The Turquoise Coast An independent guide to the Turkish Riviera

The Turkish Riviera, honestly

An independent guide to Antalya and the Turquoise Coast — the old town and the resort towns, the Roman theatres and the pine-backed bays, the famous beaches and the long transfers to reach them. Walked and checked on the ground, with nothing sponsored.

Antalya

Three guides
Hadrian's Gate and the Ottoman old town of Kaleiçi in Antalya Antalya Antalya and the old town of Kaleiçi Hadrian's Gate, the Roman harbour and the fluted minaret — and why the city is more than a transfer stop. The road and terminal at Antalya Airport on the Turkish coast Antalya · Practical Antalya Airport and the run down the coast AYT to the city and the resorts: the tram, the shuttles, taxis and the long transfers to Side, Kemer and beyond. Konyaaltı beach below the Beydağları mountains in Antalya Antalya · Beaches Konyaaltı, Lara and the city beaches Pebbles under the mountains or sand by the hotels — Antalya's two very different beaches.

The coast towns

Four guides
The seafront Temple of Apollo at Side on the Turkish coast Coast towns Side: the temple, the theatre and the sand A Greco-Roman town wrapped around a resort, and the seafront Temple of Apollo at dusk. Mountains meeting the sea on the pine-backed coast near Kemer Coast towns Kemer and the pine-backed coast Mountains straight into the sea, clear water, and the ruins of Phaselis among the trees. Whitewashed lanes and the harbour at Kaş on the Turquoise Coast Coast towns Kaş and Kalkan, the chic west The coast's prettiest corner — whitewashed lanes, diving, and a Greek island in view. The Seljuk castle on the headland above Alanya and its beach Coast towns Alanya: the castle, the cave and the beach A Seljuk fortress on a headland, Cleopatra's sand, and the liveliest, cheapest end of the coast.

Beaches & ruins

Three guides
The quiet beach at Çıralı near the ruins of Olympos Beaches & nature Olympos, Çıralı and the Chimaera flames Ruins in the trees, a quiet turtle beach, and the eternal fires on the mountain at dusk. The turquoise cove of Kaputaş beach at the foot of a gorge Beaches Kaputaş, Patara and the coast's best beaches A turquoise cove at the foot of a gorge, and an 18-kilometre strip of dune-backed sand. The Roman ruins of Aspendos near Antalya Ruins Aspendos, Perge and the ancient cities The best-preserved Roman theatre anywhere, a colonnaded city, and the mountain ruins of Termessos.

Practical

Four guides
The white travertine terraces of Pamukkale Day trips Pamukkale and the big day trips The white travertine terraces, the Köprülü rafting, and what's worth the long drive. A spread of Turkish meze on a coastal table The table The coast table: what to eat Piyaz, fresh fish by the kilo, a proper Turkish breakfast, and where not to eat. A coastal road winding along the Turkish Riviera Practical Getting around the Turquoise Coast Dolmuş, intercity buses, the Antalya tram, and when a hire car is worth it. The turquoise sea and coastline of the Turkish Riviera in summer Practical When to go, and what the coast costs Sea temperatures, the heat and the crowds month by month, plus an honest word on prices.