Turkey’s secret is well and truly out, and in recent years it has become one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits wanting a beach break. But which beaches are the best? We’ve picked out a few that you might like to try…
Oludeniz Beach
Where: Belcekiz, south-east of Fethiye.
Once regarded as something of an unspoilt paradise, Oludeniz has been sullied somewhat by the tourist hordes. But it’s still possible to see why they come in the first place. The natural setting is first class, and the lagoon just beautiful. Be prepared for crowds, however.
Iztuzu Beach
Where: Near Dalyan, to the north-west of Dalayan.
Known pretty much to all and sundry as ‘Turtle beach’ this is one of the few spots in the world where the rare loggerhead turtle comes to give lay eggs. Efforts are made to ensure that tourism doesn’t threaten the turtles’ breeding grounds but the gorgeous sand bar is too good to miss. To get there, you need to take a boat trip from Dalyan.
Kaputas Beach
Where: Between Kas and Kalkan, south-western Turkey.
Kaputas Beach lies at the end of a stunning mountain gorge, and can only be accessed by trudging down a series of steps (or a dolmus share taxi in peak months). It’s worth the effort of getting to, though; the water is ultra-inviting and the setting sensational.
Turkbuku Beach
Where: On the Bodrum Peninsula
If you’re looking for Turkey’s equivalent of St Tropez, this is it. Luxurious hotels, dressed to impress guests and beautiful people line the special sunbathing platforms above the sand and pebbles. Turkbuku has also got something of a party scene; it’s an awesome (if pricey) place in which to take proceedings well into the early hours.
Konyaalti Beach
Where: Antalya
It’s in Turkey’s major beach tourism city, but Konyaalti Beach isn’t quite as crowded as you might imagine. It’s a rough sand and shingle affair, but the mountain views and the fact that you can walk onto it from the city hubbub make it a hugely attractive option.
Patara Beach
Where? Patara, 45 miles south-east of Fethiye
With 20km or so of white sand, gorgeous dunes at the back and ancient ruins lying just behind, Patara is regularly cited as Turkey’s best beach. It’s unusual for the area in that it’s not in the least bit pebbly, and it’s remarkably uncrowded.
Alacati Beach
Where? West of Izmir, Northern Aegean
The beach itself isn’t all that much to write home about, but the activities available from Alacati Beach are. It is a world renowned windsurfing hub, with the consistent breezes and still waters drawing watersports fans from far afield.
Olympos Beach
Where? To the south of Antalya.
Again, Olympos Beach is unlikely to win a glut of best sand awards, but it’s the vibe that people go for. It’s a cool place to hang out for the backpacking fraternity – helped immeasurably by all the bizarre treehouse hostels nearby.
Kiyikoy
Where? On the Black Sea coast, between Istanbul and the Bulgarian border.
Kiyikoy is home to what is arguably the best beach in European Turkey, and hardly any European tourists make it out there. The sandy beach, deep blue sea and forested hillside backdrop make it an extraordinarily pretty spot on the Black Sea coast.
Pamucak Beach
Where? Between Ephesus and Selcuk, South Aegean.
It’s not far from some of the worst excesses of Turkish coastline development and mass tourism, but Pamucak Beach is still relatively unspoilt. There are a few hotels at the southern end, but for the most part, it’s how this part of the world used to be. The beach stretches for a good few kilometres, so you can get plenty of space to yourself.
This article was originally written for AOL UK.
Copyright David Whitley
