Activities

Paragliding and Tandem Flights

Glide from Babadağ at 1900 metres over the Blue Lagoon: one of the most famous tandem flights in the world, and more affordable than any flight in the Alps.

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Ölüdeniz and Babadağ: the classic

Babadağ has several launch sites at 1700, 1800 and 1900 metres, used depending on the wind. The cable car from Ölüdeniz makes the ascent easy; it used to be by jeep up a gravel track, which only a few operators still do today. The flight takes you over the pine forest, then over the bay and the Blue Lagoon, landing on the beach promenade in Ölüdeniz, right among the restaurants and spectators. A standard flight lasts 25 to 35 minutes, up to 45 with good thermals. Prices are CHF 90 to 150 (about EUR 96 to 160) depending on season, launch site and operator; GoPro photos and video usually cost CHF 20 to 40 extra. Ölüdeniz itself is entirely geared to tourism; Fethiye, 15 minutes away, is nicer for staying overnight. In October an international air festival takes place in Ölüdeniz, and then the sky is full and so are the hotels.

Pamukkale and Kaş: the alternatives

In Pamukkale the pilots launch from a hill above the travertine terraces and fly over the white plateau and the ruins of Hierapolis. The flights are shorter at 10 to 20 minutes, since the height difference is smaller, and cost CHF 60 to 100 (about EUR 64 to 107). The perspective is unique and you can easily combine the flight with a visit to the terraces on the same day. In Kaş you launch from Asas mountain at around 700 metres straight over the town and the peninsula, landing at the harbour or on the beach. Flight time 15 to 25 minutes, price CHF 80 to 120. There are fewer operators in Kaş, but the flights are calmer. Further small flying sites exist in Alanya (launch from the Taurus foothills) and in Cappadocia, where paragliding plays only a minor role next to the balloons.

Safety: what to look out for

Tandem paragliding in Ölüdeniz is regulated, but the quality of operators varies. Pilots must hold a licence from the Turkish Aeronautical Association; ask for it and check whether the operator has an office with a name, not just a beach seller. Good signs: the pilot explains the launch calmly, double-checks the harness, does not fly in strong wind. Bad signs: a price well below average, rushing at launch, missing or loose helmet. Accidents are rare but they happen, mostly at launch or landing and in poor conditions. Flights are cancelled when the wind is too strong or turning, and rightly so; do not book for your last day. Your travel insurance should cover paragliding as a passenger; many policies do, some need an add-on. Weight limits are usually 100 to 110 kilograms.

Booking: when, where and at what price

Booking online in advance makes sense in July, August and October, when demand is high; otherwise it is enough to drop by an office one or two days before. Online prices via platforms are often slightly above local prices, but you get a cancellation policy for weather. On site you can compare operators and talk to the pilot directly. The best flight times are in the morning between 9 and 11 am with calm air, or in the late afternoon with the sunset over the sea; at midday the thermals are stronger and the flight bumpier. Allow two to three hours in total including the cable car and waiting at the launch site. Payment is mostly in cash; credit cards work with the bigger operators. Ask whether the cable car fare is included; that is the most common hidden extra.

The flight itself: how it goes and tips

You get a harness, a helmet and a short briefing: at launch, run a few steps and do not sit down until the pilot says so. The launch from Babadağ is a slope with a short run-up; after three seconds you are in the air. The pilot steers, you sit and look. If you want, you get some aerobatics at the end such as spirals or wingovers; say beforehand whether you want them or not. On landing, stretch your legs out and run; rarely does it sit you down. Wear closed shoes and long trousers; it is 10 degrees cooler at the top than on the beach. Sunglasses with a strap, nothing loose in your pockets. If you get motion sick easily, eat little beforehand and take a remedy if needed. Children can fly from about 5 to 6 years with parental consent; many families do.

Tours worth booking

Tandem paragliding from Babadağ over Ölüdeniz

The classic: cable car up Babadağ, a 25 to 45 minute flight over the Blue Lagoon with a licensed pilot, landing on the beach. Video and photos usually at extra cost.

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Paragliding Ölüdeniz with transfer from Fethiye

Tandem flight with pick-up in Fethiye or Hisarönü, cable car ticket included. Practical if you are not staying in Ölüdeniz and do not want to look for a dolmuş.

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Tandem flight over Pamukkale

Flight over the white travertine terraces and Hierapolis, 10 to 20 minutes. Easy to combine with a visit to the terraces, best early in the morning or at sunset.

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Tandem paragliding in Kaş

Launch from Asas mountain, flight over the town, peninsula and sea with landing at the harbour. Smaller operators, calmer flights, around 15 to 25 minutes in the air.

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Paragliding Alanya from the Taurus foothills

Tandem flight above Alanya with views of the castle, Cleopatra Beach and the coast. For package holidaymakers on the Riviera it is the nearest flying site; hotel transfer usually included.

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Where

Flights approx. 375 EUR

Aegean

Pamukkale

What the white travertine terraces really cost, why you should stay one night and how to see Hierapolis without the tour buses.

Flights approx. 332 EUR

Mediterranean

Fethiye

Turquoise lagoons, ancient Lycian rock tombs and one of the wildest gorges in Turkey: Fethiye is more than the most famous paragliding spot in the country.

Flights approx. 375 EUR

Mediterranean

Kaş

What a week in the most relaxed town on the Turkish Mediterranean costs, why no package-tour buses stop here and which experiences are really worth it.

Flights approx. 321 EUR

Mediterranean

Alanya

What a week in Alanya really costs, why the castle and the Dim River are more than a resort add-on and how to combine all-inclusive and city cleverly.

Flights approx. 342 EUR

Central Anatolia

Cappadocia

What a week among the fairy chimneys really costs, how to avoid the tourist traps once you are there, and which experiences are worth your money.

Frequently asked questions

What does a tandem flight in Ölüdeniz cost?

CHF 90 to 150 (about EUR 96 to 160) depending on season, operator and launch site. Photos and video cost CHF 20 to 40 extra. In Pamukkale and Kaş the flights are cheaper at CHF 60 to 120, but shorter.

Is paragliding in Turkey safe?

With licensed pilots and calm conditions, yes. Accidents are rare and mostly happen in bad weather or with inexperienced pilots. Book with an operator that has an office, ask about the licence and do not let anyone push you into flying in strong wind.

When is the best time?

April to November in Ölüdeniz. The most stable conditions are in May, June, September and October. In high summer the thermals are strong, but you often fly longer. The air is calmest in the morning and late afternoon.

Do I need experience?

No. On a tandem flight the pilot does everything; you run a few steps at launch and enjoy the flight. Children from about 5 years and people up to about 100 kilograms can fly.

What happens in bad weather?

The flight is postponed or cancelled, usually at no cost. Do not plan the flight for your departure day and keep a buffer day. In October and November more flights are cancelled than in summer.

Related events

Oct 13

Ölüdeniz Air Games

Sport · Turkey

13 October 2027 Mid to late October, usually four to five days Ölüdeniz near Fethiye

The international air festival on Babadağ: paragliders, acro pilots, base jumpers and hang gliders from around the world put on shows over the Blue Lagoon, with landings on the beach and an evening programme on the promenade. Free for spectators; tandem flights are in high demand during the festival days and a bit more expensive.

For travellers: Ölüdeniz and Hisarönü are fully booked during festival week; reserve your tandem flight early or choose the week before or after.

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