Turkish Riviera

Map depicting the Turkish Riviera in blue, highlighting, from east to west, the major settlements of Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Fethiye, Marmaris, Bodrum, Kuşadası, and Çeşme

Beaches of Marmaris

Beach and marina in Kemer

The Turkish Riviera (also known popularly as the Turquoise Coast) is an area of southwest Turkey encompassing the provinces of Antalya and Muğla, and to a lesser extent Aydın, southern İzmir and western Mersin. The combination of a favorable climate, warm sea, mountainous scenery, fine beaches along more than a thousand kilometers of shoreline along the Aegean and Mediterranean waters, and abundant natural and archaeological points of interest makes this stretch of Turkey's coastline a popular national and international tourist destination.

Among the archaeological points of interest are two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The ruins of the Mausoleum of Maussollos in Halicarnassus; and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.^[1]

The Turkish Riviera is also the home of the internationally-known Blue Voyage (aka Carian Cruise), which allows participants to enjoy a week-long trip aboard the iconic local gulet schooners to ancient cities, harbors, tombs, mausolea, and intimate beaches in the numerous small coves, lush forests, and tranquil streams that lace the Turquoise Coast.

The coastline is further regarded as a cultural trove that provides a fascinating mixture of factual and mythological individuals, conflicts and events, and has frequently been referred to in the folklore of various cultures throughout history. As such, it is regarded as the home of scholars, saints, warriors, kings, and heroes, as well as the site of numerous well-known myths. Mark Antony of the Roman Empire is said to have picked the Turkish Riviera as the most beautiful wedding gift for his beloved Cleopatra of Egypt.^[2] St. Nicholas, who later became the basis of the Santa Claus legend, was born in Patara, a small town close to present-day Demre.^[3] Herodotus, regarded as the "father of History", was born in Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) in c. 484 BC.^[4] The volcanic mountains to the west of Antalya, near Dalyan, are believed to have been the inspiration for the mythical Chimera — the fire-breathing monster that Bellerophon slew.^[2]

Communities and settlements

Many cities, towns and villages in the area are internationally-known, such as Alanya, Antalya, Bodrum, Çeşme, Fethiye, Kalkan, Kaş, Kemer, Kuşadası, Marmaris, and Side.

Places on the Turkish Riviera include:

Image gallery

Panoramic view of Alanya, inhabited since the Hittites and the medieval homeport of the Seljuk naval forces, famous today for its natural beauty and historic monuments.

Paradise Bay in Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, the city of Herodotus and the home of the Mausoleum of Maussollos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Castle of Bodrum
View of the Dalaman coast
Moonlight Beach in Kemer
Ancient sites of Kaleköy
The historic marina of Antalya
Yivli Minaret Mosque in Antalya
Manavgat waterfall
Alanya city centre and harbour
Tip of the Alanya peninsula
Seljuk era shipyards along the coast of Alanya
Lycian tombs in Fethiye
Katrancı Bay near Fethiye
View of Ölüdeniz Beach near Fethiye
View of Kekova
Lycian tombs in Simena
Ancient ruins in Patara
The ruins of the Temple of Apollo, near Side
Exterior walls of the ancient theatre in Side
View of İçmeler Beach
Roman theatre in Demre, where St. Nicholas lived
Çeşme, near İzmir
Historic houses of Çeşme
Port of Foça, home of the Mediterranean monk seal
Mt. Olympos (Mt. Tahtalı) was the namesake of the town of Olympos in Lycia
Olympos Beach
Cape Gelidonya near Finike is the site of the wreck of a Phoenician merchant ship from about 1200 BC
Marina of Finike
A street in Kaş with traditional houses and a Lycian tomb in the background
Gulet type schooners near Bodrum
Marmaris center
Harbour of Kalkan
A view of Kuşadası
Traditional two-masted gulet schooner visiting a cove in Gökova