Things to do in Turkey
Things to do in Turkey Below is a grand tour around Turkey, starting and finishing in Istanbul with the main highlights along
Read moreTurkey’s ‘Turquoise Coast’ is a popular destination with tourists due to the beautiful beaches and cultural attractions. Antalya, Fethiye, Olu Deniz, Kalkan and Kas have been firm favourites for many years. Over the centuries, the legacies of the region’s many rulers have left behind some excellent archaeological sites: the Lycian Tombs, set high into the cliff-face between Fethiye and Antalya, resemble ornate rock-carved temples and are an astonishing 2,500 years old; the vast Roman amphitheatre at Aspendos is still used today for its annual ballet and opera festival; and the preserved ancient Greek cities of Perge and Termessos, perched high in the Taurus mountains, are also well worth visiting and date back to Alexander the Great’s invasion of the Persian empire.
Some of the best archaeological sites can be viewed from a cruise along the rugged coastline. For more leisurely pursuits, the town of Belek has some excellent golf courses and spa hotels.
Click on your destination of interest
Antalya was founded by Attalus II of Pergamum in 1st century BC and shortly after it became a Roman city when the Pergamene kingdom was willed to Rome. It has always been an important port town, trading with Crete, Egypt and Cyprus and at the centre of the historic city is the Roman harbour. Highlights of Antalya include the Archeological museum and 13th century Mevlevi tekke monastery
Belek is a modern purpose built beach resort that is located in the Serik district of the Antalya Province. The town's main attractions are the numerous golf courses which are situated next to most of the main hotels. Outside the city are the historical sites of Aspendos, Perge and Side, which can all be visited on day excursions
Dalaman is located on the south-western coast of Turkey and is also known as the Turquoise Coast. Situated slightly inland, Dalaman and its airport occupy one of the few plains in this region of the country. Due to its location, it is seen as the gateway to the coastal resort towns of Marmaris, Dalyan, Fethiye and Kas
One of the fastest growing industrial cities of southern Turkey, Denizil main export industry is textile production. Its history can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman eras due to its proximity to the towns of Hierapolis and Laodicea and the nearby natural wonder of Pamukkale
The small town of Gocek is located within the district of Fethiye. Gocek's main draw is its four marinas, which helps to swell the town's population during the summer months
Kalkan is a small hilltop town that overlooks a tiny bay on the Aegean Sea. Its traditional white-washed houses with shuttered windows and balconies garlanded with flowers have attracted visitors over the years who enjoy its peaceful location and panormanic views
The town of Marmaris is located at the meeting place of the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas. Marmaris has one of the largest natural harbours in the world and is surrounded by pine-clad hills. It is not known for certain when the town was founded, however according to the historian Herodotus, there has been a castle in here since 3000 BC. Since 1979, renovation work has been continuing at the castle, in order to restore it to its original condition. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the castle has been converted into a museum. There are seven galleries, the largest of which is used as an exhibition hall; the courtyard is decorated with seasonal flowers
Oludeniz is a small resort in south-west Turkey on the Aegean Sea. The beach at Oludeniz is one of the most photographed in the Mediterranean with its own blue lagoon, a national nature reserve. Frequently rated as one of the top five beaches in the world, the resort has blue flag status and is famous for the turquoise colour of the sea around its shores
Things to do in Turkey Below is a grand tour around Turkey, starting and finishing in Istanbul with the main highlights along
Read moreCaroline Eden explores the best of Istanbul's bazaars, bars, eateries and cultural sights in 48 hours.
Read moreSix mouth-watering local delicacies from around the world that our experts recommend you try.
Read moreView the winning images from the Winter 2015 Compass photography competition.
Read moreOrder your copy of the brochure to see the world come to life in print.