6 Great Holiday Destinations in Turkey
If you are looking for a great summer holiday, Turkey could be the place to go. The sun is shining and the beaches are great. In the evening you can eat the great Turkey food and then dive into the wild nightlife.
If you just want to relax, you can spend the whole day on the beach. If you want some action, you can try one of the water sports: jet skiing, parasailing or the banana boat. Or you can just play a game of beach volleyball.
You can also have an active holiday with trekking in the mountains. Ravine climbing and mountain climbing are also getting very popular. If you like the water more, you can try rafting or sea kayaking. Diving is also a possibility.
The most popular holiday destination right now is without doubt Alanya. About 10 % of all tourists in Turkey are on vacation in Alanya. The reason is probably the combination of two great beaches and the interesting sights. The best of them is the castle hill that divides the two beaches. From the top 250 meter (820 feet) above the sea there is a great view of Alanya and the surrounding country.
The Water Planet Aquapark is one of Turkeys largest water parks; and a great place for kids. Here they can try everything from water slides and rafting to bungee jumping and crazy golf. After some branded goods shopping (both real and fake) in Alanya, you can finish your day in the many discos and bars.
Antalya is not like the other holiday destinations, which has developed from a small fisher village to a holiday destination. With its 500,000 residents you will see more locals than tourists. So a visit to Antalya will give you a better look at the real Turkey.
As a large city Alanya has a lot of bazaars, shopping centers and shopping streets. But there are also many interesting sights from the Roman Empire in the city. Many of them are in the old part of the city called Kaleici. Here you can also see old men playing dominoes while the women preparing the dinner.
The number one golf destination in Turkey is without doubt Belek. Eight golf courses can be found in the area; and many more are on their way. It can be necessary to book several months before the holiday, if you are going in the high season.
If you do not play golf, Belek is still a great place. Around the city there are great nature and a silence, you cannot find in Alanya or Side. Bird lovers will also find Belek a paradise. And the city does of course also have shopping and water parks.
Kemer might have the most beautiful location in Turkey. Surrounded by the Mediterranean and the Taurus Mountains is this special place. The city does have a unique mix of the real Turkey and a modern holiday village. The city has an elegant marina, beautiful beach promenades and lively pedestrian streets.
For some sightseeing you can visit the ruins of Phaselis; the winter location for Alexander the Great. Another great place (especially for the kids) is the 55,000 m2 Moonlight Park in the middle of Kemer. Here you find a playground, restaurants, bars, discos; and even a dolphinarium
Even though Kusadasi is the typical fishing village which has developed into a holiday destination, it is not the typical holiday village. Here you find some of the best restaurants and more quit nightlife (with only a small bar street) than Side and Alanya.
Because of the many cruise ships there is an international feeling in Kusadasi. So you will find a lot of smart cafes and shops with international clothing brands. The cruise ship guests come here to see the famous Efesos (also called Efesus).
If you are looking for a romantic holiday destination, Side might be the answer. In the old town you can see many Roman building. Do also walk a little away from the main street and take stroll among the well-preserved wood and stone houses in the quieter streets. Finish the day in the city theater, where concerts and theater has replaced the gladiator fights.
When you get tired of all the culture and sight, you can dive into Sides wild nightlife. One of the most popular bars is located among the ruins of two old temples from the 2nd century. Side has two beaches; the lively and kid friendly western beach and the quieter east beach.
Morten Elm is writing about holiday destinations in Turkey in Rejser Tyrkiet. You can also learn more about the destinations in Kusadasi Rejser.
