Top 10 Beaches in Turkey
Turkey has coastlines on four seas: the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean. The beach destination coast is the Aegean and Mediterranean — specifically the Turquoise Coast (Türkiye'nin Mavi Yolculuğu) from Bodrum south to Antalya, passing through Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas, and Kalkan. The combination of limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and a warm dry Mediterranean climate from May through October makes this one of the world's most scenic coastal roads.
Turkey's beaches range from the broad sandy strips of Antalya and Alanya (international resort coast) to the remote limestone cove beaches of the Lycian Way accessible only on foot or by boat.
1. Ölüdeniz Lagoon, Mugla
Ölüdeniz (Dead Sea) is a protected lagoon at the end of a long sandy beach strip near Fethiye. The lagoon — perfectly sheltered from the Mediterranean — has almost no wave action and a water colour that varies from deep blue at the entrance to pale turquoise inside. The beach access to the lagoon inner section is managed as a national park with an entry fee. The surrounding mountains and the paragliding from Babadag above the beach make Ölüdeniz one of the most photographed locations on the Turkish coast.
2. Kaputaş Beach, Antalya Province
Kaputas is a small beach at the bottom of a canyon — a narrow gorge carved into the limestone cliffs between Kalkan and Kas, with 187 steps descending from the road to the beach. The colour of the water at Kaputas, enclosed by the canyon walls, is a vivid turquoise produced by the limestone floor. The beach is fine gravel and sand; the canyon provides shade in the mornings. It becomes crowded in peak summer; arrive before 9am or after 4pm.
3. Iztuzu Beach, Mugla
Iztuzu is a 4.5-kilometre sand spit at the mouth of the Dalyan River, between the river and the Mediterranean. It is one of the most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches in Turkey — Caretta caretta turtles nest here from May through September, and the beach management (no umbrellas and no access after 8pm in the nesting zone) reflects this. The beach is accessible by boat up the Dalyan River from Dalyan town. The Lycian rock tombs visible on the cliff face above the river delta are an additional attraction.
4. Patara Beach, Antalya Province
Patara is the longest beach in Turkey — 18 kilometres of uninterrupted sand — protected as a national park (it fronts the ancient city of Patara). The protection from development means the beach retains a wild, uncrowded character unusual for the Turkish coast. Loggerhead turtles also nest on Patara. The dunes behind the beach are the largest in Turkey. Access from Gelemiş village.
5. Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi), Mugla
Butterfly Valley is a beach at the bottom of a river gorge accessible only by boat from Oludeniz or by a rope down a cliff face (not recommended without climbing experience). The valley is named for the Jersey Tiger moth that lives here. The beach has basic accommodation in timber platforms. The enclosed valley character and the waterfall feeding the beach create an unusual environment.
6. Bodrum Beaches, Mugla
Bodrum has multiple beaches in the bays around the peninsula: Gündoğan, Göltürkbükü, Türkbükü, and Yalıkavak are the most upmarket; Bitez and Ortakent are more accessible. The Bodrum Peninsula is the Turkish equivalent of Saint-Tropez — high-end yachting culture, full beach club infrastructure, and a concentration of Turkish and international wealth in summer. The beaches are varied; the cultural context is consistent.
7. Kleopatra Beach (Alanya), Antalya Province
Cleopatra Beach at Alanya is named for a legendary visit by the Egyptian queen. The beach faces west below the Alanya castle promontory — the combination of the ruined castle high above the beach on its cliff and the warm Mediterranean water below creates a distinctive backdrop. The beach has consistent sand and the resort infrastructure of Alanya behind it.
8. Konyaaltı Beach, Antalya
Konyaaltı is the main city beach of Antalya — a long pebble beach with the Taurus Mountains visible behind the city. The beach is well-organised, has Blue Flag certification, and the water clarity is good despite proximity to the port. Antalya city centre and the historic Kaleiçi (old city) are within walking distance.
9. Çıralı Beach, Antalya Province
Çıralı is a 3-kilometre beach below a pine forest with the Chimaera (Yanartaş) rock fires — a geological phenomenon where natural methane gas has been burning for thousands of years — accessible by a 40-minute walk up the hillside behind the beach. The beach is shaded by the pine forest and backs onto the ancient Lycian city of Olympos. The accommodation is in tree-house and bungalow operations within the forest.
10. Alaçatı, Çeşme, Izmir Province
Alaçatı Beach at Ilica, near the Alaçatı windmill town west of Izmir, is Turkey's premier kitesurfing and windsurfing destination. The Alaçatı Bay produces consistent Aegean northerly winds and flat lagoon water. The town of Alaçatı itself — restored stone houses, boutique hotels, a food scene — makes the beach area more than just a sport destination.
Planning the Turquoise Coast
The Turkish Riviera season runs from May through October. June and September are optimal months for most beach destinations: the Mediterranean sea temperature is 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, the tourist density is below the July and August peak, and accommodation prices are lower. July and August bring extreme heat (35 to 40 degrees Celsius inland), very high visitor volume on the popular beaches, and significantly higher accommodation prices in both directions.
The Lycian Way, a 540-kilometre hiking trail along the Turquoise Coast from Fethiye to Antalya, passes through the most dramatic section of the Turkish coast. Sections of the trail are walkable as day hikes from nearby beach bases; the full trail takes 25 to 30 days. Spring (April through May) is the recommended walking season — the wildflowers on the limestone karst are exceptional and the heat is manageable.
Boat trips are the standard way to access the more remote beaches and sea caves of the Turquoise Coast. Blue Voyage (Mavi Yolculuk) gulet charter cruises from Bodrum, Marmaris, Göcek, or Fethiye are week-long trips on traditional wooden sailing boats that access coves and beaches not reachable by road. The quality of the boat, the crew, and the itinerary varies enormously — booking through a reputable charter agent rather than the cheapest option makes a significant difference.
Water quality at Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean beaches is generally good to excellent; the Blue Flag certification rate in Turkey is among the highest globally, reflecting both good water quality monitoring and infrastructure investment.
Explore on the map
Open the map to find Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean beaches by province, from the Bodrum Peninsula to Antalya.