15 best resorts in Turkey – which one to choose for recreation, photo, description, reviews, map
Turkey remains the invariable leader among the most famous countries where you can enjoy a comfortable stay. This is facilitated by a decent level of service at affordable prices, comfortable resorts, picturesque landscapes and rich excursion programs. The developed tourism industry of the country attracts vacationers with the All Inclusive concept.
Antalya
The most popular resort in the Turkish Mediterranean is the city of Antalya. The main maritime tourist center meets the high expectations of an ideal holiday. The resort is famous for its amazing landscapes, magnificent sandy and pebble beaches, developed hotel services, an abundance of entertainment centers for every taste and cultural attractions.
The local favorable climate offers a comfortable stay all year round. The average annual air temperature fluctuates within +30 degrees. The turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea wash long, well-groomed coastlines, immersed in the greenery of lush palm trees and flowering plants. The city, surrounded by majestic mountains, impresses with its landscape with a special twist.
The embankments of Antalya are equipped with parks, which have fountains and small artificial reservoirs. The spacious central streets are paved with beautiful paving stones. Cozy squares with numerous plantings and sculptural compositions create a unique atmosphere.
Attention deserves the historical quarter of the city, where ancient monuments of architecture and ancient buildings are located. Antalya attracts tourists not only with its picturesque nature, but also with a variety of entertainment complexes.
Amusement parks, water parks, a dolphinarium, an aquarium, museums, a zoo, numerous restaurants and sports grounds greatly enrich the recreation program in Antalya.
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Alanya
Not far from Antalya is the small town of Alanya. The southernmost resort of the country hospitably welcomes tourists with its interesting ancient sights and natural beauties. All iconic attractive places are within walking distance, which is very pleasing to tourists.
The history of the emergence of a settlement on the Mediterranean coast dates back to the 2nd century BC. The picturesque bay, surrounded on one side by massive high hills, has become a haven for sea robbers. The fleet of the Roman Empire managed to liberate a strategically important place in the Mediterranean from the dominance of pirates, after which the city was presented to the Queen of Egypt – Cleopatra.
The centuries-old Roman rule was replaced by the period of Byzantium. In the XIII century, the city was captured by the troops of the rapidly developing Ottoman Empire. The resort of Alanya is filled with hotels, shops, restaurants and souvenir shops. The boulevards are planted with palm and orange groves.
The main point of attraction for tourists is sandy beaches, which are divided by rocky capes into cozy bays. Vacationers are offered a huge number of recreational activities. These are boat trips on yachts and boats, sightseeing trips, sports grounds and various attractions.
The ancient history of the resort is reminiscent of the remains of ancient buildings, which are symbols of the city. A medieval fortress rises on a hill, the battlements of which stretch along the coast for a distance of more than seven kilometers.
Near the fortress there is a defensive tower made of red brick. Tourists are especially attracted by visiting the Damlatash stalactite cave, located on the seashore. It has healing properties for people with respiratory problems.
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Belek
Among the pine, cedar and eucalyptus forests is one of the most fashionable and “young” resorts in Turkey – Belek. The development of tourism infrastructure in this cozy village began in 1984.
In a short period of time, Belek has turned from a lost village in the desert territory of the Mediterranean coast into a famous resort. The region is famous for its excellent hotel complexes, the cleanest environment and a calm, quiet atmosphere.
The combination of coniferous aroma with the sea breeze creates a favorable healing air cocktail. On the wide sandy beaches, turtles lay their eggs, which confirms the excellent ecological microenvironment of the coast.
Hotels lined up in a row along the long coastline. Each hotel has a vast green landscaped area. Vacationers are provided with a wide range of entertainment. These are swimming pools with attractions, a dolphinarium, a water park, spacious fields for playing golf and horseback riding.
In the center of Belek there is a picturesque park with fountains and ponds. Under the crowns of lush trees, tourists can have a good time watching peacocks and other birds.
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Kemer
Between the majestic Taurus Mountains, the slopes of which are covered with coniferous groves, and the endless emerald Mediterranean Sea, there is the popular city of Kemer. This is the nearest resort from Antalya Airport, which is considered a significant advantage for many tourists.
Magnificent wide pebble beaches, picturesque mountain landscapes, the emerald sea, luxurious hotel complexes leave an unforgettable impression. The streets of Kemer are surrounded by palm trees, pine trees, cedars and various fruit trees. The main local symbol rises on the central square – the clock tower, built of white stone.
Lush decorative plants grow around the architectural landmark and beautiful flower beds are laid out. The attention of the guests of the city is attracted by a dancing fountain, the pressure of which suddenly rushes up.
Kemer will delight tourists with a large number of types of entertainment for every taste. Restaurants and nightclubs are open until morning. There are shops, souvenir shops, a water park, an ethnographic museum, park complexes and much more.
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Side
The ancient Turkish city invites tourists to feel the atmosphere of ancient times. In a small area, ancient monuments harmoniously fit into the modern atmosphere of the resort. Side is famous for the ruins of an ancient Greek settlement founded in the 7th century BC.
Labyrinths of narrow cobbled streets lead to the ruins of the architectural ensemble of the Hellenic people. These are the ruins of the temple of Apollo, an amphitheater, fortress walls, as well as hewn stones, fragments of structures and the remains of majestic columns. The resort is most suitable for a relaxing family holiday.
Golden sandy beaches have a gentle entrance to the sea. The water area of the coast is quite shallow, which contributes to the safe bathing of children.
On the beaches, tourists are offered all sorts of entertainment – boat trips, rental of water scooters, diving and fishing on a yacht. The streets of Side are lined with juniper, cypress, palm and banana trees.
Walking along the embankment, tourists meet numerous shops, cozy cafes and hotels. History buffs will be interested in visiting the archaeological museum. The exposition of the institution presents sculptures, sarcophagi, bas-reliefs and other valuable ancient artifacts.
Marmaris
In a picturesque bay, surrounded on three sides by massive mountain slopes, is the most European resort in Turkey – Marmaris.
The pearl of the coast of the gentle emerald Aegean Sea attracts many English-speaking tourists. The high peaks of the rocky hills are covered with a lush green forest. Due to the fact that the resort is located in a closed bay, the local sea is particularly calm and lacks cold currents.
This allows tourists to comfortably swim, sail and water ski for a long time of the year. Numerous hotels, shops, shops and cafes lined up along the embankment, decorated with well-groomed palm and flower alleys. Numerous yachts and boats are always moored in the harbor of Marmaris, which can be hired for an exciting sea voyage.
The water area is full of rocky islands with bays, where guided tours are organized. Marmaris is the center of nightlife for lovers of rumbling music, parties and dancing until dawn. There is a famous bar street here, which impresses with an abundance of discos and clubs for every taste.
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Dalaman
The small resort village of Dalaman attracts tourists with the splendor of pristine landscapes. Here you can combine peaceful and active holidays in the bosom of nature. The city is surrounded by gentle hills, lush green spaces and flowering gardens.
A small selection of hotels is offset by the beauty of forests and mountain ranges that leave no one indifferent. The natural sandy beaches are known for their ideal microclimate for blue crabs and rare vulture turtles.
Rafting enthusiasts will appreciate rafting on the steep rapids of a mountain river flowing in the vicinity of Dalaman. Leaving beach and water fun, tourists can visit the ruins of the ancient city. Ancient dilapidated buildings will appear to the viewers in a form untouched by later generations of people.
An unusual attraction of the resort is a nature reserve, which houses a railway station without tracks. The construction of the station was a mistake. The conflict is that the materials for the railway structure were intended for another city.
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Fethiye
Turkey‘s westernmost resort, Fethiye, fascinates with its green nature. The city is located in a picturesque bay surrounded by mountains with dense pine and cedar forests. Wonderful sandy and pebble coasts are washed by the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. A small seaside village has all the attributes of a resort with a developed infrastructure.
The central streets of Fethiye abound with boarding houses, shops, restaurants and colorful oriental bazaars. Luxury yachts moor in the beautiful harbor. The water park, children's and sports grounds, as well as sea excursions – all this diversifies the measured beach vacation that Fethiye is famous for. A beautiful embankment full of exotic plants and flowering flower beds pleases the eye.
Green lawns, fountains and bridges create a pleasant relaxing environment. The main attraction of the city are ancient tombs carved into the slopes of high mountains. Experts attribute stone sculptures to the 4th century BC.
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Bodrum
On the site of the former ancient Greek settlement of Halicarnassus, the city of Bodrum arose, attracting tourists with its tropical gardens, long beaches, original architecture and numerous entertainment venues.
This is a visiting card of the western coast of the Aegean Sea, as well as a favorite vacation spot for the Turkish elite. Hotels of any category, shops, cozy cafes are located along the coastline. The city harmoniously combines antiquity and modernity.
Ancient architectural monuments of particular historical value deserve attention. Here you can see the castle of St. Peter, the fortress walls, an ancient amphitheater, windmills and an ancient water storage (gyumbet). All the ancient buildings of the resort were built in the Greek style, a characteristic feature of which is the snow-white facades of the buildings.
The establishments of Bodrum are focused on a fun and incendiary pastime. The city is filled with various pompous and stylish nightclubs. Unforgettable experience leaves the largest disco in Europe under the open sky. Its dance floor can accommodate about 5,000 people at a time.
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Kusadasi
In the western part of Turkey, on the endless coast of the Aegean Sea, there is a cozy resort of Kusadasi. A small fishing village eventually transformed into a tourist center with a developed infrastructure. Ennobled with green spaces, the streets are filled with the facades of numerous hotels with different stars, first-class restaurants and entertainment venues. Kusadasi is a major cruise port where giant liners stay.
Along the sandy and pebbly beaches lies a promenade with lush palm trees, along which it is quite pleasant to take a walk. Tourists are offered an interesting program of entertainment. These are sea excursions, parachuting, rental of water scooters and boats, as well as water parks and nightclubs.
The dove is the symbol of the city. Among the lush exotic plants, you can see pigeon houses-feeders. It's nice to stop looking at the sculptural compositions dedicated to these birds.
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Didim
The seaside resort of Didim provides tourists with the opportunity to combine the perfect beach holiday with familiarization with the legendary historical sights.
Sand and pebble beaches stretch for 55 kilometers along the Aegean Sea, striking in their cleanliness. The coastline is indented with bays, where you can find a secluded place for sunbathing and swimming in a shallow warm bay. Around are pine and olive groves.
On the territory of the cozy city there are more than 200 hotel complexes located near the sea surface. The presence of a water park, outdoor pools, playgrounds and all kinds of beach activities will please vacationers.
In the vicinity of Didyma, one of the outstanding monuments of the ancient era is located – these are the majestic ruins of the temple of Apollo. The ruins of the ancient structure are grandiose columns with skillful carvings, steps and internal passages of the sanctuary. According to the surviving remains of the temple, one can mentally project the scale of the ancient structure.
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Fountain
One of the favorite vacation spots for the wealthy Turkish elite is the resort of Cesme, located on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Snow-white sandy beaches will delight tourists with a gentle entry into the water and gushing underwater mineral springs, which makes swimming not only pleasant, but also useful.
The embankment planted with palm trees is lined with footpaths lined with benches. Here, cozy cafes huddle in anticipation of visitors.
The picturesque hills, the yacht harbor, the azure sea surface give this region a pleasant carefree atmosphere. Tourists are offered luxury hotels, fashion boutiques and craft workshops. A local attraction is a medieval fortress built in the 14th century. Behind the walls of the building is a museum with collections of weapons, jewelry and household items.
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Sinop
Behind the majestic Pontic Mountains, overgrown with dense forests, there is a calm and quiet resort on the Black Sea coast – Sinop.
The city, founded in ancient times, hospitably welcomes vacationers with picturesque bays, golden sandy beaches and numerous architectural monuments. Unlike classic Turkish resorts, Sinop does not have first-class entertainment complexes. There are several dozen budget hotels and small cafes in the city.
The main treasure of Sinop are historical buildings of interest to tourists. Noteworthy is the ancient fortress, the clock tower and the medieval prison. On the main street lined with ancient buildings erected during the Ottoman Empire.
Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, located simultaneously in Europe and Asia. The city is washed by the waters of the Bosphorus, as well as the Black and Marmara Seas. The economic, industrial and commercial power of Turkey is concentrated here. The former capital of three great empires impresses with countless sights. Masterpieces of architectural ensembles create a unique atmosphere that embodies the centuries-old historical heritage of the colorful metropolis.
The main symbol of Istanbul is the Blue Mosque. The grandiose religious building is surrounded by six minarets, soaring up to 64 meters. The visitors of the mosque are amazed by the luxurious interior decoration of the Muslim sanctuary.
The walls and vaults of the halls are decorated with blue tiles, creating the illusion of a heavenly vault. You will remember your stay in Istanbul with well-groomed squares with park areas and fragrant gardens, as well as ancient streets with narrow lanes.
Modern skyscrapers with large shopping centers rise in the central regions. Near the coast of the Sea of Marmara, the monumental Topkany palace complex was built, which for a long time was the residence of the sultans. Istanbul will delight tourists with an abundance of interesting places worth visiting. Mosques, palaces and various medieval buildings amaze with their magnificence.
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Avsha Island
Not far from the Bosphorus is the magnificent hilly island of Avsha, washed by the waters of the Sea of Marmara. This is a favorite resort of Istanbul residents who come to a picturesque corner, fleeing the oppressive summer heat and the bustle of a multi-million metropolis.
The island is undeservedly overlooked by foreign tourists. Wide golden sandy beaches, crystal clear sea and picturesque landscapes create ideal conditions for a relaxing holiday. The low hills are covered with olive groves.
The local favorable climate is ideal for growing grapes, which makes the island a famous wine region in Turkey. A paved embankment stretches along the coastline lined with palm trees, flowers and oleander trees.
There are many boarding houses, small cafes, bars, sports grounds and cozy places where you can retire under the lush crowns of trees.
Balneological resorts
Turkish balneological resorts are popular among tourists. Mineral waters containing various beneficial biological elements have unique healing properties. Healing sources have a beneficial effect on the physiological and psychological state of the human body.
Springs gush out of the ground, forming natural baths for taking water procedures. The world-famous resort, famous for its fertile springs, is the town of Kangal.
Thermal springs are located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, surrounded by evergreen forests. The water temperature in natural baths reaches forty degrees. The springs are inhabited by small fish that bite dead skin particles on the body of bathers. An equally popular wellness center is located in the city of Pamukkale.
There are 17 thermal springs on the territory of the resort. This is a natural geological wonder. Cascades of whimsical snow-white pools filled with hot water are formed as a result of lime deposits.
How to choose a hotel
Turkish resorts are saturated with hotel complexes of various price categories and star ratings. A wide selection of hotels and boarding houses for every taste is the basis for a comfortable and memorable holiday in Turkey. Most hotels have a developed infrastructure. Their vast landscaped areas have a diverse range of services. These are private beaches, swimming pools, playgrounds, attractions, theme clubs, discos, cinemas and much more.
Tourists should take into account the specifics of the hotel. There are hotel complexes designed for young people or couples with children. The list of services that are provided to vacationers depends on this nuance. When choosing a hotel, it is recommended to study in advance the reviews of tourists about the time spent in a particular hotel.
Resort Benefits
The advantages of resorts include the following factors:
The best time to relax
The tourist season in Turkey starts in early spring and continues until late autumn. Hot summers are typical for Mediterranean resorts – the air temperature sometimes reaches +40 ° С. Moderate hot weather sets in on the Black Sea coast from June to September, when the air warms up to +30 degrees.
June and September are the most comfortable months for combining the perfect beach holiday with admiring natural beauties and visiting historical sites. At this time of the year there is no heat and stuffiness, while the weather conditions allow you to enjoy swimming in warm sea water, sunbathe and go on exciting excursions.