The Mediterranean Coast of Turkey

The Mediterranean coast of Turkey has garnered much fame and admiration over the years. Originally a popular haunt for backpacking hippies in the 1970s, small fishing villages situated along the jagged coastline has now grown to become some of the most popular tourist areas of Turkey. Mediterranean Turkey is also known by many other names, including Akdeniz or the Turquoise Coast while sailing enthusiasts are eager to point out its key involvement in the Turkish Riviera that stretches from the Aegean to the cosmopolitan region of Antalya, and trekking enthusiasts highlight the Lycian way with its extensive collection of Ancient Ruins.

The Mediterranean coast is a narrow strip of land in between the pine-covered Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea and is classed as one of the sunniest areas in Europe, together with its art, culture and rich history, make the region the top tourism destination in the country. This coast is where the weather really hots up, the temperature is warmer and the humidity is high, this is the place to go if you love the heat of the sun. Here you will find Antalya, Belek, Side, Manavgat and Alanya and the coast continues heading South East. The backdrop of the Taurus Mountains is ever present and brings shelter to the resorts on the coastline. Antalya and Alanya are large cosmopolitan cities with beaches, nightlife and designer shopping. Belek is a golfer’s paradise with Championship courses, this is a popular area for holidaymakers of all nationalities and many have set up home here and is just 36km (22 miles) east of Antalya it’s a great location to further explore the area.

Attractions of the Mediterranean Coast

Crystal blue sea, sandy beaches and an ideal summer climate can take credit for its popularity but the 1600 km stretch of coastline from Alanya to Marmaris which is a nice town and the gateway for “Blue Voyage” also boasts of many natural and historical landmarks that daily attract hundreds of visitors
Historical sites are plentiful, thanks to previous occupation namely by the Lycian Empire. The ruins they left behind spurred the formation of an official 516 km hiking trek called the Lycian way. Participants navigate dense forests, mountain roads and outdoor living in order to see ancient ruins sites such as Xanthos and Letoon that both belong to the UNESCO World Heritage site list. Further up the coast, the magnificent theatre of Aspendos takes pride of place in the Antalya region. The ancient Greco Roman city was an important location in the area formerly known as Pamphylia.

Heading down the coastline, we reach Fethiye which is fortunate to combine historical vibes with nature’s finest landscapes. Lycian rock tombs overlook the main city, while just a short distance away is the world famous Blue Lagoon. Olu Deniz has some of Turkey’s most beautiful beaches and paragliding is a must to take in the lovely views. Olu Deniz is a beautiful bay appearing on most picture postcards of Turkey. Saklikent Gorge, the abandoned Ghost Village of Kayakoy and Patara, Turkey’s longest beach, are other admired haunts for holidaymakers.

Popular Areas for Property Investment

According to government records for tourism and foreign property investment, Antalya is the most popular region of them all it is the largest city in southern Turkey and the unquestioned capital of the Turkish Riviera it is a sprawling city famous for its Roman harbour and the charming old quarter.

Attracting numerous nationalities, apartments and villa purchases by foreigners are made mostly in Antalya city centre or the smaller, surrounding coastal resorts of Alanya which is a town east of Antalya with an interesting history for sightseeing and superb beaches which were once the favoured holiday destination for the Sultans of Turkey. The Fortress here keeps a watchful eye over the city and it has wonderful restaurants and nearby attractions

If golfing is your passion then Belek you must head too and historical Side or Kemer for the history buffs amongst you, Kemer is a resort town 45km south of Antalya. Olympos Teleferik is close to Kemer which is a modern resort with mixed beaches some are sandy and some are pebbles, there is a delightful marina with numerous restaurants.

Sightseeing around the Turkish coast is a great way of seeing more of this beautiful country and Side is often said to be an idyllic family-friendly destination, ticking all the boxes for a safe, charming beach resort without being too large and noisy. Side is a laid-back, resort on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, around 45 minutes east of Antalya Airport and a couple of kilometres from the town of Manavgat, with its picturesque famous waterfalls.
The nearby River Manavgat means the area is lush, green, fertile and excellent for exploring.

Highlights of Side (which means pomegranate in Ancient Anatolian and is pronounced “sea-day”) include the pretty seafront and harbour area, long sweeping beaches and Greek and Roman ruins, around which modern-day Side has been built.

Despite their small sizes, Kas and Kalkan are especially perfect for villa purchases. This is probably due to the hillside landscape which inevitably leads most properties to have a magnificent Mediterranean Sea views. Kas is pure heaven; it is the ultimate in getting away from it all in this idyllic little town which remains totally unspoilt with traditional architecture in the southwest of the region although it has adopted most modern trends, still maintains a “fishing village” atmosphere. Scuba divers flock to see underwater ruins while the sea routes are often busy with boats stopping by on their way to completing the Fethiye to Olympus Blue Cruise Voyage routes. Kalkan is one of the most charming little fishing villages with a lovely port and wonderful restaurants. Although their storylines are much the same over the course of history, their characters are extremely diverse. Kalkan attracts the upmarket clientele of holidaymakers and expats and this is reflected in the prices of restaurants, bars and hotels. Also because of the limited amount of land that builders can use, property prices are higher than most coastal resorts.

Fethiye has become the second home for many British expats. It is nestled on the tip of a gulf perfect for yachting, this town and its vicinity offer sports like paragliding and hiking. The resorts of Calis, Olu Deniz, Hisaronu and Ovacik have drifted towards accommodating the mass of British holidaymakers for food and entertainment so most expats, feel at home in the area but have the added advantage of Mediterranean living. Over time, Fethiye became a city in its own right and now offers all facilities including medical care, shopping, Turkish language schools and property management companies. It is also fully established as a main transport hub of the Mediterranean coast.

Airports to use on the Mediterranean coast

Dalaman airport is often used for the resorts of Marmaris, Gocek, Kalkan and Kas. Ideally, Fethiye and all the surrounding holiday resorts are less than an hour’s transfer away. It is open all year round, but in winter time, international flights are limited therefore passengers will swap to using Antalya airport. Sitting just 13 kilometres outside of the main city centre, Antalya airport handles more than 25 million visitors every year. It is modern, clean and operates two international terminals all year round. It is also a major domestic flight centre to connect the region with the rest of Turkey.

The stunning Mediterranean Coast of Turkey is ideal for beautiful beach worshippers, picturesque views and those who appreciate local Turkish history, culture and architecture.

Antalya:
Apartments for sale in Antalya, Turkey
Villas for sale in Antalya, Turkey
Property for sale in Antalya, Turkey

Belek:
Villas for sale in Belek, Turkey
Property for sale in Belek, Turkey

Alanya:
Apartments for sale in Alanya, Turkey
Villas for sale in Alanya, Turkey
Property for sale in Alanya, Turkey