The Most Beautiful Beach Destinations in Turkey

White sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and affordable prices: Turkey offers great conditions for a relaxing beach vacation. However, the selection of beaches and resorts in this vacation country is enormous.

Not sure where to book yet? To make your decision for a vacation destination in Turkey a bit easier, we present the ten most beautiful Turkish beach destinations.

Kalkan, like the neighboring town Kas, is a very popular destination for a beach vacation in Turkey. Both resorts are located in the province of Antalya on the Lycian coast. Visitors can easily relax on the fine sandy beach, stroll through the historic old town, or wander along the small fishing harbor.

Unlike many other Turkish beach resorts, mass tourism does not play a role in Kalkan. There are a few hotels, but they are mostly family-oriented rather than geared towards large numbers. Most tourists also choose to stay in one of the many villas in Kalkan. The Greek-inspired buildings give visitors an authentic impression of the local lifestyle.

If you're looking for a quiet place for togetherness or a break from the stressful everyday life, Kalkan is a good choice. However, due to the slightly hilly beaches, small children might be better off in other beach resorts.

The small district town of Gazipasa is located on the Turkish Riviera. And although it shares an airport with its well-known neighboring city Alanya, it remains relatively unknown. Many vacationers know Gazipasa only as a starting point to head to the tourist hotspot of Alanya.

However, this also means that the town is rather quiet. It is predominantly rural and has few hotels and resorts. The fine sand beaches of the resort are often deserted, offering a perfect place to relax and enjoy the view of the Taurus mountains.

The sandy beach of this district town is over two kilometers long, surrounded by ruins, cliffs, and an ancient fortress. Moreover, you'll find many ancient ruins in the nearby surroundings if you're not in the mood for sea relaxation on your beach vacation.

Antalya is a metropolitan city with kilometers of sandy beaches. But it is not just because of this that it ranks among the most popular beach vacation destinations. Another key point is that the city enjoys about 300 sunny days a year.

Even if the fine sand beaches and turquoise waters at Antalya's beaches aren't enough, you can opt for one of the many beaches in the nearby area. During your beach vacation, you should also plan an extended stroll through the beautiful old town of Antalya and try the delicious food in the city's numerous restaurants.

With the many possibilities that a beach holiday in Antalya offers, it is generally a great idea for every traveler. For example, you can admire one of the biggest Ferris wheels in Europe or be amazed by the art in the city's sand sculpture park.

Ölüdeniz on Turkey's Lycian Coast is no longer a secret. The reason is the very photogenic blue lagoon of the same beach, which, with its turquoise waters, extensive sandy beach, and green wooded mountains in the background, attracts countless vacationers year after year.

So, it is no surprise that it can get crowded here, especially during the peak season - not least due to the many resorts, hotels, and club facilities in the blue lagoon. However, the extensive beach offers enough space for every sun-seeking traveler.

With the varied offers from the club facilities, a vacation in Ölüdeniz is particularly attractive for families, as children are well entertained. But partygoers and couples also find many possibilities for a wonderful beach holiday.

Sustainability on a Turkey vacation - that's possible at the beach resort Cirali. Located about 70 kilometers south of Antalya on the Turkish Riviera, it is known for the environmentally friendly eco-tourism available locally. Travelers will find many sustainable family pensions, vacation homes, and treehouses there, along with some areas under nature conservation.

Due to its closeness to nature, Cirali offers minimalistic tourism that is less about relaxation and tranquility and more about adventure and being close to nature. If you're looking for an all-inclusive vacation and typical tourist cuisine, you'll find less of that in the eco-village.

By the way: If you're already in Cirali, definitely take a side trip to the famous Olympus National Park and its associated Olympus Beach.

White sandy beaches, a Mediterranean old town, and turquoise waters: Çeşme is one of the rising stars among beach resorts in Turkey. And for a good reason. Çeşme is both a peninsula and a city, located near Izmir on the Turkish Aegean, offering tourists quite a bit.

However, since Çeşme, along with Bodrum, is especially popular with wealthy locals, prices in this vacation spot are higher than in other beach resorts along the Turkish coast.

It is equivalent to the Greek island Santorini, with Çeşme distinguished by its unique buildings in colorful Boho-style and white sandy beaches. Besides, you will find many art galleries, small pensions, and local restaurants on the peninsula.

By the way: The most beautiful beach is Ilica Beach, where you can find naturally occurring thermal springs in the sea.

Are you a turtle fan? Then consider a beach holiday in Dalyan. In the immediate vicinity of the small former farming village lies the famous Iztuzu Beach, which sea turtles like to use as a breeding ground. As a result, it's not available for swimming everywhere to ensure the baby turtles' safety. Nevertheless, with some luck, you might observe the turtles making their way to the water.

But the beach isn't the only aspect that makes Dalyan a unique beach resort. The village is intersected by the Calbis river, meaning some places are accessible only by boat, thus reminiscent of a small version of Turkish Venice. If you opt for a beach vacation in Dalyan, be sure to plan a boat tour to the mountain ruins of the 3000-year-old city of Kaunos.

Granted: For a classic beach vacation, Dalyan may not necessarily be ideal. There are no large hotel complexes, only smaller pensions. And due to love for the turtles, they are not directly on the beach. However, in Dalyan, you have the opportunity to experience a slightly more adventurous beach vacation in Turkey.

The Bodrum Peninsula truly offers a worry-free package for your beach vacation in Turkey. In the beloved beach resort on the Turkish Aegean in the country's southwest, you find a vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and numerous all-inclusive resorts right by the sea. However, as the former fishing village is popular among the rich locals, it is known domestically as the 'Turkish St. Tropez.' This is evident in the massive yachts in the harbor.

By the way: At the bus station in Bodrum, you regularly find a market with fresh food, crafts, and numerous local selections.

In the Turkish coastal town of Side, German travelers almost seem part of the landscape. The popular holiday resort lies on the Turkish Riviera and is characterized by many resorts and extensive, well-attended beaches. That's also why Side remains a favorite travel destination for a beach holiday in Turkey.

Much like in Bodrum and Antalya, beachgoers here get the full package: nightlife, cuisine, culture, beaches, and water sports. When travelers talk about a holiday in Side, they often also mean the neighboring towns of Kumköy, Titreyengöl, or Colakli.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at the bettercities.net, and the best travel deals on our Deal page.