Turkey Guide
The Turquoise Coast
Turkey's southwesternmost shore is dominated by the Baba, Akdağ and Bey ranges of the Toros mountains, which drop precipitously to a road running mostly parallel to the sea, its curves sometimes skimming just above the water; this is the Turquoise Coast, noted for its fine beaches and beautiful scenery. Along here, and some distance inland, lay the ancient kingdom of Lycia, peopled by an independent race who bequeathed a legacy of distinctive rock tombs to Turkish tourism.
Until the late 1970s there was no continuous paved road through these parts, and most seaside settlements were reachable only by boat. Many of the most attractive bays and islands are still inaccessible to vehicles, with yachting and gület trips accordingly popular. But roads in the area have vastly improved since the late 1990s, penetrating to hitherto idyllic, isolated bays such as Kekova, Adrasan and Çıralı. However, there's a chance that the impact of large-scale development will be minimized by official decrees – certainly, the height of new buildings has been restricted, nearby archeological sites and wildlife habitats often prompt special protection measures, and touting in the streets and at otogars is not yet at the level of Kuşadası, Selçuk or Pamukkale. And the increased overland accessibility is a blessing if you're reliant on public transport rather than a yacht.
Highlights
1 Kaya Köyü This abandoned Greek Orthodox village near Fethiye is a moving relic of the population exchange of 1923.
2 Paragliding at Ölüdeniz A thrilling (if pricey) way of appreciating the stunning lagoon and beach.
3 Tlos Perhaps the most dramatically sited of the numerous ancient cities of Lycia.
4 Patara Ancient ruins enhanced by an enormous sandy beach, one of the longest in the Mediterranean.
5 Kaş Opposite the Greek islet of Kastellórizo, this is one of the most congenial resorts on the coast, with some of the best scuba-diving in the Med.
6 Kekova The eerie seascapes and submerged ruins of this inlet system make an ideal sea-kayaking venue.
7 Çıralı Unspoilt nature-lovers' paradise with a turtle-nesting beach, an ancient city at the south end and the spectacular foothills of Tahtalı Dağ just inland.