The Turkish Riviera, sometimes called the Turquoise Coast, is on the edge of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. and has long been a favorite beach destination for locals and travelers alike. Mark Antony is said to have picked Turkish Riviera Holidays as the most beautiful wedding gift for his beloved Queen Cleopatra of Egypt.
In addition to the country’s most gorgeous beaches, Turkish Riviera holidays provide a fascinating mixture of history and mythology, delicious cuisine, and outdoor adventures.
INSIDER TIP: We visited the Turkish Riviera on a road trip. It’s easy! This International Driver’s License covers 150 countries! Get it in 8 minutes!
5 Iztuzu Beach
Nicknamed “Turtle Beach,” Iztuzu Beach is one of the most important eco-beaches in Turkey for turtle conservation. The idyllic golden-sand beach is unique in that it is a barrier between the Dalyan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
Even though it is a difficult (auto) climb, it is worth going to Radar Hill to the Dalyan Overlook for a spectacular birds-eye view of the beach. The ascent up the mountain is via a bumpy, windy road that requires a slow drive, preferably with a 4-wheel drive. When you get as far as you can (still not the top, but it becomes unpassable), look for a dirt parking area to leave your car and the rest is on foot, not too far. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the Dalyan Delta and Iztuzu Beach.
4 Blue Lagoon
Founded by hippies in the 1960s, the Blue Lagoon of Ölüdeniz is undoubtedly the most famous photographed beach in Turkey and is listed as one of the most beautiful in the entire world.
Its claim to fame is the peninsula of sand surrounded by the sparkling sea in vibrant shades of blue and green. The best way to view the beach is from above, with nearby Babadag mountain as the perfect launch pad for adventurous paragliders to run off the 6,500-foot cliff and be treated to utterly surreal views.
The beach town in the adjacent village offers cafés, shops, and restaurants.
3 Mermerli Beach
This is the most scenic beach in Antalya! Mermerli Plaji is a bustling beach at the edge of the Kaleici (old town), accessible by rock steps leading down to the gorgeous turquoise beach with a dazzling rocky backdrop and ancient castle walls.
The beach is just across from the Old City Marina, which was the site of the first harbor in Antalya. The Roman harbor sits at the base of Kaleiçi’s (old town) slope and served as Antalya’s commercial center from the 2nd century BC until late in the 20th century. Today, it is still an active marina with fishing boats and yachts alike moored here. On the far side of the bay, visitors can get stunning panoramic views of Antalya Bay and Mermerli Beach by riding to the top floor of the glass elevator.
INSIDER TIP: Click here for the ONLY beach packing list you’ll ever need!
2 Cleopatra Beach
Cleopatra (sometimes called Kleopatra) Beach is the most famous beach on the Turquoise Riviera, named after the world-famous Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, who was so charmed by the beauty of the beach that she used to stop by during her voyages in the Mediterranean to swim in its waters.
Resting under the shadow of towering Alanya Castle, Cleopatra Beach has crystal-clear turquoise water, soft golden sand, and towering cliffs.
Go to the north end of the wide beach for great views of the castle and the soaring Taurus Mountains.
Occo Beach Club is set on Cleopatra Beach and was our favorite place to view the vibrant sunset over the lovely waters. They also had the best pizza in Turkey!
We loved this spot so much that we went back twice, for the sunset and the pizza – something we rarely do.
You may be interested in Best Alanya Beach & Activities
1 Kaputas Beach
Arguably, the most beautiful beach for Turkish Riviera holidays is Kaputas Beach, just off the coastal road between Kas and Kalkan. Stunning Kaputas Beach offers stunning golden sand and crystal clear turquoise water surrounded by high cliffs in the Kaputas Canyon. It is a bit difficult to get to.
The first view of the magnificent beach will take your breath away. Driving on the road high above the coast, the sight will almost make you drive off the cliff. But the euphoria is soon replaced with dismay as you realize you’ll have to park a couple of miles away, next to the cliffside, and walk along a dangerous, narrow, winding mountain pass because the beach has no parking. We were about to give up when on our second pass a car literally right across from the entrance backed out to leave. We quickly zoomed into the vacant spot!
More adventure awaits, as you can only get onto the beach by a series of 187 stone steps leading down to the sand. Not too bad going down, but climbing back up under the scorching sun was a killer. It was worth it, though, because this is the most beautiful beach in all of Turkiye, at least in my experience.
Photos by Kary Kern.
Click below to PIN so you can find Turkish Riviera holidays and beaches again:
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer.
About the Author
Patti Morrow
is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
Leave a reply