There are not many places in the world quite like the Turkish Riviera. Up and down the area you will find plenty of great experiences to be had at places like no other in the world. Whether you prefer a lazy day at a lagoon, a scenic walk in the sand, to fine dining, party like a celebrity, take a relaxing swim in calm beach waters, catch a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area or anything in the middle, you can experience it all and more while embarking on tours in the Turkish Riviera.
Where We Stayed
On the first day of our travels we chose to stay in Izmir knowing for a fact that accommodations in the resort towns of Cesme and Alacati aren’t so budget-friendly at all, most especially during the summer. We stayed at a cosy place called Ada Apart Hotel in Alsancak, only a walking distance to the ferry terminal and within the city center. We were so lucky to have been able to get a room there – it was brand new and had a pretty chic artistic interior.
Day One: Why Stay in IZMIR
Izmir is in the top three most industrialised provinces in Turkey. The port in the city of Izmir, for instance, is a prominent hub that plays a major role in the thriving economy of the country. Located in the Aegean, the province of Izmir is popular for many archaeological sites, the House of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Ephesus. Ephesus is located in Selcuk – a town a few kilometres away from the tiny town of Sirince which is known for its with vast vineyards and peach orchards.
We explored the streets of Basmane, Alsancak, and Konak. These areas are highly recommended for sightseeing, shopping, dining, and five-star accommodations. There are also ferry boat trips to Karsiyaka from Alsancak that run at least 3 times every hour. Hopping on a ferry to Karsiyaka was a great addition to our day’s itinerary. It was fun taking leisurely walks on the boardwalk, window shopping on its jammed narrow streets, and lying on the grass watching ferries arrive at and depart from the port. We also enjoyed the joy ride by the coast on the tram for just $0.50 per adult.
(Alsancak, Izmir)
(The Clock Tower, Konak Square, Izmir)
(Karsiyaka, Izmir)
Day Two: What to Expect in CESME
In the summertime, Cesme is considered the busiest resort town west of Izmir, surrounded by pristine waters, coves and diving spots. In the last few years, Cesme has had a reputation for one of the best holiday destinations for Turkish elites, celebrities and honeymooners.
Just like a majority of port towns in Turkey, Cesme also has a stunning harbor and a fortress nearby. Cesme Castle is a magnificent Ottoman architecture that houses signature Ottoman artifacts and an archaeology museum of artifacts from nearby excavations. To the north of Cesme, in Inkilap Caddesi, you can visit the newly restored 19th Century Greek Orthodox Church called Ayios Haralambos Church.
(Cesme Castle by the harbour)
Swim, swim…and swim some more at the beautiful beaches (some are public beaches) that Cesme has to offer. For instance, there’s Ilica Beach, frequently visited for its warm thermal springs and astonishingly crystal-clear water even though it is a public beach.
(Ilica Beach)
For more Blue Flag awarded destinations, you can go to Dilaila Beach and Dark Ayayorgi, both are reputed venues for special occasions. If you are in the mood for a hike, you can hit trails of Tanay Nature Park. There’s an entrance fee of less than $5 and make sure to bring your own food/snacks/ and beverages. For a mix of several outdoor activities, you can spend a full day swimming, diving, fishing and snorkeling at Delikli Koy. It is a bay that’s also popular for its white backdrop of stone cliffs that harmonize the sparkling emerald water making it an amazing location for professional photoshoots. You might as well bring your outdoor gear like a hammock or tent. For caravanners, this bay is an awesome spot too.
(Sunset at Cesme Harbor)
Day Three: Feel the Romance in ALACATI
On the Aegean Cesme Peninsula lies Turkey’s hidden gem –Alacati. If you are in the mood for windsurfing, Alacati is a hotspot for you. For water sports, in general, Port Alacati Marina is the place. It is also popular among locals for its annual Ot Festival (Greens and Herbs Festival). Once you set foot in this tiny beautiful town, it’ll leave you with indelible memories that’ll only make you come back even more often. It’s hidden charm comes from its stunning fine white-sand beaches including Fun Beach, narrow cobbled streets lined with unique pretty art galleries, boutiques, upscale shops, low old-stone houses with wooden windows painted in bright colors, and lovely bougainvillea overhung on windows and walls, adding a more romantic touch to every street. Due to the town’s years of wine-making tradition, Alacati has several wineries that you can visit and indulge yourself in.
When in Alacati, don’t miss an opportunity to bask yourself in an inexpensive one-of-a-kind accommodation. You definitely should spend at least a night here so that you can experience its relaxed, quiet evening atmosphere with a touch of romance and affordable luxury that almost every small hotel provides. Look for Bedirhan Konak Otel located in the heart of Alacati. It is your home away from home with a touch of romance, comfort and relaxation. Bedirhan Konak Otel is a two-storey hotel with stone-rooms at an affordable rate, stable WiFi connection throughout the day, air-conditioning and 24-hour hot water.
After an excellent night’s rest, wake up to a tasty complimentary traditional Turkish breakfast that you need for a brand-new day of further explorations. Another very good option nearby is Alacati Asmali Konak Otel. Wrap up your Alacati holiday with an excellent accommodation experience that Alacati Asmali Konak Otel gladly provides. Enjoy their sumptuous complimentary traditional Turkish breakfast, outdoor swimming pool and an evening with tea and cookies on the house. The best thing that you should be looking forward to upon waking up for breakfast is their healthy homemade butter and local organic fruit jams. They also have a cosy garden where you can choose to enjoy your breakfast with fresh morning breeze and birds chirping to greet you a lovely happy morning. And if you still have a day to spare, get on a short ferry ride to Chios – a Greek island right across from Alacati.
Day Four: Explore the Islands of FETHIYE
From Izmir, this sought-after destination is only a 4-hour ride by bus. The one thing I like about traveling long distance in Turkey by bus is the fact that the buses provide not only comfort but also WiFi and excellent service. Yes, WiFi on board is important, especially when you have a mobile workplace. They serve snacks and beverages on board. Despite the long journey, it’s truly worth it. This summer destination favourite prides itself in pristine still bays, stunning harbours, and watersports. It is quite a big city in the Aegean region of Turkey having a total area of 3,059 sq. km and a rising population of 150,000+ inhabitants.
Its hottest summer months are between July and August with scorching hot and humid weather. To beat the heat, the locals like to spend their nights hanging out by the harbour, on the beach, or on their balconies. There is also a square right by the harbour that serves as a good place for beating the heat just by sitting on the benches enjoying the sea breeze. The square is also popular among teenagers and children for riding their bikes and rollerblading. From there you can also have an amazing view of the sun as it slowly descends from the peaks.
We are a big fan of budget-friendly accommodations and finding one was not an issue at all. We stayed at Alis Hotel although we had already read a lot of bad reviews on its website. As expected, we weren’t happy about the quality of service we received. We chose to stay anyway especially because it’s near the boardwalk, the harbour, Calis Beach, bus terminal, and city center.
Fethiye is a cozy port city and district nestled between mountains on Turkey’s turquoise coast in the Mugla province. This city is a perfect destination for you to visit in Turkey if you are looking for a nice relaxing time and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Despite it being a very calming and relaxing atmosphere here, there are plenty of activities for you to engage in no matter what your tastes may be. Fethiye is naturally beautiful, it is also filled with numerous rock tombs that you can visit throughout the city. Most notably overlooking the city is the Tomb of Amyntas from 4th century B.C., watching over the smaller population during the winters to the boom of visitors that come here during summer months.
We went on the 12-Islands Boat Trip to see Paradise Islands, Aquarium Bay, Gocek Island and the Blue Bay, Flat Islands (Spoon Island), Coral Islands, and Red Island. These are the crowning glory of Fethiye due to its tranquil atmosphere and crystal-clear bays pulling in vacationers on gorgeous yachts and catamarans.
When in Fethiye, you should try to have dinner at Balik Hali. It is a spacious open-air restaurant, a walking distance from the harbour, where you can choose some fresh seafood and have them cooked your way. They also have a variety of side dishes and appetizers that are truly worth a try. Enjoy your dinner with excellent musicians playing by your table…just for you.
Day Five: Change of Route
And we couldn’t say goodbye to Fethiye without conquering the narrow winding roads up and around its green backdrop. The full-day Jeep Tour cost around $16 inclusive of an open lunch buffet. The first stop was at Yakapark. This beauty was a complete shift in scenery – tall trees everywhere, treehouses, souvenir shops, a bar with live fish on the ledge, and clubhouses where visitors would enjoy their refreshments and fresh Turkish pancakes (gozleme) with the rhythmic sound of waterfalls in the background.
(in front of the ruins of TLOS)
(the ruins of Xanthos)
A couple more stops included Patara Green Park and Saklikent Canyon. The former is well-known for its long and wide fine-sand Patara Beach, as well as massive greenhouses. The latter was, in my opinion, the best part of the jeep safari. Entrance to the canyon was an extra $1, whereas the mud bath was free. Tickets for activities like zip line, bungee jumping, and rafting were extras as well (but not compulsory). You may hike up the mountains to gain a breathtaking view of the river below.
A joke goes: Swim in the canyon for 15 minutes and you’ll get free tea. Swim for another 15 minutes and you’ll get another glass of tea. Swim for longer than 30 minutes and they’ll call an ambulance for you.
Day Six: Why OLUDENIZ is a Must-See When You are in Fethiye
Are you ready for a relaxing day at the beach? Ever heard of Blue Lagoon and Hisaronu? Pack up your daypack with some snacks, water, sunscreen and a towel, throw on your bathing suit, slip on your flip flops and hop onto a bus to take you to Oludeniz to bask in the sun and swim in the turquoise waters.
The commute by bus is not long, it only takes around 20-25 minutes and it is your most inexpensive way to travel here if you do not have a car. Once you reach Oludeniz you will notice that the atmosphere has more of a party vibe in the air than relaxing Fethiye. Hookah cafes, bars, restaurants and storefronts line the streets of this popular beach hotspot. Down by the water you will find sand, but mostly a small pebble beach, so taking your flip flops to the water break may be the best option to save your feet when it’s time to jump in. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent here, as well as even getting a cold beer delivered to you waterside from one of the many attendants roaming the beach to make sure each guest enjoys themselves.
After you’ve been swimming or floating for a while you may look overhead and see a score of paragliders circling the area, that’s because there are numerous tandem paragliding companies that reside here if the small pebbles leading up to the water aren’t daredevil enough for you.
Carpe Diem Journals 