Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside, oh I do like to be beside the sea.
Well, I know I certainly do, and I’m sure I’m not the only one either. There’s just something about being by the coast that helps soothe the soul. Whether it’s the salt in the sea air, the sound of the waves gently lapping at the shore, the gulls singing, or the feel of the sand underfoot, I just love it, and I know many of you do too.
Over here, we have certain seaside traditions such as fish and chips, a stick of rock, and more often than not, grey skies and poor weather, sadly. In other countries with warmer climates however, things are very different.
There are many different countries famous for their beach holidays, yet Turkey is one place that is often overlooked. I intend on changing that, which is why I’ve compiled this list today.
Below you’ll find a list of se7en of the best seaside resorts in Turkey.
Belek
The first offering I have for you today is one which is perfect for those of you who love the great outdoors and who like to keep busy.
Belek, is located less than half an hour away from Antalya airport and features luxury hotels, and a stunning 10-mile long, golden sandy beach.
Belek is perfect for people who are looking for more of an adventure-type holiday as you can explore wild mountains, go rafting, enjoy a jeep safari, or enjoy some water sports such as kayaking or jet skiing.
Furthermore, if you enjoy golf, Belek is a must, as it is Turkey’s premier golfing destination.
Barut Lara
For those of you who are looking for a much more relaxing and subdued holiday in the sunshine, the stunning Barut Lara comes very highly recommended indeed.
The Barut Lara spa and suites resort is luxurious, decadent, extravagant, and wholly relaxing.
Found in a gorgeous setting, the resort itself is maintained to the very highest of specs, with immaculate gardens, beautiful surroundings, and stunning ocean views.
Barut Lara is situated just 6 KM from Antalya Airport and has everything you could want from a holiday in the sun.
Whether you’re enjoying a traditional Turkish bath, a massage, a sauna, sunbathing by the pool, or enjoying a swim, you’ll feel more relaxed here than ever before.
Bodrum
So far, I’ve looked at adventure resorts, and resorts for relaxing and chilling out, but what about those of you who want to do a little of both of those things? Well, don’t worry, I’ve got your back.
Bodrum is my next offering and it has a little of something for everyone.
Bodrum combines ancient with modern and is the perfect example of when old meets new. Here you’ll find chic and modern architecture and monuments, as well as ancient bathhouses which date back many centuries.
There is even an amphitheatre which is still extremely well preserved and is now a venue for live music.
Bodrum even has its own airport so once you touch down you can get to your accommodation in no time at all, and get your holiday started.
Gumbet
Let us not forget, that many of us like to let our hair down once the night falls, and party the night away and forget our troubles, which is why Gumbet is so popular.
Gumbet is very much the party capital of Turkey and is renowned for its fantastic nightlife and care-free attitude to life.
Gumbet is home to a series of night clubs, bars, pubs, cafes, and restaurants and is a party animal’s dream come true.
In fact, it is believed to have more bars per square mile than anywhere else in the country.
Why not enjoy a cheeky cocktail or two on the beachfront as the sun sets, before heading further up the strip to dance the night away?
Calista Luxury Resort
As you can tell from the name, this is not your standard run-of-the-mill beach holiday resort. Oh no. This is an upmarket resort that is perfect for those of you who appreciate a little class and luxury in your lives.
The Calista Luxury Resort is located roughly one hour’s drive away from Antalya airport, but worry not, because it is stocked to the gills full of amenities.
This beach resort is all-inclusive, it features a spa, tennis courts, football (soccer) pitches, and 10 beautiful restaurants offering the finest cuisine the region has to offer.
Lara Beach
Ever wanted to enjoy the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, without actually, you know, going to Vegas?
If so, then Lara Beach is ideal, as many consider this Turkey’s version of Las Vegas.
Situated on the Antalya coast, this beach resort is home to a number of grand hotels, as well as a whole variety of live entertainment options, bars, restaurants, pool bars, water parks, and a whole lot more besides.
Because of its prime location to Antalya itself, you’ll have everything you need right at your doorstep, as the city can be reached in less than 20 minutes in case you do wish to go exploring a little further afield.
Of course, it wouldn’t be compared to Vegas if it wasn’t home to casinos as well, so be sure to try your luck once you’re in and settled.
Patara
And finally, last, but by no means least, I present to you the beach resort of Patara.
If you want to top up your tan, bask in hot sunshine, swim in warm and clear waters, and relax on soft golden white sand, Patara is the place you’ve been missing in your life for so long.
This is about as close to a tropical paradise you can get in Turkey, as it deliberately lacks development in order to preserve it in all of its natural glory.
One of the main reasons for this is that, for over 40-million years, protected Loggerhead turtles have been using the beach, time and time again, to lay their eggs, making it a very historically significant destination.
Patara also proudly hosts Turkey’s longest beach, so you certainly won’t run out of spots to catch some rays and read your books.
I imagine it will be a while until normality returns. Nevertheless, I hope those days are close by so I can say from all my heart: don’t stop wandering!
Until then, it’s probably better if you restricted your wanderings, as I am.
