Beyond the familiar Turkish coast

A quieter side of Turkey’s coast

Beyond Turkish Riviera is a travel guide for people who want to see more than the classic resort towns. We focus on places with a character of their own: Kaş, Kalkan, Çıralı, Olympos, Fethiye, Lycia and the less familiar stretches of the Turkish Riviera.

This is not about racing through lists of attractions. It is about the rhythm of a place: sheltered bays, evenings by the marina, ancient remains, mountain roads, local restaurants and more unhurried ways to travel.

Where to go

Kaş offers the strongest sense of discovery: the sea, diving, coves, Lycia and short routes into the surrounding countryside.

Kalkan has a more evening-led character, with terraces, sunsets, boutique hotels and relaxed dinners.

Çıralı and Olympos bring together nature, the flames of Yanartaş, bungalows, a long beach and a more alternative holiday rhythm.

Fethiye combines the Ölüdeniz lagoon, boat trips, Kayaköy, Göcek, marinas and Lycian rock tombs.

How to use this guide

Think of this site as a considered travel magazine rather than a catalogue. Start with one region, or join several places into a longer journey through south-western Turkey.

A gulet cruise along the Kaş, Kekova and Fethiye coast

If you want to see this part of Turkey from the water, consider a relaxed gulet cruise. The route between Kaş, Kekova and Fethiye takes in bays that are difficult to reach by road, Kekova’s sunken remains and the everyday rhythm of life aboard a traditional wooden boat.

Read our guide to the gulet cruise

Kaş, Meis and the light on the coast

Kaş is best understood through a view rather than a single attraction: the sea, Meis, the small harbour, the mountains and the light as it changes through the day.

That is the rhythm we want to share here: less rushing, more real places, history, coves and views we know from everyday life in the region.

Xanthos and the deeper history of Lycia

The coast around Kaş is about more than the sea. Some of the most important sites of ancient Lycia, including Xanthos and Letoon, are within easy reach. They make a rewarding choice for anyone who wants to combine a relaxed stay by the sea with the region’s history.

Read our guide to Xanthos and Letoon