|
|
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals, trip reviews, and unique adventure travel ideas monthly.
|
|
GumbetCity/Region: Aegean Coast
The purpose-built resort of Gumbet on Turkey's southwest coast is a stone's throw away from the larger resort of Bodrum, and is spreading ever closer to its neighbor as it grows in popularity. The resort caters largely for those interested in relaxing on the beach by day, and partying in one of its many nightclubs by night. For those wanting to attempt something more lively during the day, a multitude of watersports are on offer, including jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and pedal boating. After all that activity, there are a number
of restaurant, bars and fast food joints catering for a variety of tastes. For the less energetic, a leisurely boat trip along the coastline of the Bodrum Peninsula is a great way to catch a tan and explore the scenery. As there are not many sightseeing opportunities in Gumbet itself, most visitors opt to catch a dolmus (minibus) to Bodrum, which is about 10 minutes away, or to other nearby towns, to shop and see the sights.
DalyanCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Unlike neighboring resorts, Dalyan is a largely undeveloped, tranquil village offering a significant number of natural and historical attractions, as well as classic Turkish friendliness and hospitality. Due to the fact that nearby Iztuzu beach is one of the world's few remaining breeding grounds for Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) turtles, an effort has been made to conserve the area's astounding natural beauty. The town is set on the winding Dalyan River that flows between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Koycegiz, and on the other side of the river are the ruins of the ancient city of Caunos, dating back to the 3rd century. A must is a boat trip to the 2.5-mile (4km) beach (about a 40-minute journey) that transports visitors through tall reeds, to 2,300-year-old Lycian cliff tombs and Caunos, and finally to the large sandbar at the turtle beach. A quicker, but less scenic ride is by dolmus. Nearby thermal springs at Sultaniye, and the Dalyan mud baths are also not to be missed and make for an experience out of the ordinary. The surrounding wetlands are a haven for a variety of wildlife and birds, and the town is offset by a backdrop of pine-covered mountains and lush fields, making Dalyan a perfect destination for nature-lovers. For those looking to party until dawn, the busier resorts such as Marmaris would be better suited, but for the more discerning traveller, there are plenty of activities and excursions to enjoy, local delicacies to savour and spectacular scenery to delight in.
KalkanCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
The charming Mediterranean resort and fishing town of Kalkan is situated on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, and is sought after by a crowd more in search of atmosphere and charisma than mere fun and sun. Narrow twisting streets, historic Ottoman architecture, shuttered windows and whitewashed houses, and sweeping views over the harbor and sparkling bay are part of its unique character, and the genuine friendliness of its people a welcome change from the hassle experienced in most resort towns. Untouched by mass tourism, Kalkan is small, unspoiled and laid back, but still has plenty to offer holidaymakers, from beautiful beaches and watersports, to ancient Lycean history and boat cruises. Kalkan also boasts the highest number of restaurants and bars per square meter on the Turkish coast, and is renowned for its rooftop wining and dining opportunities.
KemerCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Like many resort towns, Kemer was purpose-built and thus has little local flavor, with all of its amenities aimed at tourists. Kemer's setting, however, is incredibly beautiful, and it supposedly had its origins as a Lycian settlement. The small seaside town is situated in a forested valley surrounded by the western Taurus Mountains, close to the larger, livelier resort of Antalya. It boasts a lovely marina with a promenade down to the beach, and tastefully designed hotels and houses spread along the shore, and there are many bays and coves to explore. An interesting place to visit is the Yoruk (Nomad) Park where visitors can see traditional craftsmen at work under leafy trees. There is not much to do in the town itself, and day trips to neighboring Beldibi or Antalya are recommended, as are trips to the ancient sites of Phaselis and Olympos, as well as the fascinating, permanent natural vents, known as the Fires of Chimaera, that release burning methane and whose flames were used by sailors to navigate at night. Many hotels in Kemer offer their own entertainment and activities for guests, and several have private beach access. Kemer therefore suits those looking for little else but extreme relaxation.
BelekCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Belek is a sprawling resort town specifically developed for tourism, and over the last two decades has grown to encompass the neighboring village of Kadriye. Boasting 300 days of sunshine and the warm, turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, the area has become a haven for those seeking the luxury of five-star hotel complexes, as well as some great golf courses. Many of the hotels have their own strip of private beach and some visitors never leave the comforts of their seaside accommodation. Belek is, however, close to a number of interesting sites and there are several exciting activities on offer for those who can bear to tear themselves away. The ruins of the Roman town of Perge is an interesting excursion, as is the well-preserved ancient amphitheater at Aspendos; its acoustics have stood the test of time and it still plays host to the occasional concert. Jeep safaris into the mountains are another popular outing, as are boat trips, watersports, and visits to nearby Manavgat waterfalls and the thermal baths at Pamukkale. Scuba diving, white water rafting, horse riding and more are also on offer. The town of Belek itself is compact and has a small shopping center, some souvenir shops and some cafes. Kadriye has more to offer in the way of street markets and nightlife, but day trips to busier towns such as Alanya or Antalya are also available. Belek is the perfect resort for golfers and those seeking lazy days lounging on a beach or by a swimming pool.
AlanyaCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Situated on the Gulf of Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, Alanya has been a favored seaside resort for over 800 years. Today's European package tourist is drawn here for much the same reasons as the Seljuk Turks all those centuries ago; the sea is warm and gentle, the beaches stretch for miles and the town has an interesting history. The southern part of the town is the most tourist-orientated, although fortunately a height-restriction has limited the sprawl common to resort towns; there is, however, the usual collection of resort-style hotels and tourist-orientated fare. The harbor is a hub of activity, particularly at night, and when tired of relaxing on the beach, there are several sites such as the Damlatas Caves, Alanya Castle and the Red Tower to visit. Alanya is also backed by the pine-forested Taurus Mountains and a half an hour's drive out of town allows visitors to enjoy spectacular views, as well as the charm of small, rural villages where life continues much as it always has.
BodrumCity/Region: Aegean Coast
The popular resort of Bodrum, called Halicarnassus in ancient times, is the South Aegean's most attractive resort, described by Homer as 'The land of eternal blue'. The hillside is covered in painted villas adorned with bougainvillea. Narrow streets wind their way down to the sea, and the peaceful setting of its twin harbors offer shelter for yachts. Bodrum is a mustering point for local boats offering tailor-made daytrips to nearby islands or the pristine beaches and seaside restaurants along the magnificent coastline. From its position between the two harbors, the 15th-century crusader Castle of St Peter dominates every part of the town, now home to the fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The other attraction in town is the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the crumbling remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As Turkey's leading seaside resort destination, Bodrum is packed with foreign visitors in summer, yet it remains unspoilt and retains its charming Turkish character, perfecting the balance between exotic bazaars, the wailing cry of the muezzin and ancient history, with water sports, sunbathing and a nightlife that is notorious throughout Turkey.
FethiyeCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
The small port town of Fethiye occupies the site of the ancient city Telmessos, with an impressive ancient theater and numerous Lycian rock tombs. Situated at the head of a pretty island-strewn bay, Fethiye is a popular destination on the stretch of the Mediterranean known as the Turquoise Coast. The town absorbs the tourist traffic and still retains a sense of its old-fashioned rural character, with herds of goats and sheep blocking the roads on market days and the smell of herbs and spices in the air. The bazaar is the biggest in the area and is a must for bargain hunters. Fethiye is home to several remarkable ancient sites. The most conspicuous are the rock tombs dating from the 4th century BC carved in the hillside above the town. Beside the harbor is the Roman amphitheater and the crumbling remains of a medieval castle built by the Knights of St John. There is a good selection of restaurants on the harbor front and in the narrow streets of the old town. Around Fethiye are numerous unspoiled rocky coves and beaches, crystalline seas, offshore islands, cliffs and pine-covered mountains affording as much relaxation or activity as one chooses. Gulets (sturdy wooden yachts) can be hired in the harbor for day trips around these coastal waters. The beach resort of Oludeniz is just 25 minutes away by dolmus (the local minibuses) and offers numerous activities, including parasailing, pedaloes, banana boating, diving, snorkeling water-skiing; and most famously paragliding.
AntalyaCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Antalya is the main city on the Mediterranean coast and one of the most popular vacation spots, with an attractive harbor setting and the picturesque old quarter of Kaleiçi enclosed within ancient Roman walls. Dominating the town is Antalya's symbol, the Yivli Minaret (Grooved Minaret) dating back to the 3rd century. The superb Archaeological Museum, housing one of the top collections in the country, is not to be missed. Known as the Turkish Riviera, the Antalya shoreline boasts secluded coves, ancient cities and harbors, seaside towns, sparkling seas and soaring cliffs. The city provides an excellent base for exploring the small towns nearby, as well as caves, waterfalls and Roman ruins, including Perge and the mountain-top remains of Termessos. A 30-minute drive east of Antalya is Aspendos, boasting the finest example of a Roman theater in the world. Built in the 2nd century AD, it is remarkably intact. In addition to the vast number of archaeological wonders, the area also has a wealth of outdoor activities. Antalya, lying at the foot of the Taurus Mountain range, is host to numerous sporting events throughout the year, including international beach volleyball, triathlons and canoeing competitions.
CalisCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Calis (pronounced Chalish) is renowned for its spectacular sunsets and its laid-back atmosphere. Situated in the south west of the country on the beautiful Mediterranean coast, Calis has a selection of hotels, bars and restaurants that line the extensive beachfront road; designated a car-free strip. The beach itself is long and narrow, with a mix of sand and shingle, and as in Dalyan, a population of Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) turtles gathers here to lay its eggs at certain times of year. The Sultans Aquacity waterpark, a stone's throw from the beach, provides a wealth of entertainment for families, and other watersports are also available during the day. A little way out of town is a lovely market that takes place on Sundays, with the usual selection of very well priced fake designer items, as well as spices, teas and foods. There are a number of activities to enjoy, including boat trips to nearby islands, jeep safaris, canoeing, horse riding, fishing, diving, quad biking and micro lighting. Calis is also a dolmus (minbus) or water-taxi ride away from neighboring Fethiye, for those seeking bigger crowds. The best way to enjoy Calis, however, is to grab a seat at a beachfront café with cameras at the ready, and enjoy a cocktail as the sun dips below the horizon.
TuruncCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Turunc was once a sleepy fishing village, but has grown into a popular tourist resort over the years. Sheltered by forest-covered mountains, the town is situated on a small, rounded bay and is near to the larger resorts of Marmaris and Icmeler. Turunc has managed to retain its charm and offers a more low-key resort experience than many other Turkish resorts. The beach is pleasant, with safe swimming in crystal clear water, and there are several watersports such as parasailing, pedal boating and jet skiing on offer. There are also plenty of restaurants catering for a range of tastes, as well as lively bars to enjoy, but those looking to dance the night away would be better off elsewhere. Turunc also has a large range of shops, offering the usual fake designer goods, leather items, souvenirs and jewelry, as well as a chance for visitors to improve their bargaining skills. For those looking to step off the beach for a day trip or overnight stay, there are several interesting excursions such as trips to the historic sites of Ephesus and Aphrodisias, visits to traditional Turkish baths, boat rides or microlight flights in the Dalyan Delta and jeep safaris in the mountains. There is also a regular dolmus (minibus) service to Marmaris for those looking for more action, and a nice alternative to the bumpy mountain road is to get there by water. As the town grows, more amenities are sure to follow, but for now, Turunc offers a relaxing holiday and a chance to get away from it all.
KasCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Delightfully situated among towering vertical cliffs, Kas is the region's second major resort, and although lacking in idyllic stretches of beach, the dramatic rocky coastline creates easy access to clear and unpolluted Mediterranean waters; and an abundance of outdoor activities, and a lively nightlife have maintained its reputation as a satisfying holiday destination. It is the center for glass-bottomed boat trips to the sunken cities around Kekova Island from where remains of mysterious civilizations can be viewed just below the surface of the water, and visits can be arranged to the surrounding archaeological sites at Demre, Myra and the Xanthos Valley. The town is built around the remains of ancient Antiphellos, and there are ruins of a Hellenistic theater, the monumental Lion Tomb, and some hillside rock tombs in and around the town. Despite the tourist development of what was once a simple fishing village, Kas still preserves its small-town charm, with narrow cobbled streets and novel boutique shops.
KusadasiCity/Region: Aegean Coast
Kusadasi is one of the most swollen resort towns on the southern Aegean Coast, overflowing with shiploads of tourists in summer who enlarge the year-round population several times over. Once a small fishing village, today the busy town is packed with curios and carpet shops; its proximity to the ruins of Ephesus making it an ideal base for Aegean cruise ships. Despite the frenzied tourism, Kusadasi is situated amid splendid coastal scenery and several significant archaeological sites, including the three well-preserved Ionian settlements of Miletus, Priene and Didyma. There are plenty of good hotels and restaurants, and ferries link it with the nearby Greek islands of Samos and Mykonos.
MarmarisCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
One of the larger vacation resorts, Marmaris is probably the most European of the Turkish resort towns on the Mediterranean coast, and a bustling cosmopolitan tourist center in the summer months. Marmaris also marks the start of the Turquoise Coast along the Mediterranean Sea. Built around an extensive natural bay at the foot of forested mountain slopes, the town is the best base for some of the finest sailing on the Mediterranean, with a modern marina catering for private yachts and the Blue Voyage cruise business. According to legend the town got its name when, not finding the castle he had commissioned on the hill to his liking, Süleyman the Magnificent muttered 'Mimari as' ('Hang the architect!').
OludenizCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
The Mediterranean resort of Oludeniz is situated just a few minutes drive from Fethiye and has an astonishing crystal-clear lagoon and a beautiful photogenic grey-white beach that adorns almost every Turkish travel brochure. Despite being developed with many hotels and apartment blocks, the scenery here is spectacular and the town is a lively place to spend a holiday. Perched on the mountain plateau overlooking Oludeniz, the resort town of Hisaronu is packed with bars, nightclubs, gift shops and restaurants. With their beautiful, rugged surrounds, both Oludeniz and Hisaronu are fast becoming realised for their potential as an outdoor activity destination: the beach at Oludeniz offers a huge variety of watersports, there is paragliding from Babadag Mountain onto the beach below, and a selection of boat trips depart regularly from Oludeniz or Fethiye for a day exploring the scenic coastline. The numerous paths that wind their way along the hillsides offer spectacular views and sights, including the fascinating 'Greek Village', which was evacuated during the Turkish-Greek war of 1919-1923.
HisaronuCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
The charming hill town of Hisaronu, a short distance inland from Turkey's Mediterranean coast, has boomed into a popular holiday resort bristling with hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and tour operators, ideally situated for those intent on exploring the region and enjoying an active holiday. Hisaronu is centrally located on the 'Turquoise Coast', within a short 'dolmus' (local taxi) ride from the busy center of Fethiye, the beautiful seaside resort of Oludeniz with its blue lagoon and crescent beach, and numerous sites of interest. The town itself is a bit of a hodge-podge of buildings, but the surrounding area offers a ruggedly beautiful landscape, ideal for walkers, and a coast filled with secluded bays and coves accessed through winding forest paths. Being set at high altitude the town also has the advantage of being cooler and less humid than the coast, a pleasant refuge to retreat to after a day in the summer sun.
SideCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Situated on a peninsula and flanked by two stretches of golden beach, the pretty resort town of Side is a jumble of old and new, with an extensive range of tourist accommodation, shops, late-night bars and restaurants mixed in among the ruins of the ancient city. In the center of town is the magnificent 2nd-century theater with beautiful views towards the sea, and the remains of the Roman Baths houses an impressive collection of artifacts. Busy streets that lead down to the sea are lined with souvenir shops selling typical Turkish handicrafts like carpets, jewelry and leather goods.
IcmelerCity/Region: Mediterranean Coast
Set on the southeast coast of Turkey where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean, the purpose-built beach resort of Icmeler has a distinctly European flavor, with luxury yachts bobbing in the bay and a cosmopolitan crowd of holidaymakers sipping cocktails at the sea-front bars. Its package-holiday aura is, however, tempered by its scenic setting, with steep hills clad in pine forests plunging into the turquoise waters all around the town. Unlike its close neighbor, the bustling resort of Marmaris just a few miles south, Icmeler has a relaxed village atmosphere, while lacking none of the modern amenities. The resort is scrupulously clean and well maintained, from its regularly raked shingly sand beaches to its litter-free promenade. The town is also resplendent with well-kept gardens, which soften the lines of the dozens of hotel and apartment blocks.
AltinkumCity/Region: Aegean Coast
Like Bodrum and Kusadasi, its neighbors on Turkey's south Aegean Coast, Altinkum is heavily frequented by British holiday package tourists, but unlike these other frenetic resorts Altinkum is small and quiet, making it perfect for families with young children and those seeking a relaxed, easy-going beach holiday. The resort town's main attraction are its three long sandy beaches, that stretch from the small harbor at one end of a gently shelving bay to a rocky cliff at the other end. Little wonder that the name Altinkum means 'golden sands'. In this resort devoted to leisure and pleasure, lazy days on the beach, perhaps indulging in some watersports, are the order of the day, while night time is spent trying out the laid back restaurants and bars, many of them serving up British fare and named for familiar English landmarks. Those with a yen for sightseeing will find Altinkum perfectly placed to visit two major ancient sites, the Temple of Apollo at Didyama and the vast Roman ruins at Ephesus.
IzmirCity/Region: Aegean Coast
Izmir is Turkey's third largest city, a busy port, commercial center and gateway to the Aegean Coast, but despite its size (population around three million) and importance it still retains enough holiday ambience to draw visitors to linger. Izmir is lively and cosmopolitan, and it is also scenic with palm-lined promenades lining the bay, backed by graceful avenues and attractive horizontal terraces rising up the slopes of the surrounding mountains. Visitors come to see the sights, haggle in the colorful bazaar, and dine on delicious meals at the many waterfront restaurants. Formerly known as Smyrna, Izmir is ancient, dating from around 3,000 BC, but today is thoroughly modern, having been almost obliterated by a fire in 1922 and rebuilt. There is still some worthy sightseeing to be done in the city, however, like the 19th century clock tower, the 18th century Konak Cami mosque, and an archaeology museum. A must-see is the city's landmark public elevator, linking Mithatpasa Street with the summit of the hill at Halil Rifat Pasa, from where there is a stunning view across the city and the bay. The best way to enjoy Izmir is to join the promenaders in the balmy evening air strolling on the esplanade, or jogging along in a horse-drawn carriage, between Konak Meydan and Alsancak.
Next Page »
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Turkey Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Turkey City Guides:
|
|
Turkey Community:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
