Turkey's Mediterranean shore, called the Turquoise Coast, is nearly 1000 miles long, scattered with fine-sand beaches and sprinkled abundantly with classical cities turned to picturesque ruins.
The Turquoise Coast is the first place to think of when you're planning a seaside holidays in Turkey. It has more and better beaches and resorts than does the any other Mediterranean countries, and warmer, saltier water than the Black sea coast.
The Taurus (Toros) Mountains form a dramatic backdrop along much of the coast, often dropping steeply right into the sea, but in some places rivers have washed down enough sediment over the ages to form beaches backed by fertile alluvial plains good for growing cotton, vegetables, and even tropical fruits like bananas.
Antalya, Turkey’s largest Mediterranean city has a backdrop of the towering Taurus Mountains. Here the ancient
city of Attaleia, named after King Attalus II of Pergamum, was founded in the 2nd century BC. Today, palm-lined boulevards, beautiful parks, historical buildings, monuments, museums and the picturesque old quarter of Kalei輅 (with the Kaleici Turban Marina) blend together to create a perfect holiday atmosphere.
Datça is a charming village with the famous ruins of the ancient city of Knidos nearby. Orhaniye is a picturesque hamlet, surrounded by pine trees, where you can see the shallow bar of sand known as Kızkumu which runs across the cove and makes it look as if people are walking on water.
Sedir_Island, known in English as Cleopatra’s Island (ancient Cedrai) boasts an incredible beach with fine sand composed of fossils, and a splendid view of the Kiran Mountains across the bay. It is said that the sand here was imported by Mark Antony for his lover, Cleopatra and that she bathed here.
Marmaris’NetselMarina is one of the largest and best-equipped marinas in Turkey, and the Marmaris Albatross Marina, one of the best for wintering and maintaining yachts, which make this cosmopolitan resort an excellent starting point for a Blue Voyage.
At Ekincik, a delightful yacht-mooring, you can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this area and the friendly hospitality of its people. From
Delikli_Island, which lies right off the coast, southeast of Ekincik you can take an excursion to Dalyan on a smaller boat.
Göcek is a charming resort, favoured by yachtsmen, with some lovely seafront restaurants. Dotted with islands and indented with many coves, the land and seascapes of the Gulf of Gek are irresistible.
On Tersane Island stand Byzantine ruins including those of the ancient shipyards from which it takes it name.
Fethiye, a traditional market town boasts a natural harbour and beautiful mountain scenery.
Kekova is the name of a group of picturesque islands with numerous bays and ancient cities. Along the northern shore of Kekova Island, at Apollonia, earthquakes once disturbed the land causing some of the ancient houses to sink under the clear water, creating the sunke city which is so enchanting today.
Kaleköy Castle (ancient Simena) offers a bird’s-eye view of the bay’s inlets, islands and colourful yachts sailing peacefully on the glassy water.
At Demre (Kale), the ancientMyra (25 kms west of Finike), many splendid carved Lycian rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theatre. St Nicholas, the real Father Christmas, was the Bishop of this Mediterranean city during the fourth century.
Olympos, on the southern side of Mount Tahtalı (Mt. Olympos), is surrounded by oleander and laurel bushes.
Nearby, high on the hillside atYanartaş (literally ‘burning stone’), themythological Lycian hero Bellerophon mounted his winged horse Pegasus and slew the fire-breathing Chimaera.
Kemer, a resort town carefully designed to blend in with the surrounding scenery, where the fully equipped Park Kemer Marina has good facilities. April is the month of the colourful Kemer Carnival. Also in the spring
there are yacht races between Kemer and Girne (Kyrenia), in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
