The turquoise coast, bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Turkey. Stretching along the Mediterranean, it features a turquoise sea, superb beaches, and archaeological sites of great interest. Whether explored by car, boat, or on foot, this coast is a paradise for everyone. Hikers will particularly enjoy the Lycian Way. It is a perfect blend of culture and nature, offering something for every traveler’s taste and mode of travel. Here is the Turkish Riviera itinerary, my selection of the most beautiful spots on the Turkish Riviera along with my tips for visiting.
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How and when to visit the Turquoise Coast, practical advice
The turquoise coast by car
The Turquoise Coast in Turkey can be explored in many ways. The best option for value and flexibility is renting a car. Plan to spend at least one week, preferably two, to fully enjoy this coast and the sites listed below. A car lets you stop wherever you want, visit hard-to-reach places, and save time. You can visit any time of the year, but spring and autumn are best for fewer crowds and lower prices.
The Lycian Way: An Epic Hiking Trail
The Lycian Way offers a great way to explore the coast on foot. This long-distance trail, ranked among the world’s top 10, stretches over 500 kilometers from Fethiye to Antalya. While the full hike takes about a month, you can easily choose to do sections. Spring or autumn are the best times to avoid the summer heat.
Exploring the Turkish Riviera by Boat
You can also experience this coast by boat. Summer cruises are available from May to September, offering ideal weather for swimming and sightseeing.
Combining Car, Hike, and Boat
For the best experience, combine all modes of transport. Rent a car for flexibility, enjoy half-day hikes, and take boat trips to see the coast from all angles.
Where to Stay in Turkish Riviera
For accommodation, book in advance using various rental comparison sites. The best cities to stay in are Fethiye, Kaş (my favorite), Olympos, and Antalya. If you don’t have a car, base yourself in these cities and opt for organized day trips or use buses and dolmuş (minibusses). Note that not all sites are easily accessible and take longer without a car.
1. Fethiye
Fethiye is a great base for accommodation, exploring the area, and taking boat trips.
What to Visit in Fethiye
- Sea Promenade: Enjoy a pleasant stroll and a bite to eat along the seafront.
- Tomb of Amyntas: Carved into the rock like an Ionic temple façade, dating from 340 BC.
- Ruined Fortress: Located near the tomb.
- Lycian Tombs: Including one next to the town hall.
- Roman Theater and Museum: Both are currently closed for renovations.
Where to Sleep in Fethiye
- Sakura Hostel: Clean and conveniently located.
- El Camino Pub & Hostel: Offers private rooms and dorms with great harbor views, plus a restaurant and bar with local craft beers.
Where to Eat in Fethiye
- Fish Market: Choose your fish and seafood by weight, then have it cooked at a local restaurant with mezze.
2. Kayaköy Ghost Village
Kayaköy, 9 km from Fethiye, is a ghost village abandoned in 1923 after the Turkish War of Independence. It features two intact churches (closed for renovations in April 2023) and numerous ruined houses you can explore. Climb to the small church on the hill for a great view of the village and sea. Afterward, hike down to Ölüdeniz beach for fantastic views along an 8-kilometer section of the Lycian Road.
3. Paragliding in Ölüdeniz
Ölüdeniz is a stunning beach with a lagoon known as the Dead Sea. This iconic postcard view of Turkey is best seen from the sky while paragliding. Launch from Mount Baba at an altitude of 1960 meters, and glide down for about thirty minutes, landing on Ölüdeniz beach. I recommend Liberty Paragliding for its professionalism and friendly service.
4. Xanthos and Letoön, UNESCO Archaeological Sites
Xanthos and Letoon, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1988, are must-see archaeological sites.
- Xanthos: The former capital of Lycia, with a well-preserved Roman theater and Byzantine ruins along the agora.
- Letoon: Located 5 kilometers from Xanthos, it features three aligned temples dedicated to Apollo, Artemis, and Leto, along with a theater and wandering turkeys.
5. Patara: Beach and Archaeological Site
Patara Beach, the longest in Turkey, stretches 18 kilometers and features beautiful dunes. Behind the dunes lies a large archaeological site with notable structures like the bouleuterion (ancient parliament) and a 5,000-seat theater. Most key sites are along the road between the entrance and the beach.
6. Kaş
Kaş (pronounced cash) was my favorite city on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. It’s a charming seaside resort with pedestrian streets, shops, bars, and nice restaurants along the marina. The nightlife is lively, and the atmosphere is fantastic. Some of the best beaches are Yeni Belediye, Belediyesi Kadinlar, and Incebogaz çinar on the peninsula to the west, and Büyük çakil beach on the other side of the city. Don’t miss the Antiphellos theater, built in the 1st century BC, with its stunning view of Kaş and the sea, especially at sunset.
Diving in Kaş
Kaş is renowned for diving, with many wrecks and abundant marine life. I dove at the Dakota C47 military plane site, which lies 22 meters deep, and also explored the underwater museum with its replicas of ancient statues.
Excursions from Kaş
Kaş is an ideal base for excursions. To organize trips, I recommend Xanthos Travel in the town center. They offer professional service and the owner is very nice. Popular excursions include visiting the submerged city of Kekova and the Simena castle in Karaköy. Don’t miss a visit to the Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo), just opposite Kaş.
Where to Sleep in Kaş
- Mimosa Pension: Located 400 meters from the seafront in Kaş, Mimosa Pension is just 100 meters from the lively town center. Some rooms feature a balcony with mountain views. A rich breakfast buffet.
Where to Eat in Kaş
- L’Apéro in Kaş: A French restaurant with a mouth-watering menu. The friendly owner offers homemade liqueur and dried pork meat from locally hunted pigs.
- Pirzula Meyhane: Great for mezzes and seafood casseroles.
- Havana Balik Evi: Ideal for a cheap fish sandwich.
For drinks and nightlife, visit HiJazz bar for live music and Red Point bar for a lively scene.
7. Kekova and Kaleköy
Kekova is an island famous for its sunken city. Directly opposite, Kaleköy features sunken tombs, the Simena Castle, and a necropolis. The best way to explore this area is by taking a boat tour from Kaş. You can visit ruins and swim in beautiful spots, with lunch served onboard. The boat travels along the sunken city, providing great views from the upper deck. A guided tour with Banas from Xanthos Travel, an archaeologist, adds fascinating insights. Once in Kaleköy, visit Simena Castle and its surroundings.
8. Meis Island (Kastellorizo)
Meis Island, known as Kastellorizo in Greece, is the easternmost inhabited island of Greece and close to Turkey. It’s a beautiful and well-maintained island, worth visiting from Kaş. With a different atmosphere from Turkey, you can enjoy good wine and sausage. Walk around the harbor or hike to Saint George church for stunning views. Travel there by Meis Express ferry or Meis ferry lines. The crossing is quick, but passport control can be slow. Remember your passport for entry and exit stamps.
9. Demre
Demre is worth visiting for its three main sites.
- Church of St. Nicholas: Known as the origin of the Santa Claus legend. The church has been renovated multiple times and is a major attraction for pilgrims.
- Myra: Features an impressive 10,000-seat theater and Lycian rock tombs.
- Andriake: The ancient port of Myra, with port buildings and a well-presented museum.
10. Olympos
Olympos was an important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC. The archaeological site is fascinating. The area later became a hippie haven and now has a laid-back atmosphere. Stay in a wooden cabin at Kadir’s Top Tree Houses, where some rooms are in trees. Breakfast and dinner are included.
11. Çıralı and Chimaera
Çıralı is a beautiful long beach next to Olympos. Climb to the top of Olympos fortress ruins for a stunning view. Visit the eternal flames of Mount Chimaera , where methane gas causes flames to escape from the rock. You can even roast marshmallows over the flames. Accommodations in Olympos organize night trips in the summer, but you can also visit in the late afternoon.
12. Antalya
Antalya is the largest city on the Mediterranean coast and a key location to explore the Turkish Riviera. Spend at least a full day here.
Kaleiçi: The historical district with charming architecture. Visit the Suna & Inan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum for its church and ethnographic displays. Don’t miss Hadrian’s Gate from 130 AD.
Other Sites: Visit the house of Atatürk to learn about modern Turkey’s founder. The Antalya Archaeological Museum is a must-see with extensive collections from regional archaeological sites. Also, enjoy the beach at the foot of the cliffs.
13. Perge and Aspendos
Perge and Aspendos are easily accessible from Antalya.
Perge: Allow at least two hours to explore. Highlights include the stadium, Byzantine church, impressive colonnade, and a 2nd-century AD nymphaeum. Don’t miss the theater on the opposite side.
Aspendos: Known for the best-preserved Roman theater, built under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It hosts events like the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. Explore nearby ruins, including a stadium, agora, basilica, and aqueduct.
14. Side
Side boasts impressive ruins. Walk through the ancient agora and visit the Theater for great views. The museum, housed in ancient baths, features statues, sarcophagi, coins, and artifacts. End your visit at the Temple of Apollo and Athena, especially beautiful at sunset. You can visit Perge, Aspendos, and Side in one day from Antalya.
