The Turkish Riviera is the stunning southwest coastline of Turkey, consisting of pine trees and mountains that meet the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Sharing the same warm crystal clear water as the nearby Greek Islands, it’s also called the ‘Turquoise Coast’ for a reason!
In this blog, we will share with you the perfect Turkish Riviera itinerary. We stayed in 3 different areas (at some of the most incredible Turquoise Coast hotels) to enjoy the beauty of this region during a one week trip.
This was our second time returning to Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, having visited in a previous Turkey trip where we also visited Istanbul, Cappadocia and Pamukkale.
If you are looking for a beach holiday with stunning blue waters, reasonable prices, and Turkish culture and cuisine then this part of Turkey is for you!
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What is the Turkish Riviera?
The Turkish Riviera is the coastline between Cesme and Alanya, along the southwestern corner of Turkey. It is bounded by both the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea making it well-known for some of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. It includes more than 1,000km of coastline, making it perfect for a beach vacation in Turkey.
How to Get to the Turquoise Coast of Turkey
Depending on where you plan to start and finish your trip to the Riviera, you’ll have multiple airport options to arrive and depart.
Some options include Izmir, Bodrum and Dalaman airports, and all of them offer international options. There’s actually a great number of airports here, all servicing many of the major European hubs.
Turkey is also a great country for a road trip. You can fly into Istanbul, hire a car, and visit more of Turkey than just the Turquoise Coast this way.
If you are visiting Turkey on a larger trip to visit some of the hero travel spots (e.g. Cappadocia and Istanbul), then you should consider adding the Turkish Riviera to your itinerary. It’s a great addition to experience the slower pace on the sea after the highly stimulating travel that comes with Turkey’s other amazing hotspots.
Another way to travel the Riviera is to set aside a week or two for a completely relaxing luxury beach holiday. The best time to visit is in the summer months, but that is high season in Europe. Even in the best months of July and August when the rest of Europe is very busy, you can find amazing hotels that don’t feel anywhere near as packed with tourists.
You can lounge in the sun and swim in the same sea at a fraction of the price you’d pay at other equivalent luxury hotels on the Mediterranean Sea.
Note that there are some very busy places along the Riviera, such as downtown Bodrum, but in this blog, I’ll be sharing some more intimate spots along the coast.
How to Get Around the Turkish Riviera
If you plan on visiting multiple places along the coast (especially if planning some day trips from your hotel), then a rental car might be the best way for you to get around.
However, if your trip is centered around luxury hotels and you only need a transfer between resorts, then you may not need a car. Instead, opt to arrange transfers through your hotels.
Driving is easy and the hotel transfers are great, so it really depends on whether you need a car for where you want to go and crunching the numbers on car hire versus arranging transfers.
One Week Turkish Riviera Itinerary
Here are some options to include in your Turquoise Coast itinerary.
Day 1-4: Six Senses Kaplankaya
Arrive into Bodrum from your international flight and head straight to Six Senses Kaplankaya. For the next four nights, you’ll indulge in this exclusive beachfront property with amazing food, quality service, and Asia’s largest spa!
The Six Senses resort is completely secluded and around a 1-hour drive from Bodrum airport. It’s totally remote and has no neighbouring resorts or any major towns nearby. This makes it one of the best places to escape to enjoy the sun and the sea.
To enhance the seclusion even further, there are four separate beaches on the property found in four different coves. Some can be reached right below the hotel, and others are accessed via a 5-minute shuttle service. Depending on your mood, you can choose a beach that fits your vibe! It’s a unique option to have so many beaches to choose from at one resort.
Some of our highlights here were trying the Mezze tasting plates at the sunset alfresco restaurant and enjoying the spa. This became a daily ritual, with the massive 1,000 sqm spa boasting hammers, hydrotherapy pools, a salt room, saunas, and two levels of treatment rooms.
You’ll need a few solid days here to really relax into the energy of the place and completely unwind. There are multiple restaurants to try, and you’ll need plenty of time for the beach too!
And did I mention the aesthetic? Designed to blend with the rocky coastline and pine and cyprus trees, everything is made from natural timber and stone. As the sun turns everything to a burnt orange at sunset, the hotel design looks even more impressive. You won’t want to miss a sunset here!
Optional: You might want to venture into Bodrum to check out the rich history at some of the archeological sites and ancient ruins or to experience the bar and restaurant scene and visit the local shops. Six Senses offered boat shuttle services, but you could easily add some time in Bodrum before or after your Six Senses stay. Bodrum is quite touristy and busy, so expect more of a party scene!
Looking for a boat tour or private tour of Bodrum? Consider one of these options:
Day 5-7: Yazz Collective Fethiye
Further down the coast, near the small but bustling town of Fethiye, is a hidden gem. Only accessible by boat and located in a tiny little cove is the ultra boutique Yazz Collective hotel. This is another place you won’t need to leave once you step ashore and was the next stop on our Turquoise Coast itinerary.
The sea around Fethiye is such a bold and deep blue. It’s a stunning sight against the dark greens of the pine trees and not your ‘typical’ Mediterranean coastline. Inside the tiny cove that houses Yazz Collective, the tiny pebble beach is very calm and has crystal-clear water with emerald tones. It’s the perfect place for swimming and lounging on your private loungers.
Originally built to cater to the superyachts, this property was just a beach and restaurant. In 2023, they added 16 guest houses making it both newer and secluded.
I’d recommend at least two to three nights here for some downtime with nature and some delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
Optional: Nearby to Fethiye is the very famous beach of Olüdeniz. This is one of the best beaches and absolutely stunning, though when the sun is high and the water colour is looking its best, it is very crowded. If you are up for a challenge, consider hiking part of the Lycian Way while you are in Fethiye. You can hike to the ancient city of Kayaköy for a day trip.
Don’t have time to make it to Pamukkale on your own? Looking for day trips you can take from Fethiye? Consider these options:
Day 6-8: Kalkan
For the last stop along the Turkish Coast, we stayed for 3 nights in the town of Kalkan. We have visited twice before and stayed in different seafront hotels on the road Iskele Sk that takes you slightly out of the bustle of the main town.
The sea here is an impressive deep blue, and the massive bay is surrounded by crazy mountains and rock faces that host the hotels of Kalkan. It’s like a massive amphitheater for taking in views of the sea.
Wander the town here in the evening for a balmy evening vibe. And make sure to check out the insane Kaputaş Beach nearby. This place is special. Sheer cliffs meet a yellow sand beach and turquoise water.
It’s also very popular but one of those places that is worth the hype. Get there early to get a parking spot along the road then take the stairs down the cliffside to reach the sea. There are stunning views from every angle!
If you want to explore more of the area around Kalkan, here are some highly rated boat trips and tours to check out:
The Turkish Turquoise Coast deserves a spot on your travel bucket list if you love relaxing on beaches, slower vacations, and to get the natural beauty of the Mediterranean coast without the crowds of some of the bigger European hotspots. It’s one of those places I can see myself going back to again and again.
This 8 day itinerary can also be condensed to a one week itinerary or lengthened as a part of a longer Turkey itinerary.
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