10 Reasons Turkey is the Perfect Summer Destination
By Ryan Brown published on 3 October 2024
With a coastline named after a precious gemstone, a deep ancient history rooted into every hillside, vibrant culture and cuisine, and stunning secluded bays abound, there's no question you’ll adore visiting Turkey in summer!
In our minds, Turkey is one of the world’s great rarities when it comes to summer adventure travel. And it makes for our most unique MedSailors trip.
Turkey is budget-friendly, absolutely GORGEOUS, has lower crowds than Europe, and the weather plays nice even into October. This is also why it's one of our favourite sailing destinations and is bound to become yours. Here are our top 10 reasons why Turkey is the perfect summer destination for 2025!
The Beaches are Stunning
The phenomenal beaches are a top reason Turkey is the perfect summer destination. After all, what beats digging your toes into the sand and soaking up some rays while on holiday? And it has every kind, from secluded beaches only accessible by boat like Butterfly Valley to popular ones that make a mean mojito. Our favourite beach, and one you can visit on the MedSailors Turkey route, is Oludeniz Beach. This unique horn-shaped golden sand beach has a backdrop of towering mountains, where you can relax and swim in the turquoise waters while the paragliders swirl overhead. Speaking of…
Turkey is Amazing for Adventure Activities
Adventurous is the perfect word to describe Turkey. Not only can you be one of those paragliders swirling about over Oludeniz Beach and its blue lagoon, but there are also many other to enjoy. While anchored in one of the many stunning bays, some water sports boats come to you, so you can hop on the crazy couch or some tubes and zip around laughing until you cry. For outdoor lovers, Saklikent Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in Europe, so you can hike through this captivating natural wonder before tubing down the river to cap it off.
Turkey is an Excellent Wellness Destination
Get ready to up your zen-travel game. A big reason why Turkey is a perfect summer destination is that it has so much to offer for wellness while travelling through. The pace while sailing here is SUPER chill, giving you all the time to relax, swim, paddleboard, read, or do any other activity that brings a sigh of absolute bliss. Besides that, Turkey is big on spas. Hit up an authentic Turkish hamam while there for a traditional massage for a level of relaxation you didn't know existed.
Turkey Has Fascinating Ancient Culture
You'll find ancient history in every inch of the Turquoise Coast, with occasional ruins to spot as you sail around. Look up from the dinner table, and you'll spot 3,000-year-old Lycian tombs. Take a SUP out and paddleboard through stone arches of partially submerged ruins at Cleopatra's bathhouse. After lunch at Gemiler Island, walk through the sprawling network of stone remnants of 4th-century buildings that cover 80% of the island. Go for a sunrise hike from Cold Water Bay to a viewpoint overlooking the ghost town of Kayakoy.
Turkey's Food is Drool-worthy
Of course, the drool-worthy food is a top reason Turkey is the perfect summer destination. Just be warned, it's SO good that you might need to force yourself to stop gorging! Mezze-style platters pop with colourful dips and starters, snacks of delicious plump olives and cheese, vibrant (and massive) salads, and fresh-baked bread. When it comes to the grill, Turkey is unmatched for freshly caught fish brushed with olive oil, tender grilled octopus, wood-fired lamb dishes, and king prawns. And, of course, we can't forget the deserts like the dreamy honey-drizzled baklava. Are you salivating yet? We sure are.
Turkey is Filled with Friendly Locals
The locals you meet often shape your travel experience and Turkey brims with unbelievably friendly people. As you explore, you'll most likely see more smiles than anywhere else, with the locals passionate about sharing their culture and helping you have an amazing experience.
Turkey Surprises with Uniqueness
To say it is unique is an understatement and is exactly why Turkey is the perfect summer destination. As you are , you'll spot whole grocery stores in the form of a boat cruising around. Hungry for an afternoon snack? Keep your eyes peeled for the pancake boats that will come over to cook up a savoury or sweet treat. And after that, flag down the ice cream boats for dessert.
Turkey Is Perfect for Travel on a Budget
To put it simply, Turkey has never been cheaper to travel to! It's a perfect option for budget-conscious travellers or those wanting to get the most out of a trip without breaking the bank. The Turkish Lira is at its lowest compared to the Euro, GBP, and USD. That means you won't have to choose between paragliding or hitting the spa - you can do it all! The food and excursions are dramatically cheaper than many other popular summer destinations.
Turkey Has the Most Beautiful Bays
It's called the turquoise coast for a reason. The bays in Turkey will have you constantly saying, "I can't believe the water is so blue!". And while the wonderful temperature, crystal clear water, and mind-boggling colour of the bays are bound to leave you in awe, the landscapes surrounding them are just as unbelievable. Find yourself snorkelling below sky-high cliffs while anchored in a remote cove. Paddleboard to a beach tucked into a valley of butterflies. Chill in your floaty beneath high mountains in a blue lagoon. And the late summer sun and warm waters make it lovely to swim in, even in September and October!
Turkey Is the Perfect Sailing Destination
Whether it's your first time on a sailing holiday or you're a seasoned MedSailors returner, Tukey will be an unforgettable experience, especially for those that LOVE time on the boat and bays. Sailing in Turkey is relaxed, and there's no rush to get somewhere like other busier destinations, so your days can be filled with more and longer swim stops. And when the winds kick up in the afternoon, you'll have plenty of time to get some sailing in before docking up for the evening.
With these ten reasons why Turkey is the perfect summer destination, what's holding you back? Explore this incredible destination by sea and today!
2025 Early Bird Sale
Book your 2025 Sailing Holiday at 2024 prices
