Turkish Resorts: Where to go, which beaches to choose

Turkey is good at any time of the year. Besides swimming and sunbathing in summer, people come here for its rich history in other seasons too. If you are still interested in a beach holiday, the season at Turkish resorts is from May to October: millions of tourists visit the country during this time. 

We tell you where it's best to relax in Turkey and which coastal town to choose.

Alanya

One of the relatively budget-friendly family resorts. Alanya is a quite familiar destination for Russian tourists, so here you will, one way or another, find yourself in the company of compatriots and locals who understand Russian. 

Alanya is the southernmost city in the country, so the weather here is mostly good, and the water warms up earlier than anywhere else. People come to Alanya for a comfortable and peaceful holiday: to dive into the sea, lie on the beach, and enjoy evening shows by the pool at all-inclusive resorts.

Antalya

No less popular among Russian tourists than Alanya, but slightly more expensive and less provincial. Flights to Antalya are usually direct, so getting to the city won't be much trouble.

Here you'll find azure sea, clean sandy beaches, and welcoming Turks accustomed to crowds of guests. The peak of tourism occurs in July-August. If you've chosen Antalya but are looking for a slightly more peaceful and secluded holiday, it's better to travel here in other months.

Belek

Belek is a higher-status resort, less traditional for tourists from Russia. Here you'll find plenty of five-star hotels and luxury restaurants, and golf is a popular pastime. There are few excursions in the area; the main activity is usually within the hotel grounds, which typically have all the necessary infrastructure. 

Belek is more about sophisticated holidays with an old-money vibe than a generous family 'all-inclusive' – consider which vibe suits you better before planning your trip.

Bodrum

If you ask a nightlife enthusiast, what to visit in Turkey, they will undoubtedly answer: 'Bodrum.' It's like the local Ibiza: young people from all over the world flock to Bodrum to party in clubs and rave on open-air beaches. The resort is located on the Aegean Sea coast, which is slightly cooler than the Mediterranean, so yes – if not swimming, then definitely dancing!

Actually, it's cool here during the day too. We recommend seeing in Bodrum:

• Maritime Museum — here you'll find a small collection about boats on two floors and an impressive collection of 6,000 mollusk shells;
• Myndos Gate — remnants of a gate that was once part of a seven-kilometer defensive wall;
• Aganlar Tersanesi marine pier — a location with lots of yachts. For aesthetic photos — come here! From here, you can also take a boat trip to lagoons and islands;
• Bardakçı Bay — another aesthetic place worth staying to simply soak in the beauty;
• Old Town — an area where the spirit of those times and the atmosphere of a small fishing village, which Bodrum once was, still prevail.

Dalaman

Get tickets on Kupi.com Moscow — Dalaman if you want something new: this is still a young and therefore little-known Turkish resort near Marmaris and Fethiye. It's worth coming here to find peace and solitude. Dalaman has incredibly beautiful nature — the area has not yet been built up with hotels, so forests and peaks remain untouched here.

However, there are no beaches right here — you'll have to go to the surrounding areas. But the resort itself has mud pools and sulfur-rich thermal springs — head to Dalaman for a Turkish spa experience. Rafting enthusiasts will also appreciate the resort: rafting trips down the mountain river are often organized in the vicinity. 

Kemer

This is the base. Kemer is a town located near Antalya, one of the most popular resorts among Russians. Turkey's sandy beaches here give way to pebbles, but five-star hotels specifically bring sand to the shore for tourist comfort. Among the cool things in Kemer is well-developed diving: if you decide to dive, you'll see not only underwater nature but also the remains of sunken ships. There's also a quite rich entertainment program: a carnival and an arts festival are held in summer.

Kuşadası

If you ask where to relax in Turkey, you're unlikely to hear 'Kuşadası' — an unusual name that few people truly know. But this town on the Aegean Sea coast is actually a major port often visited by cruise liners. Despite this resort being little-known to tourists, the beaches here are sandy and equipped with everything necessary. Besides swimming, you can go to the Adaland water park or try diving. 

The symbol of the city is a dove, so don't be surprised to see images of this bird or feeders set up in the shade of exotic plants on the street.

Marmaris

Bodrum's competitor for the title of Turkey's main party spot. Here, the nightlife is no less vibrant, so Marmaris is not suitable for quiet family trips, but it's perfect for a getaway with friends. During the day, you can chill on the sand and swim; in the evening, stroll and have fun on the promenade; and at night, head to a club. Life in Marmaris buzzes on Bar Street — a street of bars where all party lovers gather. The street never sleeps: establishments already operate until 5:00 AM, plus each sets its own operating hours.

Ölüdeniz

Turkey's beaches with the most beautiful views of the azure sea are here. It is believed that in the village of Ölüdeniz, at the junction of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, there is the cleanest water and the most picturesque places. 

Among the interesting sights here are the ghost village of Kayaköy and the Lycian Way, which runs along the Turkish Mediterranean coast. Not only locals but also Europeans — especially Germans and English — flock to the local happenings. There are very few Russians here, as well as organized tours to Ölüdeniz: many find it much easier to go to the familiar Antalya or Alanya, where everything is planned for you.

Side

Side is three in one: a working commercial port, a classic Turkish resort, and a city with a rich history. It's pleasant for both adults and children to relax here: the beaches are clean, the entry into the water is shallow, and there's plenty of leisure to choose from after swimming. For example, you can visit the ancient city-museum in the heart of the resort or see artifacts in the port — from there, by the way, boat trips are offered, and you can be taken to beaches inaccessible from land.

Fethiye

One of Turkey's most beautiful resorts on the Mediterranean Sea. Fethiye is located in a small bay surrounded by coniferous forests. Very close by are not only the magnificent Patara and Kaputaş beaches but also cool historical sites. What to see in Fethiye: Lycian tombs, the ruins of an ancient castle and an ancient theater, the Cezayirli Hasan Pasha Mosque.

Sinop

The resort (surprisingly) is located on the Black Sea coast. If going to Sochi is no longer as appealing, head to see our familiar sea from the Turkish shore. The infrastructure here is not as developed as on other Turkish coasts: there are few budget hotels and cafes in the city, and residents are not as accustomed to travelers. But that's even better — Sinop is authentic and without attempts to profit from tourists. There's also something to see besides the golden beaches: a medieval prison or an ancient clock tower, for example.

Çeşme

Çeşme is a city with luxury vibes, white sandy beaches, and lush palm trees. It's a favorite resort of the Turkish elite on the Aegean Sea. In Çeşme, there are springs with healing waters, a magnificent promenade with benches and walking paths, cafes and boutiques, and nearby attractions like a 14th-century medieval fortress and a museum with a collection of weapons and household items.

Best time to visit

You can vacation in Turkey from late April to October. The hottest and most popular months among tourists are July and August: the water sometimes warms up to +30 degrees Celsius. If your goal is specifically a beach holiday, it's best to choose this period, but also be prepared for crowds, queues, noise, and higher prices.

In April-June and September-October, you can also swim, but not with the same comfort — the sea can be, to put it mildly, cool. However, there's no scorching heat, which is ideal for excursions and other activities. Even if you go to Turkey in months when it's better not to get into the water, there's still plenty to do in the country. For example, you can visit the thermal springs of Pamukkale — the best time for this is late spring or autumn, admire hot air balloons in Cappadocia (they fly all year round), or go shopping in Istanbul.

How to choose a hotel

The choice of hotel depends on your preferences: you can focus on Turkey's best beaches and choose a nearby hotel, or look at nearby attractions or the hotel's own standard.

We advise you to pay attention to these criteria:

• which beach is better for you — pebble or sand;
• are you going for an active, eventful holiday or rather for peace and tranquility;
• are you bringing children or traveling with adults (not all hotels will have a children's area with animators);
• what's on site (pools, shops, cafes);
• what the catering will be like, what's included in the accommodation price.

Remember that each Turkish resort has its own vibe: don't expect a wide selection of family-friendly budget hotels in Bodrum, but also don't hope for a bustling nightlife when checking into a guesthouse in Alanya.

How to buy cheap tickets on Kupi.com

When choosing where to go abroad for a holiday, Russians often choose Turkey partly for its affordable flights. Many airlines fly to the country, and there are even direct flights.

To snag tickets at the best price, search across all airlines two to three months before your trip. During high season, prices noticeably soar. In low season, carriers often have sales, especially for Istanbul and Antalya routes. But sometimes cheap tickets can also be found for other cities — Bodrum, Izmir, Alanya.

To avoid hassle with unfamiliar cities, choose a layover in Istanbul — from there, you can reach any point in Turkey with local low-cost carriers. In Russia, the cheapest flights are from Sochi and other southern Caucasian airports: Mineralnye Vody, Vladikavkaz, Makhachkala.

Excursions

Great unique excursions can be found on social media — local guides, including Russian-speaking ones, often promote their services online. They will gather you into a small group, conduct the excursion at a comfortable pace, tell you everything, and show you hidden, undiscovered places away from tourist eyes. 

However, the most 'stuffy' excursions are sold at hotels: they are expensive, and they take you to the most popular, touristy spots that you can read about in any guidebook. Most likely, the group will be large — someone will want to look at the location longer, someone to rest, someone to eat.

If possible, rent a car and go exploring the sights yourself. A bonus is the breathtaking views of the Turkish coast. This especially saves money if there are many of you: paying for a car turns out to be more cost-effective than a spot on an excursion for each person.

Now you know where to go to ensure a perfect match between you and Turkey. We wish you a pleasant holiday!