First time to Turkey - where to go

joho

Hello all,

The title is slightly incorrect in that I have been to Turkey, but it was a very long time ago. Put it this way I went when Altinkum was nowt but a dot. And as far as I can tell it isn't anymore!

Anyway, cut to the chase - I need holiday recommendations for Turkey in September. We want sandy beaches, good food, tavernas/bars (but not fussed about nightclubs) and maybe some culture too (though not essential as tend to be lazy on hol).

As a guide we love Lindos, Pefkos, Tingaki, Kefalos, but the pound/euro balance is driving us somewhere other than Greece this year. Friends have been to Kalkan and loved it, but said the beach wasn't sandy.

All recommendations greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jo

ETA: The 1st time to Turkey thing is because my husband has always refused to go there since he watched Midnight Express! But torture and male rape worries him less these days than the pound/euro exchange rate!

wallbash

Side.

My problem with Turkey are the flight times , never the best.

zzzLazyDaisy

Turkey is a big country and the various areas are quite different.

Personally I don't like Side as it caters for Europeans, charges in Euros, and the waiters often speak to you in German! But it does have sandy beacjes and lots of people like it.

Olu Deniz has a lovely sandy beach, there is some lovely countryside around and some nice hotels within a bus ride of the beach - but personally I wouldn't be keen on staying in Olu Deniz itself - it is too British for my liking, but again, lots of people love it.

Bodrum is nice, the pensinsula has lovely sandy beaches. I don't like Gumbet much, but I love Bitez, and Bodrum town is great for a day out.

Someone else will come on here now and tell you about another place that they love! It is a lovely country, the exchange rate is great at the moment, and the people are friendly. Go with an open mind and you will have a great time, I am sure

joho

Thank you zzzLazyDaisy and wallbash. Like you say, zzzLazyDaisy, there will be differing opinions and recommendations! That's why I asked - it's a way of filtering out the non-sandy beaches, noisy resorts, Benidorm type places (like Kusadasi!).

I had discounted Bodrum because of a previous (day trip) visit as I thought it was all about the castle and the town and the nightlife. But will review that opinion now.

Jo x

hieveryone

I went to Dalyan last summer and it was absolutely gorgeous. Really nice little town with the friendliest people you could meet. Further in the centre there is a nice strip of bars/restaurants etc.

Edit: only about half hour from airport too.

wallbash

My best Turkish holiday was Beleck , wonderful golf course and the best hotel I have been to . But the no beach to speak of , town too small and boring and little culture. So cross Beleck off your list .

But come back to me if you want a wonderful hotel.

zzzLazyDaisy

Ah! I had forgotten about Dalyan, it must be about 20 years since I was last there. I wonder if it has changed much? But yes, it is a lovely place. As far as I recall there is no beach immediately there (tho I could be wrong) but the boat ride down the river to the beach is lovely. You can call in at the mud baths on the way, and I think there are also kayak trips down the river. The beach is long and sandy, but beware of the undercurrents, you need to be a strong swimmer if you swim in the sea.

littlereddevil

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Turkey is a big country and the various areas are quite different.

Personally I don't like Side as it caters for Europeans, charges in Euros, and the waiters often speak to you in German! But it does have sandy beacjes and lots of people like it.

Olu Deniz has a lovely sandy beach, there is some lovely countryside around and some nice hotels within a bus ride of the beach - but personally I wouldn't be keen on staying in Olu Deniz itself - it is too British for my liking, but again, lots of people love it.


I love Olu and have visited it for over 20 years but would never class the beach as "lovely sandy"

zzzLazyDaisy

littlereddevil wrote: »

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I love Olu and have visited it for over 20 years but would never class the beach as "lovely sandy"

It is down by the lagoon. Or maybe it isn't these days? It's a while since I was last there....

PompeyPete

I agree with everything zzzLazyDaisy has written [not been to Bodrum though].

I'd add Icmeler too, but the beach isn't sand, which is a shame as the setting is gorgeous.

I wouldn't bother with Calis Beach either, no sand and tatty, too many expats and their designer mutts.

The whole Fethiye area though, including Olu Deniz (Hisaranu, Ovacik, and Calis Beach) is really impressive. The people are friendly, and justly proud of their region.

Dalyan is the closest resort to Dalaman airport. I've not been though, it's picturesque and popular, but because it sits on a river it's prone to attracting loads of mozzies. I think Sinkov is the way to deal with them though.

stuart291155

We normally stay near fethiye either ovacik or calis beach whichever takes our fancy when booking, very easy and cheap to get around on the Dolmus,not seen many sandy beaches in the area, Fethiye is really lovely, we are off to calis beach for 16 nights from the middle of may