The Turkish Riviera (Turkish: Türk Rivierası), also known popularly as the Turquoise Coast, is an area of southwest Turkey encompassing the provinces of Antalya and Muğla, and to a lesser extent Aydın, southern İzmir and western Mersin. The combination of a favorable climate, warm sea, mountainous scenery, fine beaches along more than a 1,000 km (620 mi) of shoreline along the Aegean and Mediterranean waters, and abundant natural and archaeological points of interest makes this stretch of Turkey's coastline a popular national and international tourist destination.

Among the archaeological points of interest are two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus; and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.

The Turkish Riviera is also the home of the internationally known Blue Voyage (a.k.a. Carian Cruise), which allows participants to take a week-long trip aboard the local gulet schooners to ancient cities, harbors, tombs, mausolea, and beaches in the small coves, forests, and streams that are on the Turquoise Coast.

The coastline is regarded as a cultural trove that provides background on a fascinating mixture of factual and mythological individuals, conflicts and events, and has frequently been referred to in the folklore of various cultures throughout history. As such, it is regarded as the home of scholars, saints, warriors, kings, and heroes, as well as the site of numerous well-known myths. Mark Antony of the Roman Republic is said to have picked the Turkish Riviera as the most beautiful wedding gift for his beloved Cleopatra of Egypt.^[1] Saint Nicholas, who later became the basis of the Santa Claus legend, was born in Patara, a small town close to present-day Demre.^[2] Herodotus, regarded as the "father of History", was born in Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) in c. 484 BC.^[3] The volcanic mountains to the west of Antalya, near Dalyan, are believed to have been the inspiration for the mythical Chimera — the fire-breathing monster that Bellerophon slew.^[1]

Communities and settlements

Many cities, towns and villages in the area are internationally known, such as Alanya, Antalya, Belek, Bodrum, Çeşme, Didim, Fethiye, Kalkan, Kaş, Kemer, Kuşadası, Marmaris, and Side.

Notable places on the Turkish Riviera include:

Gallery

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  Typical architecture of Alaçatı
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  Castle and harbour of Alanya
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  Tip of the Alanya peninsula
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  Yivli Minaret Mosque, near the Gulf of Antalya
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  Roman theatre in Aspendos, Antalya
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  Castle of Çeşme
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  View of the Fethiye coast
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  Roman theatre in Demre, where St. Nicholas lived
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  Lycian tombs in Fethiye
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  Butterfly Valley, Fethiye
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  Ölüdeniz Beach, Fethiye
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  Cape Gelidonya near Finike is the site of the wreck of a Phoenician merchant ship from about 1200 BC
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  Port of Foça, home of the Mediterranean monk seal
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  Traditional two-masted gulet schooner visiting a cove in Gökova as part of the Blue Cruise
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  Ancient sites of Kaleköy (or Simena)
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  A street in Kaş with traditional houses and a Lycian tomb in the background
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  Beach and marina of Kemer
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  Moonlight Beach in Kemer
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  A view of Güvercinada island, Kuşadası
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  Manavgat waterfall
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  Castle and harbour of Marmaris
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  Karaca in Marmaris
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  Olympos Beach
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  Mt. Olympos (Mt. Tahtalı) was the namesake of the town of Olympos in Lycia
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  Ancient ruins in Patara
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  The ruins of the Temple of Apollo, near Side
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  Exterior walls of the ancient theatre in Side
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  Lycian tombs in Simena