Where is Kusadasi? How To Go?

Few countries get under the skin of us Brits like Best beach holidays in Turkey. It’s one of the biggest tourism success stories in recent years, with more than a million British visitors last year, all drawn in by the country’s beguiling mix of spectacular scenery, crystalline seas, fantastic food and a culture that’s just different enough to feel exotic, without being too much of a challenge.

Many visitors – myself included – go back year after year; Turkey is such a huge, diverse country that however many times you visit there are always new places to discover, and new experiences to enjoy.

In the 20 years I’ve been visiting, tourism has grown massively – small villages have mushroomed into major resorts, simple pensions have given way to luxurious five-star resorts and spa hotels. But there’s still plenty of the ‘real’ Turkey too: villas tucked away in sleepy hamlets, offering tranquil walks and a genuine sense of getting away from it all.

Whatever your holiday wishlist – a fly and flop week, a shopping spree, a getaway with the girls, a romantic bolthole for two – Turkey will always have somewhere to suit.

Best beach holidays in Turkey

Turkey has some truly stunning beaches. The long curve of beach at Olu Deniz is probably the most famous, but Patara – an hour west along the coast – rivals it for unspoilt beauty. A resting place for turtles, the 22km-stretch of sand is entirely free of buildings apart from one simple café. It’s short on good places to stay though – the best idea is to base yourself in Kalkan, around fifteen minutes away by bus.

The family-run Kalkan Regency is a wonderful hotel and if you prefer self-catering, head to the Korsan Suites each with two or four bedrooms, or Mavi Deniz, a three-bedroom villa with private pool.

Further east, the Bodrum peninsula is fringed with beaches and small, unspoilt resorts. The long stretch of sand at Ortakent is great for families. The Tamarisk Bay Hotel makes a great base, right on the beach with its own watersports centre, and the picturesque waterfront and bustling streets of Bodrum just a short bus ride away.

The Bozburun Peninsula is home to two lovely sweeping beaches – Kumlubuk and Turunc Bay, both backed by spectacular mountains. For a truly relaxing break that mixes countryside and crystal clear seas, see this choice of hotels and villas.

Activity holidays in Turkey
Best beach holidays in Turkey

If you’re looking for a week that mixes thrills and spills with soaking up the sun, head to Kas – a pretty former Greek fishing village that has become the adventure capital of Turkey. Teenagers will love the Active Adventure Week with sea kayaking, mountain biking and the chance to go tubing down a canyon and walk through the spectacular Saklikent Gorge.

If you like your activities to be more water based, then a gulet holiday is the perfect choice – a week spent sailing up the coastline on a traditional Turkish boat, with plenty of opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and diving – as well as exploring the picturesque towns that dot the coast.

For walkers the Lycian Way is one of the most spectacular long-distance trails in Europe, stretching for 540kms from Olu Deniz to Geyikbayiri, near Antalya. A holiday on foot is a fantastic way to discover the slower pace of rural Turkey, and the stunning Roman and Lycian ruins that litter this part of the country.

You could take a golfing break at the Gloria Serenity Resort which has its own golf course – with others close by – and a good value all-inclusive option.

Turkish-speaking North Cyprus is well worth exploring, as well as having some lovely beaches. It’s a year-round destination and there’s a range of activity holidays including walking tours, a cookery and culture tour and a guided tour of the island’s wild flowers.

Boutique hotels

Turkey now has a fantastic selection of charming boutique hotels for every budget and type of holiday. If you want to experience Turkey as it used to be, the Mandarin Boutique Hotel in the sleepy hamlet of Faralya is a perfect choice. Perched high on a hillside above the gorgeous Butterfly Canyon, it’s a great choice for walkers, as the Lycian Way runs straight past the hotel.

If you’re looking for a tranquil break, the Bozburun Peninsula has a clutch of traditional villages with lovely waterfront restaurants and a delightfully unspoilt feel (scroll down to see a video of Bozborun). Best places to stay include the Losta Sahil Evi.

For a break with real style, there’s nowhere better than Kalkan; Turkey’s most sophisticated resort, where roof-terrace restaurants waft smooth jazz into the night air and the horseshoe-shaped bay is dotted with elegant bathing platforms and beachfront restaurants. For a large family or group of friends, take a look at the glamorous four-bedroomed Villa Zaffre, which is spacious and very private.

Simpson Travel has a great collection of boutique hotels, some of which are for adults only. In North Cyprus, we particularly recommend the Pia Bella hotel in Kyrenia.

Best family holidays in Turkey
antalya lara

If a bustling beach resort isn’t for you, there are some great hotels just a short distance inland that offer families the chance to explore rugged countryside and get a glimpse of real Turkish life. Nature-loving families will adore Bördübet, a delightful hotel surrounded by forest that also has its own private waterfront and direct beach access. If a little more life is needed at times, the mainstream resort of Marmaris is a short drive away.

For a really memorable holiday, take the kids on a family gulet cruise, where days are spent cruising between unspoilt bays. Children can swim or snorkel, and explore some of the ancient sites that dot the coastline – perfect for scrambling and climbing about, and learning some of Turkey’s rich history while they go.

And nothing keeps the kids – and parents – happier than a pool they can hurl themselves in and out of, without worrying about disturbing other people. Turkey now has a wide range of fabulous villas, to suit all sizes of party and budget.

City breaks in Istanbul
Istanbul Travel Guide

Istanbul isn’t the capital of Turkey, but it’s undeniably one of the world’s greatest cities, sitting on the cusp on Europe and Asia and soaked with Romans, Byzantine and Ottoman history. It’s both ancient and modern, hectic and beguiling – a perfect destination to spend a few days.

Stay at the chic, contemporary Sumahan on the Water overlooking the Bosphorus, or more stately Ciragan Palace, formerly an Ottoman Palace. Hidden gems include the Sirkeci Konak, a renovated Ottoman mansion next to the Topkapi Palace’s Gulhane Park.

tag : Best beach holidays in Turkey

Our previous article Suggestions Beaches for Summer Months in Turkey in our article titled Altinkum beach, Cleopatra Beach ve Domuz Çukuru provides information about.

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