Turkey

Main Resorts

Antalya is Turkey's holiday capital — a sprawling coastline of hundreds of 5-star All Inclusive resorts stretching from Belek to Kemer. The old town Kaleiçi, with its Roman harbour and Ottoman mansions, is hidden right inside the city.

Alanya offers a dramatic backdrop: a Seljuk castle on a rocky promontory with views over the entire bay. The eastern beach Cleopatra Beach is legendary for its soft white sand and clear water.

Bodrum is where the Turkish Aegean meets the Mediterranean — lively marina, whitewashed houses, and some of Turkey's best boutique hotels. Perfect for sailing, nightlife, and the Bodrum Castle.

Marmaris combines a large natural harbour, a labyrinthine old bazaar, and easy access to the Dalyan nature reserve with its ancient Lycian rock tombs and sea turtle nesting İztuzu Beach.

What to See & Do

• Cappadocia — one of the world's most surreal landscapes: fairy chimneys, underground cities, and hot air balloon rides at sunrise over the valleys
• Ephesus — a remarkably preserved Greco-Roman city, home to the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders) and a library façade featured in every history textbook
• Pamukkale — the "Cotton Castle": cascading white travertine terraces filled with turquoise thermal water, next to the ruins of ancient Hierapolis
• Istanbul — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Bosphorus cruise all in one city
• Turkish baths (hammam) — an unmissable ritual; traditional hammams are found in every resort town

Best Time to Visit

May – June and September – October are ideal: temperatures are warm (25–28 °C) but not overwhelming, the sea is perfectly swimmable, and resort prices are considerably lower than peak summer.

July – August is peak season — scorching heat (35–40 °C on the south coast), maximum crowds and maximum prices, but the sea is at its warmest.

Winter (November – March) is off-season for the Riviera, but Istanbul and Cappadocia are excellent year-round.

Travel Tips

Tip: Book All Inclusive for the best value on the Riviera — Turkey consistently ranks among the top value-for-money destinations in Europe.