NAUTICAL TOURISM

Why Turkey?

Different regions of Turkey offer various possibilities all year round. Each area is particular and interesting in its own way. Since Turkey is surrounded by four seas, it is a real paradise for tourists.

Turkey is a perfect place for yachting, for all who tend to experience the true beauty of sailing. It boasts one of the most beautiful coastlines with many beautiful beaches and bays, both sandy and rocky ones, coves, islands and inlets, harbours and safe mooring spots.

Its coastline is well developed, and harbours and ports provide all the facilities for tourists; hotels, restaurants, night clubs, shops, mooring with water connections and electricity...
These are the marinas that meet all the requirements of the international standard: Istanbul Atakoy, Istanbul Kalamis, Izmir, Levent Marina, Cesme Altinyunus, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris Netsel, Marmaris Albatros, Marmaris Bay Marina, Kemer Turban, Fethiye Club Marina, Antalya Setur and Kaleici Marinas.

One can find a perfect mooring spot for a sailing boat between Izmir and Antalya with the depths of up to 12 m. During the summer season, winds blow from the northwest towards the southeast in the central and southern Aegean. The wind, known as the meltem, usually blows at night, or sometimes even day at night and lasts for a few days.

Turkish resorts

• Fethiye is located on the western Mediterranean coast, firstly known as Telmessos – the enlightened land, then it was given the Greek name Magri – the far land. It's famous for its works of art of different cultures; Persians, Lycians, Carians and Romans. It is an ancient settlement with fortress and remains of sarcophagi and rock tombs. This location is enriched with twelve islands spread in the gulf of Fethiye; Sovalye, Kizilada, Tersane, Domuz, Katrancik, Yassicilar, Gocek, Delikli, Gemiler, Seytanli and Karacaoren. Visitors may enjoy their vacation on beautiful beach a few kilometers away from the town center, supplied with all the facilities one needs. Gocek then, a fisherman's village, about 30 km from Fethiye, an interesting resort for yachtsmen. Fethiye attracts many visitors and it has gained reputation worldwide, not only for its beauty but for pretty favourable climate as well.
• Kas is a wonderful place in the south of the Mediterranean region, founded on the ancient town of Antiphellos. It has always been a significant port during the Hellenistic period and then during the Roman period as well. Kas is very popular among tourists, it's a real jewel for boaters for it provides anchorage in its small marina, still interesting for its rock tombs and the theater.
• Kalkan is a charming town on the hill with a wonderful view to a small bay. It is a perfect resort for all and it provides pleasant vacation. One can be astonished by its splendid white houses with balconies full of flowers, or its narrow streets with souvenir shops that lead down to the marina. Visitors will certainly enjoy the panoramic view from the roof terraces of these marvellous houses.
• Bodrum has always been fought over and it has suffered many invasions. Known as Halicarnassos, it was built on a peninsula. It's famous for its castle, shipyards and many renowned yachts. Two harbours and beautiful white houses make it more astonishing. It provides all the facilities that will meet the requirements of all the visitors.
• Marmaris has developed into one of the most important resorts in Turkey, mostly tourist resort thanks to its modern development which provides various facilities for visitors; the largest harbour in Turkey, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, shops...In spite of some architectural and historical evidence of different civilizations (Egyptian, Ion, Dor, Persian, Macedonian, Syrian, Roman, Byzantium, Ottoman..), not much has been preserved from the history in this town, still there are ancient cities nearby for daily trips. Transport is well developed, so all the nearby beaches and places are easily approachable.
• Antalya is known as the Turkish Riviera for its natural and historical beauty. It's one of the most popular tourist resorts of irregular coastline with magnificent beaches, harbours, coves, clear sea...As the major tourist center of Turkey, Antalya provides various facilities for tourists; hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops, different sport events and competitions, cultural and art events. Besides Antalya, there are other places in the Riviera as interesting as well; Akseki, Alanya, Elmali, Finike, Gazipasa, Gundogmus, Ibradi, Kale, Kemer, Korkutali, Kumluca, Manavgat and Serik.

Besides these marvellous and interesting tourist resorts, one can visit many other places, perhaps less popular, but not less beautiful, such as:

• Dalyan – a small fisherman's village on the Mediterranean coast where you can start your tour of the surroundings. You can enjoy the mud bath, visit an interesting beach with both salt and fresh water or visit an ancient city of Kaunos, its ancient Theatre, the Roman Bath, the Temple of Apollon and the Acropolis.
• Olympos – located on a sandy bay, it is the place of worship honouring Hephaestos or Vulcan, the God of Fire. Visitors will surely admire beautiful bathhouse with mosaic floors, marble temple entrance, theatre...and mostly a series of eternal flames caused by the combustion of natural gas.
• Troy – a marvellous historical city whose ruins were found in the mid-19th century. It provides view to the Dardanelles and the hills of Gallipoli.
• Ephesus – one of the most spectacular historical sites in Turkey. The city was dedicated to the godess of Artemis, and it has always been a significant trade center with numerous sites; amphitheatres, murals, baths, fountains, columns, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Grand Theatre...