Turkey’s Top 10 Beaches: Your Guide to Sun, Sand, and Serenity

For more than ten years, author Jess Lee has traveled widely throughout Turkey’s Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines, visiting and documenting them in her writing. She lives in Turkey.

Turkey’s long western coastline, which laps both the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, has made it a popular beach destination for many years.

Many Europeans travel here in the summer to spend a few weeks in the sun, sand, and sea.

With a huge number of beach resorts to choose from, theres something for every kind of traveler here. If you want a beach vacation with a taste of the city, lots of tourist attractions, and family-friendly activities, head to Antalya. Prefer nature and a quieter experience thats focused on the beach? Beeline straight to Patara or Çıralı.

July and August are peak season. At this time, accommodation prices skyrocket, and the sand at the most popular beaches gets packed.

But from May to October, this coast experiences extremely warm and sunny weather, so spring and fall are great times to experience Turkey’s beach life without the crowds.

With our list of Turkey’s best beaches, you can choose the ideal destination for your upcoming beach getaway. On This Page:

The 18-kilometer Pataras beach is the longest in Turkey and is occasionally surrounded by untamed, rolling dunes.

If you’re looking for facilities, spend your day close to the main entrance, where there’s a café offering food and beverages and sand that’s lined with sun loungers that are shaded.

Dont fancy hanging out with the crowds? Fine. There will be no trouble finding a secluded stretch of beach if you just walk along the sand.

Better yet, for those who tire of lounging in the sun and swimming all day, the vast Patara ruins are directly behind the sand.

Discover the landmarks of one of the historic Lycian cities, which include a beautifully restored bouleuterion (parliament building), a colonnaded street flanked by columns, and a theater seating 5,000 people. The beach entrance fee includes the ruins.

Many people arrive at Patara on day trips from nearby resort towns such as Kalkan, Kas, or Fethiye.

If you’d like to stay longer, though, the charming village of Gelemiş is just a short drive inland from Patara’s ruins and sandy beach.

The peninsula’s hilly, shaded slopes give way to broad bays with shingle and sand beaches, which are popular with summertime tourists from Turkey and Europe.

Some of the most picturesque beach sections are found near the westernmost point of the peninsula, near the villages of Bitez, Gündogan, Yalikavak, and Gümüslük, which are home to upscale vacation villa developments and boutique hotels.

Nonetheless, Bodrum Town’s castle, the white-washed cottages in the old town, and the easy access to the beach outside of town draw a lot of visitors.

Bitez Beach and Ortakent Beach are great options for families because of their large bay and long stretch of golden sand. The sea is shallow at the shore, there are plenty of water sports to choose from, and restaurants and cafés line the sand.

Kaputaş Beach is a small cove on the main road that links the harbor towns of Kalkan and Kaş on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

This small stretch of shingle beach, wedged between towering, sharp cliff faces, has become well-known worldwide for its dramatic setting.

Beachgoers can walk down the long 200-step staircase from the coastal highway above, or they can take a boat from Kalkan or Kaş to this location. Kaputaş is most striking when seen from the sea, making boat trips here the preferable way to arrive.

Kalkan is only a seven-kilometer hop to the west, so its a good base to visit from. There are plenty of boutique hotels scattered throughout the cobblestone alleys of Kalkans old town.

Highlights: After dark, stroll up to the Chimaera flames from this relaxed stretch of beach.

This vast four-kilometer beach is backed by the laid-back neighborhood of Çıralı, which is encircled by gardens with citrus trees and hills covered in forests.

Çıralı has chosen low-lying small hotels and guesthouses over mega-resorts, in contrast to many other Turkish beach resorts. This ensures a low-key atmosphere that remains focused on relaxing on the beach.

On the far southern end of the beach are the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Olympos, if you’d like to explore something other than the beach. Additionally, you can hike up Mount Olympos to view the famed eternal flame of the Chimaera.

Highlights: Have a relaxed day on Ilica, windsurf or kitesurf off the beach in Alaçatı, and then after dark, check out the vibrant cafe and dining scene in Alaçatı.

Even today, not many foreign tourists are aware of this Aegean coast peninsula, despite the fact that wealthy Turks have made it their preferred vacation destination.

The village of Alaçatı is the center of summer activity, with fine dining and café culture drawing an elegant crowd after the day’s sunbathing is over.

Historically, the Çesme Peninsula’s beach scene was renowned for windsurfing, and it remains Turkey’s top windsurfing location today. These days, though, most people are here for the more relaxing pursuit of beach-slothing.

Beaches range from Çesme Town’s long stretch of soft white sand at Ilica Beach to Alaçatı’s Windsurfing Beach, where water sports are the main attraction and local operators provide lessons and equipment rental for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Beach clubs hold live music events and other activities during the peak season, but their beaches often have little real sand.

This verdant gorge, surrounded by rocky cliffs, opens up onto a wide stretch of white sand and shingle along its waterfront.

Arriving at Butterfly Valley Beach by boat and seeing the beach and valley take shape as you sail past Yedi Buran Cape’s towering bluffs is part of the beach’s dramatic appeal.

Most visitors stop here as part of a boat day trip from Fethiye. During summer, there are also regular shuttle boats running to and from Ölüdeniz.

There is only one other way to get to Butterfly Valley from the tiny community of Faralya perched atop a cliff: a difficult, hot hike.

For nature lovers, Butterfly Valley has more up its sleeve than sun, sea, and sand. The valley garnered its name from the Jersey Tiger butterflies that are endemic here. If you’d like to take a stroll and see some butterflies, there are lovely walks through the valley that lies beyond the beach.

Highlights: Beach life with city facilities and some of Turkeys most famous Greco-Roman ruins at your fingertips

Antalya is a sizable, bustling city with a medieval old town consisting of cobblestone streets, Ottoman-era mansions, and Roman ruins at its heart.

The city’s two main sandy coasts are only a short drive from the city center, making them ideal for visitors who want to enjoy the sun and sea without getting too far from civilization’s amenities.

Situated just west of the city center, the seven-kilometer Konyaaltı Beach stretch is easily reachable by tram from the old town.

The beach area has large resort hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and everything a family could need for a day at the beach, including a water park where the kids can run off steam.

To the east of town is Lara Beach, which has finer sand and less shingle. The majority of guests stay at the all-inclusive resort hotels that back onto the beach because it’s 10 kilometers from the center.

Highlights: Some of the prettiest Mediterranean views in Turkey, laid-back small-town life, and plenty of activities on offer

The charming seaside town of Kaş, with its whitewashed cottages, boutique hotels, and harbor of bobbing boats opening out onto a rocky shore lapped by the Mediterranean, is only a stroll or boat ride away from good beaches.

Closest to town is Little Pebble Beach, right on the edge of town. This patch of rocky seafront is great for swimming.

Big Pebble Beach, is just a further one-kilometer stroll out of town. The bay has good amenities, such as a variety of cafés, sun loungers, and shades that can be rented, despite being mostly made of shingle. Its protected location also makes the waters ideal for swimming.

The most popular summer sunbathing spot, though, is Limanağzı Beach, three kilometers away. During the summer, frequent shuttle boats travel between Kaş harbor and this location all day, making access simple.

Highlights: Arriving by boat from Dalyan and enjoying the pristine, undeveloped vibe of this protected stretch of sand

Five kilometers of soft sand make up Iztuzu Beach, which is as well-known for its loggerhead turtle visitors as it is for its sand.

Situated 10 kilometers north of Marmaris, this beach is the main beach for guests staying in the small town of Dalyan. It is also a popular day trip destination for boat tour travelers from Marmaris. Having all that space is a plus.

While you can rent plenty of sun loungers and sun shades, there are no hotels or other resort amenities near the shore. Instead, there’s a beach café with delicious food and kayaks that you can hire. This gives the beach a tranquil, old-fashioned vibe.

Beachgoers must also be aware of the restricted areas on the beach in order to avoid wandering into turtle nesting areas and the fact that no one is allowed on the sand after dark.

1 Cleopatra Beach, Alanya

Highlights: Family-friendly resort hub with boat trips and historic sites within easy reach

Cleopatra Beach is the main sandy stretch in the Mediterranean resort town of Alanya. It is hidden by the craggy, orange-hued high cliffs of Alanya’s promontory.

Both locals and visitors from northern Europe seeking an inexpensive beach vacation with plenty of resort options close to the beach love this long, perfect stretch of soft golden sand that borders the western side of town in the summer.

The well-kept beach offers an abundance of sun loungers and umbrellas for rent, and families and groups can reserve cabanas for a more shaded area to unwind.

Additionally, a wide range of eateries that line the waterfront promenade offer waiter service straight to beachgoers

The Alanya Teleferik (cable car) begins directly behind Cleopatra Beach and travels up to the summit of the promontory where Alanya’s castle and old town sit, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the town’s main tourist attractions when you need a break from relaxing.

Highlights: A long, empty stretch of sand for a quiet day on the beach after exploring Ephesus

Pamucak Beach is a wide, mostly undeveloped stretch of golden sand surrounded by rolling hills, scrubland, olive groves, and young palm trees.

The majority of beachgoers find Pamucaks appealing because of its classic beach vibe, where people bring their own picnics and lay towels down on the sand to sunbathe. A restaurant opens here in the summer for food, drinks, and sun lounger rentals.

The lack of facilities may make it unsuitable for everyone, but if you want to take advantage of the uncomplicated joys of sun, sand, and surf on a less crowded beach, Pamucak provides everything you need to do it yourself, including supplies. Additionally, the water’s edge here is shallow enough for small children to safely splash around in.

Pamucak is nine kilometers west of Selçuk and easily combined with a visit to Ephesus. It is easily accessible as a stopover on the minibus routes connecting Selçuk (eight kilometers west of the Ephesus ruins) and Kuşadası (four kilometers north).

Highlights: Easy beach weekend break from Istanbul, windsurfing and kitesurfing hub

Gökçeada, also called Gökçe Island, is a popular destination for tourists from Istanbul who travel there on summer weekends. It is situated in the Aegean Sea to the west of the Gallipoli Peninsula. Regular ferries operate between the peninsula and Çanakkale.

There are numerous beaches along the island’s coastline, but the most popular one is located at Aydıncık beach, also known as Kefalos beach, in Gökçeadas southeast corner.

Because of the prevailing winds, Aydıncık Beach is a popular place to windsurf and kitesurf. There are water sports offices on the beach that provide lessons and equipment rentals.

There are dining options and sun lounger rentals available for those looking for a more laid-back beach experience. Imagine spending the entire day in the sun and sea!

Because many of Gökçeada’s beaches have campgrounds adjacent to or barely a short distance from the beach, budget beachgoers adore the area.

Ayazma Beach in Bozcaada

Highlights: Boutique hotel style, island life, and experiencing one of Turkeys most fashionable summer scenes

A popular summertime destination for city people seeking a stylish escape that combines sunbathing and sea breezes, Bozcaada, also called Bozca Island, is located in the Aegean Sea.

Beaches are scattered across the island. The long, curved bay at Ayazma Beach is the ideal spot for swimmers and sunbathers because it has white sand, a good number of small cafés and restaurants on the road directly behind the bay, and plenty of sun loungers and shade umbrellas available for rent.

If you find Ayazma too crowded, head to the long, golden-sand Sulubahçe beach, which is just to the west (except in high summer when both beaches are crowded). There’s a large grassy area off the beach for shaded picnics and plenty of sun loungers to rent, but no restaurants or cafés.

Bozcaada is accessed by ferries from the ferry dock near Geyikli and from Çanakkale.

Bozburun & Datça Peninsulas

Turunc Beach near Marmaris

Highlight: All-inclusive resort living for family-friendly vacations

One of Turkey’s most well-liked vacation spots is these two slender fingers of land that reach into the South Aegean Sea from the city of Marmaris.

Every summer, a large number of visitors from northern Europe come here for carefree beach vacations at the all-inclusive resorts that run along the coast west of Marmaris.

Beaches near Marmaris, such as Turunc Beach and Içmeler Beach, can get extremely crowded in the summer, so it’s well worth the drive further west for a less sardine-like experience.

When visiting Akyaka (on the Bozburun Peninsula), if you’re not traveling in a package, you’ll find cozy guesthouses there rather than big resorts.

Akyaka Beach in the center and Çinar Beach, a short walk to the west, are great for swimming and tanning, while Akpinar Beach is nearby and great for kitesurfing.

Highlights: Secluded, nature-focused, simple beach life with plenty of hiking opportunities

Tucked away above a narrow sand patch on the forest-covered slopes of Yedi Buran Cape, Kabak is a bohemian beach resort in Turkey.

Take advantage of the organic meals, morning yoga classes, and sleeping beneath the pine trees in the quaint cabins or tee-pees of the small camps, which offer stunning views of the bay, while you’re there.

From their budget-friendly beginnings a few decades ago, the majority of the camps have changed into more moderate options; some even feature pools and spas for an incredibly posh “camping” experience.

However, some cater to those on a tight budget, those looking for less expensive lodging, and those setting up their own tents.

Aerial view of the beach at Ölüdeniz

Highlights: Paragliding above the beach for lush Mediterranean vistas, then soaking up the views from the sand

Ölüdeniz, which means “Dead Sea” in Turkish, became well-known due to its stunning surroundings early in Turkey’s tourism boom.

Thick pine tree forests that ascend the mountainside behind Ŗlüdeniz Beach’s long curve frame its soft, golden sand.

Because the western end of the beach runs along a narrow promontory that juts into the sea to protect the bay beyond, the water here is very calm and has a slightly higher salt content than elsewhere (thus the beach’s name).

This smaller western section, called the “Lagoon,” is officially part of a national park and requires an entrance fee. ” The main strip of sand is a public beach.

Directly behind the main beach, the small settlement of Ölüdeniz is a package-holiday destination, particularly for British tourists. The vibe can be rather rollicking in high season.

If thats not your scene, Ölüdeniz is easily visited from Fethiye with regular public transport throughout the day.

Ölüdenizs other claim to fame is that its Turkeys main paragliding center. Come here to experience tandem paragliding and take in the breath-taking views of the Mediterranean and wild, verdant mountains before landing on the beach.

The BEST BEACHES in TURKEY!

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