Mediterranean Coast Travel Guide

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Mediterranean Coast

Oludeniz beach © Ross Hawkes
The coastline along the Mediterranean Sea is an alluring destination, renowned for its magnificent scenery with picturesque coves and rocky headlands, turquoise waters, golden beaches and pine forests. The beautiful landscape, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, is the beginning of the Turquoise Coast, dominated by the mountains of the Taurus range whose cliffs plunge into the sea of intense blue. Further along the Mediterranean one reaches the Turkish Riviera and the region of Antalya; and together, these areas make up the tourism capital of Turkey. Simple villages share the water's edge with sophisticated resorts, and fishing vessels and pleasure yachts mingle together in the sheltered harbours. Endless days of sunshine make it a paradise for boat cruises, sunbathing and swimming and numerous water sports, and there are a variety of restaurants and bars to round off a day on the water.

The coast also boasts a rich cultural legacy from early civilisations and is imbued with history and legend, found in ancient cities and at sites such as the fires of Chimaera at Olympos, and numerous ruins dotted about the countryside.



Resorts

See our separate guides to the following Mediterranean Coast holiday resorts: Dalyan, Kalkan, Kemer, Belek, Alanya, Fethiye, Antalya, Calis, Turunc, Kas, Marmaris, Oludeniz, Hisaronu, Side and Icmeler


Attractions

Blue Cruise

Undoubtedly one of Turkey's most popular tourist attractions, the Blue Cruise offers visitors an unforgettable boat trip along the Turkish Riviera. Sometimes called the Blue Voyage, and known as Mavi Yolculuk in Turkish, the Blue Cruise - although a prime recreational activity - was...  see full details



Mamure Kalesi

The Mamure Castle (Kalesi in Turkish) is a medieval structure located near the coastal town of Anamur, about 125 miles (200km) from Antalya, the traditional end-point of the famous Blue Cruise along the Turkish Riviera that is so popular amongst tourists to Turkey. The...  see full details



Ruins of Olympos © ekkeekke

Olympos and the Fires of Chimaera

The ancient site of Olympos dates back to Hellenistic times when it was an important Lycian city and became famous as a place of worship honouring Hephaestos or Vulcan, the God of Fire. Located on a beautiful sandy bay, the ruins are spread...  see full details


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