Mediterranean Travel Guide
The Kaleiçi walls above the old harbour, Antalya. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Turkey's Mediterranean coast is the Turquoise Coast: limestone cliffs, pine forests and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. Antalya is the hub; the Lycian Way long-distance trail runs 540 km west along the coast.
The coast is layered with antiquity: the theatres of Aspendos and Side, the rock tombs of Myra, the sunken city of Kekova. Ölüdeniz's Blue Lagoon is the poster beach; Kaş and Kalkan are the slow-travel favourites.
Destinations in Mediterranean
Ölüdeniz Blue LagoonThe still blue lagoon under Babadağ: paragliding overhead.
Aspendos TheatreThe best-preserved Roman theatre in the world, still used for opera.
Kaleiçi, AntalyaThe old town's Roman harbour, Hadrian's Gate and Ottoman houses.
Kekova sunken cityThe drowned Lycian city, seen by kayak or boat from Üçağız.
KaşThe diving town with Lycian sarcophagi in the streets.
SideThe seaside ruins: the Temple of Apollo at sunset.
Olympos and ÇıralıThe beach ruins and the eternal flames of the Chimera.
TermessosThe mountain city Alexander never took, high above Antalya.
Myra and DemreThe rock-cut tombs and the Church of St. Nicholas.
Patara18 km of sand: the long beach and the Lycian capital's ruins.
İztuzu Beach and DalyanThe loggerhead turtle beach and the rock tombs of Kaunos.
Saklıkent GorgeThe 18-km canyon, walkable in summer.
Hover a region to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Mediterranean
Regional food
- Piyaz (Antalya's white-bean salad with tahini)
- Grilled sea bass and calamari on the harbour
- Gözleme on the Lycian Way trails
Getting there
Antalya (AYT) is the air gateway, with Dalaman (DLM) serving Fethiye and the western coast. Dolmuş minibuses run the coast road; the Lycian Way is waymarked for hikers. Boat trips leave from Kaş, Kalkan and Üçağız.