With turquoise coves, pine-covered mountains, ancient cities and sunshine on more than three hundred days a year, the Turkish Riviera is one of the Mediterranean’s best-loved holiday coasts. Millions of travellers from the UK and Europe return every year; so why? This guide explains what makes the Turkish Riviera so special, its standout areas and where you should stay.
What Makes the Turkish Riviera Special?
On this coast the mountains sit right by the sea: you can walk in the Taurus Mountains in the morning and swim in a clear cove in the afternoon. Ancient cities from the Lycian, Pamphylian and Roman eras are scattered along the shore. A wide range of accommodation, from all-inclusive resorts to family-run guesthouses, suits every budget and holiday style. Turkish food and hospitality complete the experience.
Antalya: The Heart of the Coast
The region’s hub, Antalya, combines a city break and a beach holiday with historic Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı beach, the Düden waterfalls and the Antalya Museum. Nearby Lara and Konyaaltı stand out for their closeness to the airport and wide choice of hotels.
Belek and Side: Sandy Beaches and Ancient Cities
East of Antalya, Belek is known for its golf courses and the big resorts along its long beaches, while Side has beaches in the shadow of its ancient theatre and the Temple of Apollo. Large properties and shallow sandy beaches make the area ideal for families.
Alanya: Castle and Beach
At the eastern end of the coast, Alanya is known for its historic castle on a peninsula, Cleopatra Beach and lively town life. With plenty of hotels and a buzzing atmosphere, it is popular with both families and younger travellers.
Kemer, Kaş and Kalkan: Coves of the West Coast
West of Antalya, Kemer has pine-fringed coves where the mountains meet the sea, while Kaş and Kalkan offer a quieter, more characterful Mediterranean of whitewashed houses, boutique hotels and dive sites. Boutique hotels such as True Blue Boutique Hotel Kalkan in Kalkan or Lupia Suites in Kaş capture this atmosphere.
Types of Accommodation
The Turkish Riviera has a huge range of places to stay: all-inclusive resorts are practical for families; boutique hotels suit couples and those seeking peace; aparthotels and guesthouses give flexibility to travellers who like to plan their own days. There are adults-only properties too, such as Club Porto Amore Hotel Adults Only in Alanya.
When to Go and How to Get There
The beach season runs from mid-May to the end of October; July and August are the hottest and busiest months. Spring and autumn are ideal for walking and visiting ancient sites. Most of the coast is reached via Antalya Airport, and the western end (Kaş, Kalkan) via Dalaman Airport too. Buses and dolmuş minibuses connect the towns, and hiring a car is practical if you want to explore at your own pace. Many travellers combine two bases, such as a few days of resort life in Belek followed by a quieter stay in Kaş.
Things to Do on the Turkish Riviera
A Suluada boat trip, a rafting and jeep safari adventure and a Kemer coves boat trip are among the coast’s best-loved experiences. For more, see the Antalya tours and Kemer tours pages.
A One-Week Turkish Riviera Route
If you want to get to know the Turkish Riviera in a week, a two-base route works well. Spend the first three or four days in Antalya or Belek: explore Kaleiçi, see the Düden waterfalls, visit Aspendos or Side and keep a day for the beach. Then move west to Kemer or Kaş, where you can tour the coves by boat, swim at Phaselis and go diving or take a Kekova boat trip from Kaş. This route shows you both the lively and the peaceful sides of the coast.
Local Flavours
Food is part of the Riviera experience. Antalya’s piyaz bean salad and grilled köfte, fresh fish in the coastal towns, gözleme flatbreads and home cooking in the mountain villages are all worth trying. In a region famous for citrus groves, freshly squeezed orange juice and local preserves are small but memorable treats.
Whichever base you choose, keep a day free for doing very little: an afternoon in a shaded beach café is part of the Riviera’s charm.
How to Book
On the hotels in Antalya page, enter your check-in and check-out dates and the number of guests to see the available room types and board options. Compare the options and read the cancellation terms before the payment step. Card payments are processed securely. Your card is not charged now; the amount is taken once your booking is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Turkish Riviera cover?
The Turkish Riviera usually means the Antalya coast, the Mediterranean shoreline from Kaş and Kalkan in the west to Alanya in the east; the Fethiye and Muğla coasts are sometimes included too.
Which area of the Turkish Riviera should I choose?
Lara, Belek and Side for big resorts; Kemer, Kaş and Kalkan for nature and coves; central Antalya for city life and history.
When is the beach season on the Turkish Riviera?
The swimming season usually runs from mid-May to the end of October; June and September offer warm water with fewer crowds.
Which airport should I fly to?
Antalya Airport serves most of the coast; Dalaman Airport is closer for Kaş, Kalkan and Fethiye.
Is the Turkish Riviera only for beach holidays?
No. Lycian Way walks, ancient cities, waterfalls, rafting and boat trips are among the coast’s riches beyond the beach.
Do I need a hire car on the Turkish Riviera?
Not necessarily; resort holidays work well with transfers and tours. If you want to visit several areas, mountain villages and ancient sites at your own pace, a hire car gives you great flexibility.
