The Turkish Turquoise Coast

By Justin Mays:

The Turquoise coast, also known as the Turquoise Riviera is a beautiful coastline with 500 beaches and two of the seven wonders of the ancient world (Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum of Mausolus ruins). The stunning stretch comes with turquoise waters, lovely towns, and a breathtaking view. This gorgeous location is noted for its unique and culturally rich area to explore. This stretch of land with turquoise waters o is a visual treat for the locals and visitors who are lucky enough to stumble upon them.

Turkey’s incredible turquoise coast extends along the southwest coast of the country, from the Aegean to the Mediterranean Sea. The sun-drenched piece of coastline offers you beaches with crystal clear water ranging from hues of teal and aquamarine green to cerulean blue. The food is fabulous wherever you go. Also, you can explore luxe resorts and trendy boutique hotels. Let’s begin with our Turquoise Coast guide!

Best places to visit along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast

Each town on the turquoise coast has a unique attraction. You will be pleasantly surprised to see things no other place would offer. Let's jump to all the main towns along the coast so you can decide which part of the turquoise coast you would like to visit. Here are the best Towns on the Turkish Riviera: 

Fethiye- The little city with a long boatyard, Fethiye is lined with cute cafes and restaurants for leisure time. The colorful shops and bars serving Turkish beer are the attraction of the place.

Kas- Pronounced as “Kash”, it’s a little seaside town with fewer international tourists, a chill vibe, and cobblestone streets. Here you’ll find lively cafes, seafront restaurants, and bars, and can have a memorable diving experience here.

Oludeniz- It’s a gorgeous long beach famous for its blue lagoon. Enjoy the crystal clear water, sunbathing, paragliding paddleboarding on the calm sea.

Olympos- Along with a beautiful beach, you’ll find yourself nestled among green hills surrounded by nature as well. Chill by the small shack cafes and treehouses and enjoy the unique accommodation. 

Kabak Valley and Butterfly Valley- Away from the crowds the beautiful Butterfly Valley and Kabak Valley are other popular destinations that can be reached by boat from Oludeniz or a shuttle boat.

Patara- It’s a 12 km stretched pure sandy beach and one of the best in Turkey. Enjoy the sunset by climbing the top of the sand dunes for a beautiful view of the coastline. 

Lycian Way- It’s your destination if you love hiking. Trek along the 540 km line from Fethiye to Antalya which takes almost a month. Book yourself a hotel or camp overlooking the valley. 

The Turkish Riviera is home to many historical spots, beaches, and charming towns. While many cities will have arrangements for luxury stays, you will find affordable options too. Here are a few tips and suggestions to make your trip more fun:

• How to reach: If you are within the borders, you can take a bus. However, if you are coming by plane, the three most popular airports are Bodrum, Dalaman, and Antalya. 

• A ferry from Greece: You can travel back and forth easily by boat from Greece to Turkey with inexpensive ferries.

• Renting a car: It's the best way to see the famous Turquoise Coast in Turkey and see around flexibly. Drive the car to see the beautiful beaches, small towns, and amazing views. 

• When to visit: The best time to visit the Turquoise Coast is before July and after August so you get good weather, less crowd, and affordable accommodation.

• Adventurous activities: Once you've had a nice time at the beach, have more fun with outdoor activities like hiking, scuba diving, and paragliding for an adrenaline rush. 

• The seafood: Apart from the kebabs, roast lamb, and baklava, enjoy the delicious seafood dishes when you are on the ocean. Try some great meze appetizers and fresh fish. 

• Explore the local market: The large weekly markets can't be missed. Dig through the seasonal fruits, local nuts, clothing, and even street food stands for yummy snacks. 

• Boat tour: No trip on the Turkish Riviera is complete without enjoying the waters. Take a boat tour of different places along the coast and swimming spots. 

• Discover the history: Get blown away by the glorious 15th-century Bodrum. Find the 2,400-year-old amphitheater and the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. 

• The beach clubs: The sandy and pebble beaches are also filled with endless beach clubs to enjoy. Along with the food and drinks, you have to pay for the chairs that you'll use all day.

What to do on the Turquoise Coast

While you are on a huge stretch of beaches and towns, there’s a lot to do. It’s a rich travel experience on both water and land.

Sailing on the Turkish Riviera route

If you are someone who loves waters then you can start sailing in Fethiye or Olympos and keep traveling along the Turquoise Coast. On the beautiful “blue cruise” you can spend your time from a day to a week. Relish the famous Turkish delicacies and explore the ancient ruins while you stop by to enjoy the lively towns on the coastline. The best part of sailing the Turkish Riviera is having the freedom to plan your time, hire a boat and coordinate with the captain to start and stop wherever you like.

Exploring the land

If you visit the Riviera by land, there are many amazing places you can visit and many things you can do on the Turquoise Coast. Reach the resort towns! Have fun in Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris, and Dalaman with comfortable accommodations and tourist facilities within your budget. There are many beaches that are away from the crowd and haven’t been as explored as the others. Have a great time on the beautiful sandy beaches and magnificent landscapes. There is something for everyone in the region. 

What to eat on the Turkish Riviera

The Turkish Riviera is soaked in history and food culture. There are Endemic grape varieties, olive oil dishes, sun-kissed fresh fruits, veggies, and yummy traditional recipes. Local chefs fetch you the fresh "catch of the day" and guarantee to serve foodies with the best on the table. Have the taste of grilled perfection and a season of sprinkled salt and lemon. 

The Turquoise Coast has been serving tourists for a long time with a rich selection of restaurants. There’s no dearth of older classic eateries feeding mezes, kebabs, assorted grilled meats, and fresh seafood. Recently, the number of fine dining options has also increased where they prepare creative dishes, combining high-quality local ingredients with international flair.

Regional specialties along the coastline include mussels stuffed with rice, pine nuts, and a cold octopus salad, tossed in olive oil, vinegar, and parsley; and grilled fish. The majority of Turkey's tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, zucchinis, and peppers are grown along the coast, hence, salads are fresh and delicious. 

Because it's a long coastline, fish is obviously an important part of the cuisine. Locals have it at lunch or dinner with a squeeze of lemon and raw onion. During winter, the restaurants add soups to their menus in different varieties. In Lycia, wonderful local delight with a home-cooking style is served. It is a stewed eggplant with basil. Semiz otu is another dish that is a refreshing appetizer in a garlic yogurt sauce.

The awesome Turquoise Coast has something for everyone- places for explorers and dishes for foodies on every budget! You can easily plan your days for exploring different towns, activities, and food. Get thrilled by the ancient history of the ancient city. Catch the sunshine at a relatively lower price than European beaches. 

If you are interested in buying from a selection of beachfront properties on the famous Turquoise Coast, contact Prime Property Turkey for the best properties and deals. Choose from beach homes and other properties in beauty spots like Bodrum, Kalkan, Kas, and Sovalye Island. 

Also check out our guide to Princes’ Islands, Beautiful palaces in Istanbul, and the most photographed sites in Istanbul.