that surround it. The choices are amazing \u2014 crab, prawn, octopus, monkfish, bream\u2026 the list is endless and changes day by day, depending on what has been caught.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Detail\t<\/div>
Shoppers can spend hours browsing the stores (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everything is kept fresh on mounds of ice and the atmosphere is lively as reps from each restaurant ramp up the banter to reel you in to their tables.<\/p>\n

Armed with local advice, we had a great time and didn\u2019t end up spending a fortune. <\/p>\n

I\u2019d been given the tip that the price quoted at the counter is only for the seafood you\u2019re getting, it costs extra to cook and then of course you also pay for the sides. Another pointer was don\u2019t buy a bottle of wine as it\u2019s expensive \u2014 go by the glass as servings are generous, but much more purse-friendly.<\/p>\n

The next day, we also headed to a food festival in Gocek, a town about an hour away.<\/p>\n

There, we tried popular local dishes and over the course of a couple of hours, only interrupted by a traditional Turkish dance routine.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
The festival included traditional dancers (Picture: James Christiansen)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ones that stayed with me were ashure, a sweet soup-like pudding rammed with fruits, nuts, seeds and chickpeas, and Turkish stuffed meatballs, icli kofte. <\/p>\n

And, of course, we finished it all off with baklava, layered filo pastry filled with nuts and lashings of honey. I have a sweet-tooth, and I\u2019ve never tasted anything quite so sugary in my life.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tWhere to stay\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
Villa Murat was the perfect spot to chill when we weren\u2019t out and about (Picture: Oliver\u2019s Travels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Our home for the week was Villa Murat on the outskirts of Fethiye. A four-bedroom luxury house which came with a pool and a cold water jacuzzi, it was just a five minute walk from the nearest supermarket and restaurants, and just 10 minutes from the more busy part of town, which is lined with local shops bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n

It was the perfect location and a great place to relax when you wanted a day of from sightseeing. Plus, if you have water-mad kids it is literally a two minute walk away from the Orca World Water Park. Sadly we visited before it opened on may 1, but according to reviews it\u2019s definitely worth a visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2025 rates at\u00a0Villa Murat<\/a>\u00a0start from \u00a31,129 based on a 7 night stay for 8 guests.\u00a0To book please visit\u00a0www.oliverstravels.com<\/a>\u00a0or phone 03338880205.<\/p>\n

Getting there<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fethiye is about an hour\u2019s drive from Dalaman airport, which we flew into from Stansted. We travelled with very family friendly Jet2 and the flight took around 4.5hours. <\/p>\n

Flights start at are \u00a354 per person*, one-way including taxes departing 11th<\/sup>\u00a0May. For more information, please visit\u00a0www.jet2.com\u00a0or call 0800 408 5599<\/p>\n

*Prices are correct as at\u00a029\/04\/2025<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Online, the Blue Lagoon in \u00d6l\u00fcdeniz is portrayed as a deserted paradise (Picture: Getty Images) A stretch of Turkey\u2019s southern coast is said to be one of the most Instagrammable places in the country, thanks to its dazzling turquoise water and breathtaking scenery. Found in the holiday town of \u00d6l\u00fcdeniz in Fethiye, the \u2018Blue Lagoon\u2019 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2573"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2586,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573\/revisions\/2586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}