Memories to Last Forever: A Holiday at fall in Turkish Riviera

Memories to Last Forever: A Holiday at fall in Turkish Riviera

Magnificent natural beauty, majestic weather, and rich history! The Turkish Riviera’s wondrous skies and idyllic blue sea welcome you all year long. This citrus-scented coastal region offers various activities and experiences for you and your family to cherish forever.

Imagine a 1000-kilometer-long coast, protected by soaring mountains on one side, with a warm Mediterranean climate and 300 days of sunshine lasting until the beginning of November. The Turkish Riviera offers an amazing holiday escape for every type of traveler, from families or honeymooners along sun-kissed shores dotted with picturesque towns and villages.

The region promises surprising encounters with well-preserved ancient cities intertwined with turquoise coves and misty mountains, where classical art and democracy once flourished. The Turkish Riviera will immediately enchant you with the earthly pleasures of coastal living as well —delectable Mediterranean cuisine, a cultural calendar brimming with music festivals, yacht regattas, golf, swimming and cycling tournaments, as well as a diverse array of aquatic and mountain sports that will keep you busy and your children busy for the duration of your stay. From stunning accommodation options and refined delicacies to extensive historical heritages, the Turkish Riviera promises a life well-lived!

A pampering break along the Mediterranean 

Built to blend in perfectly with the nature surrounding them, elegant beachside luxury resorts are where summer is enjoyed in high style on the Turkish Riviera. All-inclusive resorts provide a ritzy collection of rooms and villas with stunning sea views, catering to all tastes. Grand swimming pools, aquapark facilities, a la carte and rich buffet restaurants, sports and entertainment facilities, luxurious spas and golf courses comprise a full vacation package for visitors. In addition to a wide selection of luxury resorts, the coastal region stretching from the city of Fethiye to Alanya also offers several boutique hotels, rental houses and villas tucked away in the historical streets of old city centers and on private terraces carved into mountainsides, overlooking the azure sea from tranquil infinity pools. For those who would like to have a splendid back-to-nature holiday, there is also a wide selection of rural retreats and glamping spots, ranging from off-grid rustic cabins in forests and lakelands to beach huts that score top marks for their setting. 

The soothing effects of the balmy Mediterranean climate make the Turkish Riviera the ideal spot for wellness breaks as well. Supported by the healthy Mediterranean diet based on local olive oil, fresh herbs, fish and produce, you can turn your visit into a truly rejuvenating experience.

Fun Family Activities

Once you choose your accommodation, you may hit the road for activities Turkish Riviera is the perfect spot for new experiences and to create unforgettable memories, there are many options to decide how you want to spend the day together. While there are fun kids-club at the resorts, you can also enjoy a family day by discovering what the Turkish Riviera has to offer.

You can always spend a day together with a private boat tour or exploring the many historic sites, as well as the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre. St. Nicholas had a reputation as the protector of children and sailors in the 3rd century CE in Türkiye, and is known to have inspired the modern-day popular icon of Santa Claus -the legendary old man bringing presents to children on Christmas Eve. 

Enjoy a day at the Beach

Visit Konyaaltı Beach where the clear blue waters meet restaurants and cafes all while admiring the view of the Taurus Mountains and cliffs in the background. How about an aquatic experience? The aquarium promises inspiration, entertainment, and education all at once. Take the Tünektepe cable car which takes you uphill to enjoy the breathtaking view. For an even greater thrill spend a wonderful day full of excitement and joy at the theme park in Antalya where wild water slides and roller coasters will definitely take your adrenaline to another level!

Along the scenic route between Kalkan and Kaş, one can discover immaculate beaches with crystal-clear water, including Kaputaş Beach, Akçagerme Beach and Hidayet Cove. A little bit further, one of the best-kept secrets of the Turkish Riviera awaits at Kaleköy, a coastal village guarded by a medieval castle. Accessible only by boat, this cozy settlement has been built upon the ruins of the ancient city of Simena, the sunken parts of which can be explored by kayaking tours around Kekova Island, just off the shore. But the ultimate aquatic adventure is underwater! Crown your visit with diving explorations in Kaş to discover the exciting, ancient underwater terrain encompassed by an assortment of the rich, beautiful and colorful underwater fauna and flora that is the Mediterranean. 

History surrounded by nature

With shores, forests and mountains peppered with millennial ancient ruins, the Turkish Riviera is the perfect for history aficionados. Three magnificent ancient regions; Lycia, Pamphylia and Pisidia merge within the borders of Antalya. Keep in mind that some of the ancient sites are easily and delightfully accessible via sea excursions. Take a boat from Antalya’s old Roman harbour to discover the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the region and admire some of the most beautiful examples of ancient cities such as Side, Patara, Olympos and Phaselis. When in Antalya make sure to visit Kaleiçi (Old Town) which is like a living museum with landmarks including Hadrian Gate, and old wood and brick Antalya houses with their amazing courtyards ornamented with the region’s trademark pebble mosaics. To see the precious artifacts found in ancient cities like Side, Aspendos and Perge, head to Antalya Archaeology Museum outside the old city walls which will take you on a journey back in time.

The Thrill of the Outdoors

If your family loves outdoor activities, the Turkish Riviera is a perfect spot for you to set off on an adventure while enjoying the landscape and natural beauties of the region. First of all, how would you like to discover Lycia and Pisidia regions on foot? 

The Lycian Way, meandering between the mountains and the turquoise sea for 500 kilometers from Fethiye to Antalya, is the country’s first waymarked long-distance trekking route with awe-inspiring archaeological stops along the way. Known as the “Land of Light”, Lycia offers the modern-day traveler a natural scenery dotted with breathtaking temples dedicated to Apollo, the god of light, and monumental tombs towering from mountaintops or jutting from ancient harbors. A shorter journey is the Psidia Heritage Trail which includes ancient Pisidian cities such as Sagalassos and Termessos.

When the weather gets too hot, there are also other fun ways to refresh yourselves: Cool off with the ice-cold waters of Düden and Manavgat Waterfalls and spend a day in nature or head to Köprülü Canyon for a rafting experience with the family where you’ll have the rare opportunity to view historical bridges from a different perspective.

Golfing could be the perfect sport if your family is more into calmer outdoor activities. Turkish Riviera is known for its 18 golf courses in Belek which offer an amazing natural setting between picturesque mountains and the sea, providing fantastic views, and abundant wildlife, particularly birds, in their natural habitats. Another true Turkish Riviera experience is sailing. You may opt for a yacht or a gulet –a traditional two or three-masted wooden sailing boat— to explore pristine coves around Antalya and Mersin encircled by lush green forests.

A traditional pampering break 

As parents, a day of sightseeing and adventure could be tiring, so it’s the perfect time to head to a hamam to unwind. You may try a modern Turkish bath at your hotel or head to one of the traditional hammams in the city centres. As an ages-old purification ritual extending back to Ancient Rome, the hamam offers a mystical bathing experience not only to get yourself squeaky clean, but also to pause the stress of modern life.

Cultural and Gastronomical Delights

For those who appreciate city life, Antalya is an urban playground with constant vibrancy. The city hosts the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, as well as the Golden Orange Film Festival, the biggest event in the country’s movie industry. With immense shopping malls and tiny side-street craft stores, it is the ideal shopping destination as well.

Antalya’s pedestrian-friendly, cobblestone streets, cheerily full of laid-back cafés and bars, are impeccable places to have a Turkish coffee or a cocktail before heading to country-chic traditional diners or stylish fish and meze restaurants lined along the sea. Choose the fresh catch of the day from the display (red mullet, grouper, swordfish or anything in between), and make sure to start the meal with a choice from the notable selection of mezes such as hibeş (a spread of tahini, cumin, red pepper flakes and lemon juice) and Mediterranean delicacies like rock samphire and sea beans, followed by hot appetizers like grilled octopus, or shrimp baked in butter and garlic sauce. To venture deeper into the culinary universe of the region, you can treat yourself to popular local dishes like şiş köfte (meatballs on skewers), cooked to excellence in Antalya and served with a local version of piyaz (white bean salad with tahini sauce).

As a true holiday paradise with its unique climate, picturesque nature, modern cities and sandy beaches, as well as the remains of countless ancient civilizations, the Turkish Riviera is a must-see for any traveler coming to Türkiye. Take a moment to imagine what your dream holiday can look like, and then let us bring it to life here on the Turkish Riviera!