Turkey is a great place to go in the summer. The holiday destinations have everything you need for a great vacation. The weather is almost always perfect with sun the whole day. The beaches are great and the parties are going on all night. Finally the Turkeys kitchen is very good.
If you just want to relax, you can spend the whole day on the beach. If you want some action, you can try one of the water sports: jet skiing, parasailing or the banana boat. Or you can just play a game of beach volleyball.
You can also have an active holiday with trekking in the mountains. Ravine climbing and mountain climbing are also getting very popular. If you like the water more, you can try rafting or sea kayaking. Diving is also a possibility.
Alanya is without doubt the most popular holiday destination in Turkey, with 10 % of all Turkey tourists staying here. The city does also have nice beaches and some interesting sights. The most popular is the 250 meter (820 feet) castle hill, which divides the two beaches. From the top you can see Alanya and the surrounding country.
The Water Planet Aquapark is one of Turkeys largest water parks; and a great place for kids. Here they can try everything from water slides and rafting to bungee jumping and crazy golf. After some branded goods shopping (both real and fake) in Alanya, you can finish your day in the many discos and bars.
Antalya does not look like the other typical holiday destination. The city has not developed from a small fisher village to a holiday destination. It is a large city with 500,000 residents, so you will probably see more locals than tourist. In Alanya you can combine your holiday with a look into the real Turkey.
Because of the size of Antalya you find a lot of shopping centers, shopping streets and bazaars. But the city does also have many interesting sight; especially from the Roman Empire. Most of them are in the old town Kaleici, where you also can see old women preparing the dinner while their men are playing dominoes.
Belek is the number one golf destination in Turkey. In the area around the city there are eight golf courses; and many more are being built. It has been so popular to play golf in Belek that it can be necessary to book months ahead in the high season.
If you do not play golf, Belek is still a great place. Around the city there are great nature and a silence, you cannot find in Alanya or Side. Bird lovers will also find Belek a paradise. And the city does of course also have shopping and water parks.
Kemer is a nice, little holiday village surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. The city has a unique mix of the original Turkey and a modern holiday destination. Here are lively pedestrian streets, an elegant marina and beautiful beach promenades.
Close to the city is the ruins of Phaselis, where Alexander the Great spent his winters; an obvious excursion. In the middle of Kemer is the Moonlight Park; a 55,000 m2 park area with playground and dolphinarium. In the same area there are a lot of restaurants, bars and discos.
Like many other holiday destinations Kusadasi was originally a small fisher village. Today you find great Turkey food and a quieter nightlife with only a small bar street.
Because of the many cruise ships there is an international feeling in Kusadasi. So you will find a lot of smart cafes and shops with international clothing brands. The cruise ship guests come here to see the famous Efesos (also called Efesus).
If you are looking for a romantic holiday destination, Side might be the answer. In the old town you can see many Roman building. Do also walk a little away from the main street and take stroll among the well-preserved wood and stone houses in the quieter streets. Finish the day in the city theater, where concerts and theater has replaced the gladiator fights.
Side does also have a wild nightlife. You can even combine culture with pleasure in one of the most popular bars in the city; placed among the ruins of two 2nd century temples. For sun bathing Side has two beaches; the quit east beach and the livelier (and kid friendly) west beach.
Morten Elm is writing about holiday destinations in Turkey in Rejse Tyrkiet. You can also learn more about Turkey in Tyrkiet Experten.