When exploring this 7,000-kilometre coastline, you will be hard-pressed to pick the best beaches in Turkey. Ranging from smooth sand to pebble, many with the protected loggerhead turtle that has come to be associated with Turkey, they all have three things in common: location, turquoise waters and views. Let’s explore some of these locations to see if we can decide which are the best.
Best beaches in Turkey: Antalya
Also known as the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is an upmarket region that has a historic side to its backstreets, filled with bazaars and Ottoman architecture.
Meanwhile, in Side, a fishing village surrounded by fortified walls, you will find a modern marina that is complemented by ancient Roman baths, a Byzantine Basilica and one of the most historic sites in Turkey – the Temple of Apollo.
If you are looking for a holiday that blends the beach with a few of your city pleasures (like music and a glass of something in hand), then the Turquoise Coast of Antalya is where to head. It’s the gateway to the southern Mediterranean region.
Mermerli Beach
A stone’s throw away from the pedestrianised zone of the old port of Antalya lies Mermerli Beach. It can be reached on foot via wooden stairs found by the side of Mermerli Hotel, which is where you also need to pay your fee for access. A brown-sand pebbled beach, it is ideal for sunbathing and swimming. It offers waiter service and uninterrupted views of the opposite coast. The loungers come as part of the fee paid.
Cirali Beach
About an hour away from Antalya lies Cirali Beach. An unspoilt 4-kilometre strand of shingle with crystal-clear waters, tucked away beneath the Taurus Mountains, is the perfect spot for history and nature lovers alike.
You will find the ruins of Olympos on one end of the stretch, whilst on the other (best seen when the sun goes down), the eternal flames of Chimaera. This is a barely known beach, giving you ample space to loll around. It really offers an idyllic location for total relaxation and unwinding. Being a WWF-protected conservation area, however, means there are only a handful of restaurants with sun loungers, with a picnic area on the side.
Oludeniz
Another village on the southwest coast and worth a visit is Oludeniz, at the foothills of Babadag Mountain. It’s now frequented by paragliders but was once a pirate hideaway – not surprising given the surrounding rugged mountains with lush pine forests. Previously a natural beauty spot for camping under the stars, it’s since evolved but is not all bad.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon, one of Turkey’s famous beaches, is akin to those pictures you’ve seen as someone’s screen saver and wished you were there. Located where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet, it’s a gritty stretch of sand with bright-blue waters and something that everyone can enjoy.
With warm shallow waters, it’s ideal for swimming, paddle boarding and general frolicking around, whilst the more adventurous among you can head into the mountains for views from up above whilst paragliding. This strip has lots of restaurants with activities on offer.
Butterfly Valley
Fethiye should not be ignored. It’s a backpackers’ and campers’ paradise due to its friendly, laid-back atmosphere, accompanied by breathtaking natural beauty.
By the bottom of the nearby Babadag Mountain lies yet another beautiful stretch of white sand. It can be accessed through a very steep hike from the village, but by far the greatest way is by boat from Oludeniz. Watching this valley and beach come into view whilst sailing past Yedi Buran’s Cape rockface will be a memory you will cherish for years to come.
The beach does offer hiking trails into the hills, in search of the elusive butterflies the valley got its name from, or you may even come across some hidden waterfalls.
Kabak Beach
About an hour from Fethiye lies Kabak, another bohemian village loved by backpackers, yogis and nature enthusiasts.
About 30 minutes on foot from the village lies a trail that leads to a serene, peaceful piece of white pebbled paradise: Kabak beach. It’s very laid back with little or no amenities to speak of. You will, however, find some shaded areas where you can enjoy your juice or beer from an available bar. What better way to leave all worries behind and unwind whilst embracing nature.
Marmaris
For those looking for a more upbeat tempo on their beach holiday, the Turkish Riviera and specifically Marmaris, known for its nightlife, is the place to be. The town offers modern restaurants and bars with lively music along an upmarket smart marina. There is a charming side to the old town, along with a historic castle akin to those frequently found in Turkish towns in this area.
Icmeler Beach
About 15 minutes away from Marmaris lies this 6-kilometre stretch of platinum sand that is Icmeler Beach. Previously a fishing village, it’s now one of Turkey’s most popular seaside destinations.
At the bottom of the Taurus mountains, enclosed by pine trees, you will be forgiven for thinking you are somewhere in the Caribbean. Despite its many bars and restaurants, it never feels congested. The sand is cleared of any debris nightly, leaving it ready for the next day. Calm small waves make it ideal for swimmers and general lounging around.
An avid watersports fan will find plenty to do, with parasailing and other water sports like diving available. If you want a break from all that activity, then head into the hills that paint picturesque scenes.
Patara Beach
Near the charming village of Gelemis lies not just any beach, but the longest beach in Turkey: Patara is a whole 18 kilometres of spectacular sandy beach. It’s also a protected breeding ground for Turkey’s famous turtles, hence you’ll find very little development here. This is just perfect because it then offers privacy. It does, however, mean the beach closes after sunset.
The warm shallow waters offer ideal conditions for swimming, sunbathing or a spot of snorkelling, suitable for family holidays, whilst the sand is perfect for an early evening stroll before shutdown. The whole area is operated by a community-run cafe, which charges a small fee to rent loungers and parasols etc. The ancient ruins of Lycian provide an entertaining break from lounging around, where you will pass through streets with colonnades, an ancient theatre that could easily seat 5,000 and a bouleuterion (a restored parliament building).
Kas
Kas, a modern seaside town along the coast that sits within the ancient Antiphellos in Turkey, still has some ancient ruins that can be seen, including a theatre and the Lion’s Tomb with carved lion heads. The town, dotted with attractive whitewashed houses covered in bougainvillaea, forms a backdrop that is both breathtakingly quaint and reminiscent of an era gone by.
Kaputas Beach
A contender for the most beautiful beach in Turkey, Kaptus is located between the harbour towns of Kas and Kalkan. Set between two wooded cliffs at the entrance of the Kaptus Canyon, the beach can be reached by climbing down almost 200 steps. Remember to stop on your way down to take in the sights set out for you as if conjured by magic; they are breathtaking and bound to create that viral picture you’ve been after.
The reward when you get to the bottom is pure aqua waters with a pale shingle beach. Alternatively, you could make a dramatic entrance by boat from either town, which offers incredible views of the coastline. The beach’s modern amenities are a new addition to the beach that can be enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike, but it isn’t crowded.
Alanya
Another town along the Turkish Riviera is Alanya, located centrally by the Mediterranean coast and famed for playing host to Cleopatra. The red-tiled Ottoman villas and an octagonal Red Tower are symbols of the city. This charming, quaint town has secluded bays with dramatic rocky settings and peaceful waters all in one. The Sapadere Canyon is a nearby natural wonder that’s worth a visit.
Cleopatra Beach
Within this beautiful town’s centre, you’ll find one of the most popular beaches among holidaymakers in Turkey, Cleopatra Beach, in the foothills of Alanya Castle. With rumours that this is where Cleopatra stayed when she visited, it’s how the beach got its name. It stretches 2.5 kilometres with fine golden sand and, like many beaches in Turkey, is spotlessly clean.
With a picturesque walkway lined with shops, restaurants and cafes, it’s an ideal spot for groups or families. On offer are plenty of sun loungers and cabanas available for rent, should you want a more shaded place to lounge.
If ever you got bored of all the lounging around (what are the chances of that happening?), then you can easily get a cable car from the beach up to the castle and old town to do some exploring.
Dalyan
Dalyan is a traditional fishing village on Turkey’s southwest coast, with a river running through it all the way down to the sea. The surrounding citrus fields and hills swathed in pine trees make for an idyllic town with a lively market. This is yet another town that is near some ancient ruins, this time the city of Kaunos, with its rock tombs and the remains of a theatre – clearly, the ancient Turks loved their theatres. It also has amazing restaurants with views of the cliffs and lots of lively bars, great for a night out.
Iztuzu Beach
In Dalyan, sitting between the Mediterranean Sea and a lagoon is Iztuzu Beach. This long strip of sand, about 4 kilometres long, is also one of the most prominent nesting spots for loggerhead turtles in Turkey; it’s sometimes known as Turtle Beach. It’s also for this reason that it only opens at 08:00 and shuts at 20:00.
The soft golden sands enclosed by hilly surroundings make for a serene and private atmosphere.
The waters are excellent for swimming and surfing; what’s more, not many tourists have made their way down here yet. There are a few cafes dotted around that sell tea and pancakes. You could also take a boat trip from the mouth of the river to another small beach that lies on the other side.
Alacati
Let’s round off our beach odyssey with this off-the-beaten-track gem of a town: Alacati. With a rich Greek history, the town was declared a historical site in 2005, showing the importance of its bougainvillaea-framed cobblestoned streets that are surrounded by intact Greek stone houses – a testament to its heritage. There is also a hip and cool side to this historical town that can be witnessed in the stylish boutique hotels found here.
Cesme Peninsula
As much as the town has to offer, it’s the beach area that we are interested in. It has plenty on offer, from hip beach clubs to the popular Ilica Public Beach in the north. From here we are heading west to the Cesme Peninsula, a haunt for the well-heeled trendy set and locals alike; it’s one of Turkey’s number one spots for windsurfing. Beaches range from the Alacati Windsurfing Beach, where you will find all the kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons on offer, to exclusive beach club beaches with live music and lots of events during the busy summer months. There is no better way to wind down.
FAQ: The best beaches in Turkey
Which part of Turkey has the best beaches?
With a vast range of beaches, it’s almost difficult to choose one area, but one could argue that the South Aegean coastline, home to the Cirali and Kaputas beaches, has some of the best beaches in Turkey.
Where are the prettiest beaches in Turkey?
With a coastline that stretches 7,000 kilometres and having one pretty beach after another, you will be hard pushed to pick one, but Blue Lagoon and Butterfly Valley Oludeniz are up there.
Are the beaches in Turkey warm?
With a warm climate from the months of May through to October, most of the beaches in Turkey are warm during those months.
When is the best time to visit beaches in Turkey?
July and August are the peak seasons when most tourists head to Turkey. However, the weather in Turkey is mostly warm from May through to October. This makes spring and autumn ideal visiting times because the beaches will be less crowded.
