Cluster guide · Best beaches
Turkey holds 521 Blue Flag beaches — more than Spain — and the Turkish Riviera contains the lions share. Below are the 20 best, ranked by overall British-traveller appeal: water clarity, sand vs pebble, family rating, ease of access and surrounding scenery. Each entry includes the home resort, beach type, Blue Flag status and how to reach it.
Fethiye · Pebble + sand · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: Walk from Olu Deniz village
Turkey's most-photographed beach: a turquoise sheltered lagoon backed by Babadag mountain (1,960m), the world's top tandem-paragliding launch site. Calm shallow water, 5km of sand-pebble shore, organised loungers and beach clubs.
Kalkan/Kas · Sand · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: 20 min drive from Kalkan
Turkey's longest beach at 18km of golden sand, protected as a national park (no buildings, no road signs, no resorts). Loggerhead turtles nest May-September. Ancient Lycian Patara ruins inland.
Between Kalkan and Kas · Sand + pebble · Family rating: 3/5 (steep stairs) · Access: 187 cliff steps from highway
Postcard turquoise cove between two limestone cliffs. Voted one of Europe's most beautiful beaches. Best visited 9-10am or 4-5pm to avoid crowds. Small but unforgettable.
Dalyan · Sand spit · Family rating: 4/5 · Access: River boat 12km or 30 min drive
4.5km golden sand spit between Dalyan river and the Mediterranean. Loggerhead turtle nesting protected zone. Closed 8pm-8am May-October. Turtle hospital on site.
Alanya · Sand · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: Walk from Alanya centre
2km Blue Flag golden sand arc at the foot of the Seljuk castle. Named after the legend that the Egyptian queen swam here. Shallow entry, gentle waves, beach restaurants.
Antalya · Pebble · Family rating: 4/5 (pebbles) · Access: Walk or tram from Kaleici
7km Blue Flag pebble shore at the foot of the Beydaglari mountains. Crystal-clear deep water, Olympos cable car visible to the south. The Antalya city beach.
Antalya · Sand · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: 30 min from Antalya centre
10km Blue Flag golden sand fronting the Antalya 5* all-inclusive belt (Titanic, Rixos, Royal Wings, Concorde, Delphin). Family-friendly, organised beach sections.
Kemer/Olympos · Pebble · Family rating: 4/5 · Access: 30 min from Kemer
3.5km of pebble sand backed by orange groves and pine forest. Loggerhead turtles nest May-September. Olympos Lycian ruins and the eternal Chimaera flames inland.
Side · Sand · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: Walk from Side old town
5km Blue Flag golden sand running to Sorgun pine forest. Shallow water, gentle slope, all-inclusive resort beach clubs at the resort end.
Belek · Sand · Family rating: 4/5 (resort access) · Access: Resort guests + Karaburun public
15km Blue Flag golden sand backed by umbrella pines, fronting the Belek luxury all-inclusive belt. Most beach is hotel-private; Karaburun gives public access.
Dalaman · Sand · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: 15 min from Dalaman airport
4km Blue Flag golden sand backed by pine forest. Loggerhead turtles nest at the eastern end. Hilton Sarigerme and D-Resort manage organised sun-bed sections.
Icmeler/Marmaris · Sand + pebble · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: Walk in Icmeler
5km Blue Flag sand-pebble crescent backed by 1,000m pine mountains. Watersports, palm-lined promenade, family-friendly all-inclusive resort beach access.
Bodrum (Ortakent) · Sand · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: 20 min west of Bodrum centre
1.5km Blue Flag sand beach in Ortakent. Shallow entry, calm water, family-friendly with sun-loungers and beach cafes.
Gocek (boat-only) · Pebble · Family rating: 3/5 (boat access) · Access: 12 Islands boat tour
Boat-access only horseshoe bay with the ruins of an Ottoman shipyard. Crystal-clear deep water, 25m visibility, monastery ruins on the hillside.
Cesme · White sand · Family rating: 5/5 · Access: Walk from Cesme centre
1km of fine white sand with thermal springs bubbling under the sea (look for bubbles 50m offshore). Sheraton-style 5* hotels along the strip.
Faralya/Fethiye · Pebble · Family rating: 2/5 (very steep access) · Access: 1km steep walk from car park
Untouched pebble cove backed by 200m cliffs. Boutique boho-luxury camps (Sultan Camp, Olive Garden) above. The Lycian Way passes through.
Kemer · Pebble · Family rating: 4/5 · Access: 10 min from Kemer
1.5km Blue Flag pebble cove backed by Tahtali mountain. Quieter than Kemer central beach, popular with German and Russian families.
Kemer · Pebble · Family rating: 4/5 · Access: 20 min from Kemer
Three small bays inside the Phaselis ancient city archaeological park. Swim among Roman harbour ruins. National park entry fee.
Fethiye · Pebble + sand · Family rating: 4/5 · Access: Walk in Calis
5km Blue Flag pebble-sand strip in Calis (Fethiye), facing west for sunset. Watersports, beach bars, family-friendly all-inclusive resorts.
Bodrum · Beach club + jetty · Family rating: 3/5 (adult vibe) · Access: Yalikavak marina taxi
Sophisticated beach club on a private cove west of Yalikavak. Day-bed rental, cocktail bar, DJ in the evening. Pair with Yalikavak marina dinner.
Tell us which beaches caught your eye — we'll match the right resort and hotel within an hour.
WhatsApp 0544 673 22 02