Turkey Travel Guide

The Aegean Coast can claim to be the most beautiful shoreline in Turkey, a land already overflowing with natural and historical wonders. Idyllic little coves and deep blue lagoons nestle among rocky cliffs, fringed by groves of olives and figs. Lively modern holiday resorts rub shoulders with charming old fishing harbours. Among the coast's many delightful beach resorts are Foca, Kusadasi, the lively Bodrum and the riverside village of Dalyan. Nearby classical sites include the ruins at ancient Ephesus and Pergamon, and the old city of Kaunos.

The southern coastline is among the most naturally picturesque in the Mediterranean. Often called the Turquoise Coast, the sea is crystal clear and laps up gently against the rocks coastline of beaches and bays. Favorite destinations include charm of Kalkan and historical fishing village of Kas (Kaş), Side which is a fascinating ancient city and holiday resort, its near neighbour Sorgun hidden among the pine forests, the stunning purpose-built holiday centre of Kemer and Patara's 15km long beach. The ancient sites at Xanthos and the sunken city of Kekova are close enough not to miss.

The Turkish Riviera between Kas and Alanya bewitches visitors with its paradisiacal beaches and turquoise-blue waters. Between the diverse coastal strips and the high peaks of the Taurus mountain range lie dense forests and execrated ancient excavation sites. This is the ideal destination for those who love beautiful beaches: the best beaches and bays in all of Turkey are to be found here and there is sun, sand and blue waters to excess. All kinds of fun activities and water sports are offered on many beaches during the long, hot summer. This section of the Mediterranean coast is wonderfully green as it is supplied with plentiful amounts of water from the nearby Taurus mountain range. Not far from Antalya, the provincial town most worth visiting in the region, several waterfalls drop spectacularly over a steep cliff face into the sea. A landmark of the coastal metropolis is the Yivli Minare, the 'grooved minaret', around which is clustered an old, typically Ottoman town with traditional wooden houses. In the small town of Side however, the ancient and the modern are blended in a unique fashion: on the outskirts of the old town, modern houses stand in close proximity to countless ancient ruins. When on a trip to the Taurus mountain range, fantastic views are to be had over the coast, as well as over the wild romantic ruins of Termessos that await discovery at a height of approximately 1,000 m. Further significant excavation sites are the ruins of Perge and Aspendos, which counted amongst the richest and most influential towns of Greek and Roman antiquity.

The Marmara region occupies the northwest corner of Turkey. Here you will find Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two continents - a fascinating, mysterious and spicy meeting point of the cultures of Europe and the Orient. Highlights of the region also include Kastamonu and the ski resort of Ilgaz Daği, the lake at Abant, the thermal baths at Bolu, Turkey's most popular ski resort of Uludağ and the small town of Yalova and the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara.