Belcekiz Beach is the central and longest beach of the resort town of Oludeniz, stretching for almost one and a half kilometers along the coast. This is where the main resort life is concentrated, where paragliders descending from the majestic Mount Babadag land, and from where those famous postcard views of the renowned resort open up.
The Legend of Belcekiz
The name of the beach is shrouded in a touching and tragic legend dating back to the Middle Ages. According to tradition, in those times, Syrian and Egyptian ships often sailed past these shores, heading to Greece and stopping here to replenish their supplies of fresh water.
One day, a beautiful girl named Belcekiz met a young sailor from one of these ships. Love blossomed between the young people, and whenever the ship dropped anchor off these shores, the lovers would meet. But one day, a fierce storm broke out. The young man, knowing this bay, suggested to his father, the captain, to take shelter here, in this quiet and calm harbor. However, the father suspected that his son simply wanted to see his beloved again and did not heed his advice. When the waves began to threaten the ship, the captain, in a rage, struck his son with an oar, and the young man fell overboard.
Soon after, the ship did find refuge in the bay, which turned out to be so calm that the captain realized: his son had been right. But it was too late — the young man`s body was found on the rocks. Learning of her beloved`s death, Belcekiz threw herself from the cliff into the sea. Since then, the bay where the young man perished has been called Oludeniz, which means "Dead Sea," and the place from which the girl leapt bears the name Belcekiz. They say the changing shades of the water are two flames of sorrow: one for the young man, the other for the girl.
Beach Features
Contrary to popular expectations, Belcekiz Beach is not sandy in the classical sense. Its shoreline is covered with a mixture of coarse sand and fine pebbles, which many tourists call "coarse sand." In the eastern part of the beach, there are sandy sections.
The entrance to the sea here is quite shallow, but the depth increases gradually, making the beach suitable for families with children. However, it is worth considering that the bottom is rocky in places, and there may be large stones in the water. The water at the beach is distinguished by its amazing transparency and purity, and its turquoise hue creates a unique atmosphere.
Another feature of Belcekiz is the fairly noticeable waves that often rise during the day. The water temperature here is slightly cooler than on typical Mediterranean beaches, due to the proximity of the Aegean Sea, which makes swimming especially refreshing.
Infrastructure and Amenities
Belcekiz Beach is renowned for its developed infrastructure, which caters to the needs of various categories of holidaymakers. Entrance to the beach is free. Along the entire coastline, there are rental points for sunbeds and umbrellas. There are also free freshwater showers, toilets, and changing rooms, making your stay comfortable even for those who came to the beach on their own.
Along the entire embankment stretches a promenade with numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars where you can have a snack and enjoy refreshing drinks. Local establishments offer both international cuisine and traditional Turkish dishes — gözleme with herbs, arapasi, sundurme, and other regional specialties. Shops and stalls along the beach stay open late, creating an atmosphere of a non-stop resort celebration.
In the central part of the beach, there is a pier from which sightseeing yachts and boats depart for boat excursions to Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, and other picturesque locations.
Entertainment and Active Recreation
Belcekiz is a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Here you can rent catamarans, jet skis, "bananas," and other equipment for active water recreation. However, the main "highlight" of the beach is paragliding. Belcekiz serves as the landing site for paragliders taking off from Mount Babadag, which is among the best places in the world for this sport. Watching dozens of colorful canopies glide down from the summit and gently land on the beach has become a separate entertainment for vacationers.
The beach is also an excellent place to watch sunsets. In the evening hours, when the sun slowly descends into the sea, painting the sky and water in golden-pink tones, and paragliders make their final landings, Belcekiz turns into an ideal location for romantic walks and photographs.
Visitors to Belcekiz Beach are unanimous in their appreciation of its natural beauty. The turquoise water, the golden hue of the shore, and the majestic silhouette of Babadag create truly picture-postcard views. The long coastline allows everyone to find a spot even in the high season, although it can be quite crowded at the height of summer.
The beach is open for visits 24 hours a day, but the peak of activity occurs during daylight hours. The best time to visit is in the morning hours, when the sun is not so aggressive and there are still few people on the beach. In the evening, it is worth coming to catch the famous sunset.
You can get to Belcekiz Beach by dolmus from Fethiye, the journey takes about 20-25 minutes, or on foot from any point in Lower Oludeniz, as the beach is central and within walking distance of most hotels. For motorists, there are paid parking lots in the vicinity.
Belcekiz Beach is not just a place for swimming, but a true center of attraction for all the resort life of Oludeniz. Here you can spend a whole day, alternating swimming with watching paragliders soaring in the sky, and in the evening enjoying dinner at one of the coastal restaurants with a view of the sunset.
