South-West Coast Beach Hop
12 nights from £1735PP
The South-West of Turkey’s glorious coastline is blessed with some of the best beaches in the country. Its unsurprising that this fabulous stretch is nicknamed the ‘Turquoise Coast’.
Our itinerary on the mountainous Bozburun Peninsula in Selimiye, once a boat-building village, is now a lovely town with a promenade dotted with fabulous fish restaurants, and of course, a rather inviting beach.
After a few nights, head south to the most famous beach, Ölüdeniz with its spectacular natural lagoon. This is a popular area which gets busy, but just a mile away is a gorgeous, tranquil retreat which will be your base for the next few nights.
Your last stop is Kalkan, a harbour town renowned for its excellent restaurants. It also happens to be one of the prettiest towns on Turkey’s coast. The town beach may be small, there are plenty of beach clubs and a short drive away is Patara. This is a magnificent beach, complete with ancient ruins waiting to be explored.
We are more than happy to tailor the our coastal beach tour of Turkey to suit your requirements. Below is a sample itinerary, simply contact our Turkey specialists for more details:
Day 1 - Welcome to Turkey
Upon arrival at Dalaman Airport, collect your car and head north to Selimiye, which is a 2 hour drive away.
Arrive at the family-run Badem Tatil Evi, and relax for the remainder of the day before an evening meal either at the hotel or in Selimiye village which is just a short stroll downhill.
Accommodation
Day 2 - Beach Time!
After a hearty breakfast, take the complimentary water taxi to the hotel’s small, private beach which is nearby. There are sun loungers, umbrellas and cold drinks and snacks are available from the boat. While away a few hours, floating around in the clear waters, or explore the surrounding coastline by canoe, also available at the beach.
Day 3 - Ancient Knidos, and the Datça Peninsula
After breakfast, Ayhan, a professional guide, will meet you and whisk you off to the neighbouring Datça Peninsula where you will find the ancient remains of Knidos which dates back to 400 BC. Knidos is idyllically located at the tip of the peninsula with breath-taking views over 2 of the prettiest bays in the area. After a quick swim, he will take you for a stroll along modern Datça’s promenade, before visiting Eski Datça, the picturesque old town which has remained unchanged for many years.
Day 4 - Explore Selimiye Village and Surrounds
Your final day on the peninsula, so either grab the car keys and head to Orhaniye or to one of the many other pretty beaches in the area, or simply chill by the pool at the hotel, or perhaps down at Selimiye’s beach.
Day 5 - Selimiye to Ölüdeniz
Enjoy your last delicious breakfast in Selimiye, before embarking on your journey south to Ölüdeniz, approx. 3 hours away. At the far end of the beach, nestled on the hillside is the charming Beyaz Yunus, meaning white dolphin in Turkish, which will be your home for the next 4 nights.
Accommodation
Day 6 - Ölüdeniz
Due to its turquoise, protected lagoon, this is the most spectacular beach in Turkey. It does get busy so we recommend strolling up early in the morning, then relaxing at the other end of the beach which is quieter (although still popular in high season!). Despite its popularity, the beach is undeniably magnificent and its certainly a spectacle to witness the paragliders descending down from Mount Baba Dağ.
Day 7 - Butterfly Valley
Hop on one of the many boats from Ölüdeniz and cruise around the coast to Kelebek Vadisi – Butterfly Valley. This beautiful beach is tucked away and not accessible by road. It is home to around 100 species of butterfly and feels a world away from bustling Ölüdeniz.
Day 8 - Kayaköy and Fethiye
Discover the old stone houses in the eerie, abandoned Greek village of Kaya, which was left unoccupied after the population exchange after the Turkish War of Independence in 1923. Then head over to Fethiye for a stroll along the harbour, and perhaps a meal in the atmospheric fish market.
Day 9 - Ölüdeniz to Kalkan
Just over an hour’s drive you will arrive in Kalkan, a unique, upmarket harbour town. Despite its growth over the years, there are still a handful of villas and hotels in the old town, including the boutique Pier House Hotel, your home for the remainder of your stay.
Accommodation
Day 10 - Private Gulet Cruise
This full day on board a traditional wooden gulet will cruise gently around the coastline and take in some breath-taking scenery, stopping so you can enjoy a swim or snorkel around unspoilt coves and crystalline waters. Once you have worked up an appetite, you will be spoiled with a superb feast prepared by the on board chef before returning to the harbour late afternoon.
Day 11 - Visit Kaputas Bay and Kas
A short drive away along the coastal road will take you to the bay at Kaputaş, either stop for a refreshing swim, but bear in mind there are nearly 100 steps to access the beach, so you may decide to just stop for a photo of this breath-taking view! Head on to the old fishing town of Kaş with its pretty palm-lined promenade and plenty of excellent places to stop for a bite to eat after a little shopping in the boutiques.
Day 12 - And Relax!
Your final day! Chill by the pool, and simply enjoy Kalkan. If you are not yet totally beached out, then jump in the car and spend the morning at Patara. Flanked by sand dunes, this 18km stretch of beach is Turkey’s longest. Due to its size, there is plenty of space for everyone – there’s also ancient ruins worth visiting while you’re here too.