Whether swimming or snorkeling in Turkey’s turquoise waters, exploring hidden beaches and coves, visiting ancient ruins or historical sights, or immersing yourself in Turkish culture by trying local cuisine, Turkey has so much to offer. Turkey continues to attract millions of foreign tourists each year: 8 million tourists visited Turkey in the first 8 months of 2024. With a vast 8000 km of coastline to explore, it is no wonder it is a popular holiday destination for tourists.

In this blog post, expect to learn about the best islands and historic cities, the best Turkish cuisine to eat, and what Turkish landmarks to visit.

Why Should I Visit Turkey?

Turkey is filled with scenic islands to visit, historic cities to explore Turkish landmarks to admire, and traditional Turkish cuisine to be eaten. Therefore, Turkey is a popular destination for tourists and it makes sense to explore the vast Turkish coastlines from the luxury of your gulet charter.

Places To Visit In Turkey: Islands and Coastlines

From the turquoise seas of Marmaris, the home of the Blue Lagoon and paragliding, Ölüdeniz, the secluded beaches of Göcek and the ancient ruins of Gemile, Turkey has so much natural beauty to explore. Whether you are looking to sunbathe on sandy beaches, snorkel, kayak or paddle board in the Turkish turquoise waters, or explore hidden ancient ruins, there is an activity for everyone to enjoy.

Marmaris

Marmaris is a coastal city on the Lycian coast where the turquoise sea meets pine tree mountains. Visitors can enjoy the sandy beaches and mountainous pine tree forests. Whether it’s sunbathing on Marmaris’s main beach Uzunyali, exploring the lush greenery of Marmaris National Park, or eating or drinking at one of the many cafes, restaurants, or bars on the marina, Marmaris proses as the perfect gulet cruise destination.

Ölüdeniz

With its crystal clear waters and pristine and sandy beaches, Ölüdeniz, which is referred to as the Blue Lagoon, has become a favourite beach resort. Ölüdenizis located on the Turkish Riviera and has become a prime spot to stop at on gulet cruises. With its turquoise waters, Ölüdeniz has become a popular snorkeling and diving spot, with a diverse range of marine life to discover. For adventure seekers, Ölüdeniz offers paragliding from Babadag Mountain. Here, paragliders can admire the blue lagoon and impressive mountain scenery.

Göcek

Göcek is a coastal town located between Dalaman and Fethiye, located on the Lycian coast, is filled with turquoise waters, hidden coves, and secluded beaches. Göcek is surrounded by 12 islands which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your gulet boat. For all water sports enthusiasts, Göcek is a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling the turquoise waters.

Gemile

Gemile Island is a historic island located in Fethiye. It is filled with ancient ruins, on the rugged hills filled with ancient churches, for tourists to explore. Gemile Island is filled with vibrant beaches and has become a popular area for Turkish gulet cruises to stop.

Historic Cities

Booking a gulet cruise in Turkey allows you to immerse yourself in Turkish cities rich in history. These cities are mixed with impressive historical sites such as mosques, ancient ruins, and castles. Three popular historic cities in Turkey are Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a perfect destination to visit on a gulet cruise holiday due to its rich history. Visitors can explore outstanding architecture such as the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, The Blue Mosque, or the largest ancient cistern, Basilica Cistern.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world, dating back to the 15th century, and is a prime place to experience Turkish culture. Here, visitors can get lost down 61 covered streets and over 3000 shops. Whether it's finding jewellery, a colourful Turkish lantern, clothing, or traditional pottery, The Grand Bazaar has something for everyone. If you want to unwind after a long day of cruising, Istanbul offers a vibrant nightlife.

Antalya

Antalya, located on the Turkish Riveria, is another Turkish city filled with history and charm. Historic sights include the old town of Kaleici, which is the centre of Antalya’s history. Get lost down the cobbled streets, whilst exploring historic sights such as Hadrian’s gate which dates back to 130 AD and was built for the visit of a Roman emperor, Harian. Other activities include: shopping for souvenirs at the Antalya bazaar, admiring the beautiful Yivliminare Mosque, enjoying the nature of Lower Duden Waterfalls, or relaxing at Karaalioglu Park whilst admiring the beautiful city.

Ankara

Ankara is Turkey’s capital city which is located in Turkey’s central Anatolia region. Anıtkabir is a mausoleum of the first president of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk which is Ankara’s most significant historic attraction. Visitors can also enjoy Ankara Castle, located on a hill, overlooking Ankara's old town. Other historic attractions include the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ulucanlar Prison Museum, and Haci Bayram Mosque.

Local Turkish Cuisine

One of the most important things to immerse yourself in on a gullet cruise in Turkey is the Turkish food. Whether you want to purchase food from the lively markets and bazaars of Istanbul or enjoy delicious food from the comfort of your luxury gulet cruise, Turkey offers so many delicious dishes including kebabs, mezze baklava and so much more.

Döner Kebabs

Döner Kebabs are the most popular dish in Turkey. They consist of marinated meat such as lamb or beef. You will be able to buy Döner Kebabs from street vendors, shops, and restaurants in Turkish cities and towns.

Mezze

Mezze dishes are crucial to Turkish culture and are usually eaten in group settings to embrace community-style eating. Typical Mezze dishes include yogurt-based dips such as Haydari and Cacik, Hummus, Ezme, and Stuffed Vegetables such as aubergines or peppers.

Baklava

Baklava is the most famous Turkish dessert which must be tried when visiting Turkey. Baklava consists of a layered, flaky pastry that is filled with chopped nuts and soaked in a sweet syrup or honey.

Turkish Landmarks: Ancient Ruins

Turkey is filled with lots of impressive ancient ruins to explore. A few significant ruins include Ephesus and Pamukkale.

Ephesus

Ephesus is located on Turkey’s Aegean Coast and is filled with both ancient Rome and Greek history. Here, visitors can explore ruins such as the Grand Theatre which is the most breathtaking landmark, located on Panayir Hill. Visitors can also visit the Roman terrace houses, The Ancient Celsius library, the Artemis Temple and so much more.

Pamukalle

Pamukalle is known for its natural hot springs and white terraces which have been used since ancient times. Pamukalle also has the ancient city of Hierapolis where visitors can explore ancient temples and buildings.

Book a Gulet holiday in Turkey

With its historic cities with rich history, ancient ruins, hidden beaches, turquoise Mediterranean waters, and impressive landscapes, it is easy to understand why Turkey is the perfect destination for a gulet cruise holiday.

At Blue Cruise, we offer luxury gulet cruise holidays in Turkey. If you are interested in discovering the beautiful Turkish coastline on a luxury Gulet cruise, please contact us!

If Turkey doesn’t appeal to you, check out the things to do and the best places to visit in Croatia!

Turkey Gulet Cruise Guide