Top 10 Swimming Beaches in Turkey

Turkey is home to some of the world’s most stunning swimming beaches, offering a perfect blend of crystal-clear waters, beautiful sands, and vibrant city life. Stretching from Europe to the Middle East, Turkey’s beaches are a haven for swimmers and sunbathers alike. Here are the top 10 swimming beaches in Turkey that are mostly public, often crowded, but always offer great swimming experiences.

Mediterranean Coast

Konyaalti Beach, Antalya Konyaalti is a very popular city beach in Antalya, known for its long stretch of pebbles. The blue flag beach offers excellent swimming conditions, with clear waters and various activities to enjoy. The beach is divided into sections, each featuring its own restaurant, umbrellas, deck chairs, and showers.

Lara Beach, Antalya Lara Beach is famous for its golden sands and excellent swimming conditions. The area is lined with several accommodations just steps away from the beach, making it an ideal spot for a beach holiday. Lara Beach is known for its pristine sand and clear waters, perfect for a refreshing swim.

Mermerli Beach, Antalya Mermerli is a beautiful, small city beach in Antalya. Despite its size, it has everything necessary for a great beach day, including a sandy shore, calm shallow water, a bar, and a restaurant. It’s an excellent spot for swimming and sunbathing.

North Aegean Coast

Pirlanta Beach, Cesme Pirlanta, meaning “diamond” in Turkish, describes the creamy whiteness of this sandy beach. Located on the Cesme peninsula, the beach is long and wide, facing the open Aegean Sea. It is easily accessible by public transportation and offers fantastic swimming opportunities.

Sarimsakli Beach, Ayvalik Sarimsakli Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ayvalik. It is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists, known for its long sandy stretch and crystal-clear waters. It’s an ideal place for swimming and enjoying the sun.

South Aegean Coast

Ladies Beach, Kusadasi Ladies Beach is one of the most beautiful and busiest sandy swimming beaches in Kusadasi. The sunset views from Ladies Beach are spectacular. The beach also offers various water sports activities and amenities for a fun-filled day.

Calis Beach, Fethiye Calis Beach is known for its long stretch of sand and shingle, gently lapped by warm blue waters. This great beach is sprinkled with plenty of comfortable loungers, making it a favorite spot for sunbathers and swimmers.

Altinkum Beach, Didim Altinkum, which means “Golden Sand,” is aptly named for its beautiful sandy shores. Popular with families, it offers a range of accommodations, restaurants, and bars for entertainment. The beach is perfect for a day of swimming and relaxation.

Gumbet Beach, Bodrum Gumbet Beach is the closest long sandy beach to Bodrum, very popular with holidaymakers. It’s a great place to stay close to the beach during the day and venture into Bodrum at night for entertainment.

Black Sea Coast

Kilyos Beach, Istanbul Kilyos Beach, located on the European Black Sea coast, is only 35 km away from Istanbul. The sandy beaches of Kilyos are equipped with hotels, motels, and camping facilities, making it a great escape from the city for a day of swimming and sunbathing.