Best beaches in Turkey

Ölüdeniz Beach is one of the best in Turkey, a long stretch of sand and shingle shore perfect for sunbathing, sea swimming and watersports. It’s great for families and couples thanks to a gradual slope into the calm sea and plenty of activities on offer like kayaking, paddleboarding and banana boats. One of the cool things about this beach is that several companies offer paragliding trips starting and ending here – you’ll be driven up into the hills before gliding down in tandem to land on Ölüdeniz Beach. Not only do you get a fantastic view of the turquoise bay and the famous Blue Lagoon as you sail down, but you’ll also land right next to some great (and affordable) beach bars and restaurants to fuel up post-flight.

Families on holiday in Marmaris should set aside at least a day to spend relaxing on İçmeler Beach. It’s another sand and shingle affair with a shallow entry to the sea and good facilities like loungers, shade and lifeguards. There’s also a lovely promenade for a stroll, and the town behind has plenty of restaurant options if you’re not staying in one of the İçmeler hotels.

Butterfly Valley, near Ölüdeniz, is a romantic spot for nature lovers and a popular place for those seeking an alternative holiday in Turkey, camping or staying in more local accommodation. It’s also a day-trip destination for many boat tours from nearby resorts. Sheltered by two headlands, this rustic beach has brilliant swimming conditions and gorgeous sunset views and is backed by a lush valley, home to countless butterflies.

Couples looking for picture-perfect beach moments should head to the popular Çeşme peninsula for their choice of beaches. The town of Çeşme has a pretty marina encircled by eateries, and as you explore around the peninsula, you’ll find sandy Boyalık and Altınkum beaches, Çark Plajı with its dreamy, shallow waters, and serene Delikli Bay backed by sculptural white cliffs. Adventurous couples will love the long and sandy Patara Beach, accessed through the Lycian ruins. This wide expanse of undulating sand dunes is sometimes a placid, waveless stretch of water for swimming, with excellent sunbathing too. On other days, the breeze whips up the waves, making it more of a romantic walking spot. Either way, it’s never crowded.

Kabak Beach, close to Fethiye, is right on the Lycian Way walking trail and so is mostly frequented by hikers and backpackers looking to cool off. There are no watersports or excessive tourist facilities on this quiet crescent of shingle and sand, so it’s perfect for an uninterrupted swim or snorkel. Turkbuku is the go-to spot for the glitzier crowd holidaying in Bodrum. This bay really is all about the swimming rather than the beach, and the thing to do here is go to one of the beach clubs or hotels and use their swimming platforms.

You get direct access to the glistening water, so it’s perfect if you don’t love sand. There’s also a small public beach that’s favoured by locals. Those seeking something further off the beaten track should make a beeline to Seyrek Çakıl Plajı, close to Kas. This pebble cove stands out for its glistening water (the perfect depth for swimming) and its slightly quieter vibe. It’s a no-frills beach with no hotels or restaurants, just a few cabanas and sunshades to rent, and direct access to the fabulous sea. With limited parking just off the road, it’s the perfect pitstop on a coastal road trip.

The Antalya region of Turkey is easily accessible, with direct flights from several major UK airports (Birmingham, Manchester, Gatwick and Luton). It’s home to some of the best beaches in Turkey, making holidays to Antalya exceptionally popular, especially during the summer months. Lara Beach is one of the closest to the city of Antalya, popular with tourists and locals alike and backed by numerous resorts and hotels. The sunbathing is fantastic, with a gorgeous mountain view, although the sea gets deep almost immediately. Visitors can also enjoy Sand Land, an open-air museum/gallery showcasing impressive giant sand sculptures.

Further east, Side Beach is a tourist favourite, a wide expanse of sand backed by numerous hotels and with great sea swimming. You’ll find plenty of loungers and shade in the hotel sections of the beach, and some have floating platforms and even beach bars in the water. It’s great for a walk too, with a long, paved promenade leading all the way into quaint Side town.