As a Turkish brand, we want to emphasise how beautiful and diverse Turkey is, while sharing our knowledge about the best spots and what to look for, along with a pricing comparison for the most common summer tourist destinations.
1. Bodrum
Home to one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world, Bodrum, with its' white houses and neon blue waters, is a truly special destination. Especially recommended for those who find Southern Europe too hot in the summer - because of its' geography, Bodrum doesn't get as extremely hot as other places, especially in the summer.
- Bodrum Castle
- Turkbuku
- Yalikavak Marina
- Orak Island Boat Tour
- Museum of Underwater Archeology
Prices Rating: $ $ $ - $ $ $ $ $
Bodrum is a world-renowned luxury destination, but if you'd still like to experience it without breaking the bank, it's possible to do so, if you go to lesser-known parts of Bodrum like İcmeler, Torba, and Turgutreis. These spots aren't cheap either - it's Bodrum afterall!
2. Antalya
Antalya, known for it's more tropical and humid climate, is a paradise on Earth. The best part about Antalya is the warm seas - even at night, you can swim in warm waters, and jump in the water without hesitation! What comes with the territory, though, is that the climate gets quite humid, like Miami. Lots of people speak English (and Russian, because of the Russian population), so you won't have trouble if you need help with anything.
Prices Rating: $ $ - $ $ $ $
You can find the world's most luxurious golf clubs here, which have hotels of their own, where you can enjoy spas as well. A big part of Antalya's luxury spots is golf and spa culture.
With that, you can definitely find run-of-the-mill hotels in pretty good locations as well. Beware that Antalya is very spread out geographically, and make sure you book hotels close to places you want to visit, or you can rent a car to get there.
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Aspendos
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Belek beaches
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Duden waterfalls
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Antalya Marina
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Kursunlu waterfalls
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St. Nicholas Church
3. Fethiye
With both lush forests and blue waters, Fethiye is the destination with the most nature in this list. There is lots of camping options, which are all run by the municipality, and are reasonable prices.
On the other hand, places like Göcek in Fethiye, offer private boat tours and hidden restaurants only accesible by water, taking you through the many inlets and gulf along the unique coastline. Göcek is a small but elegant town with a huge yachting community. If you love the water and luxury yachts, you will love this place, and will definetely see a couple well-known megayachts of billionaires laying around.
Prices Rating: $ $ $ - $ $ $ $ $
Hotel rates vary quite a lot, starting from national average (around 75USD) all the way up to multiple thousands a night. Food prices, however, are on the higher side, anywhere you go, as these places are mostly run by the minority - the locals. There are plenty luxury options to choose from as well, and very exclusive ones.
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Ölüdeniz
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Blue Lagoon
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İçmeler
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Göcek Marina
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Saklikent National Park
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Butterfly Valley
4. Istanbul
For those who prefer a city vacation, we needed to add Istanbul to the end of the list, as Istanbul is a year-round destination like Paris, full of culture and history. The best time to visit Istanbul is the summer months, as majority of locals go to their hometowns or other summer destinations, the city gets quieter and there's way less traffic. Enjoy the city in the summer to visit places like Dolmabahce Palace.
Prices Rating: $ - $ $ $ $ $
Prices really vary, just like any other city like New York, Tokio etc. - you can stay in hotels quite far from the city centre and get way with cheaper rates, and activities such as exhibitions, museums and historic cites are affordable. If you prefer fine dining and elegant lounges, there are exquisite, world-class options, which of course, can run you hundreds, if not, thousands.
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Dolmabahce Palace
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Topkapi Palace
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Dinner & Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait
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Kalamis Marina
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Blue Mosque
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Basilica Cistern
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Arnavutkoy District