Butterfly Valley & Faralya Canyon (Kelebekler Vadisi)

Carving a dramatic vertical rift between the sheer limestone spurs of Mount Babadağ, Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) is one of Turkey’s most pristine ecotourism sanctuaries. Accessible almost exclusively by boat from Ölüdeniz, this hidden canyon features a crescent of golden sand bordered by sheer vertical rock cliffs rising 350 to 400 meters on three sides, creating an isolated microclimate. The valley earns its poetic name from the approximately 105 species of butterflies and moths that inhabit its lush interior, most famously the rare endemic Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria). A scenic walking trail winds past blooming oleander and wild olive groves to a crystal-clear mountain waterfall at the head of the canyon. With electricity strictly regulated and concrete development banned, Butterfly Valley remains a bohemian haven of wooden treehouses, yoga platforms, and pristine Mediterranean surf.