TURKEY'S TOP TEN BEACHES

Summer is the ideal time to be getting out and about, and Turkey's beaches provide the ideal experience for those who wish to enjoy the hot days and cool evenings. Whether on the Mediterranean or Aegean coasts or in secluded bay area's, unknown to most mainstream travel writers, Turkey's sandy beaches provide the ideal experience for your summer.

Everyone enjoys going to the beach, although it's not always about sunbathing and swimming. You may also wish to get active by partaking in water sports and enjoy the stunning scenery, and for good reason is Turkey a top beach destination.

Apart from smaller, unknown bays, the major shorelines in Turkey provide a social experience with everything that you may need available. An abundance of restaurants and bars provide you with refreshments, you can easily find umbrellas, sunbeds and sporting activities, and much more. The Turks take great care of their coastline, meaning that the countries has the third highest amount of blue flag stretches for you to choose from. Bellow we provide you with a list of the top ten beaches in Turkey.

Alanya : Cleopatra's beach.

Cleopatra's beach was rated as Turkey's best beach for the past year by Trip Advisor, rating it the best in the world according to user reviews. Located in Alanya, a busy holiday resort on the Mediterranean, it is said that the beach got its name from Cleopatra herself, who reportedly stopped off there for a swim. You may also wish to stop off at Damlatas caves, a nearby beauty which provides the ideal day trip.

Antalya : Lara beach.

Nicknames Turkey's Las Vegas, this 8 kilometer stretch of beach is dominated by a variety of themed, all-inclusive hotels. Located close to the city center, the beach enjoys a family friendly reputation thanks to an abundance of water sport centers for kids, and easy access to umbrellas and sunbeds for parents.

Antalya : Konyaalti beach.

Antalya's second city center beach, is located in a more residential area, making it popular with the locals. 3 kilometers long, it is less sandy than Lara beach, and offers a more intimate vibe for a day out with friends and family.

Patara beach.

Located on the Mediterranean coast, this long stretch of beach is also frequented by Caretta turtles, meaning that some areas may be cordoned off at certain times of the year for the turtles to make their nesting grounds. Totalling 17 km long, this beach is more suited for adults, the waves being a little too strong for children between October and May.

Oludeniz : Belcegiz and the blue lagoon.

Another favourite for families, Oludeniz offers you beautiful scenery, clean and clear water and lots of sand. Easily accessible from nearby resorts, the water's edge itself is glorious, enticing you in and making it hard for you to leave. If you turn right and walk down the path, you will arrive at the blue lagoon, which has many times taken center stage in well known travel magazines. 

Phaselis.

When most people think of Phaselis, they think of ancient Greek ruins. It also has two beaches though, including a moonshaped stretch of sand offering an idyllic landscape for you to enjoy alongside refreshing swims. You can access the area either by boat from Antalya, or else by road, with entrance tickets including access to a protected park, full of ancient Greek ruins.

Butterfly Valley.

Offering something different from sandy, family friendly beaches, the rugged shoreline of Butterfly Valley offers a hippie styled ambience for those who with for a return to nature vibe. To reach it, take a water taxi from Oludeniz. The beach is also famous for snorkelling activities, waterfalls in the nearby canyon and a well known local bar, where you can enjoy a beer as you watch people go by.

Cirali and Olympus.

Cirali provides a more rustic resort experience via a part pebble, part stone beach, near to the village resort or Olympus. Every summer, turtles land within the area to make their nests. Stunning scenery including the Taurus mountains await you, and you may also wish to take a small detour to visit the fairy tale ruins of Olympus.

Kaputas.

A small area located between Kas and Kalkan, Kaputas shares its name with the nearby canyon. Although lacking in public facilities, it more than makes up for this fact by its crystal blue waters, fine sand and beautiful scenery. Be aware if you have any difficultie with walking, as the area is only reached by a steep flight of steps off the main road.

Dalyan : Iztuzu.

Iztuzu beaches reached international fame during the 1980s, thanks to captain June and David Bellamy, who fought big corporate interests to insure the beach area obtain protected status due to the Caretta turtles, which lay their eggs in the sand. Today, hundreds of people still flock to the area, as well as to the nearby Dalyan mudhuts, which you may also wish to visit.