Turkey and beach vacations at sea are synonyms. This country is an ideal destination to sunbathe and swim, breathe fresh air, see unique natural and historical sights, learn to scuba dive, sail a yacht or go windsurfing. The country offers dozens of resorts and hundreds of hotels.
The most popular are on the Mediterranean coast – the warm Antalya, Belek, Alanya, Kemer and Side. The seaside resorts of the Aegean coast are a completely different Turkey. With a strong “Greek accent”. The sea here has more shades of blue, the air is more invigorating and fresh. The best resorts on the Aegean coast are Marmaris, Bodrum, Fethiye, Dalaman and Cesme.
All of these resorts are what we’re going to talk about. And not only about beaches, but also about leisure.
Antalya
It is the capital of the Turkish province of the same name, on the territory of which popular beach resorts of the country are located. It has the longest coastline in the country, a beautiful historical center, a diverse hotel base. And a lot of entertainment – from bars, shopping centers and restaurants to natural and cultural attractions.
The choice of area for accommodation and recreation in Antalya is most often determined by the beach you like: sandy, sandy-pebble or pontoon beach. A good pebble beach – 10-kilometer Konyalti, marked by the blue flag. It stretches from Arapsuyu district to Liman district. Relatively inexpensive accommodation near Konyalti is available at Santa Marina 4* hotel or a little more expensive, but closer to the sea, at the Santa Marina 4* hotel.
Konyalta’s strengths are its beautiful views of the Taurus Mountains, its proximity to the lively center with bars, cafes and stores and to the city’s main attractions – the old town of Kaleici, the Lower Duden Waterfall, the archaeological museum and the world’s largest tunnel aquarium, Antalya Aquarium. At the western end of the beach, next to the marina, there is a cable car Tunektepe, which leads to a viewing platform at a height of 650 meters. From here you can admire the panorama of the coast while sitting in a cozy restaurant or cafe.
If you are looking for a more secluded vacation spot in Antalya, hotels near the city’s second main beach, Lara, will suit you. It is a sandy beach 12 km from the city center, also marked by the blue flag. There are many hotels of different categories here – from fives like Titanic Beach Lara, Ramada Resort by Wyndham Lara and Melas Lara Hotel to three-star Lara Hotel.
The beach starts just behind Lara Kent Park, which has a large picnic area that is popular with locals and tourists alike. Lara is appreciated, however, not only for this. Fans of active recreation note the variety of water activities and the opportunity to run along the 10-kilometer beach, and families with children love Lara for the gentle entrance to the sea and cleanliness.
The historical center of Antalya – the old town of Kaleici, known since Roman times, is another area that will be of interest primarily to inquisitive tourists. Many wooden Ottoman mansions here have been restored and turned into original boutique hotels: Tekeli Konaklari 4*, Minyon Hotel 3* or Puding Marina Residence 4* are just some of them.
Staying in an ancient city quarter inevitably immerses you in the authentic atmosphere of ancient Turkey. Narrow streets paved with cobblestones and houses with tiled roofs, shops with local sweets and handmade carpets, the smell of Turkish coffee in the morning and fish restaurants in the harbor. And, of course, Hadrian’s Arc of Triumph next door – one of the city’s main attractions and the oldest monument of the Roman period of Antalya.
Kemer
The resort and port city of Kemer is located 45 km from Antalya Airport and unites the districts of Beldibi, Tekirova, Goyniuk, Kirish and Çamyuva. This green coastal region between the sea and the mountains is known for its natural beauty, thanks to which it is called one of the most picturesque on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The air in Kemer is full of pine, eucalyptus and citrus trees.
Most of the beaches in the region are pebble beaches, so the water in the sea is always clean and clear. Beaches with fine pebbles with sand and a gentle entrance to the sea, which are suitable for families with children, can be found in the Tekirova, Goyniuk and Kirish areas.
Especially praised by tourists with children, the beach “Moonlight” in Kemer. Most beaches in Kemer are pebbly, but this one is sandy. Children run quietly on the soft warm sand.
Kemer’s hotel base is represented by hotels of different categories – from budget to premium. Family hotels are usually located outside the city, in the resort areas around Kemer. Youth hotels are located in the city center, closer to entertainment. Hotels of high category always have a large territory and are located on the first coastline.
Examples of good hotels of different categories are Club Hotel Belpinar 4* in Beldibi, Hotel Sinatra 4* in Chamiuva, Akka Claros Hotel 4* in Kirish, Rixos Premium Tekirova 5* in Tekirova, Asdem Park 4*, Fame Residence Kemer & SPA 3* and Rixos Sungate 5* in Kemer.
The city is known for its active nightlife, numerous bars, discos and clubs. The oldest and one of the most popular nightclubs in Kemer – White Bar Aura Club Kemer – is a trendy establishment with diverse music and positive atmosphere.
The club has a rich cocktail list. Club Inferno is appreciated by fans of current electronic music – top DJs of Turkey and Europe perform here. In Kemer’s youngest club Cristall you can not only dance, but also sing in karaoke, dine on Japanese, Russian or Italian cuisine.
For even more impressions from the vacation in Kemer you can go on a tour to the ruins of the cities of Fazelis and Olympos.
The excursion program in Kemer is also very diverse. Liman shopping street and Ataturk Boulevard, ethnographic park-museum Yoruk and cable car ride up Tahtalıdag Mountain are some interesting city routes on your mind. Mountains, caves and waterfalls in Kemer, and with them diving and windsurfing are great options for those looking for an active vacation in nature. Younger travelers will appreciate the “dinosaur park” Dinopark in the Goyniuk area.
Side
Another resort region on the Antalya coast, Side is located on a small peninsula 65 km from Antalya and is surrounded on all sides by sandy beaches. Along with the preserved historical sights, many of which are more than 2000 years old, Side’s beaches are one of the main advantages of this region.
It will be comfortable for families with children and those who prefer a quiet, measured beach vacation without noise and bustle.
The beaches to the east and west of Side are the real pride of the region. The western beach doesn’t cool down even in the evenings when the discos are going on. The eastern beach, stretching for 1.5 km from the cape with the temple of Apollo to the restaurant Sunwing Beach Club, is much quieter and suitable for lovers of secluded rest. It is especially charming due to the pine and orange trees along the shore.
Active tourists may be interested in diving at the pier of Old Antalya or the opportunity to raft on the river in the area of Manavgat. Among the more relaxing activities are popular boat trips and viewing the beautiful waterfall in Manavgat.
Those looking for a cultural vacation in Side will find regular concerts in the ancient Aspendos Amphitheater and the main historical sights of the city, which are located in the ancient part of Side. Of particular interest here are the temples of Apollo and Athena, the amphitheater, the fortress walls and the archaeological museum with artifacts discovered during excavations in the area.
There is not much nightlife in Side, club life is concentrated in the area of Kumkoy and Manavgat (Disco Sammy, Lighthouse Disco, club Oxyd). In Side itself, the main evening entertainment is strolling along the promenade among cypresses, palm trees and juniper trees, as well as the Mediterranean cuisine of local restaurants and bars.
Belek
This respectable resort 30 km from Antalya is preferred by wealthy tourists, and all the infrastructure here is of the appropriate level. Hotels are of exceptionally high category 4-5*, long beaches with golden sand, marked by the blue flag, and golf courses are among the best in Turkey. Nature – to match everything else: mountains, pine and eucalyptus forests, approaching practically to the coast.
The resort is small, and all the most interesting things are mainly located on the territory of hotels – golf courses, concert halls, children’s clubs, and luxurious spa centers. You can appreciate all this, for example, in Gloria Golf Resort 5*, Belek Beach Resort 5*, Rixos Premium Belek 5* or Voyage Belek Golf & Spa 5*.
Outside the hotels in the Belek area you can visit the legendary The Land of Legends theme park, which is a huge selection of rides, a water park, a concert venue, and a shopping center with numerous restaurants. For shopping you can also go to City Center Belek. The most popular excursions in Belek are trips to Antalya and Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Side and Lake Salda.
Alanya
This region, 125 km from Antalya, is appreciated for its versatility. There is plenty of everything here: hotels of different categories, many discos, bars and restaurants, shopping centers, entertainment for children, historical monuments.
The beaches in Alanya are mostly sandy, although sometimes there are small and medium pebbles. The coastline of Alanya is divided into two parts by a rocky cape, to the east of which is the beach Keikubat with a gentle entrance to the sea. On the other side of the cape is the popular and very beautiful 2-kilometer long Cleopatra Beach with snow-white sand and deep entrance to the sea.
Hotels Delphin Deluxe Resort 5*, Larissa Holiday Beach Club 4* or, for example, Lonicera World 4* are nearby.
For those who want to diversify their beach vacation with an excursion, we recommend going to the main attraction of Alanya – the Red Tower (Kizil Kule). From it you can walk along the promenade, from which you can turn to one of the narrow streets of the old town to have a coffee, find a souvenir for yourself and your loved ones in one of the local shops.
An interesting place for tourists in AlanyaSealanya is Marine Park, where you can take a dip in a pool with stingrays, swim with dolphins and watch sharks. Children in Alanya should enjoy the amusement park Lunapark and Water Planet water park. For adults interested in Alanya’s nightlife, I recommend the bars and clubs – James Dean with four dance floors, Summer Garden, Latin Club, Havana Club and Club Imperium.
Bodrum
Bodrum, Turkey’s most party resort town, is famous far beyond its borders for its nightlife and abundance of clubs. A true legend is Halicarnassus, one of the five European clubs with the largest dance floor (5,000 seats).
However, Bodrum is liked not only by party people, but also by yachtsmen, surfers and just connoisseurs of measured rest.
A special pleasure and a kind of meditation in Bodrum is to watch the ships and yachts in the bay from the coastal cafe.
Blue sea, white houses on the hills, islands on the horizon, beaches (mostly pebble beaches with a gentle entrance to the water), decent hotels and an abundance of attractions – these are probably the main memories of tourists about the advantages of Bodrum. Surprisingly, but the fact is that most of the ancient monuments are located not in Greece, but just in Turkey, and almost half of them – in the area of Bodrum.
The resort town consists of two parts: modern – with clubs and bars and old – with bazaars, picturesque courtyards and local color. Beaches in Bodrum are also different. Sophisticated tourists choose Gelturkbyukyu – it is very beautiful, but the water temperature is sometimes lower than in other parts of the bay.
There are many high-class hotels near it, where you can stay – Kuum Hotel & SPA 5*, Faros Hotel Bodrum Golturkbuku 4*, for example. If you want a quieter and more secluded vacation, choose sandy beaches in the resort area of Akyarlar and hotels Kefaluka Resort 5*, Sentido Bellazure 4* or, for example, Bendis Beach Hotel 4*.
Surfers and windsurfers love the Yalikavak area, 18 km from Bodrum, where the winds always blow. If you go there for a ride, don’t forget to visit the main attraction of the resort – the ancient windmills on the hilltop above the Yalikavak jetty. Divers don’t get bored in Bodrum either – there are Big and Small reefs, around which there are about 20 dive sites in total, and the depth at these spots varies from 7 to 30 meters.
For lovers of antiquity in the Bodrum area, I recommend the ancient city of Pedasa, St. Peter’s Castle, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the Bodrum Amphitheater and the Mindos Gate. Fans of nightlife, of course, should visit “Halicarnassus”, reminiscent of the ancient amphitheater, and Marine Club Catamaran – a floating nightclub. Its deck is glass, which gives visitors the feeling that they are dancing right on the water.
Dalaman
The resort of Dalaman, located at the foot of the mountains between Marmaris and Fethiye, is famous for its clean sandy beaches, unspoiled nature and clear lakes. There are places where the cliffs come very close to the sea, forming postcard-like bays. Dalaman attracts many yachtsmen who vacation on yachts in the wild bays of this region.
The resort itself has a rather diverse hotel base and you can spend a few days in harmony with the surrounding nature in the hotel complex Hilton Dalaman Resort &Spa 5*, X Life Hotel 5* or Karacan Park Hotel 5*, for example.
Dalaman is a relatively young resort that is still gaining popularity. Here you can count on a peaceful vacation without the hustle and bustle of promoted regions.
The beaches in Dalaman are mostly sandy, with a gentle entrance to the sea, which makes them convenient for vacationing with children. The most popular is the cleanest Turtle Beach on the 5-kilometer-long sandy spit Iztuzu, where in May and July hundreds of sea turtles come to lay their eggs.
Active tourists Dalaman offers as entertainment rafting on rafts, boats and canoes on the river Dalaman. On excursions along the bays of the coast on modern yachts and stylized pirate ships you can get acquainted with the marine fauna of the region and see blue crabs and vulture turtles, which are found in the waters of Dalaman.
Mud treatment is not the most famous among tourists, but it is a popular recreation and leisure activity among locals in Dalaman. Mud volcanoes are located in the area of Keijeriz Lake and Dalyan. And in the village of Keijegiz there are thermal radon springs with water temperature +39 ° C. On the territory of the complex there are thermal and mud pools: women’s, men’s and general. We recommend you to consult a doctor before visiting radon baths.
The nature of Dalaman is an inexhaustible source of energy for humans. Walking around the territory of some local hotel complexes has no worse effect on the body than sun and thermal baths.
Dalaman will also be of interest to history and architecture lovers. The ancient city of Kaunos and the rock tombs in Dalyan are only a part of what you can see in Dalaman.
There is here, for example, the only historical railway station in the world without a railroad – it was built by mistake. In 1905, French architects received two orders: for the construction of a railroad station in Egypt and a hunting lodge for the town governor Abbas Pasha in Dalaman. The orders were somehow mixed up, and a hunting lodge appeared in Alexandria, and in Dalaman, despite the lack of railroad tracks – the station.
Marmaris
Many people call Marmaris the Turkish Ibiza for its fun street of bars and an impressive number of budget hotels, so loved by partying youth. In fact, in Marmaris there are hotels and entertainment for everyone – here is comfortable for lovers of beach vacation, and active, and sightseeing. For inquisitive guests there is a lot of room here – relatively close to the resort are the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Pamukkale and Ephesus, Cleopatra’s Island.
Butik Villas – Nergissus I, View Hotel 3* and 8 Oda Boutique Homes are located as close as possible to the famous bar street. The bar street is located in Tepe quarter and stretches 500 meters from Hafsa Sultan’s caravanserai to the marina with moored yachts on 17 Sokak Street. Toward midnight, the street fills up with the party crowd, flowing from one bar, club, disco or eatery to another.
At Club Areena, the largest open-air disco in Marmaris, people come to dance to techno, trance and Turkish dance hits. The B-52 Bar offers tasty cocktails and incendiary dancing on the bar, the Back Street Bar has a travesty show, and the Green House Bar is a fun place to dance to the hits of the 1980s.
The coastline of the resort is divided into Marmaris Bay, Armutalan Tourist Zone and Icmeler Bay. The latter is perfect for lovers of a quiet vacation. There are good hotels, sandy beaches, long gentle entrance to the sea.
Tourists who want to be closer to nature, I recommend you to pay attention to the hotels in the area of Siteler, in the western part of the city. For a quiet vacation is also suitable accommodation near the bay Turunch with a closed blue lagoon. You can stay at Navy Hotel 3* and Champagne Apartments in Icmeler or Pilos Deluxe 5* and Mavi Deniz in Turunç.
Marmaris is a great place for diving. Kadirga and Baca Coves, Abdi Reis and Aksu, Cape Sari Mehmet and Cape Hayitli, Keci Adasi and Ince lighthouses are just a few of the great dive spots along the coast. Fans of informative rest will like the ancient fortress of Marmaris, which today houses a historical museum, as well as the caravanserai of Sultan Hafsa, Ibrahim-aga Mosque.
It is interesting to go to Sedir Island and see the ruins of the ancient city of Kedrai and the famous beach, where, according to legend, Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Roman Emperor Anthony bathed.
Fethiye
Fethiye Peninsula, 60 km from Dalaman Airport, is called Turtle Island. It is here that you can meet water turtles. Fethiye is immersed in greenery, the rugged coastline is full of bays, and in the sea, not so far from the shore, there are many underwater tuff caves.
The region is considered a popular yacht center of Turkey and an interesting place for paragliding. The beach Oludeniz (“Blue Lagoon”) in Fethiye is called the most beautiful in Turkey – people come here to swim, take romantic photo shoots and fly over the lagoon on paragliders.
Excursion Fethiye is also interesting. The modern city is located on the site of the ancient port of Telmessos, dating back to the 5th century BC. The ruins of fortresses and the ancient amphitheater remind about the past of the ancient Lycian city, and the Fethiye City Museum presents exhibits discovered during excavations. History-loving tourists may also be interested in visiting the ruins of the surrounding ancient cities of Tlos and Xanthos, and the tomb of Amyntos.
For a leisurely stroll around Fethiye itself, the waterfront and harbor are good for urban strolls. Not far away from the water and closer to the mountains, there is a shopping street where you can buy branded clothes. A walk along the promenade of Chalish beach will be pleasant as well. Here you can also find quality hotels with a good sandy beach – Daphne Residence 3*, Sundia by Liberty Exclusive Fethiye 5*.
Kusadasi
The village of Kusadasi is located 90 km from Izmir airport. In terms of resort infrastructure it is similar to Antalya: hotels with large territories, working on an all-inclusive system and a variety of animation for guests of all ages.
Kusadasi is distinguished from Antalya and other resorts primarily by its proximity to the monuments of ancient Greek culture (Ephesus, Pamukkale, Troy, Pergamum). And one more peculiarity of the local climate: there is rarely a debilitating heat, comfortable bathing season lasts from June to September.
Beach lovers will love Kadinlar beach, better known as Ladies Beach: during Ottoman times only women were allowed to swim here. Families with children vacationing in the resort will surely appreciate the two large water amusement centers – Adaland with a large water park and Aqua Fantasy.
Active recreation in Kusadasi is yachting, windsurfing and diving. Conveniently, it is easy to get to all these places from any hotel: hotels are compactly located on the slopes of cozy small bays in Kusadasi. Kustur Club Holiday Village 5*, Palm Wings Ephesus Hotel 5* and Ephesia Holiday Beach Club 5*, for example, have good reviews.
You can dilute your beach vacation in Kusadasi with walks along the colorful narrow streets of the old town near Kese Mountain. The traditional Muslim Grand Bazaar is bustling there and the spirit of ancient Turkey hovers.
The main pedestrian streets are Barbarossa Blv and Sağlık Cd. At the beginning of Barbarossa Blv, near the port, is a caravanserai built in 1618 under Grand Vizier Okyuz Mehmed Pasha. In its courtyard, beautiful handmade carpets are sold. If you want to see the blossoming city and its bay from above, go to the observation deck at the Ataturk Monument, located west of the center.
One of the main local natural attractions is Pigeon Island (Güverjin Ada), which is connected to the city by a bridge. The island has an old Byzantine fort and a cafe where you can drink Turkish coffee and have a snack surrounded by palm trees.
From Pigeon Island you can see cape Yilanci (Yilanci), where, as historians believe, in ancient times was located the Greek city of Neapolis. However, for antiquity you should definitely go to Ephesus – one of the most ancient Hellenic cities on the Aegean Sea is only half an hour away, and you will have enough memories for the rest of your life.
Cesme
The resort is located 80 kilometers and an hour’s drive from Izmir and, perhaps, more than others on the Aegean coast of Turkey is similar to Greek towns in its architecture and landscape. On the slopes of the local mountains, among citrus groves and pine forests, white houses with red tiled roofs. However, Cesme is famous not only for its beauty, but also for its hot springs. Cesme means “spring” or “spring” in Turkish.
The thermal springs of Ilice, 5 km from Cesme, are particularly popular (water temperature from +42 °C to +55 °C). There are several high-class hotels near them, where you can stay if you are in the mood for a wellness vacation, such as Sheraton Cesme Hotel, Resort & SPA 5*, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Cesme 5* or Altin Yunus Resort & Thermal Hotel 5*.
Other popular springs are Šifne on a small peninsula in the bay of the same name and Ilija, which faces the sea. In Ilydzha and excellent beach vacation – sand, clear sea, gentle entrance. The beach of Altinkum (“Golden Sand”) is also perfect for a carefree vacation by the sea.
Cesme is also a good place for diving, with schools and dive clubs for professionals and beginners. Windsurfing and kitesurfing can be practiced near the nearby village of Alaçati – there is enough wind and space for everyone. And there are no big waves, so the conditions for beginners are quite comfortable. After skiing you can walk along the narrow cobblestone streets and take a photo at the snow-white houses surrounded by flowering gardens.
Travel Tips
1. It is not profitable to exchange dollars for liras at Antalya airport: the exchange rate is not the best. But if you need a small amount for travel, water or a snack, use the exchange offices located in the baggage claim area. It is better to change large sums of money in exchange offices in the city.
2. The largest shopping mall in Antalya is Terra City. Many famous mass-market clothing brands are represented there, and many stores often have sales.
3. an official cab is yellow in color, with checkers and the inscription Taksi. A taximeter must be installed in the cabin. You can call a cab in an unusual way by pressing a special button, which is installed on trees and poles along the roads, near bus stops and shopping centers. Another option is via BiTaksi, KiwiTaksi and iTaksi applications.
4. Try to cook your own dinner or lunch in meat restaurants with a charcoal grill. You will be brought burning coals, raw meat, kebabs, cutlets. The only thing left to do is to roast everything on a griddle built into your table.
5. Go for an authentic Turkish breakfast at a local cafe – another memorable experience in your vacation bucket list. Look out for the Kahvalti (“breakfast”) signs.
