Explore the Turquoise Coast. Travel from Marmaris to Alanya

Explore the coast from Marmaris to Alanya

Map Turquoise Coast

The Turquoise Coast (also known as the Turkish Riviera) is an area of southwest Turkey encompassing the provinces of Antalya and Mugla, and to a lesser extent Aydin, southern Izmir and western Mersin. The combination of a favourable climate, warm sea, mountainous scenery, fine beaches along more than a 1,000 km (620 mi) of shoreline along the Mediterranean and Aegean waters, and abundant natural and archaeological points of interest makes this stretch of Turkey's coastline a popular national and international tourist destination.

1. MARMARIS (163 KM; 2 HRS 23 MIN FROM BODRUM)

The Mediterranean resort town, Marmaris has a pebbly beach and long seafront promenade. It’s known for its lively nightlife on Bar Street, which is home to open-air clubs and music venues. Marmaris sits in a valley between pine-forested mountains and clear waters, which are popular sailing and diving destinations.

2. FETHIYE (125 KM; 1 HR 52 MIN)

Fethiye is a port city and district, on the southwestern Turquoise Coast. It's famous for its natural harbour, blue waters and numerous rock tombs including the 4th-century B.C. Tomb of Amyntas, carved into a bluff overlooking the city. Near-shore islands are popular for day trips by boat. In the south, the beach at Ölüdeniz is sheltered by a lagoon, and Butterfly Valley is a designated nature reserve.

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3. OLUDENIZ (17 KM; 30 MIN)

The resort village of Ölüdeniz is renowned for its for the blue lagoon of Ölüdeniz Tabiat Park and the wide, white Belcekiz Beach. Overlooking the village is Babadag mountain from where paragliders take to the skies. The Lycian Way is a long-distance marked footpath starting in Ölüdeniz, and has coastal views. To the south, Butterfly Valley is a nature reserve with a secluded bay.

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4. KAS (97 KM; 2 HRS)

Kas is a seaside town on the Mediterranean coast. The modern town occupies the site of ancient Antiphellos, with still-visible ruins including a theater. The 4th-century-B.C. Lion Tomb, with 2 carved lion heads, is one of many Lycian rock tombs in the area. The town center has whitewashed houses and buildings covered in bougainvillea. The Lycian Way, a marked trail, passes by the town.

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5. ANTALYA (186 KM; 3 HRS)

The Turkish resort city, Antalya, has a yacht-filled Old Harbour and beaches flanked by large hotels. It's a gateway to Turkey's southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters. Remnants remain from Antalya's time as a major Roman port. These include Hadrian’s Gate, built to honor the Roman emperor’s visit in 130 A.D and 2nd-century Hidirlik Tower, with harbor views.

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6. KEMER (44 KM; 50 MIN FROM ANTALYA)

Kemer is a seaside resort and known for its pebble beaches and large marina. The town is backed by the pine forests of Olympos Beydaglari National Park, where cable cars run to the top of Tahtali Mountain. Nearby lie the extensive Greco-Roman ruins of Phaselis and the perpetual gas fires emitted by the mythical Yanartas rock formation.

7. ALANYA (133 KM; 2 HRS)

Alanya is a resort town with wide beaches lined with hotels include Cleopatra Beach, where the Egyptian queen reputedly swam. Alanya Castle, a giant Seljuk-era fort turned open-air museum, stands on a rocky bluff above the beachfront, alongside red tile–roofed Ottoman villas and the octagonal Red Tower, a symbol of the city dating to 1226.