The Turkish coast beckons to splash into the turquoise water and spread out like a star on the shallow sand. But where exactly to go to relax on the most beautiful beaches? The list of such places in Turkey was compiled by the author Ksyusha Semkina, who has been living in Alanya for a long time: the collection is based on her personal experience and advice from Turkish friends.
Contents
- Kaputash
- Patara
- Oludeniz
- Pub
- Iztuzu Beach
- Cirali and Olympos
- Cleopatra
Kaputash
For whom: for everyone who wants the effects of “wow” and “is this Turkey for sure?”.
How to get there: 3.5 hours by car from Antalya airport or 2 hours from Dalaman airport.
Things to do in the area: be sure to stay in charming Kasha. There is excellent diving, many stylish establishments, handmade shops, a luxurious amphitheater on the shore, colorful streets, flowers and beauty everywhere.
- Kash, Patara and Oludeniz: weekend car trip
Hidden in an environment of rocks and flowers, a picturesque stretch of sand boasts a small territory. Photo: Mazur Travel/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
The most convenient place is in the Porridge, look for options on the Island:
Patara
For whom: for fans of the expanse, dunes and turtles.
How to get:a couple of hours by car from Dalaman airport or 3.5 hours from Antalya.
Photogenic sand dunes along the Patara coastline stretch for 12 km. Most of the beach is not equipped, and this adds a sense of wildness to the place, besides Patara is part of a national park where turtles often visit.
For those who like comfort, there is an area with sun beds and umbrellas, as well as a single restaurant near the entrance area. Very close by is a perfectly preserved ancient city with an amphitheater, a square, columns, a necropolis and other Roman ruins.
Please note: entrance to the beach and the ancient city is paid and available on a single ticket, the cost is about 200 lira (about 570 rubles).
What to do in the area: carelessly wander barefoot on the wonderful sand and watch how large and very cute caretta turtles lay their eggs from May to August.
Photogenic sand dunes along the Patara coastline stretch for 12 km. Photo: Alizada Studios/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
Patara is easily accessible from the towns of Kash and Kalkan. Hotels in Kalkan on the Island:
Oludeniz
For whom: for those who want to see the water more beautiful than in the Maldives.
How to get: the closest is from Dalaman (a little over an hour by car), from Antalya by car — a little more than 3 hours.
The water in the Blue Lagoon of Oludeniz shimmers with shades from azure to deep blue. The Mediterranean and Aegean Seas converge here, and on land the idyll is complemented by mountains with lush pine forests.
What to do in the area: for those who love the thrill, Oludeniz offers the best paragliding in Turkey. The flight starts from Babadag Mountain, the cost is $ 150-200 (13,600-18,100 rubles). You can also go on a trek along the beautiful Lycian trail or just sunbathe with a star on the beach.
The water in the Blue Lagoon of Oludeniz shimmers with shades from azure to deep blue. Photo: Nick Brundle Photography/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
Oludeniz is a small resort village with low—rise hotels of one to three floors, where Europeans like to relax. You can book a favorite option on the Island:
Pub, Fethiye
For whom: for connoisseurs of wildlife, rebels by nature, romantics and lovers of walking kilometers with a backpack.
How to get there: from Dalaman by car to the village, and then on foot along the trail.
This is the perfect place to watch sunsets, read books, sunbathe, chat heart to heart until morning under the stars and then remember this vacation as one of the best in life.
What to do in the area: take time for yoga,go on a trek along the Lycian trail or look at the beautiful Valley of butterflies from a height.
Kabak is a cliff—isolated beach with turquoise water and snow-white sand. Photo: Aleksandr Ozerov/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
In mini-hotels with tree houses and cozy terraces:
Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan
For whom: for fans of turtles and unusual landscapes.
How to get: the beach is only a 30-minute drive from Dalaman Airport.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey is a bit like the Curonian Spit. It has its own strip of snow-white sand, which separates the sea and fresh water. Moreover, not only people, but also caretta turtles have become fans of this beach. They are carefully cared for and even the beach is closed in the evening hours so that the turtles can safely lay their eggs.
The beach is comfortable, with a gentle entrance into the water, equipped with changing cabins and toilets. There are small cafes in season, but there is little choice on the menu.
What to do in the area:Go on a boat cruise or wander through the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos with its impressive amphitheater and tombs.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey is a bit like the Curonian Spit. Photo: Nejdet Duzen/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
The most convenient place is in Dalyan:
Cirali and Olympos
For whom: inexplicably, but a fact: the beach is suitable for both bohemian tourists and hipsters.
How to get there: 40 minutes drive from Kemer and 1 hour 40 minutes from Antalya airport.
One of the most picturesque beaches that I have come across is located on the territory of the secular village of Chiraly and the settlement of Olympos, which is favored by hippies and hikers.
On the Chirala side, the beach is equipped with sun loungers and surrounded by stylish restaurants with delicious seafood. From the Olympos side, it is wild: the water is clean and in places invigorating with coolness (thanks to the current), friends like to gather here in large companies. The main thing is that the entrance to the beach from Olympos runs right through the ancient city. You will have to pay for the entrance, but you will not find such a magnificent exit to the beach anywhere else — except in the neighboring Phaselis.
What to do in the area: climb the Chimera, a burning mountain (I strongly recommend going with a lantern at night to catch the fire in all its glory, and even under a star-studded sky), visit one of the retreats that are constantly held to Chiraly and live in a tree house in Olympos.
- A completely different Turkey: Olympos, Cirali, Phaselis and Adrasan
On the Chirala side, the beach is equipped with sun loungers and surrounded by stylish restaurants with delicious seafood. Photo: M.Nergiz/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
Instead of huge hotels, small hotels and campgrounds are common here:
Cleopatra Beach, Alanya
For whom: for those who love beaches with all the benefits of civilization.
It is said that the sand on the beach was brought specially from Egypt, allegedly as a gift to Queen Cleopatra from her lover Mark Anthony. The most pleasant entry into the water is on the first four beaches, the next ones start with large stones near the coastline.
What to do in the area: by all means climb up to the romantic Alanya castle, go down to the Dim cave with stalactites and stalagmites and go to the Royal Bay in the neighboring town of Gazipasa.
- A guide to Alanya from the (almost) local: what to see
Cleopatra Beach is famous throughout Turkey and is located in the resort Alanya. Photo: muratart/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
The choice of accommodation is huge: from all-inclusive hotels to apartments and affordable mini-hotels:
I have not listed all the beaches, but only the most sunken ones. Turkey is full of amazing places, so we will continue to explore them and share our findings.
Cover photo: muratart/Shutterstock.com
