Imagine arriving at a stunning sandy beach after crossing centuries-old ruins. Picture perfect mountains with a view of azure oceans. Do you sound too idealistic? All of this, however, is located on the southern coast of Turkey.
Greece is a well-liked beach resort; nearby Turkey, possibly except Marmaris and Bodrum, seems to be a bit of an afterthought for young travellers. However, Turkey’s aptly titled “turquoise coast” is located if you travel somewhat east.
This coastline, which stretches from Fethiye to Antalya, is home to stunning beaches as well as historic ruins and a plethora of chances for outdoor recreation, including hiking and diving. You should therefore be able to discover the kind of beach vacation you’re looking for at this southern coast.
Ways to get there
Nearby international airports in Fethiye and Antalya provide flights to cities in the world. From there, it’s simple to go by bus or rent a car to any of the locations indicated below.
Turkey features an affordable and dependable national Turkish Airlines online network. You can take an inexpensive overnight bus to Fethiye or Antalya if you’re currently in Istanbul and are unwilling to take a domestic flight.
When to go there
Turkey has the benefit of a lengthy summer, with pleasant enough weather for beach-going from April through mid-November. The top destinations along Turkey’s azure coast, the actual turquoise water and stunning beaches are found in the areas between Fethiye and Antalya. At the same time, both are pleasant cities in and of themselves and well worth a visit. So if you can, begin in Fethiye or Antalya and finish in the other by travelling along the coast and making stops at the following places.
Fethiye
Fethiye is a quaint little city ideal for strolls by day or night. Its long port is surrounded by cafes and restaurants. There is also a bustling, colourful ancient town with stores, eateries, and pubs. Stroll about and have a refreshing Efes, the native Turkish beer, when you stop.
Oludeniz
About ten kilometres away from Fethiye is Oludeniz, which is home to the stunning Blue Lagoon and a lengthy beach. You are in for quite a treat if it’s your first experience with Turkish beaches. Oludeniz Beach extends to form a stunning, naturally occurring lagoon with crystal-clear water. Here, you can spend your day’s paddle boarding in the tranquil sea or tanning on the beach.
Experience paragliding over the Blue Lagoon if you want to see it at its best. This is one of the most popular things to do in Oludeniz, and it’s absolutely amazing to see the Blue Lagoon and surrounding area from above.
Kabak Valley and Butterfly Valley
Butterfly and Kabak Valley are the best places to find isolated beaches resembling paradise. Although these are still unquestionably well-liked tourist spots, the challenge of getting there keeps you away from the Blue Lagoon throng and gives you the impression that you’re on a beach in paradise.
The Lycian Way
If trekking is your thing, traversing a portion of the well-known Lycian Way is the finest way to view both valleys.
The 540-kilometer Lycian Way connects Fethiye and Antalya along the coast of Lycia. Despite being one of the best long-distance trekking routes in the world, the walk takes approximately 29 days to do, so you could lack the time or energy to finish it all. However, if you want to finish a portion of it, the climb through Oludeniz to Kabak Valley is ideal.
Patara
Although every beach on the Turquoise Coast is stunning, the majority consists of tiny pebbles or a combination of sand and stones. On the other side, Patara boasts 12 kilometres of fine sandy beach, which makes it one of Turkey’s top beach destinations.
The beach is still undeveloped and serene because it is a turtle breeding site and a section of a national park. You may easily discover an extensive stretch of beach to yourself if you walk away from the one cafe that rents out sunbeds.
Anyone may spend several weeks touring all of the towns along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast since there is plenty to see and do. Take a walk down to the beach, which is surrounded by several beaches and an old city, to experience the wealth of history that is only available there.
