Turkey holidays

From spice-laden bazaars and ancient temples to chic boutiques and bar-backed beaches, holidays to Turkey showcase the best of East and West.

First-class beaches

Turkey’s beach scene is top-notch, and it has the awards to prove it. More than 500 sandy swathes have been given Blue Flag status, with the best of the bunch sitting on the west and south-west coast. The Aegean Coast in the west’s home to familiar favourites like Bodrum and up-and coming Izmir, while a shuffle south takes you to the Turkish Riviera, where the likes of Marmaris and Fethiye draw in the crowds.

A country of two continents

Turkey’s one of the few countries in the world which straddles two continents. Most of the country sits in Asia, while a far smaller portion’s nestled in south-east Europe. The divide’s most notable in the country’s biggest city, Istanbul, which is literally split in two by the Bosphorus River, with the western side in Europe and the eastern side in Asia.

Ancient wonders

Turkey’s ancient cities are a big hit with history buffs, and there are plenty of them to see. The seaside spot of Side packs in an ancient amphitheatre, Roman baths and a 30-kilometre aqueduct that dates back to the 2nd century AD, while the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus has ruins going back to the 10th century BC.

The Turquoise Coast

The Turquoise Coast is a stretch of sandy beaches that curves along the south-west shoreline of Turkey, from Izmir to Antalya. Along the way, you'll find everything from sleepy fishing villages to ancient cities, along with bucketloads of sandy swathes where you can try your hand at watersports. Make note of the Blue Lagoon if you're in the area, too – it's one of the most photographed spots in this part of the world.