Kumburnu Beach is a family-favorite beach located next to Fethiye's Ölüdeniz lagoon, known for its fine sand, calm shallow waters, and colorful paragliders soaring from Babadağ overhead.
Kumburnu Beach stretches along the edge of the world-famous blue lagoon in Ölüdeniz, near Muğla's Fethiye district. Thanks to its sheltered location, the sea remains almost continuously calm—the main draw for families visiting with children. The beach's fine, light-colored sand combined with shallow turquoise waters creates a postcard-worthy scene.
Paragliders taking off from the steep slopes of Babadağ and gliding over the beach have become an integral part of Kumburnu. Swimming in the sea while watching colorful wings dance in the sky elevates this from an ordinary beach to a truly unique destination. Even during Ölüdeniz's busy tourism season, the section of Kumburnu facing the lagoon can remain relatively quiet.
Best Time to Visit
The best period to visit Kumburnu is the summer season spanning from early May to the end of October. Early June and September offer a great balance in terms of sea temperature and crowds. During July and August, the beach gets very crowded, so arriving early around 08:00–09:00 is a good idea. Spring and summer months with stable weather conditions are the most ideal times for paragliding.
How to Get to Kumburnu
Minibuses (dolmuş) departing from Fethiye bus station to Ölüdeniz run at regular intervals; the journey takes about 15–20 minutes. After getting off in Ölüdeniz village, you can reach Kumburnu Beach on foot. If you are driving, you can use one of the paid parking lots in Ölüdeniz; setting off early in the summer months makes finding a parking space much easier. Taxis are also available from central Fethiye.
Photography Spots
Kumburnu is among Muğla's most photographed beaches. The point where the lagoon meets the open beach provides one of the best frames to capture clear turquoise color gradients. Head to the northern end of the beach if you want to frame the steep slopes of Babadağ together with the colorful paragliders soaring above. Water colors reach their vivid peak at midday under direct sunlight, while early morning or late afternoon offers softer light and longer shadows.
Where to Eat Nearby
There are numerous restaurants and cafes near Kumburnu in Ölüdeniz village. Menus feature fresh seafood, Aegean mezes, and local specialties like gözleme. Spots selling drinks and light snacks are also available along the beach. Those who prefer not to leave the beach for lunch can head to nearby cafes and kiosks.
How Much Time to Spend
Planning between half a day and a full day is sufficient for Kumburnu Beach. Visitors who only want to swim and take photos can easily tour the beach in 2–3 hours. For those adding a paragliding flight to their schedule, the day extends further, as the jump and beach relaxation can easily take up a full day. If you want to explore the Ölüdeniz lagoon on the same day, setting off around 08:00–09:00 makes the most sense.
Things to Know Before You Go
Although Kumburnu Beach and Ölüdeniz Lagoon are adjacent, they are separate areas. Keep in mind that entering the lagoon area incurs a fee and requires a separate ticket. The beach gets quite crowded during summer, so arriving early gives you an advantage for sunbed and umbrella rentals. Don't forget sunscreen and plenty of water, as midday sun in Ölüdeniz can be intense. Be sure to book paragliding activities through licensed and certified companies.
Where to Stay
Ölüdeniz village offers boutique hotels, guesthouses, and resort complexes; finding accommodation within walking distance of Kumburnu is easy. For those seeking a wider selection of hotels in central Fethiye, convenient minibus connections make commuting simple. Because occupancy rates are high in the summer season, booking your stay well in advance is recommended.
This content originates from neresigezilir.com and may not be copied without permission.
Kumburnu Beach Videos
Kumburnu Beach videos load when you open this section to keep the page fast.
Show videos
FAQ
Updated: