Best Beaches in Turkey for a Perfect Escape

Turkey is absolutely one of those destinations with more than a few amazing reasons to visit. In fact, having asked around the SIMOVO office, there was actually a slight difference in opinion - some people love the architecture, others the history, and just about everyone in our crew adores the food. But, if you're a sun lover, chances are you'll want to head out here for the beaches above all else.

And who could blame you? While building a Turkey itinerary, it's always a good idea to combine the coastline with the cityscapes - and in this guide, we'll take you through the best beaches in Turkey for a variety of reasons.

Just remember that Turkey gets incredibly warm along the coast between June and September - so you're really going to need that sunscreen. More on timing your trip later - for now, let's hit the sand.

Turkey beaches overview

When it comes to judging the so-called best beaches in Turkey, we decided to take a balanced approach across a few different categories. Naturally, most beachgoers will be looking for incredible weather (that's a guarantee out here, most of the time), but not everyone likes crowds. That said, some travelers are looking for family-friendly beaches, meaning tourists are expected at those resorts.

Otherwise, we looked at accessibility, uniqueness, and cleanliness - all really important factors when it comes to picking a beach that's memorable for all the right reasons (no matter where you go).

The beaches in Turkey vary nicely from rustic and hidden to accessible and popular. What we want to do is offer you a good selection and balance, meaning you don't have to end up in the middle of the family holiday season at the most popular resorts unless you really want to. Some of our readers love getting off the beaten track - and you'll have an opportunity to when visiting Turkey.

Best beaches in Turkey

The best beaches Turkey has to offer, according to a quick survey across the SIMOVO team, are Kaputas, Oludeniz, Patara, Iztuzu, and Butterfly Valley.

Just as we did with our guide to Turkish food, we considered the opinions of everyone on the team who had visited the country before and who had personal recommendations. So, let's take a lightning-round look at why these beaches make the SIMOVO top five.

Kaputas Beach

Kaputas Beach, which you'll find near Kalkan, is something of a hidden gem. It doesn't always make best-of lists, but people who have explored the area for themselves are always left bedazzled! It's a fairly cozy beach area that is off the beaten track, but boasts some of the clearest, most stunning waters along its stretch.

Oludeniz Beach

Oludeniz is a little more tourist-friendly, backed with access to the National Park, a fantastic forest resort and nature reserve. This beach gets top marks for both being tourist-friendly and gorgeous to look at, not always a balance you'll strike easily. It's great for snorkeling with access to adventure activities close by, too - if you'd still prefer to pop open a lounger and relax, you can. 

Patara Beach

Out in Antalya, Patara Beach is just as beautiful as it is long, and it's one of the best-connected spots on our list. That does also make it one of the most popular, of course, but none of us have had problems getting a private spot. It's absolutely fantastic for swimming, but just be aware that some areas are home to conserved wildlife. They will be marked clearly, so always read signs.

Iztuzu Beach

Dalyan's Iztuzu Beach is another area that plays host to protected species, meaning that while not all of it may be accessible, when it's open, it's a real hotspot for families. It's a great example of an unspoiled corner of the Turkish coast, and you won't find it hard to set up a sunbathing spot provided you pay attention to the conservation reminders.

Butterfly Valley

Back to Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley's flighty name is very fitting as - pretty expectedly - it's home to scores of different types of fluttering species. Like Iztuzu, it's unspoiled, and there are certainly no plans for developments here - so always make sure that you respect the area just as much as local people do. There's a lovely balance of golden sand and crystal blue waters here.

Best coastal regions in Turkey

While we've taken you through some specific beaches in Turkey, it's also worth considering the best coastal regions. As you've seen, regions like Oludeniz and Kalkan tend to tick most of the right boxes, but we also recommend you get close to the Aegean if you're keen to balance a beach trip with access to nightlife.

For example, areas like Kusadasi and Cesme offer a great mix of inland entertainment and stunning sandy strolls. Where possible, we recommend that you try to build a trip around exploring the Turquoise Coast (where Turkey meets the Mediterranean) and the Aegean Coast so you can get a taste of its two different, but still spectacular beach scenes.

What we love about Turkey is that if you ever get tired of the busiest beach scenes, there are always quiet coastal escapes you can break away to. Just be aware that some of the quieter, more secret zones aren't always the most accessible!

Best time to visit beaches in Turkey

Turkey's coastal spots really heat up in the summer, meaning if you can stand the heat, grab your towels and head on over during June through August. That said, this is also peak tourist season, so be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices for the privilege of coming.

A big tip we'd offer is to actually consider heading across to Turkey in early fall if you want warm water but smaller crowds (and less intense sunshine). September vacations tend to be nice and mild (relatively speaking), and it's around this time that most of the peak traffic will have splintered away.

If you're really brushing up on things to keep in mind when visiting Turkey's brilliant beaches, be sure to top up on Turkey facts from our guide, too!

Turkey beach travel tips

Traveling to and exploring Turkey is a lot of fun, but there are - of course - always a few things you'll need to keep in mind to really make the most of your stay. Here are a few final tips on making a trip to Turkey's best beaches more memorable (and comfortable).

• Download an eSIM for Turkey so you have access to streaming while you sunbathe - and can share your adventures in sea and sand with friends from afar. Pay for your data upfront, and you won't have to worry about coming home to huge bills.
• Pack sunscreen! We can't stress this enough. Super-high SPF is a must here, and if you suit a hat, wear one.
• If you're largely exploring the beaches in Turkey, then you'll be fine wearing looser clothes and beachwear actually at the coast. Just make sure you dress more modestly when heading back inland, as per dress codes.
• Always pay attention to safety notices across Turkey's beaches - undercurrents can kill, so take special care and make sure you are in sight of loved ones.