If you are looking for a great summer holiday, Turkey could be the place to go. The sun is shining and the beaches are great. In the evening you can eat the great Turkey food and then dive into the wild nightlife.
If you just want to relax, you can spend the whole day on the beach. If you want some action, you can try one of the water sports: jet skiing, parasailing or the banana boat. Or you can just play a game of beach volleyball.
If you get tired sun bathing, you can trek in the mountain. If you like it a little wilder, mountain climbing and ravine climbing is also a possibility. Other options are diving, rafting and sea kayaking.
The most popular holiday destination right now is without doubt Alanya. About 10 % of all tourists in Turkey are on vacation in Alanya. The reason is probably the combination of two great beaches and the interesting sights. The best of them is the castle hill that divides the two beaches. From the top 250 meter (820 feet) above the sea there is a great view of Alanya and the surrounding country.
A popular attraction for the kids is Water Planet Aquapark; one of Turkeys largest water parks. Here you find everything from water slides and rafting to crazy golf and bungee jumping. In the evening you can shop branded goods (both real and fake) in Alanya. Finish your day in one of the many bars and discos.
Antalya does not look like the other typical holiday destination. The city has not developed from a small fisher village to a holiday destination. It is a large city with 500,000 residents, so you will probably see more locals than tourist. In Alanya you can combine your holiday with a look into the real Turkey.
In Alanya you will find a lot of shopping streets, centers and bazaars. But there are also a lot of great sights. In the old town Kaleici you will find a lot of traces of the Roman Empire. It is also a great place to see the typical Turkish everyday life, where old women prepare the dinner while the men play dominoes.
The number one golf destination in Turkey is without doubt Belek. Eight golf courses can be found in the area; and many more are on their way. It can be necessary to book several months before the holiday, if you are going in the high season.
If you do not play golf, Belek is still a great place. Around the city there are great nature and a silence, you cannot find in Alanya or Side. Bird lovers will also find Belek a paradise. And the city does of course also have shopping and water parks.
Surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean is Kemer. Here you find a very special mix of the real Turkey and a great holiday destination with lively pedestrian streets, nice beach promenades and an elegant marina.
Close to the city is the ruins of Phaselis, where Alexander the Great spent his winters; an obvious excursion. In the middle of Kemer is the Moonlight Park; a 55,000 m2 park area with playground and dolphinarium. In the same area there are a lot of restaurants, bars and discos.
Like many other holiday destinations Kusadasi was originally a small fisher village. Today you find great Turkey food and a quieter nightlife with only a small bar street.
Kusadasi has an international feeling because of the many cruise ship guests in the city, which arrives to see the famous sight Efesos (also named Efesus). So expect a lot of smart cafes and shops with international clothing brands.
Side is probably the most romantic holiday destination in Turkey. In the old town you find many old Roman buildings. And if you walk a little away from the main street, it is possible to find quiet streets with well-preserved wood and stone houses. The city’s theater is certainly also worth a visit. In the old days there were gladiator fights; today you will find more peaceful concerts and theater.
Side does also have a wild nightlife. You can even combine culture with pleasure in one of the most popular bars in the city; placed among the ruins of two 2nd century temples. For sun bathing Side has two beaches; the quit east beach and the livelier (and kid friendly) west beach.