The Turkish Riviera is one of the most visited parts of the country, especially in the summer when holidaymakers descend on the Turquoise Coast for a good dose of sun, sea and sand. With it’s array of sun-kissed pristine beaches to the stunning landscapes, historic towns and glitzy resorts, the riviera is truly more than your average beach destination.
Located along the Mediterranean Sea, the average temperatures along this stretch of coastline range from 25 degrees Celsius in spring up to 38 degrees Celsius in the summer months of July and August. Alongside some of the best beaches in Europe, there’s also a range of ancient sites such as the city ruins of Phaselis, Myra, Simena, Aspendos and Perge. For more information about holidaying in Turkey and the Turkish Riviera, visit this website.
Here are the highlights:
Antalya
The main resort on the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is famous for its charming harbour, turquoise-blue seas and the having the longest stretch of coastline in all of Turkey. The historic city – which dates back to 133 BC – has undergone a fair amount of regeneration in recent years, with many of the old Ottoman mansions being transformed into stunning boutique hotels. It’s also a world-famous golf destination, with Belek being its premier golf resort. Not only boasting a backdrop of golden beaches, it has also won awards for its environmentally-friendly development.
Alanya
Alanya is a real mix of old and new, making it ideal for all kinds of traveller. Apart from its array of sandy beaches, including the 2km-long Cleopatra beach, Alanya is also famed for its architecture. Its Red Tower, which protected the dockyards in Seljuk times, is still visible in the harbour and there’s also a picturesque fortress and Byzantine church to explore. It may take a bit of huffing and puffing to get up there, but the views from the top of the tower walls are definitely worth it.
Kemer
With the increase of bargain holidays, relatively-new resorts like Kemer have spring up along the coast. One of Turkey’s first multipurpose resorts, it has been carefully planned to blend in with the surrounding scenery, to be in keeping with the landscape and traditional feel. At its heart is the pretty marina, a stopping off point for gulets on the blue cruise. Kemer has a pebble beach, but the main resort areas are on the beaches located a little further out, namely Kiziltepe, Goynuk, Beldibi, Camyuva and Tekirova.
Side
The peninsula of Side is ideal for both beach-lovers and those interested in history. Sandwiched between two golden beaches, the historic town boasts many an archeological wonder including the ancient Hellenistic theatre, the largest in the area and the stunning Temple of Apollo, which is a popular romantic spot at sunset, boasting fantastic views.
