In the article we talk about the features of popular Turkish resorts, give tips on choosing a destination and offer hotels for each region.
Popular Turkish resorts for beach holidays
Turkish resorts are becoming one of the most popular destinations among Russians every year. On the 8,500 km long coast there are hotels offering everything for comfort: well-groomed territories, high-quality food, animation.
Recreation scenarios can be different: those who prefer active walks and excursions will find an option to their liking; and those who only dream of relaxation and beach holidays. There are hotels for every taste: family hotels with spacious rooms and children’s clubs, for adults with a relaxed atmosphere, budget hotels for those who want to save money, luxury hotels for sophisticated tourists.The Mediterranean Sea is dominated by sandy beaches, the Aegean Sea is pebbly and mixed, and the Black Sea is rocky.
The Mediterranean is the most sought—after area of Turkey with a long bathing season. It includes Belek, Antalya, Kemer and Side. There is a wide range of accommodation facilities and accessible infrastructure: cafes and restaurants are open, there is everything for water sports, various water parks, clubs and shopping centers. A great contribution to the popularity of the region is made by nature with diverse terrain: mountains, plains and hills. The bathing season lasts from May to October.
The Aegean seaside resorts are the second most popular among our tourists, and the season is shorter here. These include Dalaman, Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kusadasi. Their water is cooler, and the climate is milder than in the Antalya part of Turkey, and the air is filled with the aromas of coniferous forests.
The Black Sea occupies an honorable third place in the Turkish charts. In Trabzon, Samsun, Hop, Riza and Amasra, you can swim only from June to August.
Turkish resort towns: features and choices
The variety of cities in Turkey makes it possible to stay in the most suitable resort area. Their features allow you to make a trip unforgettable. If you are in doubt about which choice to make, contact our experts, they will help you choose the best option.
Antalya is a large city and a tourist area. Its differences are its size and landscaping. Transportation is well developed here: buses, trams and taxis run regularly, and you can get from the airport to most hotels in 15-20 minutes. This dynamic Turkish resort town boasts a wide range of entertainment options and restaurants serving local and international cuisine.
The pastime can be varied with excursions to the sights: even 12-14 nights of vacation may not be enough to see everything! Alanya, which is part of this province, is a developed seaside resort with a large selection of affordable urban—style hotels for housing. The way from the air harbor to it is long, but this disadvantage is easily covered by the southern location and sunny weather. If the travel time to the hotel is critical, flights to Gazipasa airport are available in the summer season: from there you can get to the hotel in Alanya 2 times faster.
People come to small towns and small towns of the Mediterranean for recreation, such as Side, to enjoy the service and swim, see the sights, wander along the promenades and small shopping malls. We recommend considering this region for a comfortable family vacation.The pearl of the Aegean coast of Turkey is Bodrum with its surrounding resorts: Fethiye, Dalaman and others.
Antalya: historical center and modern districts
After its foundation in 159 BC, various empires managed to set their sights on the resort: the Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Ottomans and Seljuks wanted to own its shipping port. Kaleici preserves the marks of the past years on its streets, which meander across the land above the Roman harbor of the II century. You can start exploring them by taking the elevator down from the observation deck on Republic Square or passing through Hadrian’s Gate, built back in 150 AD. Then there is a real maze of alleys waiting for those who want to walk, in which it is so pleasant to get lost, having found the Hidyrlyk tower of the II century to climb it in search of fascinating views.
Antalya resort is proud of its nature. The Kurshunlu and Duden waterfalls look like real oases and give coolness. The river that formed the latter is an excellent rafting route.
The beaches of Lara and Konyaalti are one of the centers of attraction in Turkey. The first is covered with coarse sand, the second with pebbles. Both are kept clean and tidy, and the modern infrastructure attracts a lot of people. We recommend these resorts to those who need a fast transfer from the airport and a well-developed infrastructure.
Most of the world’s brands can be found in the resort’s shopping centers – some come to update their wardrobe. The prices are the same as in Russia, but the range is larger.
Alanya: budget holidays and attractions
The famous Cleopatra Beach, stretching for 2.5 km, has long been a symbol of the resort. Some sites are private, while others can be accessed freely. It is well equipped: You will be able to use the changing rooms, showers and other facilities. The entrance is shallow, and the sand is coarse and golden in color — this feature often surprises tourists.
Cleopatra begins near the Dinek observation deck and ends at the Damlatash cave, which is located under the fortress. They are connected by a cable car, from which you can see all the surroundings. You can only get into another cave, the Pirate cave, from the water. The chronicle says that sea robbers used to live here, who were later defeated by the Romans, from whom the land was taken away by the Seljuks. It was they who built the fortress here, a structure perfectly preserved for its age, because it is already 800 years old. It’s hard to believe that it was built without modern devices and technologies!
Accommodation is considered cheaper than in the rest of Middle-earth. All beaches here are free, unless there is a need for a sun lounger and an umbrella. Markets with pleasant prices are open daily, and it is better to check the schedule before visiting. Some of them have a night mode, operating until midnight.
There are 9 tourist districts in Alanya: Avsallar, Turkler, Central, Konakli, Incekum, Okurjalar, Kestel, Obakoy, Mahmutlar. The latter is one of the inexpensive ones, but we always warn tourists that the coast here is not very convenient. It is sandy in Incekum and Avsallar, and there are many five-star hotels with a good level of service. Party life is more represented on Ataturk Boulevard.
Kemer: nature and outdoor activities
Kemer Resort is a paradise for fans of outdoor exercise, trekking and history. Surrounded by the majestic Taurus Mountains, it is considered an excellent site for ecotourism. The routes passing through the mountain ranges include both simple roads and more difficult ones for experienced athletes.
Olympos Beidaglary National Park, which runs along the coastline, is a huge area for walking. Its impressive size will not allow you to study it in one or even two days. There are ancient ruins on the territory, which were once the cities of Olympos, Phaselis and Idiros. The park has a rich flora and fauna, including rare species.
The resort is most often found on pebbly and rocky shores, but there is also sand. Some hotels in Tekirova specially put sand on the beaches for the comfort of guests. But even in areas where there are pebbles, they are shallow and do not hurt your feet, and the depth increases gradually. The most picturesque cove for swimming in Chamyuva is an ideal place not only for relaxation. Our tourists like to take photo shoots against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes and go diving — there is a rich underwater world here.
Fethiye: coves and yachting
The resort welcomes you with the turquoise waters of the bay, as if inviting you to plunge into them as soon as possible. Kayaking is in demand here, and its routes begin.
The embankment is represented by a marina, a walking area and Chalysh beach, where a large number of vacationers stay. The paradise of the adjacent Oludeniz is a Blue lagoon, as if descended from advertising brochures. She was awarded the Blue Flag, the hallmark of the best swimming spots in the world. We recommend you to see the beauty of the lagoon from a height by trying paragliding, a popular local entertainment.
From the shore, you can see a small island — this is Gemiler, shrouded in a mass of legends. One of them says that Saint Nicholas visited him, and it was here that he was buried. Renting a boat will help you quickly get to and explore this uninhabited piece of land.
You can view the ruins by following the Lycian trail and climbing to the tombs of Amyntas. They amaze the imagination — these are rooms cut right out of the rock, inside of which there are sarcophagi.
Mediterranean resorts in Turkey: what to consider when choosing
Among the resorts of Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea, everyone will find a location to their liking. The coast is located in the south of the country, there is a long beach season, but the climate in the western and eastern sides is slightly different.
Where the Aegean Sea flows into the Mediterranean, there is a mild climate, and you can swim from May to October. In summer, the average temperature does not exceed 28 ° C, and the cool wind is pleasantly refreshing. Winter is humid with temperatures of 10-17 °C. In January, a Meltemi wind blows, similar to the famous Mistral Wind in its strength and coolness. To the west are the Turkish resorts of Marmaris and Bodrum, which are noisy and crowded, as well as Kusadasi and Fethiye, which are calm and secluded. We recommend going on excursions to Pamukkale, the ancient cities of Demre, Ephesus and Hippocampus.
The Mediterranean coast of Turkey is dry and sunny, with temperatures reaching 31-35°C in summer. If you want to be measured, there are Kemer and Side resorts, Antalya and Alanya are suitable for fans of an active lifestyle. The east will be the starting point for visiting the Kopryulu Canyon, the Karatepe-Aslantash National Park with the ruins of an ancient Hittite settlement and the Toprakkale fortress.
Side: ancient ruins and sandy beaches
The resort’s hotels are lined up in a slender line along the waterfront with a long promenade. If a long walk doesn’t scare you, it’s worth walking along it to the Old Town, where you can look at the ruins of the 7th century BC. Entering from the embankment, you get into its heart, and upon entering from the other side, you pass through the arched gates past the ancient walls. The main building is the temple of Apollo, built in the II century BC. Its columns stand on the embankment surrounded by palm trees under the clear Turkish sky. Another building dating back to this time is the ancient theater, which once hosted performances and later worship services. Next to it is the temple of Dionysus and fragments of the market.
The Side Museum once housed Roman baths. Now you will see objects found there during archaeological excavations. Of particular interest are the preserved details of the ancient aqueduct. The complete structure can be viewed at the Oymapinar hydroelectric power station on the Manavgat River in Turkey.
The comfortable coastline and quiet surroundings of this Turkish resort attract families. West Beach is famous for its hotels, cleanliness and entertainment facilities. The eastern one is more peaceful. Kumkoi and Sorgun, five minutes from here, are considered the best in the area. Divers are frequent visitors here. The only diving spot in Turkey and throughout Europe with an underwater museum at a depth of 9-25 meters has 110 exhibits.
Belek: luxury holidays and golf courses
The resort has earned the title of the most fashionable in Turkey. They are not used to settling for little, so they come here for luxury hotels with impeccable service, which own almost all the beaches. There is everything for prestigious sports: golf, horse riding, tennis or diving.
The golf courses in Belek are the best in Turkey. They are designed by world-class specialists and attract athletes from all over the world. The resort’s hotels offer golf packages, including transfers and a game, and some have their own courses. Among them are Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort, Kaya Palazzo, Gloria Verde, Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa. Most have tennis courts, and SPA treatments are available for relaxation after sports activities.
In the nearest Serik, you can visit Zeytin Tash, a cave millions of years old. 50 km away is the Manavgat waterfall, which is actually the threshold of the river, but this makes it no less beautiful. For fans of history, we recommend going on an excursion to ancient Aspendos, 17 km away, or to ancient Perga, 27 km away.
Bodrum: hangouts and historical monuments
The peninsula in Turkey combined seemingly incompatible things. It is surrounded by noisy leisure activities with quiet private villas, and modern marinas and luxury yacht clubs with buildings dating back to antiquity. Windy weather attracts surfers and windsurfers to the resort. The architecture of Bodrum resembles a cozy Greek town. If you want to add variety to your trip, you can take a ferry to Kos Island.
The peninsula has three marinas: Milta — in the center, D-Marin — in the neighboring Turgutreis and Yalikavak — in the village of the same name. The first one is adjacent to the Old Town and has an excellent view of St. Peter’s Castle. Narrow, winding streets lead up from here, taking you deeper. In the shops you can find, you can buy souvenirs, among which local ceramics have a special charm. In some stores, you can even see the painting process.
Nearby, travelers can visit the mausoleum in Halicarnassus, built in the IV century BC, where the remains of the Carian satrap Mausolus are kept. It is considered one of the seven wonders of the world of antiquity.
How to choose a holiday resort?
Answering the question of which Turkish resort to choose for a holiday, it is worth determining the relevant criteria. They will be different for everyone.
Tour budget
Resorts in Turkey vary significantly in the cost of accommodation. When deciding which one is better to go to, keep in mind that the list of inexpensive ones starts with Alanya, followed by Antalya and Side, where there are good 3-4–star options by the sea for a beach holiday. Seasonal discounts at these resorts will help you save extra money. For luxury tourism, you need to go to Belek, where there are luxury hotels.
Tour objectives
Antalya has a comfortable infrastructure that will be useful for family holidays, besides there are several water parks and The Land of Legends theme park. Kemer is also suitable for this purpose, as hotels often have children’s concepts. Young people will be delighted with Marmaris, where there is an abundance of clubs and nightlife. Fans of the European atmosphere will appreciate Bodrum.
Travel time to the resort
The tourist map of Turkey is long, so those who come on vacation for a short time prefer to stay near the airport to save time on the transfer.
Turkish Resort Ratings: current data
The offers of tour operators in Turkey are so diverse that the eyes run away. To understand what is most suitable, it will be useful to study the rating of resorts in accordance with the reviews of tourists.
Antalya province is the leader in the number of Blue Flags in Turkey. They are awarded to coastal areas that have been selected according to a number of criteria, ranging from the quality of coverage to infrastructure for the disabled. Alanya and Fethiye are among the top five in terms of clean coastal lines.
The top resorts for yachting are Marmaris and Bodrum. Both regions of Turkey have their own equipped marinas and everything you need for this seaside leisure.
Turkey can rightfully be called one of the cradles of antiquity. The confirmation of this status is the multitude of heritage monuments on the territory of the resorts. Bodrum is the leader in their number.
Many Turkish hospitality organizations have already received VCS and GSTC eco-certificates, and Kemer and Antalya are the most concerned about the environment. They are followed by Mugla Province.
To make your vacation meet your expectations, take into account the specifics of the resorts and study the information about the hotels in detail — our website has all the necessary information. And if you are not sure what to choose, contact one of our experts, they will tell you which option is right for you, and take into account all the important details!