Turkey Holiday Diary 7 min read
What Is the Turquoise Coast and Why Is Everyone Talking About It
The Turquoise Coast Turkey stretches along the country’s southwestern Mediterranean shore, roughly from Fethiye to Antalya. It is called “turquoise” for the most obvious reason — the sea here is an impossible shade of blue-green that you have to see in person to believe. No filter needed, no exaggeration required.
This stretch of coastline packs in ancient Lycian ruins, hidden coves, pine-forested mountains dropping straight into the sea, charming small towns, and some of the best beaches in the entire Mediterranean. Whether you want to hike the Lycian Way, take a gulet boat cruise, or simply lie on a beach that looks like it belongs on a screensaver, the Turquoise Coast delivers.
If you are coming from the north along the Aegean coast road trip, the Turquoise Coast is the natural continuation. From the south, Antalya and Kas are your best entry points.
Best Towns and Destinations Along the Turquoise Coast
Oludeniz and the Blue Lagoon
Oludeniz is the postcard image of Turkey’s coast. The Blue Lagoon is a sheltered bay where the water is impossibly calm and coloured in gradients of turquoise and emerald. It is a protected nature park with an entrance fee of about 200 TL, which keeps the crowds slightly more manageable.
Beyond the beach, Oludeniz is famous for paragliding. Tandem flights from the summit of Babadag Mountain (1,969 metres) give you a 25-minute flight over the lagoon and coastline. It costs around 5,000-7,000 TL and is worth every single lira. Even if you are scared of heights, the instructors are experienced and the views are life-changing.
Butterfly Valley
Accessible only by boat from Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley is a narrow gorge with a small beach, a waterfall, and a relaxed hippie vibe. Boats run regularly in summer, and you can camp or stay in basic tree houses overnight. If you want to feel completely disconnected from the world for a day, this is the place.
Kabak Bay
South of Oludeniz, Kabak is a beautiful secluded bay at the bottom of a steep cliff. It is popular with backpackers and yoga retreaters, with a handful of eco-camps and small pensions. The hike down from the road takes about 20 minutes. Once you arrive, the beach and the turquoise water feel like a private paradise.
Patara Beach
At 18 km long, Patara is the longest uninterrupted beach in Turkey. It is also a protected nesting site for loggerhead turtles, so the beach closes at sunset and has no development. The result is a vast, uncrowded stretch of golden sand backed by dunes and ancient Lycian ruins, including a monumental arch and a Roman lighthouse. It feels wild and untouched.
Kas
Kas is the gem of the Turquoise Coast. This small town sits on a hillside above a harbour, with narrow streets filled with bougainvillea, boutique shops, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. It is the base for scuba diving, sea kayaking, and boat trips to the sunken city of Kekova.
The Friday market in Kas is superb for fresh produce, honey, spices, and handmade souvenirs. For dinner, walk along the harbour and pick a restaurant with water views — the fresh fish and meze are outstanding.
Kalkan
Just 25 km from Kas, Kalkan is a more upscale and quieter alternative. This hillside village has Ottoman-era architecture, roof terrace restaurants with stunning sea views, and a sophisticated food scene. The beach platforms built onto the rocks below town are unique to Kalkan — you swim in deep blue water right off the platform.
Olympos and Cirali
Olympos is an ancient Lycian city whose ruins sit in a shady valley that leads to a beautiful pebble beach. Backpackers have loved Olympos for decades, staying in famous tree house camps and bungalows set among the ruins and orange groves.
Next door, Cirali is Olympos’s quieter, more family-friendly neighbour. A long pebble beach backed by a line of small pensions and restaurants, with the Chimaera eternal flames up the hillside. The Chimaera is a series of natural gas vents that have been burning for thousands of years. Visit at night — the flickering flames emerging from the rocky mountainside are mesmerising.
Best Beaches on the Turquoise Coast
| Beach | Type | Best For | How to Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oludeniz Blue Lagoon | Sand/pebble | Swimming, paragliding views | Drive from Fethiye (15 km) |
| Patara | Long golden sand | Space, solitude, turtle watching | Drive, signposted from D400 |
| Kabak Bay | Pebble | Secluded escape, camping | Hike down from road (20 min) |
| Kaputas Beach | Sand cove | Photos, swimming in turquoise water | Steps from roadside car park |
| Cirali | Pebble | Families, relaxation, Chimaera | Drive from Antalya (80 km) |
| Butterfly Valley | Pebble | Adventure, disconnecting | Boat from Oludeniz |
Pro tip: Kaputas Beach is the most photographed cove on the coast, squeezed between two tall cliffs with turquoise water below. It is stunning but tiny and gets very crowded in summer. Arrive before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM for the best experience.
The Lycian Way: Turkey’s Best Long-Distance Hike
The Lycian Way is a 540 km waymarked trail running from Fethiye to Antalya along the coast. It is rated as one of the top ten long-distance walks in the world. You do not need to do the whole thing. Many hikers pick sections, and some of the best are:
- Oludeniz to Butterfly Valley — Dramatic coastal scenery, 2-3 hours
- Kas to Kalkan — Cliffside trail with incredible sea views, half day
- Cirali to Olympos — Easy walk through ruins and along the beach, 1-2 hours
- Patara to Kalkan — Through ancient Lycian sites, full day
The best months for hiking are March to May and October to November when temperatures are comfortable. Summer is too hot for serious walking.
Boat Trips and Gulet Cruises
A gulet cruise is the quintessential Turquoise Coast experience. These traditional wooden sailing boats cruise along the coast, stopping at hidden bays, ancient ruins, and swimming spots inaccessible by road.
- Day trips run from Fethiye (Twelve Islands), Kas (Kekova), and Oludeniz. Expect to pay 500-1,500 TL per person including lunch
- Multi-day gulet cruises typically run 3-7 days between Fethiye and Olympos or Fethiye and Marmaris. Prices range from 8,000-25,000 TL per person depending on the boat and duration
Pro tip: The Kekova boat trip from Kas is a must. You sail over the sunken city of Simena, where you can see ancient Lycian ruins submerged beneath crystal-clear water. Swimming above a sunken city is something you will not forget.
How to Explore the Turquoise Coast
By Rental Car
The D400 highway runs along most of the coast and is in excellent condition. A rental car gives you the most freedom to explore hidden beaches and mountain villages. Parking is easy in most coastal towns outside peak summer.
By Dolmus
Dolmus minibuses connect all the main towns along the coast. They are cheap, frequent in summer, and a great way to travel if you do not want to drive. Main routes run between Fethiye, Oludeniz, Kas, Kalkan, and Antalya.
By Boat
Some of the best spots are only accessible by water. Day trips and gulet cruises are the best way to reach hidden coves, and boat taxis run between some smaller coastal points in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit the Turquoise Coast?
May to June and September to October. July and August are peak season — very hot, crowded, and expensive. The shoulder months offer warm swimming temperatures with far fewer people. For detailed seasonal planning, check our best time to visit Turkey guide.
How many days should you spend on the Turquoise Coast?
A minimum of five days lets you cover the highlights. Seven to ten days is ideal if you want to include hiking, boat trips, and time to relax. You could easily spend two weeks here and not get bored.
Is the Turquoise Coast expensive?
It varies hugely. Backpackers can travel on 500-800 TL per day with hostels and simple meals. Mid-range travellers should budget 1,500-3,000 TL per day for a couple. Luxury options, especially gulet cruises and boutique hotels in Kalkan, can get pricey. See our Turkey budget guide for specifics.
Can you combine the Turquoise Coast with Cappadocia?
Absolutely. Many travellers fly from Antalya to Kayseri or Nevsehir for Cappadocia. The flight takes about one hour and budget airlines keep prices reasonable.
The Turquoise Coast is Turkey at its most beautiful. Ancient ruins above the waves, hidden beaches around every headland, and that extraordinary colour of the sea that gives this coast its name. Come here once and you will want to come back every year.
Our previous article Aegean Coast Road Trip: Izmir to Fethiye Itinerary in our article titled Adventure, Aegean Coast ve Itinerary provides information about.