Here is your guide to the Aegean Coast of Turkey. We’ve covered all the best sights to see and where to go along the Turkish Aegean Sea.
The Turkish Aegean coastline is one of its most beautiful regions, and by reading this, you’ll know where will suit you best.
Large, clean beaches are abundant throughout the stunning coastline accompanying the Aegean Sea’s crystal-clear waters bordering olive groves, rocky outcrops, and pine forests.
This area offers a vacation in Turkey with something for everyone. The picturesque fishing bays, well-liked vacation towns, and the relics of ancient civilizations attesting to the heritage of years of history, culture, and mythology make the coast fun to travel.
Furthermore, it is home to an incredible number of historic sites and an excellent introduction to ancient and contemporary Türkiye.
The picturesque town of Bodrum is home to a vibrant nightlife, a crusader castle, and King Mausolus’ tomb, while the remainder of the shore boasts Roman and Byzantine ruins.
Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!
Where Is The Turkish Aegean Coast?
The Aegean coastline of Turkey is on the west side and starts just west of Istanbul and goes all the way around the west coast, right down past Izmir, past Bodrum, and around to Marmaris on the south coast, before the Mediterranean takes over. It’s a pretty large span of coastline, right? In fact, it’s 3,484 km long!
Once upon a time, this entire coastline was full of small villages and fishing areas, pretty sleepy and devoid of huge hotels and party streets. Nowadays, that’s all changed, yet you can still find plenty of the olden days if you do your homework before visiting. It really all depends on what you want to experience while you’re there.
Aegean Coast Weather
The Mediterranean climate, which features hot summers and moderate winters, is present on Aegean shores. In July and August, the temperature in this area can frequently exceed 86F (30C). Summer months are less likely to have showers, but winter months get a lot of precipitation.
Airports On The Aegean Coast
Izmir, Bodrum, and Dalaman are home to the region’s three primary airports in Türkiye. They manage several domestic (national) and international flights. The majority of the flights to Türkiye land in Istanbul, with excellent connections to the Aegean coastline.
How To Get To Greece From The Aegean Coast Of Turkey
The simplest way to travel between Greece and Türkiye is by ferry. And the Aegean coast of Turkey is perfect for it. Cities along the Aegean Sea coast give way to a broad arch of Greece, its islands, and surrounding regions.
Turkish Islands On The Aegean Sea
- Akdamar Island
- Avsa Island
- Bozcaada
- Burgazada
- Buyukada
- Cunda Island
- Gokceada
- Hyebeliada
- Kalem Island
- Kekova Island
- Marmara Island
- Orak Island
- Sedef Island
- Sedir Island
- Suluada
Places To Explore On The Aegean Coast In Turkey
Here are the best areas for sightseeing and staying on the Turkish Aegean coast.
Ephesus, Selcuk And Sirince
For history buffs
The remains of the ancient city of Ephesus must be mentioned in any piece concerning Türkiye’s Aegean coast.
The vast theatre, Roman terrace homes with stunning mosaics, the public restrooms, and the Celsius library, which housed the third-largest collection of scrolls in ancient history, are just a few of the iconic structures to visit.
It is worthwhile to stay an extra night to explore Selcuk’s neighboring attractions.
The museum houses artifacts found in Ephesus, or you can hike up into the hills to see the Virgin Mary’s home. Many Christian and Muslim tourists visit the place for this reason. The nearby ancient Isa Bey mosque, with its impressive Seljuk architecture, and Saint John’s Basilica, supposedly where his tomb is, are two locations in the Selcuk town center that should be at the top of your list.
Kusadasi
For sightseeing
Kuşadasi offers a lot to see and do, including boat cruises to adjacent coves and bays, an excellent old town with a vast bazaar along a hillside, a magnificent castle, and a small beach that is more accessible than many others.
Day trips from Kuşadasi are also relatively easy to go to the spectacular ruins at Priene, Miletus, and Didyma, the breathtaking scenery at Lake Bafa, and, a little further, Pamukkale. Kuşadasi features a winding ancient town and a magnificent castle exquisitely situated on the port.
It is also very convenient for day visits to several historical places, including Priene, Miletus, Didyma, and Ephesus, which is the cherry on top of the whole tour.
Kusadasi isn’t all about beach time, as much as it may seem that way when you first arrive. Just a short distance from the resort, you will find Dilek National Park, a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle. You can trek, go wildlife spotting, or chill out here. There are also beaches inside the park if you’re missing the water.
Also, head to Old Doganbey, a former Greek fishing village still famed for its seafood and has a museum to learn more about the area. You’ll find this just outside the national park.
Bodrum
For families & beach bums
Many of the resorts on the peninsula are incredibly family-friendly, providing specific accommodations, entertaining activities, and regular pricing that includes all meals and beverages. Bodrum is extensive and incredibly popular, but it still has a charming, laid-back vibe.
Old houses, guesthouses converted to homes, and waterfront cafés are all abundant in the two bays on either side of the old town, with a majestic castle overshadowing it.
They are all tastefully painted in the same colors, blue and white. Several foods, folk dancing, ballet, and traditional music festivals held in Bodrum get much appreciation from tourists. From the station in the city center, buses quickly go to quaint towns with old-fashioned markets.
Over the last few years, Bodrum has become quite a glitzy destination and has been frequented by countless celebrities. As such, many high-quality and quite expensive hotels and restaurants have based themselves in the resort, but that doesn’t mean budget travelers are priced out either.
Nearby Gumbet is the ideal place for those who want to be close to the glitz and glamour but don’t want to stay right in the middle of it. This town also has better beaches than central Gumbet, only 15 minutes away by road. Here, you’ll find a laid-back beach way of life with plenty of water sports and fun pubs to enjoy.
For a more authentic way of life, head a little further to Turgutreis, which is a charming fishing town with a relaxing vibe. Or check out the windmills in Yalikavak.
Cesme And Alacati
For nightlife and beach bums,
Cesme and the neighboring town of Alaçati are well-known tourist destinations because of their spectacular location at the end of a long peninsula, facing a bay and looking out over a Greek island. The summer months are a popular time for ceşme and alaçati to host music events primarily designed for the younger crowd.
Along the scenic coastline and vibrant old town, there is no shortage of taverns, clubs, and restaurants, many of which include live music.
Most of these establishments remain open during the off-season and the month-long Islamic holiday of Ramadan. Alaçati is also well-known for being one of the best sites in the world that tourists prefer for paddleboarding and other water sports.
Izmir
For culture and shopping
The third-largest city in Türkiye has an attractive old town where the narrow streets crammed with shops offer a variety of goods, including fresh produce, jewelry, and baked goods.
Izmir is also big enough to have several suburban malls in the Western style and a tonne of contemporary stores lining the long streets. Izmir is exceptionally dynamic and forward-thinking.
Hence, it hosts many events focusing on jazz and movies, including the vast International Izmir Festival that takes place throughout June. Public events like National Sovereignty and Children’s Day are extraordinarily engaging and picturesque in Izmir because of its size and lovely location along the seafront.
Of course, Izmir is about more than just city life; here, you’ll find a pretty laid-back beach destination, too.
There are countless things to see and do in and around Izmir, including the beach, BBQ, and campsite at Goztepe, the ruins of Smyrna agora, Konak Square and the famous clock tower, the ruins of Pergamon, once dedicated to the Egyptian gods, Izmir Zoo & Wildlife Park, and the fantastic views from Kadifekale.
Altinkum (close to Didim)
For beach bums and party people
Between Izmir and Bodrum, you will find another resort called Altinkum. While not particularly authentic these days, it is an excellent spot if you want a beach holiday with plenty of fun in the sun. This resort has gained a reputation as Britain in the sun, but you can’t deny that it ticks many boxes most people want from a sunshine holiday.
The beaches here are immaculate, and the sea is crystal clear. You can also quickly get to Bodrum itself by bus, at around an hour’s drive (traffic depending).
Datca Peninsula
Best for couples
On the way to the busy resort of Marmaris, you’ll find the Datca Peninsula, a chilled-out area that is ideal for those who want to kick back and relax in total beauty. However, there’s still good nightlife here, so don’t worry if you want to party a little!
The peninsula stretches for 50 miles and has some of the cleanest beaches you’ll see. Plenty of fantastic restaurants also serve local produce, and the seafood is particularly good here. Wine lovers should definitely head to Datca Vineyard & Winery and check out the live music on the cobbled streets of Old Datca.
Marmaris & Icmeler
Best for couples, families, and those who want to party
Marmaris is the last resort before you start to move towards the Mediterranean coastline past Fethiye and over towards Antalya. This is a very popular resort, along with neighboring Icmeler, which is around 10 minutes away by bus.
There is plenty to see and do here; however, if you are into beach time, it’s best to go to Icmeler, where the beaches are larger and cleaner. Despite that, Uzunyali, the main beach stretch in Marmaris, is an excellent spot for dining and nightlife.
Head past the beach towards the castle, and you’ll find the center of town, which is great for shopping, then down the marina, where you can enjoy seafood, more upmarket dining, and plenty of chill-out bars. You’ll find Bar Street just behind here, with nightclubs open until the early hours.
It’s possible to take the catamaran over to Rhodes for the day from Marmaris, while you can also head just outside the resort and visit the small and traditional town of Akyaka. Cleopatra Island and Incekum Beach are also around 20 minutes by road (and boat for Cleopatra Island) from Marmaris and are great ideas for day trips.
Bozcaada Island
For couples
Bozcaada is Turkey’s third-largest island, despite its size. Bozcaada is charming, making it easy to find a beach that is free from the crowd.
Numerous stunning guesthouses in the old town’s cobblestoned streets are getting overshadowed by a medieval castle. Several waterfront cafés provide an incredibly cozy atmosphere and sell the region’s well-known wine. It’s a romantic getaway for new couples.
Gallipoli
For history buffs
For most visitors to Turkey, especially those traveling there for the first time, visiting a World War I battlefield like Gallipoli is generally not on their itinerary.
It’s located on a peninsula in Türkiye right between the Aegean Sea and the Dardanelles straits. The Allied commanders thought an invasion there would be a decisive strike against the Ottoman Empire (which had aligned itself with Germany) and thus would bring a quick end to World War I.
In case you were asleep that day in class when the Gallipoli campaign was covered, or worse, as an American, you never even heard the name Gallipoli before since World War I history is so hastily and scantily clad in the school curriculum, here are five reasons why you should visit this sacred site.
It is not just a significant part of European and World War I history but also a significant part of Turkey’s modern-day history.
Move This Adventure To Your Inbox & Get An Instant Freebie
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
Brands We Use And Trust
Turkish Resorts
Turkey has a rich history, stunning scenery, and pristine beaches. In summer, tourists from all countries visit Turkey’s stunning beaches to soak up the sun along the Mediterranean and Aegean Coasts.
If you also want to enjoy the coast’s turquoise waters, start arranging your summer holiday in Türkiye now! And if you don’t know where to find the best holiday resorts in Türkiye, don’t worry! We prepared this perfect guide to help you find the best resorts in Türkiye.
Final Thoughts On The Turkish Aegean Sea
The mosques and market stalls of Istanbul come to mind when people initially think of Türkiye, yet it only begins to scratch the surface of this intriguing nation. The Aegean coast of Turkey is one of the top travel destinations, and for good reason. It offers a lot, including historical sites, stunning beaches, bougainvillea-covered seaside towns, and a relaxed environment.