7 Days • 6 Nights
Turkish Riviera Beach Escape: Antalya & Oludeniz
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Antalya, the elegant capital of the Turkish Riviera, with its beaches and enchanting old town, is a beautiful highlight. Antalya is the beautiful capital of the Turkish Riviera, set on cliffs above the Mediterranean where the Taurus Mountains meet the sea. You relax on its beaches and by the pool at your resort, swimming in the warm, clear water, and explore the enchanting old town of Kaleici, a maze of cobbled lanes and restored Ottoman houses draped in bougainvillea, tumbling down to a pretty old harbour ringed by cafes, past the beautiful Roman Hadrian's Gate and the fluted Yivli Minaret.
- The famous Blue Lagoon of Oludeniz, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, is a stunning highlight. West along the coast lies Oludeniz, home to the Blue Lagoon, one of the most photographed and beautiful beaches on earth, a sheltered, impossibly turquoise lagoon fringed by a golden spit of beach beneath towering pine-clad mountains, its calm, warm water perfect for swimming and floating. Above soars Babadag mountain, from which paragliders drift down over the lagoon in one of the world's great tandem flights. You relax on the beach, swim in the turquoise water, and soak up the spectacular setting.
- Boat trips along the turquoise coast, swimming in hidden coves, are a beautiful daily pleasure. The joy of the Turkish Riviera is the turquoise sea, and there is no better way to enjoy it than by boat. You cruise the beautiful coast, gliding past pine-clad cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and ancient ruins, dropping anchor in hidden coves and bays accessible only from the sea, swimming and snorkelling in warm, crystal turquoise water, and lazing on deck in the sunshine. From Oludeniz you can sail to Butterfly Valley and secluded beaches; from Antalya to the Gulf and its islands. The freedom and beauty are blissful.
- Spectacular ancient ruins and waterfalls add wonder to your days on the coast. The Turkish Riviera is scattered with some of the most spectacular ancient sites in the Mediterranean, easily combined with beach time. Near Antalya you can visit the magnificent Roman theatre of Aspendos, one of the best-preserved in the world and still used for concerts, the ruined city of Perge with its colonnaded streets and stadium, and the spectacular Duden waterfalls tumbling over cliffs into the sea. The history and natural beauty are captivating. Adding visits to spectacular ancient ruins like the great Roman theatre of Aspendos and the city of Perge.
- Warm sunshine, wonderful food and legendary hospitality make this a blissful, easy escape. The Turkish Riviera is made for relaxed pleasure. You enjoy long days of warm Mediterranean sunshine on beautiful beaches and by the pool, and savour the wonderful food of the coast, spreads of meze, freshly grilled fish and kebabs, olive oil and figs, and sweet baklava, in harbourside restaurants and beach cafes. Throughout, you are warmed by the genuine, generous hospitality for which Turkey is famous, over endless glasses of tea. The sunshine, flavours and warmth are blissful. Enjoying warm sunshine on beautiful beaches, savouring the wonderful food of the coast.
- Above all, this journey offers a relaxed, beautiful beach escape on one of Europe's most beautiful coastlines. The Turkish Riviera is one of the most beautiful and rewarding beach destinations in Europe, and this escape draws out the best of it. Over seven days you relax on the beaches and in the enchanting old town of Antalya, cruise the turquoise coast by boat, and unwind on the famous Blue Lagoon of Oludeniz, with the option to explore spectacular ancient ruins and waterfalls, all beneath warm sunshine and warmed by legendary hospitality. The combination of golden beaches, turquoise water.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Your Turkish Riviera escape begins as your flight arrives at Antalya Airport, where you are met and transferred to your seaside resort. Antalya is the beautiful capital of the Turkish Riviera, set on cliffs above the Mediterranean where the Taurus Mountains meet the sea, and its blend of golden beaches, turquoise water and enchanting old town is captivating. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, swimming in the pool and the warm Mediterranean, sunbathing, and soaking up the beautiful setting and sunshine. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the wonderful flavours of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine and to the relaxed, beautiful days ahead on the coast. As you settle in, the warmth and beauty of the Turkish Riviera work their spell. Rest well, ready to explore the beaches and enchanting old town of Antalya tomorrow, and to cruise the turquoise sea.
Today you relax and explore beautiful Antalya at a gentle pace. You enjoy the morning on the beach and by the pool, swimming in the warm, clear Mediterranean and soaking up the sunshine. In the cooler afternoon, you explore the enchanting old town of Kaleici with a guide, wandering its maze of cobbled lanes and restored Ottoman houses draped in bougainvillea, tumbling down to a pretty old harbour ringed by cafes, past the beautiful Roman Hadrian's Gate, the fluted Yivli Minaret and the old city walls. You browse boutiques and carpet shops, and pause for tea with a sea view. The beach, beauty and charm are delightful. As the day ends, you return to your resort. This evening, dine on fresh seafood by the harbour or the sea. Rest well amid the beauty of the Turkish Riviera, ready for a day on the water tomorrow.
Today you enjoy the turquoise sea of the Turkish Riviera by boat. You board a boat for a relaxed cruise along the beautiful coast, gliding past pine-clad cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and hidden coves, dropping anchor in secluded bays to swim and snorkel in the warm, crystal turquoise water, and lazing on deck in the sunshine with lunch on board. You might cruise to the islands of the Gulf of Antalya or along the cliffs where the Lower Duden waterfall tumbles dramatically into the sea. Back on shore, you relax at your resort, enjoying the pool and beach. The turquoise sea, sunshine and freedom are blissful. As the day ends, you return to your resort, glowing from a day on the water. This evening, savour a relaxed dinner by the Mediterranean. Rest well amid the beauty of the coast, ready to travel west to Oludeniz tomorrow.
Today you travel west along the beautiful coast to Oludeniz, home to the famous Blue Lagoon. You journey along the scenic coastal road, with the Taurus Mountains on one side and the sparkling Mediterranean on the other, arriving at Oludeniz and settling into your resort near the beach. You spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach beside the Blue Lagoon, one of the most beautiful beaches on earth, a sheltered, impossibly turquoise lagoon fringed by a golden spit of beach beneath towering pine-clad mountains, swimming and floating in its calm, warm water. High above, paragliders drift down from Babadag mountain over the lagoon. The beauty and setting are stunning. As the day ends, you relax at your resort. This evening, dine on fresh seafood near the beach. Rest well amid the beauty of Oludeniz, one of the loveliest spots on the Turkish coast.
Today you savour the beautiful beaches and coves of Oludeniz. You relax on the beach beside the famous Blue Lagoon, swimming and floating in its turquoise water beneath the towering mountains, and soaking up the spectacular setting and sunshine. You might take a boat trip to Butterfly Valley, a steep, beautiful gorge tumbling to a secluded beach, home in season to clouds of butterflies, and to other hidden coves along the coast, swimming and snorkelling in crystal water. The more adventurous can take an optional tandem paragliding flight from Babadag, soaring high above the lagoon in one of the world's great flights. The beauty and freedom are blissful. As the day ends, you return to your resort. This evening, savour a relaxed dinner near the beach. Rest well amid the beauty of Oludeniz, ready for a final day on the coast tomorrow.
Today you enjoy a final, flexible day of sun and sea on the beautiful Turkish coast. You might relax entirely on the beach and by the pool, swimming and floating in the turquoise water of the Blue Lagoon and soaking up the last of the sunshine, or explore a little more of the coast, visiting the lively harbour town of Fethiye with its Lycian rock tombs and bazaar, the ghost village of Kayakoy, or the beach at Patara. This flexible day lets you simply relax and savour the beauty and warmth of the Turkish Riviera. As the day ends, you gather your memories of golden beaches and turquoise water. This evening, enjoy a final dinner by the sea, reflecting on the beaches, boat trips and beauty of your escape. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow, carrying warm memories of the Turkish coast.
After a final morning on the beautiful Turkish coast, perhaps a last swim in the turquoise Blue Lagoon or a lazy breakfast by the sea, you are transferred to Dalaman Airport for your onward departure, connecting via Istanbul as needed. You leave having enjoyed the very best of the Turkish Riviera, the beaches and enchanting old town of Antalya, the turquoise-coast boat cruises and hidden coves, and the famous Blue Lagoon of Oludeniz, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, all beneath warm sunshine and warmed by legendary Turkish hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the turquoise Blue Lagoon beneath its mountains, the cobbled lanes of Kaleici, and the hidden coves of the coast. The Turkish Riviera offers sun, sea, beauty and genuine warmth in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this beautiful Mediterranean coast, perhaps next time to sail it aboard a gulet.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner
- Airport and land transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert local guides
- Entrance fees to sites and museums as per itinerary
- Private airport and land transfers, seaside resort stays, a guided Antalya old town tour, a turquoise-coast boat cruise, time to relax on the beaches of Antalya and Oludeniz, and all entrance fees on included tours
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Optional tandem paragliding over Oludeniz and an Aspendos and Perge excursion
- Some lunches and dinners not specified, and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Many nationalities need a visa for Turkey, quick and easy to obtain as an e-Visa online before travel, while a number of countries enjoy visa-free entry for short stays; a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date is required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality and arrange the e-Visa where needed
- Currency: The currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY); cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops in Istanbul and the tourist regions, but carry cash for the bazaars, small cafes, taxis, tips and rural areas. ATMs are plentiful, and exchange offices (doviz) offer competitive rates in the cities
- Best time to visit: April to June and September to October are the loveliest seasons across most of Turkey, with warm, sunny days ideal for Istanbul, Cappadocia and the ancient sites; July and August are hot and perfect for the Turquoise Coast beaches but busy and very warm inland, while winter is quiet, cool and atmospheric, with occasional snow dusting the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia
- Language & etiquette: Turkish is the language, and English is widely spoken in hotels, tourism and the main sights; a few words of Turkish are always warmly received. When visiting mosques, dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees), remove your shoes, and women should cover their hair with a scarf; mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayer times, and we plan around these
- Getting around: Distances in Turkey are large, so our itineraries use quick, inexpensive domestic flights (for example Istanbul to Cappadocia or the coast) alongside comfortable private transfers and touring in air-conditioned vehicles with expert local guides. Istanbul itself is best explored on foot, by tram and by ferry across the Bosphorus, which we help you navigate
- Health & safety: Turkey is a welcoming, hospitable and rewarding country to travel in, and the main tourist regions are well set up for visitors; we monitor conditions and follow official guidance. Drink bottled or filtered water, use sun protection in summer, and take normal city precautions with valuables in crowded bazaars. No special vaccinations are usually required for standard tourist travel
- Culture & customs: Turkey is famous for its genuine warmth and hospitality; you will often be offered a glass of tea (cay), and haggling is expected and enjoyed in the bazaars. A traditional Turkish hammam (bath) is a wonderful experience, and Turkish cuisine, from meze and kebabs to fresh seafood and baklava, is one of the world's great food cultures. During Ramadan, many locals fast in daylight, though restaurants and sights stay open
- Power & practicalities: Power is 230V with European-style type C and F two-pin plugs, so bring an adapter. Tipping (around 10 percent) is appreciated in restaurants and for guides and drivers. Turkey spans Europe and Asia and keeps a single time zone; the pace is relaxed and friendly, and travel here is smooth, rewarding and full of colour
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for a beach holiday on the Turkish Riviera?
The Turkish Riviera enjoys a long, warm season from roughly May to October, with hot, sunny days and warm sea ideal for the beach. July and August are the hottest and busiest, perfect for sun-seekers, while May, June, September and October offer beautiful warm weather with fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures for combining beach time with sightseeing. The sea is warmest from June to October. We advise on the best timing for your preferences, whether you want peak summer heat or a gentler shoulder-season escape.
Can we combine the beach with some sightseeing?
Absolutely, and we recommend it. The Turkish Riviera has some of the most spectacular ancient sites in the Mediterranean within easy reach of the beach, from the magnificent Roman theatre of Aspendos and the ruined city of Perge to the ghost village of Kayakoy and the Lycian tombs of Fethiye, plus dramatic waterfalls and mountain villages. We can add guided excursions to any of these around your beach days, giving you a wonderful blend of relaxation, culture and natural beauty, tailored to how active you would like to be.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (typically a welcome dinner and, on cruises or remote stays, half board). Turkish cuisine is one of the world's finest, from spreads of meze, grilled kebabs and fresh Aegean seafood to gozleme, pide, sweet baklava and endless glasses of tea, and we usually leave lunches and most dinners free so you can explore, recommending the best local restaurants and meyhanes at every stage of your journey.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert local guide and air-conditioned vehicle, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and shared options can be arranged if you prefer. Turkey's knowledgeable guides bring the mosques, palaces, ancient cities, bazaars and landscapes vividly to life, greatly enriching every visit, and domestic flights keep the long distances quick and comfortable.
Do I need a visa for Turkey?
Many nationalities need a visa, quick and easy to obtain as an e-Visa online before travel, while several countries enjoy visa-free entry for short stays. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and help with the e-Visa where needed, so entry is smooth. A passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival is required.
Is Turkey safe to visit?
Turkey is a welcoming, hospitable and rewarding country, and the main tourist regions, Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean and the Turquoise Coast, are well set up for visitors and very used to international travellers. We continuously monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official guidance at all times. Normal city precautions with valuables in crowded bazaars are sensible, and the famous Turkish warmth makes travel here a genuine pleasure.
When is the best time to visit?
April to June and September to October are ideal across most of Turkey, with warm, sunny, comfortable days perfect for Istanbul, Cappadocia and the ancient sites. July and August are hot and best for the Turquoise Coast beaches and gulet cruising, while winter is quiet, cool and atmospheric, with snow sometimes dusting the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. We advise on the best timing for your interests and the regions you wish to see.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Istanbul, Cappadocia, the ancient sites of the Aegean and the Turquoise Coast, add a hot-air balloon flight or a gulet cruise, include Gallipoli, Troy, Bodrum or the beaches, upgrade to boutique cave hotels and luxury resorts, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through beautiful and fascinating Turkey.
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