Exploring Turkey with a luxury yacht charter on the Turkish Riviera

The province of Antalya is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey and is considered the capital of the Turkish Riviera. Its hotel industry is the best in Turkey and a lot has been developed to cater for tourism such as shopping, fine restaurants, luxury resorts, entertainment, nightlife and golf courses. Located in the foothills of the Taurus mountains, facing a beautiful turquoise bay, Antalya provides a heavenly setting. Enjoying year-round sunshine, the province offers a pleasant Mediterranean climate.

The city of Antalya itself was founded in the 2nd century BC. In the course of history, Antalya experienced various dominations including Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. Many vestiges of this complex yet fascinating history have been preserved. During your Turkey yacht charter, we suggest that you spend some time ashore to explore Antalya. Sites not to be missed include the charming old town "Kaleiçi" with its narrow streets and bazaar – look for lanterns, ceramics, linen and traditional leather sandals -, the "Hadrian's Gate" built in honour of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and the Yivli Minaret with its Seljuq architecture. 

The cultural wealth of Turkey is not just limited to the city of Antalya. The whole country is an open-air museum and the Turkish Riviera is the best example of it. In ancient times, the Turquoise Coast was home to the historic region of Lycia, whose most famous remains are the stone tombs that are scattered all over the territory. The Lycian federation was made up of many cities. Among those to visit today, we particularly recommend ancient Xanthos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is so much to see in this beautiful region that it is ultimately complicated to name just a few sites. Near Antalya you will find the historical sites of Aspendos, Termessos and Phaselis. The Temple of Apollo, close to the small fishing village of Sidé, is also a must see. Located off the coast of Demre, the island of Kekova will delight adventurers with its underwater ruins. In the 2nd century AD an earthquake caused part of the region to disappear into the waters of the Mediterranean.  Today, it is a popular place for sea kayaking expeditions in search of the sunken remains. An interesting Lycian necropolis also stretches along the coastline. For more adventure, head to the Dalyan River and take a riverboat to discover the ancient city of Kaunos, with its intriguing Lycian rock tombs. For the sportier, the superb mountains of the Turquoise Coast offer a dream setting for a wide range of activities such as horse riding or paragliding.
Recognizing the value of this heritage, the local authorities have put in place protection programmes for archaeological sites and natural habitats, which have enabled the region to remain relatively unspoilt - despite an ever-increasing number of tourists.

In addition to being (almost) warm in October, Turkish waters are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean boasting a spectacular transparency and a superb seabed. With its pristine seas, Turkey is reminiscent of what the French Riviera was like half a century ago. In fact, it is sometimes said that Turkey is the Côte d'Azur of the East. As for its coastline, Turkey is blessed with more hidden coves and peaceful anchorages than any other Mediterranean cruise destination. It really is a paradise for those who love the sea and chartering a gulet is definitely the most exclusive way to explore this sunny coast!

Being very pure and clean, the Turkish waters are full of fish and if you like scuba diving in the Mediterranean you will be able to observe beautiful specimens. You can spot the usual Mediterranean species as well as species from the Red Sea including parrot fish, grouper, octopus, ray, barracuda, seahorse and of course the friendly turtles. Located on the Turquoise Coast, the small fishing village of Kas is the hotspot for scuba diving in Turkey and the conditions are excellent throughout the year.

On another note, golf enthusiasts will be delighted by some 15 golf courses located in the province of Antalya. And with 300 days of sunshine a year, golf is played all year round on the Turkish Riviera!

The southwest coast of Turkey is considered to be one of the world's best cruise destinations and what better way to explore the Turquoise Coast than to embark on a luxury yacht charter. The coastline offers a charming mix of small villages, picturesque towns and cosmopolitan resorts while the dense pine forests and arid mountains provide a stunning backdrop. Several days or even weeks can easily be spent exploring the coastline, the many beautiful bays and islands with crystal-clear waters.

Chartering a yacht in Turkey is also the best way to combine a relaxing holiday with some cultural attractions. Turkey has indeed one of the richest heritages in the world so be sure to spend some time ashore to explore. From Roman ruins to Lycian archaeological sites and historic bazaars, there is plenty to see and discover! And as if that were not enough, Turkish gastronomy is absolutely sensational. No doubt you will enjoy your chef's cuisine during your crewed yacht charter in Turkey, unless you prefer to try one of the stylish beach clubs. Delicious mezze and fresh fish will most likely be on the menu!

The Turkish Riviera has a number of popular and fabulous seaside resorts. A typical Turkey yacht charter itinerary should include Bodrum, Datça, Göcek, Marmaris, Fethiye and Antalya. Should you have more time, you can also plan to visit the Greek islands of the Dodecanese such as Kos or Rhodes during your luxury yacht charter. With its gentle and pleasant Mediterranean climate, Turkey can be visited from spring to autumn.

For a truly unique Turkish experience, we recommend chartering a traditional gulet – a wooden boat originally used to transport goods from one end of the Turkish coast to the other. In addition to their old-school charm, these boats are usually very spacious and equipped with all the modern amenities you would expect.

With the perfect combination of fascinating sights, idyllic beaches, dramatic mountains, delicious gastronomy and incredible climate, a memorable holiday awaits for your yacht charter on the Turkish Riviera. Get in touch with our yacht charter planners to discuss yacht options and cruising itineraries for your Turkey yacht charter.