The places, most named first
From the 7 guides that rank for "best beaches in turkey"
Named by 5 of 71. Butterfly ValleyA gorge beach reached only by boat or a hiking trail, with waterfalls and eco-camps.Boats run in the morning and return in the late afternoon, so check the last sailing.
Named by 4 of 72. Oludeniz and the Blue LagoonA curve of white sand around a blue lagoon near Fethiye; paragliders land on the beach from Babadag.The main shore is pebble rather than sand, is Blue Flag certified and is busiest from June to September.
Named by 4 of 73. Patara BeachTurkey's longest beach, 18 km of white sand and dunes, beside ancient Lycian ruins.A protected loggerhead nesting site, so no hotels are allowed on the sand and there is almost no shade.
Named by 4 of 74. Kaputas BeachA small cove in a gorge, reached by steps down from the coast road; the guides count 170 or 187 steps.The sea shelves steeply within a few metres, so it suits confident swimmers more than small children.
Named by 2 of 75. Iztuzu BeachA 4.5 km sandbar and loggerhead nesting site, closed to visitors at night from May to October.Most visitors arrive by river boat from Dalyan.
Named by 2 of 76. Konyaalti BeachAntalya's western beach, sand and grey shingle under the Taurus Mountains, with a promenade and city transport.More laid-back than Lara and popular with locals.
Named by 2 of 77. Lara BeachA sandy strip east of central Antalya lined with large all-inclusive resorts and beach clubs.Described as the glitzier of Antalya's two main beaches.
Named by 2 of 78. Cleopatra Island (Sedir Island)A short boat trip from Akyaka or Camli in the Gulf of Gokova, with a shell beach and ruins of Kedrai.Legend says Cleopatra swam here and the sand was brought from Africa.
Named by 2 of 79. Bitez BeachA calm, shallow bay west of Bodrum town and a firm family favourite.Bodrum's windsurfing base, with boards and lessons through the season.
Named by 2 of 710. KasA laid-back seaside town with some of the best beaches in Turkey, not overrun with tourists.Has beach club platforms on the water.
Named by 2 of 711. CesmeA sand beach with clear shallow water on an Aegean peninsula, 85 km west of Izmir.Breezier and cooler than the Mediterranean coast, with a season closer to June to September.
12. Kleopatra BeachSoft sand next to Alanya's castle, in the warmest sea on the Turkish coast.Has the longest swimming season of the beaches in this guide, still swimmable in October.
13. Olympos BeachA two-kilometre beach reached only through the Olympos ruins, with turtle nesting in summer.
14. Marmaris BeachNear the city centre, with water sports and a palm-lined boulevard.
15. Phaselis BayBlue Mediterranean water beside the ruins of an ancient Greek and Roman city.
16. IcmelerA Blue Flag beach about 8 km southwest of Marmaris, in a sheltered bay.
17. Gocek and the Twelve IslandsQuiet pine-fringed coves reached by chartered gulet, without loud beach clubs.
18. Hamsilos BeachSand and green forest at Turkey's northernmost point, on the Black Sea.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name April to May and September to October as the best time to visit Turkey.
Questions people ask
- Which part of Turkey has the best beaches?
- The sources point mostly to the southwest Mediterranean and Aegean coast around Fethiye, Kas, Antalya and Bodrum. The Black Sea is less known for sandy beaches.
