The boat rounds the headland and the cliffs part to reveal a strip of sand at the mouth of a deep green valley. Walk inland along the stream and the walls close in, until a waterfall drops from the rock ahead.

The valley

Butterfly Valley, Kelebekler Vadisi, lies in Fethiye district at the foot of Babadağ, a 1,975-metre mountain. It is a narrow canyon around 3–4 km long with steep walls 350–400 m high, opening onto a wide sandy beach. A creek runs down the middle, carrying water from a spring in Faralya village to the sea, and a trail leads to two small waterfalls that drop 60 m all year round.

Butterflies

Scientists have recorded 147 plant species and 105 butterfly species here, including the Jersey tiger. Butterflies of many colours can be seen between June and September.

Getting there

A shuttle boat runs hourly in the daytime from Belceğiz Beach in Ölüdeniz, 5–7 km away. Camping, hiking, canyoning and canoeing are all possible in the valley.

• ✓
  Beach Wide strip of sand.
• ✓
  Waterfalls 60 m, at the end of the trail.
• ✓
  Butterflies June to September.