Where to Stay on the Turkish Coast: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Heading to the Turkish Coast this year? Here’s a complete rundown on where to stay in Turkey on the coast (also referred to as the Turkish Riviera); which part of the coastline to head for, the best beach resorts -whether you’re booking DIY accommodation or looking for a package vacation – and standout beach hotels. This resort guide will cover:

THE BEST PLACES TO STAY ON THE TURKISH COAST

• BEST LUXURY HOTELS: Six Senses Kaplankaya, Bodrum Edition, Amanruya, Maçakizi
• BEST HOTELS ON THE BEACH:  D Maris Bay Resort, Maxx Royal Kemer
• BEST FAMILY BEACH HOTEL: Akra Fethiye TUI Blue Sensatori
• BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS: Costa Maya Bodrum, Ölüdeniz Blu Luxury Unique Hotel
• SWANKY VILLAS: Club Prive
• BEST INFINITY POOL: D Maris Bay Resort, Hotel Villa Mahal
• CHIC ROMANTIC ESCAPES: Golden Key Bordubet , Layla Gocek
• BEST PLACE FOR NIGHTLIFE: Bodrum
• PRETTIEST COASTAL VILLAGES: Kaş, Kalkan, Alaçatı
• BEST QUIET BEACH RESORTS: Assos, Foca, Çıralı, Side 

Turkish Coast Overview

The Turkish Riviera encompasses a huge stretch of coast, basically the entire SW coast – plus some. The section commonly known as the Turquoise Coast is the part between Fethiye and Antalya.

Generally speaking, Turkey (officially now Türkiye) has some incredible beaches but they’re not the best if you’re looking for soft white sand. But Turkey offers great value – especially in comparison with similar properties in Greece or elsewhere in the Mediterranean. The food is fantastic, the scenery is often jaw-dropping, and there are adventure activities and ancient sites aplenty.

Beach tourism here is a healthy mix of purpose-built areas with all-inclusive resort hotels, charming harbour towns popular with sailors, and small back-to-nature villages with wooden bungalows.

Getting Around

Airports: There are four airports along the coast which are served by both international (both charter and scheduled) and domestic flights: Izmir, Bodrum, Dalaman, and Antalya.

Bus: If you’ve never caught the bus in Turkey before then it’s a joy. Bus travel is very common in Turkey, for both long and short distances. Most towns and cities have a bus station (called an otogar) outside the centre for catching long-distance buses. These are usually in comfortable and well-equipped coaches with reclining chairs.

Local buses tend to be small minivans known as dolmuş. These are essentially shared taxis that run set routes. There isn’t usually a schedule but they run frequently with plenty of stops. For less popular routes you have the option of paying for the whole van or waiting for more passengers.

Ferry: If you’re arriving from Greece then there are several options for ferry connections:

• Lesvos – Ayvalik
• Chios – Cesme
• Samos – Kusadasi
• Kos – Bodrum/Turgatreis
• Rhodes – Fethiye/Bodrum/Marmaris
• Symi – Bodrum 
• Kastellorizo – Kas 

Which Part of the Turkish Coast to Choose?

• NORTH AEGEAN: Not as touristy as the other parts of the coast, but you will find dark sand beaches and handsome Byzantine architecture. Good for hidden gems though the beaches themselves do get busy. Due to the winds, it’s the most comfortable part of the coast, temperature-wise, in the summer.
• BODRUM AREA: Of the cities, Bodrum is by far the prettiest and most pleasant – and is also Turkey’s summer nightlife capital. The surrounding area is devastatingly pretty and chic, sometimes with prices to match. Explore by boat if you can.
• MARMARIS AREA: Rugged and green coastline with some of Turkey’s most popular beach resorts but also nature parks and small islands. 
• TURQUOISE COAST: The section of coastline from Fethiye round to Antalya is particularly mountainous and beautiful. There aren’t many sandy beaches so for a long time this area was under the radar, but gulet sailors and posh Brits have discovered the scenery and plentiful historic sites. The heat can be stifling in July and August. 
• ANTALYA AREA:  The coastline gets busy at Antalya, a large coastal city with a developed resort coastline although less upmarket hotels.

East of Antalya the coastline is known as Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast. The resorts here are less popular with Western tourists but if you’re feeling adventurous then I recommend buying the Rough Guide to Turkey.

Çanakkale

The town of Çanakkale is most well-known for its WWI history – it was the site of a year-long battle with heavy casualties. It guards the entrance to the Dardanelles Strait and therefore to Istanbul and the Black Sea. It’s the first real tourist destination along the coast but it’s a lengthy drive from any airport and not really a beach destination. Çanakkale is mainly popular with visiting Australians visiting the battlefields, particularly around ANZAC Day.

South of town, you’ll find the ruins of Ancient Troy, hence the large wooden horse in the harbour, but there’s not really much to see compared (in comparison to some of Turkey’s other archaeological sites at least).

There is a small domestic airport at Çanakkale, or else it’s a 4 hour + drive from Istanbul or Izmir.

Bozcaada

If you’re looking for a cool and under-the-radar summer destination in Turkey then the island of Bozcaada is right up your street. It’s one of the few Aegean islands that belong to Turkey rather than Greece, and is loved by weekending hipsters and couples from Istanbul. Its charming streets are filled with bougainvillaea, colourful woodwork, and cute cafes. Bozcaada also has fantastic vineyards and some of the best sandy beaches in the Northern Aegean area.

To get there take the passenger ferry from Çanakkale (high season only) or the car ferry from Geyikli.

Ayvalık and Assos

Ayvalık is a working harbour town famous for its fishing and agricultural industries – foodies will love it here. The olive oil and fresh produce is some of the best in Turkey.

It’s more popular with local tourists than foreign, except those visiting on a day trip from neighbouring Greek island Lesvos (which is easy to reach). But it has several wide sandy beaches and islands (Cunda and Alibey are the main ones) around its meandering coastline, as well as a Byzantine old town with superb restaurants and converted mansions.

To the north of Ayvalık is the small picturesque seaside village of Assos (pictured above), which is also known as Behram or Behramkale. It has a Greek feel with a small row of brightly painted fishing boats, a pebble beach, and smart stone buildings along the waterfront. A short drive uphill is the main village where you’ll find a wider range of accommodation, most in historic buildings.

Transfer time: Ayvalik is a 2-hour drive from Izmir airport.

Foça

Along with Çeşme, Foça is one of the most popular resorts in the wider Izmir area. It’s popular with the yachting crowd and upmarket Brits thanks to its winding waterfront filled with fishing boats and yachts, restaurants and bars. 

Transfer time: 1 hour from Izmir airport.

Izmir

Izmir is one of Turkey’s biggest cities and one of its most young and liberal. It’s a modern city that doesn’t have too much in the way of tourist sights – there’s a small bazaar, but most of its old buildings were destroyed by fire nearly a century ago.

But if you enjoy an urban vibe and cosmopolitan waterfront area then it makes a decent base for exploring the area’s blockbuster historic attractions such as Pergamum, Selcuk, and Ephesus. Most visitors staying in the area will choose to head to the nearby resorts of Çeşme or Foça though.

Transfer time: 25 minutes from Izmir airport

Çeşme and Alaçatı

Izmir is tucked into a bay whereas Çeşme sits out on the end of the peninsula to the south of the city. It’s the main beach resort area around Izmir and is also a working port town with ferries across to the nearby Greek island of Chios (just 8km across the water).

Çeşme has an engaging harbour area and, like many of Turkey’s coastal towns, beach resort hotels stretch out in either direction along the coast. The peninsula is home to some of the region’s most popular beaches.

Slighty inland of Çeşme is the trendy area of Alaçatı, one of Turkey’s best boutique destinations with its flower-filled streets and lovely B&Bs.

Transfer time: 1 hour from Izmir airport

Kuşadası

Kuşadası is a large, modern port town – similar to Izmir though with slightly more of a vacation vibe. It’s surrounded by resort beaches and in close proximity to the ancient site of Ephesus. Fun boat trips and cruises run from the city’s harbour, and cruise ships call here too.

The city has a lively waterfront area with a promenade and its nightlife attracts visitors from the surrounding area. There’s a small old town with city walls, a bazaar and narrow streets. 

The Greek island of Samos is a short ferry ride away and the beautiful Dilek National Park is to the south of the city. There are lots of large beaches in the area, the busiest are Ladies Beach and Long Beach., as well as several large waterparks. It’s a popular package tourism destination.

Transfer time: 1 hour 30 minutes from Izmir airport

Bodrum

The sparkling coastal city of Bodrum is without a doubt Turkey’s swankiest resort town. The picturesque city with its castle and pretty Aegean-whitewashed buildings is home to the best nightlife this side of Mykonos. It’s cheaper and more under-the-radar than St Tropez and Ibiza – but just as glam and its boho credentials go back to the 70s. The waterfront is lined with beach clubs and upmarket restaurants, and the coastline with beach clubs and infinity pools overlooking the Aegean. 

It’s also one of the Aegean’s major yachting and sailing hubs. It’s the spiritual home of gulet boats – the ‘Blue Cruise‘ was born in this area and it’s still one of the best places to pick up a boat. By sunset, the bay is filled with party boats and superyachts gleaming in the last rays of sunlight.

There are several smaller beach outposts along the coast which make for a more low-key vacation but with easy access to the city – Ortakent and Bitez have the nicest beaches and high prices to match. For something more low-key try Gümüşlük. The surrounding coastline and peninsula is one of the prettiest parts of the Turkish Coast with endless coves to discover.

Ferries connect with the Greek island of Kos from both Bodrum and the nearby port of Turgutreis.

Transfer time: 35 minutes from Bodrum airport.

Akyaka, Datça and Bozburun

Akyaka is making a name for itself as one of Turkey’s premier slow travel destinations. There is a small beach of dark gritty sand but the main reason to come is the nature, the food, and the traditional wooden architecture. It’s not well known by foreign tourists but is loved by locals as a peaceful retreat in the hot months. 

South of Aykaka you’ll find the Datça and Bozburun peninsulas. This is one of the greenest and most tranquil parts of the Turkish coast. It’s a great sailing area but there’s not too much in the way of development, perfect for those looking for an authentic vacation. There are many superb hotels tucked away in its sleepy hills and quaint villages with stunning sea views across to the Greek island of Symi.

Transfer time: Akyaka is 1 hour 30 minutes from Bodrum airport. Add an extra hour for destinations on the peninsula from Bodrum or Dalaman – roads are slow.

İçmeler and Turunç

İçmeler is the first proper beach resort in the Marmaris region and has been an established tour operator offering for decades. It has a long organised beach (a mix of dark sand and shingle) in a lovely setting backed by big green mountains. There are some great walks and activities in the area, but also a lively nightlife and easy day trip access to Marmaris and Rhodes. Restaurants and cafes cater to the British tastes.

Around the coast is the smaller resort village of Turunç, in an equally picturesque setting. It has a narrow sand-and-shingle beach and is one of the best resorts for older couples and families looking for a quiet vibe with a selection of bars and restaurants for the evening. It has easy water taxi access to larger resorts.

Transfer time: Around 1 hour 40 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Marmaris

Marmaris is one of the biggest and most popular resorts on the Turkish coast. It’s a large resort city but the name tends to refer to the wider area too, as you’ll find plenty of big resort hotels along the coast in either direction.

Marmaris lacks the aesthetic appeal of Bodrum but is well known for its shopping (particularly the fake designer goods in the Grand Bazaar) and lively nightlife. There are also some excellent food markets around, handy if you’re going self-catered. If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the larger resorts in Spain and the Canary Islands then you’ll find a similar appeal here. It’s loud and boisterous but somehow manages to retain a traditional Turkish beach town atmosphere. The nightlife around Bar Street is infamous.

The city is surrounded by the vast Marmaris National Park which provides a playground for boat trips and adventure activities. Day trips and ferry connections to the Greek island of Rhodes are available.

Transfer time: 1 hour 30 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Dalyan

The friendly town of Dalyan is not on the coast but slightly upriver. It has an incredible natural setting but still plenty of restaurants and bars for the evening. The crowd here is a mix of domestic tourists and Europeans looking for a lack-back nature escape. It has some impressive rock tombs and ancient remains, and you can take boats to the protected Iztuzu Beach (one of the main turtle nesting beaches) and mud baths near Lake Köyceğiz.

Transfer time: 35 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Göcek

Göcek is sometimes referred to as ‘the Monaco of Turkey’ but don’t take that comparison that at face value, Göcek is nothing like Monaco. There are no high-rise buildings, casinos, or polished streets here. It’s a small and pleasant harbour town with an unusually high concentration of superyachts in the marina (and a well-organised laundry system to service them). There’s a small beach at the end of town.

Restaurant and shop prices are slightly higher than average, and there are some smart places to stay, but otherwise it doesn’t feel dramatically different to other resorts in the area.

It gets entertainingly busy on a Saturday which is changover day for the charter boats.

Transfer time: 30 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Fethiye

Fethiye manages to somehow be two things at once: a reasonable-sized working city and a pleasant place for tourists. The town itself has no beach, the nearest is Calis Beach a few kilometres from the main part of town but served by regular minibus and water taxis.

The promenade-lined harbour, which is packed to the gills with boats plying day trips and longer gulet cruises, is the centre of all the action here. There’s also a small bazaar in the streets behind, and a fish market where you can choose a fish and take it to one of the nearby restaurants to be grilled. And the hill behind the city sports some impressive rock tombs. 

There’s a year-round expat crowd and you will find a few English bars and cafes, but the flavour is mainly Turkish. It attracts more independent travellers than Marmaris and has a great range of accommodation options.

Transfer time: 50 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Ölüdeniz

Ah Ölüdeniz – the most famous beach in Turkey. You’ll no doubt have seen it gracing brochures and adverts. But what’s it like?

The first thing to know is that Ölüdeniz is a small development directly behind the beach, which is Blue Flag and busy but not quite as sandy as it can appear in photos. Towards the south end, where it forms the ‘Blue Lagoon’, is a protected zone that requires a ticket to enter. Even this section is crowded with sunloungers and cafes.

A short drive up in the hills behind the beach are two busy resort villages of Hisaronu and Ovacik, purpose-built to absorb the package tourists who flock to the area. If you like your holidays cheap and loud, with sports bars and steakhouses, then you’ll like it here. Otherwise, avoid.

Down by the beach, Oludeniz is busy but development is limited by its location. It attracts a mix of British, German, Russian, and Turkish tourists. There are some good Turkish restaurants here, and an increasingly good standard of beach bar where you can watch the paragliders land.

There are regular minibuses connecting Fethiye with Oludeniz, Hisaronu and Ovacik.

Transfer time: 1 hour from Dalaman airport.

Butterfly Valley and Faralya

Butterfly Valley is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. The beach is located at the end of a steep gorge and is usually reached by boat. It’s a protected zone thanks to the butterflies which inhabit the area (June is the best time to see them). The only way to stay in Butterfly 

At the top of the surrounding cliffs is the small and scenic village of Faralya. The viewpoint attracts selfie-hunters (be careful), but there’s a cluster of wonderful accommodations and it’s worth staying a while if you enjoy peace and nature. 

Transfer time: 1 hour 30 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Kabak

Beautiful little Kabak is a hidden gem, loved by hippies and nature lovers. The small sand-and-stone beach is nestled in a majestic valley – and the bus ride to get here is a bit of an experience. Traditionally the accommodation was camp-style in simple wooden huts but there are an increasing number of boutique hotels, mainly up at the top of the village to take advantage of the amazing views. It’s a further hike down to the beach or you can hail one of the cheap and bumpy shuttle cars.

Transfer time: 1 hour 45 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Kalkan

Kalkan has gone from a sleepy fishing village to one of the most popular resort towns on the Turquoise Coast. As is common on this part of the coast, the heart of the town is the harbour which is lined with bars and restaurants. There’s a small (and steep) old town area with wooden Ottoman houses draped in bougainvillaea. It attracts a variety of people including posh Brits and yachties looking for somewhere with a bit of buzz and ambience – as such it’s not the cheapest resort on the coast.

There is a small pebbly town beach that’s nothing to write home about. Plenty of the waterside resort hotels have beach club areas though, some with decking areas for sunbathing.

The area is best suited to those prepared to do some exploring – there are some spectacular historic sites and beaches in the wider area.

Transfer time: 1 hour 45 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Kaş

Kaş is like Kalkan’s cute and charming little sister. It’s a similar harbour town but a bit smaller, a bit sleepier, and a bit more boho. It’s one of the most laid-back resorts along the coast yet still has plenty to do. The scenery is divine and it’s a short boat ride across to the stunning small Greek island of Kastellorizo which is a popular day trip. 

In fact, it’s a great place to stay if you like exploring independently thanks to the frequent bus and minibus services. There are also lots of adventure activities and excursions in the area which make it ideal for young couples as well as families with older children. Sea kayaking is a particular highlight.

There are a few pebbly but scenic coves on the outskirts of town, some with beach bars attached.

Transfer time: 2 hours + from Dalaman airport.

Olympos and Çıralı

Olympos and Çıralı are two villages joined by a long beach but divided by some hills – to go between them you have to drive uphill to the main road and down again, or walk along the beach.

They are both located in the Olympos Coastal National Park hence the incredible untouched scenery and lack of concrete hotels. Planning restrictions mean that most accommodation is in wooden structures of varying quality.

For many years Olympos was a stop on the hippie trail and it became well-known for its treehouse dwellings. In reality, there are only a few actual treehouses (mainly at Kadirs). Eventually backpacking Aussies replaced the hippies, and these days the Aussies have been mostly replaced by holidaying Turkish families and hipsters who come for the cheap camping vibe. The reggae soundtrack remains though. Note that to reach the beach you have to walk through an ancient site that requires a ticket.

Cirali is more family-friendly. It keeps the back-to-nature appeal but has more facilities, shops, and space, less reggae, and better road access. The beach is an important turtle nesting zone so access at night is not permitted.

Most accommodation (even at the budget end) is half board and the food is generally excellent. The are plenty of activities on offer, from boat trips to rock climbing and diving, and visits to the nearby natural flames. The beach is a mix of course sand and small pebbles.

Transfer time: 1 hour 40 minutes from Antalya airport.

Kemer and Tekirova

As you leave the mountains and drive towards Antalya, you’ll find a complete change of scene at Kemer. This is one of Antalya’s premier resort areas and its wide pebble/sand beaches are backed by large (in some cases, colossal) all-inclusive resort hotels which are particularly popular with Russian package tourists.

The town has plenty of amenities though lacks the atmosphere of other resorts. It’s by no means dead though, there’s a busy marina and a few nightclubs, but most people choose Kemer for a particular hotel rather than the resort itself. Tekirova is similar.

Transfer time: 1 hour from Antalya airport.

Antalya

Antalya is one of Turkey’s largest coastal cities. It’s sprawling and modern with an attractive historic centre (called Kaleici), a lively harbour area, and excellent transport connections/day trip options. Mix in some ancient sites (Hadrian’s Gate, the nearby Aspendos Theatre), great food, and some of Turkey’s better nightlife, and you have somewhere that ticks all the boxes for city break fans.

Flanking each side of the city are two extensive beaches – Lara and Konyaalti – which are surrounded by blingy all-inclusive hotels. The Russians love it, and there are an increasing number of halal resorts catering for Muslim tourists. Of the two, Lara is sandier and is home to more upmarket all-inclusive hotels. It’s closer to the airport and to the impressive Duden Waterfalls.

Konyaalti has a more interesting local vibe with good food and better budget hotel options, but the beach is small pebbles.

Transfer time: 15 minutes to 30 minutes from Antalya airport depending on location.

Side

Side (pronounced see-day) is a small seaside resort which is notable for its beachside ruins. The fantastic history, attractive harbour, and sandy beaches here have made it a magnet for tourists for decades. West Beach has some of the softest sand in the area.

It can feel a bit crowded though,  on summer weekends in particular. It has less of a British feel than resorts to its west and is particularly loved by Germans and Scandinavians. It gets many return visitors and the average age skews towards the older, and so the nightlife here is more genteel bar than throbbing nightclub. There are resort hotels with family facilities.

Boat trips to the many waterfalls in the area are a good way to escape the intense summer heat.

Transfer time: 1 hour from Antalya airport.

Alanya

The coastal city of Alanya has a similar appeal to Side – minus the ruins but plus extra beach space. There’s much more room to spread out on the excellent beaches here. The better sand is at Cleopatra Beach.

It’s a medium-sized resort city with a long promenade and lots of shopping and nightlife, an old town, and an impressive castle. It attracts an young international crowd with relatively few Brits and a large number of domestic tourists. It’s a more chilled out and family-friendly alternative to Marmaris, and prices are extremely competitive.

Transfer time: 2 hours from Antalya airport.

Read more:

Turkey’s Turquoise Coast: 10 Local Secrets

10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Turkey

Where to Stay in Cyprus: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay in Mallorca: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay in Menorca: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay in Ibiza: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

10 Most Beautiful Beaches on the Balearic Islands

Where to Stay on Crete: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay on Corfu: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay on Kefalonia: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay on Lefkada: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay on Zakynthos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay on Skiathos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay on Rhodes: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Where to Stay in the Cyclades: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

Enjoyed this post? Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Click to save to Pinterest:

Image credits:

Marmaris: © den-belitsky / Adobe Stock

Kaputas: © fotopanorama360 / Shutterstock

Alanya beach: © muratart / Adobe Stock

Kabak beach: © Kotangens / Adobe Stock

Map of Turkish beach resorts: © The Mediterranean Traveller

Canakkale: © Sergii Figurnyi / Adobe Stock

Bozcaada: © Nejdet Duzen / Shutterstock

Assos: © muratart / Adobe Stock

Foca: © melihcan / Adobe Stock

Izmir: © casfotoarda / Adobe Stock

Cesme: © Nejdet Duzen / Adobe Stock

Kusadasi: © Sergii Figurnyi / Adobe Stock

Bodrum: © ColorMaker / Shutterstock

Bodrum Ortakent beach: © Neonyn / Adobe Stock

Datca Peninsula: © muratani / Adobe Stock

Icmeler: © Konstantin Gushcha / Adobe Stock

Dalyan Iztuzu Beach: © sedan504 / Adobe Stock

 Gocek: © The Mediterranean Traveller

Fethiye: © Olena Rublenko / Adobe Stock

Oludeniz: © Dudarev Mikhail / Adobe Stock

Oludeniz sunloungers: © The Mediterranean Traveller

Butterfly Valley: © NiglayNik / Shutterstock

Kabak: © Kotangens / Adobe Stock

Olive Garden Pool: © The Mediterranean Traveller

Kalkan: © Youngj / Adobe Stock

Kas: © Nejdet Duzen / Shutterstock

Olympos: © Clayton / Adobe Stock

Cirali parasols: © The Mediterranean Traveller

Tekirova: © Patryk Kosmider / Adobe Stock

Antalya: © muratart / Shutterstock

Konyaalti beach: © Andrey Prokhorov / Adobe Stock

Side: © Nikolai Sorokin / Adobe Stock

Alanya: © Damla Karacabay / Shutterstock