Mediterranean Turkey Travel Guide

The southern coast of Turkey, often called the Turquoise Coast, runs for hundreds of kilometres from the Bodrum peninsula on the Aegean to Antalya and beyond on the Mediterranean. Mountains drop almost straight into the sea, pine forest reaches the water, and the shore is cut into coves, islands and long bays. Ancient Lycia lay along the middle of this coast, and its tombs and cities are everywhere.

Why visit Mediterranean Turkey

The combination is what makes it special: you can swim off a boat in the morning and walk through a 2,000-year-old theatre in the afternoon. The coast suits many kinds of trip. Families go for the beaches of Antalya and Fethiye, walkers for the Lycian Way, sailors for the bays around Gocek and Kekova, and history travellers for Xanthos, Patara, Myra and Olympos.

How many days you need

A week is a good minimum for one section of the coast, for example Fethiye to Kas, or Antalya and the Lycian sites. Two weeks lets you drive from Bodrum to Antalya slowly. A gulet cruise of 4 to 8 days is a different way to do it; our 4-day gulet cruise from Fethiye to Olympos and 8-day gulet cruise from Fethiye to Bodrum are two options.

Best time to visit

The swimming and sailing season runs from May to October. June and September are the best balance of warm water and fewer crowds. July and August are hot, often over 35°C inland, and the busiest months. From November to April, many coastal businesses close, but the weather is mild and the ancient sites are pleasant to visit.

Getting there from Istanbul

Three airports serve the coast: Bodrum (BJV), Dalaman (DLM) for Fethiye, Gocek and Marmaris, and Antalya (AYT). Flights from Istanbul take about 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 20 minutes. A good plan is to fly into one and out of another, driving the coast in between.

Top experiences

• A gulet cruise through the bays of Gocek, Fethiye or Kekova.
• The sunken ruins and hilltop castle at Kekova and Simena.
• Patara, one of the longest beaches in Turkey, next to an ancient city.
• Xanthos and the Letoon, UNESCO-listed Lycian sites.
• The Kaunos rock tombs and loggerhead turtle beach at Dalyan.
• Olympos and the Chimaera, natural gas flames burning from the rock at night.
• The town of Kas, with good diving and a relaxed harbour.

Where to stay

For a first visit: Fethiye or Gocek for the western bays, Kas or Kalkan for the Lycian coast, Antalya for the east. Read our guides to Antalya, Fethiye and Bodrum.

What to eat

Fresh fish and meze, olive-oil dishes, grilled octopus, and gozleme from village stands. In the Antalya area, try the tahini-dressed piyaz and local citrus.

Practical tips

• Road distances along the coast are long because of the mountains; allow time.
• Many beaches are pebbly; water shoes help.
• Bring reef-safe sun cream and respect turtle nesting areas at Dalyan and Patara.

See all Mediterranean Turkey tours.