🏖️ 8 best resorts in Turkey: a guide to a perfect vacation 🇹🇷
Turkey has long gained fame as one of the most popular destinations for beach holidays. The famous all-inclusive system, customer focus and accessibility attract thousands of tourists here. We have collected the best holiday resorts in Turkey and talked about the advantages of each of them.
Kemer
Kemer is one of the most popular resorts in Turkey. The city is located 45 kilometers from Antalya. This proximity allows you to get to your vacation spot as quickly as possible and not have to spend a lot of time on the road after the flight.
If you still haven’t decided on the choice “sea or mountains”, the decision is right in front of you! Kemer is not only about excellent beaches and warm seas, but also about mountains. The resort town is located at the foot of the famous Taurus Mountains. Their slopes are covered with evergreen pines, and the pine air is refreshing even on the hottest day. Orange and lemon trees are blooming everywhere, and the sound of birds singing can be heard. Agree, this can only be seen in the movies.
The sandy and pebble beaches of Kemer deserve special attention. Many of them are awarded the Blue Flag, an international award given to beaches with high standards of quality and safety. To be certified, a beach must meet 33 criteria from the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Kemer is perfect not only for beach lovers, but also for history buffs. From here you can easily reach the ruins of the ancient cities of Phaselis and Olympos. Here travelers will see the ruins of the temples of Hermes and Athena, amphitheaters and aqueducts, tombstones and sarcophagi. A few thousand years ago, pirates stopped here. A city of contrasts, no less!
We advise you to come to Kemer in the fall, when the average temperature reaches +24°C, and sunny days are still pleasing with their regularity. During this period, you will be able to save on accommodation and groceries. You can also take interesting excursions in Turkey. If you are a fan of sultry heat, you can safely plan a summer trip to this beautiful resort. The average temperature in July-August reaches +40°C in the shade!
Marmaris
Marmaris is a city created for lovers of active recreation, noisy parties and nightlife. While Kemer regularly attracts travelers from all over the world, Marmaris is a magnet for English-speaking travelers.
Here everyone can walk among oleanders and pine trees, enjoy the magnificent scenery and see the sky-blue sea in one of the largest bays in the world. The resort in Turkey is perfect for diving, sailing, water skiing, and catamaran riding.
Marmaris is famous for its golden sand and pebble beaches. The sea water in Marmaris is so clean that visibility sometimes reaches 12 kilometers! Almost all hotels in the city have their own beaches, but the authorities have left one of them in the ownership of the municipality. Entrance to it is free, but the use of sun loungers and deck chairs is paid.
Those who like to see historical sites can consider trips to the Greek island of Rhodes and Dalyan Island. It is in Dalyan that you will see Roman baths, terraces of an ancient temple and Caretta Caretta turtles with blue crabs.
The main feature of Marmaris is the nightlife. During the day you will stroll among the historical sights and cozy streets of the resort town, then at night get ready for noisy music, energetic dancing and a tour of bars. No one will be bored!
If you choose Marmaris for your holiday, remember that the swimming season here comes later than in other Turkish resorts. The water warms up to +28°C by the beginning of summer.
Bodrum
Without a doubt, Bodrum is one of the most bohemian resorts in Turkey! It’s not in vain that world stars come here on vacation, because restaurants and nightclubs, beaches and luxury hotels give this city a special style and chic. Here you can often meet the British and Germans, the Candidates and the French.
The city is filled with low, snow-white buildings , and this is no coincidence. They correspond to a single architectural style and gradually descend along the slopes of the mountains. Bodrum amazingly combines history and modernity without contradicting each other.
A holiday in the city will cost a little more than in other Turkish resorts, but this does not mean that the budget is several times higher than the standard one. Bodrum is very popular among tourists. That is why there are many hotels of different price categories here, and you can choose the appropriate one based on the pricing policy.
Bodrum's sandy and pebble beaches are mostly private. There is everything you need for a comfortable stay: sun loungers, umbrellas, equipment for water activities. You can relax on the central beach of the city for free.
Bodrum has preserved many historical attractions. The main one is St. Peter's Castle, or Bodrum Fortress. Inside the castle there is a museum of underwater archeology, where exhibits from ancient shipwreck sites are stored. We recommend seeing the mausoleum of Mausolus and the ancient amphitheater.
Let's not lie: all tourists go to Bodrum, first of all, for its nightlife. The number of clubs can be compared to the number of hotels, and discos and parties do not stop until the morning. We recommend spending the evening in the famous “Halicarnassus” – one of the largest dance halls in the world with a capacity of 5,000 guests. And don't miss Bar Street, a street lined with bars, each decorated in a unique style. Maybe this is where you will meet Kate Moss or Nicole Kidman, who love Bodrum so much. You can easily find a tour to Turkey here.
Oludeniz
Oludeniz is a cozy Turkish city 15 kilometers from the resort of Fethiye. What attracts tourists to a place where only 2,800 people live? The answer is simple: amazing beaches and the opportunity to literally fly with happiness.
The beaches of Oludeniz are recognized not only by tourists, but also by international organizations. They received the same Blue Flag award. Here the aroma of a coniferous forest mixes with the smell of a salty sea breeze, and photographs of the coast are chosen for the covers of tourist guides and guides.
The most popular beach among tourists is the beach in the Blue Lagoon. Entrance to the territory is paid, but we recommend coming here to see this postcard place in person. The water in the lagoon is not just blue, but turquoise. The sun's rays give the water surface an emerald glow. Such a spectacle is worthy of your attention.
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Fans of historical routes will love Oludeniz because part of the famous Lycian Way passes here. The route passes through the ruins of ancient cities, tombs and other archaeological treasures.
Remember that you can and should fly in Oludeniz? One of the main entertainments in the city is paragliding. This is one of the best places in the Mediterranean region to practice this sport. You can fly alone or with an instructor. Contact local businesses to find an experienced pilot and reliable equipment. The season lasts from April to November, and the average flight duration is 25-45 minutes. Indescribable sensations and exclusive photos are guaranteed!
The average temperature in Oludeniz from June to September is +32°C, and already at the beginning of May the thermometer reaches +25°C.
Antalya
Antalya is a modern resort city on the Mediterranean coast, which is very popular among tourists. Not only the tourist but also the business life of the region is concentrated here.
Tourists can enjoy gorgeous beaches, high-quality hotel service, numerous entertainment and shopping centers. This resort in Turkey is perfect for a holiday with friends, romantic partners and children.
Here you can always relax on the beach, because they are located literally everywhere: in the city center, the rocky part of the coast, villages and individual areas. The climate of Antalya allows tourists to stay here comfortably throughout the year. The average temperature is +30°C. Local landscapes are full of palm trees and bright flowers, surrounded by green mountains and turquoise waters.
The city has parks, squares and fountains, and many streets are paved with paving stones. We recommend visiting the old town to see architectural gems. The main attractions of Antalya are Hadrian's Gate, Yivli and Kesik Minarets and the Antalya Museum. Oriental bazaars deserve special attention. Go there for the atmosphere and flavor of the local lifestyle!
Alanya
Experienced travelers awarded Alanya the status of “the most family-friendly resort in Turkey.” Is this city really ideal for families with children?
This is the southernmost resort in Turkey, where palm and orange trees grow literally everywhere. In the Middle Ages, Alanya was a secret place for storing pirate treasures, and now it has turned into a popular resort with hotels and inns, wide beaches and historical antiquities.
The popularity of Alanya has influenced the development of the hotel business: there are both modest hostels and luxury hotels in the luxury segment. It all depends on your capabilities and the number of beds in the hotel.
The resort is located in the south, which means the swimming season ends only at the end of November. In sea waters you can truly enjoy a comfortable holiday, because there are practically no strong waves here.
If you want to see a truly beautiful beach, go to Cleopatra Beach. Snow-white sparkling sand, massive cedars, sparkling water – all this merged together so that every tourist could contemplate a real miracle of nature.
Children will not be left without entertainment, because in Alanya you can have fun in both the amusement park and the water park. Be careful, the 23 slides of the water park can absorb not only children, but also parents!
Those who like to explore the history of the city are advised to visit the Red Tower, the Byzantine fortress and the Damlatash and Dim caves.
The time for rest should be chosen depending on your preferences, but the hottest month is August with an average temperature of +31°C.
Belek
Belek is the capital of Turkish all-inclusive. The city became one of the resorts quite recently, but has already gained fame as one of the most luxurious cities for a holiday. High-quality hotels, unique natural landscapes and untouched nature make Belek an exceptional tourist destination. Here are the best places to relax.
We warn you in advance that going to Belek on a budget is almost impossible. Most hotels have four and five stars, and the beaches are cleaned daily by special machines for the safety of tourists. The beaches are perfect for lovers of passive recreation and fans of water sports.
People here are not looking for noisy parties and dancing, but on the contrary, they come to a quiet place for complete relaxation. The resort has an excellent golf course, and inside each hotel you can find swimming pools, beauty salons, gardens and clubs.
When you make a list of attractions in Belek, include the ancient city of Perge, the Kadriye Mosque and the Bird Paradise Nature Reserve.
The climate in Belek is mild and the temperature allows swimming in the sea from April to November. Pay attention to August: in the hottest month the temperature rises to +33°C.
Side
If Belek is the youngest city in our selection, Side is one of the most ancient. We don’t even know what will impress you more: beaches and sea recreation or the ruins of ancient monuments that have survived to this day.
On the streets of the city you can relax in the shade of banana trees and junipers, cypresses and palm trees. Don't miss the opportunity to go to a small cafe for a cup of coffee and buy a souvenir from a local merchant's shop.
The sand and pebble beaches of Side are ideal for a relaxing holiday. At one of the free beaches you will even get an umbrella and a sun lounger if you order at the bar. Agree, it’s a good investment in your own comfort.
By the way, have you ever heard of wind surfing? The beaches of Side offer everyone a try. Pay attention to jet skis, water skis and diving safaris.
We recommend seeing the historical and ancient Side, which contains the heritage of several generations. Be sure to head to the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which was partially restored in the 20th century. Explore the ancient amphitheater, much of which has survived to this day. Get to know the culture and traditions of Side at the Archaeological Museum. Its exhibits will interest even children. Combine business with pleasure and head to the Aspendos Bridge. Its structure consists of five stone arches. By the way, if you look at the bridge from the side, you can see a hump. Don't want to check it out in person?
The Mediterranean climate of Side reminds us that August is the hottest month in the resort with an average temperature of up to +33°C. Sometimes the air temperature in summer reaches +40°C. Are you ready to make such sacrifices for the sake of an open-air museum?
