Those cruising around the Med and Aegean are in for a treat, as there are many wonderful things to do along the Turkish coast this autumn. From soaking up the sun on the fabulous beach of Patara or Itztuzu and discovering the historic sites of Ephesus or Knidos to enjoying a guided walk along the famous Lycian Way or watching the paragliders pull stunts in the International Oludeniz Airgames, there’s plenty to keep everyone onboard entertained. If you’re seeking travel inspiration or need a few pointers for your cruising itinerary, here are a few suggestions on what to do along the Turkish coast this October.

SOAK UP THE SUN ON TURKEY’S BEST BEACHES

Patara Beach

Located in Antalya Province, between Fethiye and Kas, is the stunning 12-kilometre-long beach of Patara. This fabulous natural sandy stretch is protected as it’s a breeding ground for endangered loggerhead turtles, known locally as “Caretta, Caretta”, who lay their eggs along the shore at night. Patara Beach is one of Türkiye’s finest and almost desert-like in appearance, with striking sand dunes that have been featured in many documentaries. Patara was even used as the set for desert scenes in the famous Tosun Pasha movie starring Şener Şen and Kemal Sunal.

Iztuzu Beach

The beautiful 4.5-kilometre-long İztuzu Beach has been voted one of the best beaches in Türkiye and Europe many times. Located near the historic town of Dalyan, it is another protected and relatively unspoilt stretch of sand popular with sea turtles, who bury their eggs along the shore. Iztuzu Beach is certainly worth a visit, and rest assured that there’s more than enough space to find a peaceful spot to soak in the sun, enjoy the views, and escape the crowds.

DISCOVER THESE TURKISH COASTAL TOWNS

Kas

The vibrant seaside town of Kas in Antalya Province has a bustling café culture, a good selection of laid-back bars, decent restaurants, and a relaxed bohemian feel. The town is less commercial than Bodrum, Yalikavak, and Antalya, so it appeals to those who want to explore and blend into the crowd. Kas and its surrounding bays are popular with superyachts and low-key guests, and in addition, some of Türkiye’s best dive spots are found in the area – including some wreck sites. The town is also close to the famous sunken city of Kekova and just a short cruise across the water from the Greek island of Meis. 

Alacati

The quaint fishing town of Alacati was described as “the best-kept luxury travel secret on the Mediterranean” by Forbes, and its beach clubs, beauty, and food scene make it a great place to visit this autumn. Situated on the Izmir-Cesme peninsula, the town’s cobbled streets, stone houses, arty cafes, and boutiques make it a favoured haunt of passing yachts and the local elite. Alacati offers an enticing mix of Greek and Turkish influences and a laid-back feel most will enjoy, so it’s certainly a location worth adding to your late summer cruising itinerary.

STEP BACK IN TIME AT THESE HISTORIC SITES

Ephesus

There are a few places in the world that everyone should put on their bucket list, and Ephesus is one. Dating back to 6,000 BC, this ancient Greco-Roman city is one of the world’s great outdoor museums and was once home to over 250,000 people. Ephesus is located within easy reach of Kusadasi, and it offers the ideal excursion for any history lovers on board.

Ephesus is a colossal site that takes time to explore. With highlights including the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Arcadian Way, The Great Theatre, and Hadrian’s Temple, Ephesus is understandably a popular tourist attraction. It is, however, possible to avoid the tourists by visiting early morning or taking a unique private tour of the site at dusk when the ruins are beautifully floodlit. TALK TO US for more details.

Kinidos

Jutting into the Aegean at the very tip of Datca Peninsula is the ancient city of Knidos. This impressive site has miraculously avoided mass tourism and was once a significant arts and cultural centre and trading point for passing merchants and warships. Today, although it’s easy to sail past and remark on the site, do consider stopping and letting us organise a guided tour of the area, where highlights include the remains of the Temple of Apollo, a mountaintop citadel, an acropolis, and the pedestal where the famed statue of Aphrodite once stood.

GET OUT AND ABOUT WITH THESE TOURS, ACTIVITIES, AND EVENTS

Walk The Lycian Way

If you’re cruising during Spring or Autumn, take to the hills for a hike along a section of Türkiye’s most famous coastal walking trail, the Lycian Way. The Lycian Way stretches 540 km from Ovacik in Fethiye across to Antalya, and it takes around 29 days to complete the whole route. We can, however, organise a knowledgeable local guide to take you along small sections like the beautiful trail between Ovacik and Faralya. This easy-to-moderate route takes a few hours and affords spectacular views over the famous beach and lagoon in Oludeniz.

Enjoy a Round of Golf in Belek

Over the last two decades, Türkiye has emerged as a favourite golfing destination, and two of the game’s most prominent players and designers, Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie, have created incredible courses in the country’s golfing capital of Belek. The impressive sea view course at Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Resort offers a good mix of fairways, sandy ridges and lakes, leading it to be voted one of Europe’s best courses by The Times. Faldo’s 27-hole course at Cornelia is another superb option that often holds international tournaments. We can organise rounds at these and many other courses along the coast. All handicaps are welcome.

Watch The International Oludeniz Airgames

For adrenaline junkies and those who like extreme air sports, Türkiye’s famous coastal resort of Oludeniz is where to head this October to watch the International Oludeniz Airgames. The event attracts Red Bull acro-pilots and competitors from all over the world, who take to the sky, pulling death-defying paragliding stunts many metres over the bay. The show is always an autumn highlight, and your deck, a few drinks, and a quiet central position in the bay is the ideal place to turn your eyes to the sky and watch the proceedings. This year, the event runs from Wednesday 18^th to Monday 23^rd of October, so drop us a line and let us add a visit to your itinerary.

ADD THESE DESTINATIONS TO YOUR TURKISH CRUISING ITINERARY

Türkiye’s mesmerising coastline has something for everyone, and 360 Yachting can organise the ideal cruising itinerary for all onboard. Let us know your interests and length of stay, and we will draw up a bespoke cruising plan to include the best things to do along the Turkish coast, including marinas, towns, bays, and private tours. If you want to know more about services, please CONTACT US.