Few holiday areas are as diverse as the Turkish Riviera. This dreamy region on Turkey’s southern coast is home to many dreamy, fine-sand beaches and exciting sights that exude an unmistakable charm. However, the Turkish Riviera is also known for its impressive natural scenery, exciting nightlife, and culinary delights. Each place exudes its own beauty, so only your taste can determine where you’d want to spend your holiday.

Alanya

Located in the east of the Turkish Riviera, Alanya captivates with its Mediterranean temperament. However, this region is best known as a party fortress that inspires a raucous nightlife. Those who turn night into day in the numerous bars and discos can enjoy various musical genres and delicious cocktails. On the second day, relax on the 3.5 kilometers long Cleopatra’s Beach. Cleopatra is said to have bathed on this stretch of coastline.

If you don’t want to relax on idyllic Cleopatra’s Beach all day, there are several historical sites in Alanya where you can take an exciting journey into history. Alanya Castle is home to the best-preserved fortress in all of Turkey. The Seljuks built the 6.5-kilometer-long defensive system with 140 towers in the 13th century to protect the harbor. Due to its size, however, it is much more like a small town with a marketplace, houses, and cisterns.

Side Sites

The picturesque town of Side delights with its unique blend of ancient charm and modern holiday destination. If you’re planning a spectacular sightseeing trip, numerous historical, cultural treasures await you in Side:

-The Old City Walls

-The ancient amphitheater

-Temple of Apollo

-House of the Well of Nymphaeum

-Ruins of a basilica

-Remains of the Bishop’s Palace

As the monuments are located right in the historic old town of Side, you can walk to them and then enjoy a well-deserved rest in the ancient city, which attracts its cozy cafes and small souvenir shops. If you don’t find a suitable souvenir there, you should visit the Turkish bazaar of Manavgat. In addition to fresh regional food, you will also find jewelry, handicrafts, and clothes that you can bargain for a while.

Antalya

Historic Antalya, with over two million inhabitants, is one of the largest cities in Turkey and charms with its beautiful beaches surrounded by rugged rocky landscapes. You can expect excellent water quality at the western beach of Konyaaltı, which is particularly popular with families with young children.

Lara beach in the east also scores with its clear water and powdery sugar sand. In addition, here you can practice numerous water sports such as snorkeling, diving or windsurfing. You can also refresh yourself at the beach bars and bistros on the promenade. Lara Beach is a hotspot for holidaymakers. In addition to the numerous hotels, there are also many restaurants, shops and water sports, and all sorts of entertainment for the little ones.

Kemer

Besides the picturesque beaches with plenty of water sports and hidden coves, the seaside resort of Kemer enchants with its charming harbor. From here, you can go on exciting excursions or charter a boat and explore the Mediterranean on your own. You should try the fantastic swimming opportunities and take a trip to the 2,500-year-old town of Phaselis, founded in the 7th century BC and was once one of the most important trading towns in the region.

If you plan a trip to the countryside of the Taurus Mountains, the Olympos cable car will entice you to hike to the almost 2,340-metre-high Tahtali peak. Numerous hiking trails await you at the top, where you can recover from the hot temperatures. If you prefer to explore the area from the water, you can take a canoe or kayak trip through the spectacular mountain landscape.

Are you ready for your trip?!