Southern Türkiye: The Beautiful Turquoise Coast

A short video featuring a collection of photos I captured while exploring Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast.

We began our current journey just over six weeks ago, on December 9th. Normally, we set off in mid-September, during shoulder season, when the weather is comfortable and crowds have thinned out a bit. This time, however, we chose to stay a little longer in the States. We wanted more time with family, and we were grateful to be with everyone at Thanksgiving.

Fethiye, Türkiye

That decision, however, came with a tradeoff. We set out during one of the coldest times of the year. So, we decided to stay in a place where winter felt a little kinder. We weren’t chasing summer, but we were hoping for warmth, or at least something comfortable. Light jackets sounded far more appealing than heavy coats.

Antalya, Türkiye

With that in mind, we chose southern Türkiye, along what’s known as the Turquoise Coast. We had been there once before and loved it. From our research, we knew we wouldn’t be stepping into beach weather, but we also felt confident we’d find something very livable. As it turned out, we were right.

Kaş, Türkiye

During December and January, we experienced remarkably mild winter weather. Daytime temperatures often reached the 60s, and even when they dipped into the mid- or upper-50s, the steady sunshine made everything feel warmer. For December and January, it felt like a small gift we were happy to accept.

Antalya, Türkiye

This time, we based ourselves in three towns: Antalya, Kaş, and Fethiye. On our previous visit to southern Türkiye about a year and a half ago, we stayed in Bodrum and Marmaris. All of these towns are part of the Turquoise Coast, also known as the Turkish Riviera.

Antalya, Türkiye

The scenery along this coast is breathtaking, and even that feels like an understatement. The name "Turquoise Coast" is well-earned. The water truly is that color, so vivid it almost dares you to jump in. And then there are the mountains, rising dramatically, often appearing to emerge straight from the sea.

Kaş, Türkiye

Coming from the East Coast of the United States, the contrast is striking. Back home, the shoreline stretches flat and wide, with long beaches and an endless horizon where ocean and sky meet. Along much of Türkiye’s coast, the experience is entirely different. Instead of endless openness, you’re met with a dramatic mix of sea, mountains, and islands. Peaks rise directly from the water, and the small islands and rocky outcroppings are scattered throughout It’s a landscape that feels both dramatic and beautiful, while also somehow feeling sheltering and nurturing.

Side, Türkiye

Of course, the beauty and charm that make these towns so appealing are the very things that draw huge crowds during the warmer summer months. From late June through early September, we wouldn’t even consider visiting. It simply wouldn’t be the laid-back experience we’re looking for.

Fethiye, Türkiye

Winter, though, tells a very different story. The pace slows. Daily local life becomes easier to see and feel. The towns belong more to the people who live there. Everything feels quieter, calmer, and more authentic. These places shift from busy resort towns into beautiful, welcoming coastal communities, and that difference has meant everything to us.

Antalya, Türkiye

And while the natural beauty alone would make these towns worth visiting, these are not places built solely for relaxation. They are rich in culture and history.

Myra, Türkiye

The Turquoise Coast is filled with Greek and Roman ruins, but encountering the remains of the Lycian civilization was new for us. Their history dates back to around 1500 BCE and spans the Bronze Age as well as the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods. Throughout The Turquoise Coast, ancient Lycian tombs can be found right within modern towns and everyday landscapes.

Fethiye, Türkiye

When I visit places like southern Türkiye, I often find myself imagining what they must have looked like long before modern development. And to be clear, these towns aren’t crowded with towering hotels or skyscrapers. I’m not talking about that kind of growth. I’m imagining them before roads, buildings, and visible expansion.

Antalya, Türkiye

It’s easy to understand why people chose to settle here. The mountains and inlets offered protection. The sea provided trade routes and connections. But beyond strategy and survival, I can’t help believing that beauty mattered too. Just as it does for me now. I imagine people waking each day to the same views, feeling the same pull of land and sea, moved by the same natural grace. 

Antalya, Türkiye

Not many Americans visit Türkiye. It’s a long journey from the United States, though it feels like more people are beginning to discover it. When locals hear us speak, they often assume we’re from the UK, since that’s where many English-speaking visitors come from. Some days, we’re tempted to let that assumption stand, but that’s a story for another time.

Kaş, Türkiye

When Americans think of beautiful European coastlines, Greece often comes to mind, and for good reason. We’ve spent a lot of time there and understand the appeal. But I’m here to say that Türkiye stands right alongside it. The coastal beauty is every bit as striking, and the towns we visited were not only beautiful but endlessly interesting.

Antalya, Türkiye

I could go on and on about the charm of this region, but it’s true that photos often say more than words. I hope the images shared here give you a sense of just how special southwestern Türkiye really is.

And if the photos don’t quite tell the whole story, here’s a very quick, personal take on each place.

Antalya, Türkiye

Antalya was the largest of the towns we visited, and it felt deeply and unmistakably Turkish, which we truly appreciated. The old town is charming and, in many ways, the most beautiful place we experienced, surrounded by stunning scenery. If you stay within the old town and its immediate surroundings, Antalya feels intimate and wonderfully inviting. Venture farther out, however, and it quickly takes on the feel of a full-scale city. Antalya also has a major airport and serves as a great base for fascinating day trips, including Side, Termessos, Olympos, Perge, and more.

Kaş, Türkiye

Kaş was one of our favorites. It’s small, charming, and wonderfully cozy, with both land and sea putting on a quiet show. The vibe felt relaxed and slightly bohemian, much more laid back than the other places, and we felt at home there almost immediately.

Fethiye, Türkiye

Fethiye is truly gorgeous, and we loved it. There was something about the town that just felt right. If the universe were to play a strange trick on us and say we had to settle in one of these places, Fethiye would be the one. It simply felt good to be there. It was spacious, with a broad waterfront promenade and the restaurants served fresh, less traditional foods.

Bodrum, Türkiye

Bodrum is a high-end resort nestled into a small valley between mountains. It didn’t have quite the same dramatic scenery as some of the others, yet is was charming. What it did have was a delightful town, lively and inviting in its own way.

Marmaris, Türkiye

Marmaris had a stunning view from the harbor, no question about that. But the town itself didn’t speak to us. We found it uninspiring and not really our style. It is, however, the port you leave from to get to Rhodes, Greece, and that is why we were there.

Antalya, Türkiye

This is, of course, a very quick snapshot. The photos tell the story far better than I ever could, so I hope you’ll spend a little time with them.

Termessos, Türkiye

One final note for those traveling in Europe for longer stretches. If you need to step outside the Schengen Zone due to the 90-day limit, Türkiye is an excellent option. Even without that consideration, it’s a destination I would wholeheartedly recommend.

Most of all, the people of Türkiye are warm, welcoming, generous, and kind. And if you happen to be on the hunt for the best falafel on the planet, you just might find it here.

Side, Türkiye