Prior to visiting Turkey for the first time a few years ago, I thought I was pretty well aware of most of the country’s main attractions.
Of course the magic all starts with the legendary city of Istanbul, which we actually ended up spending a month living in. I knew all about Istanbul’s scenic location on the Bosphorus, the fact that this metropolis that straddles Europe and Asia, has a history going back a millennium and is full of must-see sights in its historic centre. Likewise, I knew of ancient sites like the ruins at Ephesus and the otherworldly natural wonders of both Cappadocia and Pamukkale. I had also heard great things about smaller towns like Amasya and Konya – the latter famous all over the world for being home to the mesmerizing whirling dervishes.
Yes, I thought I pretty much knew mostly everything about travelling in Turkey, but that was before I laid eyes on the turquoise waters and beaches on the country’s gorgeous coast.
Why hadn’t I heard more about Turkey’s coastline? While I don’t know the answer to that, what I do know is that the coast of Turkey absolutely captivated us, and we ended up spending much more time than we expected among its warm waters and stunning seaside towns.
So, where you should go on a trip to the Turkish coast and what should you do on your next trip to Turkey? Well, we fell in love with so many places and things along the coast, it’s impossible for me to recommend just one, so the following are just few of the best places and experiences that I recommend on the Turkish coast.
First and foremost, I think the best way to see the beauty of this stretch of Turkey is on a Blue Cruise. These cruises typically last for around a week or so and end up passing by a ton of fascinating historical sights. Typically, Blue Cruises pass by the ancient city of Myra in addition to the hauntingly beautiful Sunken City. The best part of the cruises may just be that they take place on gulets, which are old school wooden boats traditional used in the region. The cruises make plenty of stops for swimming and snorkelling, and the captains typically know how to find hidden bays perfect for rest, relaxation, and catching a tan.
In addition to taking a Turkish coastal cruise , walking the Lycian Way is another way to experience the beauty of the coast. The Lycian way is a 300 mile long footpath around the coast of Southern Turkey, from Antalya to Fethiye. Along the Lycian Way, walkers are treated to views of turquoise bays and soaring mountains in addition to the chance to see scenic towns like Kas. It isn’t just great views, as walkers also get to visit castles, take part in paragliding, and even spend the night inside of a lighthouse.
Before or after a coastal cruise or a stroll on the Lycian Way, I recommend spending some time in Antalya, as this coastal city and its cobbled old town captured our imagination more than any other. What was great about Antalya was that it was the perfect mix of modern, historical, slow-paced resort, and bustling city. Walking along the seaside at night, we would watch tall ships coming into the harbour, with the barren grey mountains behind providing a dramatic backdrop.
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