AEGEAN COAST (Turkey)

Vacation Rentals & Holiday Rentals in the Aegean Coast and rest of Turkey.	Hotels	Flights	Car Hire/Rental

Want to contribute to the writings of this travel guide? If so, Click here

The Aegean shores of Turkey are among the loveliest landscapes in the country. The further south along the Aegean coast you go the higher the level of development you will encounter. The Northern Aegean is more of a holiday destination for Turks than for foreign tourists. To the south the climate improves, the season lengthens, the water temperature increases and it is here that many package tourists choose to take their week or two in the sun. Strangely enough, for a region that depends on tourism to the extent that the Southern Aegean has come to do, the majority of beaches aren't that great. There's a lot here to see and plenty of sunshine but for gorgeous, unspoiled beaches you'd probably be better looking further east towards the Mediterranean resorts. The magnificent coastline, lapped by the clear water of the Aegean Sea, abounds in vast and pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods. Whether you prefer idyllic fishing harbors, popular holiday villages or the remains of ancient civilizations attesting to more than 5,000 years of history, culture and mythology, this region offers a holiday with something for nature lovers, sun worshippers, photographers, sports enthusiasts, sailors and archeologists. Along the whole length of the coast, accommodation to suit every taste and price range can be found. A highlight to any trip to Turkey is a visit to Efes (Ephesus), once the commercial center of the ancient world.

Highlights of this coast include Assos, a charming and secluded little village with stunning views of Lesbos and it's own ruined city. Access to Assos is usually through Canakkale, an unexciting port at the narrowest point of the Dardanelles. Canakkale's population rockets every year as ANZAC day approaches and tourists flock there to see the battlefields of Gallipoli. Cesme also offers a pleasant destination, particularly popular with well to do Turks and conveniently close to Izmir, it makes a great place to spend a week. Access to beaches is good and accommodation doesn't have to be expensive. Izmir itself is a busy regional capital. Good shops and facilities but not, perhaps, the ideal holiday destination.

In terms of ancient sites there's quite a lot here. Many of the key Turkish sites of antiquity including Ephesus, Miletus, Priene, Pergamon, Aphrodisius and Pamukkale are accessible from any of the coastal towns. That gives you a choice of Bodrum, Kusadasi, Altinkum, Guzelcami and a score of others all competing for your tourist dollar. If you are travelling around you'll probably end up in Selcuk, a good base to explore Ephesus and neighbouring sites from.