Türkiye is blessed with so many incredible locations that you could spend years cruising the coast and not even scratch the surface of what the country has to offer. From the glitz and glamour of Bodrum and Yalikavak to the low-key haunts of Ayvalik and Alacati, here’s our pick of destinations to add to your Turkish cruising itinerary in 2023.
Alacati
Incredible Locations to Add To Your Turkish Cruising Itinerary
360° Yachting often mentions places worth adding to your cruising itinerary in Türkiye in our newsletters and travel blogs. Over the years, we have suggested many cultural and historic sites and shared insight into some of the most spectacular resorts, beach clubs, restaurants, islands, and adventures you can enjoy while travelling along the coast. Here’s a quick look at some of our favourite locations with links to the full articles.
Ayvalik D Resort Murat Reis
Ayvalik
The enchanting resort of Ayvalik on the northwest Aegean is an emerging wellness destination where the air is said to contain some of the highest oxygen levels outside the Alps. It’s a charming place that has miraculously escaped mainstream tourism and is ideal for guests looking to café-hop along pretty cobblestone streets, indulge in some “me” time or tuck into a fresh seafood dinner while staring over the blues of the Aegean.
Ayvalik
Recent years have seen several stylish boutique resorts and spas open in Ayvalik – places like D-Resort Murat Reis, offering a first-class onshore escape to high-end travellers and passing superyachts. The islands around Ayvalik are also a joy to cruise, with many stunning bays and anchorages ideal for a swim stop or lazy lunch. Discover more about Ayvalik…
Kas
Kas
Kas, on the Mediterranean coast, is an old Turkish harbour town with a relaxed bohemian feel. It’s built up on a hillside with a fascinating warren of streets hiding boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and shops at its heart. There are many great reasons to visit Kas, but perhaps the main lure is for low-key guests looking to avoid the crowds and well-trodden coastal hot spots.
Kas
Kas is a great place to sip a cold drink or enjoy a fresh seabass dinner in a trendy water-side restaurant. There are many places to go and things to do locally, and the pretty Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo) is just a few minute’s cruise across the water, making it a location most guests and crew will enjoy. More about Kas and Kastellorizo…
Yalikavak Marina
Yalikavak Marina
It would be wrong to write a post about cruising itineraries in Türkiye without mentioning Yalikavak Marina, as it now ranks among the top 10 marinas in the world. The marina is the first in Türkiye to receive the prestigious 5 Gold Anchor Platinum rating by the British Harbour Association (TYHA), and the onsite yachting and lifestyle facilities are superb.
Yalikavak Marina
Yalikavak Marina has 620 berths and can comfortably cater to yachts of up to 140m LOA. As you would expect from a world-class facility, all the technical and maintenance services are at hand – plus the lifestyle choices onsite rival many of the premium facilities in the Med. Aside from the marina, there are several excellent hotels, a first-class spa, many excellent restaurants, and a high-end designer shopping mall. More about Yalikavak Marina…
Patara Beach
Patara Beach
Not far from Kalkan, Patara is one of the Mediterranean coast’s most idyllic spots and a point where a beach and an ancient city meet. The beach was voted one of the best in the world by Times Online, and the recently restored ruins of Letoon behind are home to not only the oldest lighthouse in the world but also the building where democracy first flourished.
Letoon
The beach at Patara is certainly one of the Turkish coast’s finest. Many beaches in Türkiye are pebbly, yet Patara is a 12 km long stretch of glorious fine sand with more than enough space to find a quiet place to escape the tourists. The area was once the busy Lycian port, yet centuries of wind ensured sand reclaimed the shoreline leaving even the former lighthouse many meters inland. It’s now a protected area and a breeding ground for endangered loggerhead turtles, known locally as “Caretta, Caretta”, that lay their eggs in the sand at night. Learn more about Patara…
Alacati and Cesme
The town of Alacati on the Izmir Cesme peninsula was described as “the best-kept luxury travel secret on the Mediterranean” by Forbes. Conde Nast said, “a smart new crowd is heading to the tiny Turkish village of Alacati, where the galleries, beach clubs and food scene make it summertime’s coolest spot”, – so let’s just say Alacati is worth popping on the itinerary!
Alacati
Alacati has been popular with artists and surfers for many years but thankfully escaped mainstream tourism, only recently becoming popular with the yacht crowd and Turkish elite. Some, including Conde Nast, suggest it is becoming the hip new Bodrum, with a growing selection of arty cafes, fine boutique hotels, and chic modern restaurants. We are inclined to agree, as superyacht guests and crew have praised the town many times over recent years, plus it certainly has some of the coast’s best restaurants. Read more about Alacati…
Bozcaada
Bozcaada
The island of Bozcaada in the north Aegean is a trendy destination that’s been popular with yachts and the Turkish elite for many years. Anne Able from Forbes found it so alluring that she described it as “a secret Aegean Island Paradise” as it serves up an enticing mix of Greek and Turkish influences.
Bozcaada
The main town is a warren of white-washed Greek buildings converted into seafood restaurants and boutique hotels. The narrow cobblestone streets are full of Instagram-worthy cafes, fairy-light-draped courtyards, and al-fresco eateries, and there’s no mass tourism or sprawling high-rise all-inclusive resorts to spoil the skyline. Bozcaada is a place to sample local wines, eat fine food, and explore. More about Bozcaada…
Bodrum
Bodrum
Bodrum is one of Türkiye’s most established resorts and one that was once described as the “St. Tropez of Türkiye” by the New York Times. It has for decades attracted British, international, and European visitors and yachts, possibly because it offers an exciting mix of history, shopping, entertainment, and nightlife.
Bodrum
Bodrum is inviting and a must-add to most itineraries due to its unique energy and ambience. For the discerning, there are many wonderful resorts, restaurants and spas, and history lovers can see the Mausoleum of Mausolus, Bodrum Castle, and the town’s various museums. Bodrum is one of many locations we mentioned in our post on Türkiye’s Most Romantic Locations and a good choice of location for almost every reason.
ADD THESE LOCATIONS TO YOUR CRUISING ITINERARY IN TURKEY
Hopefully, these suggestions have given you inspiration on where to add to your Turkish cruising itinerary in 2023. For more ideas or to include any of the places listed in your travel plans, please CONTACT 360 YACHTING.
