Turkish beaches offer summer heat in fall

October is the last time until next year to enjoy the sun and vivid blue waters of the Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean beaches. For those of you who missed the chance to take a summer vacation, it is time to discover Turkey's fall warmth



The season of rain and cool breezes has arrived in the northern hemisphere, but Turkey offers a chance to catch the summer warmth before the sun leaves us for the winter. On its Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, Turkey, hosts many tourists who want to enjoy the sea and the sun during the month of October.The sea temperature in the fall is generally the same in Turkey, but the air temperature is much more comfortable than in July or August. This allows for perfect weather to lie on the beaches and enjoy the sun with a warm breeze, making fall the most suitable option for many.If you have had no chance to take a summer holiday or still want to swim in Turkey's blue waters, this is the last chance for you to enjoy the summer sun along the Turkish coasts with no suffocating heat and crowds.The southern province of Antalya is the most renowned tourist destination in Turkey, as it is known as the region where the summer never ends. Thousands of tourists from Turkey, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany and the rest of the world fly to this Mediterranean city every year to experience its marvelous beaches and year-round warm climate. Antalya's city of Alanya is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the fall. Cleopatra Beach is a historic beach that took its name from the beauty of Cleopatra. Located far from the city center, Kaş is one of Turkey's best locations to go scuba diving, as it has 50 sites, including submerged aircraft and ships. Selected by the Sunday Times as the Best Beach in the World, the 15-kilometer-long Patara Beach in Antalya, which is situated close to Fethiye, is also the Mediterranean's longest.A true wonder of nature, Patara Beach is surrounded by historic relics and is truly a unique site to relax on. Side, in Antalya, has nine Blue Flag beaches: Titreyen Göl, Side One, Side Two, Sorgun, Sorgun Two, Side Public Beach, Club Ali Bey, Sol Kamelya and Köymeydanı Beach. It is smaller and quainter than other Mediterranean vacation spots and is a favorite for its natural beauty. In addition to visiting historical sites, it is also the ideal spot to enjoy sunbathing and swimming in crystal clear waters. Nestled among cedar trees and the Köprü River, the canyon embraces adventurous spirits looking to explore an unspoiled landscape in Antalya. Resembling other Turkish natural wonders, the fairy chimneys in Köprülü Canyon "one-ups" them thanks to its river. You can get a shot of adrenaline from river rafting and enjoy getting wet in the crystal-clear spring water with rapids of all classes.Another destination to enjoy the fall warmth on Turkey's Aegean coast is the province of Muğla. It embraces it visitors and marks their hearts with its perfect combination of history, nature and tranquility. Muğla is not only well-known for its tourist spots such as crowded beaches and energetic clubbing scene, but also for its calm and peaceful settings that are waiting to be discovered. Home to spectacular landscapes and serene, warm beaches located at the juncture of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, Muğla is home to the high-end resort cities of Bodrum, Fethiye, Datça, Ölüdeniz and Marmaris. Many of Turkey's Blue Flag beaches are located in Bodrum, Datça and Marmaris with dozens of beaches. In Bodrum, visitors can see the ruins of the once great Greek city at the Theater of Halicarnassus and the Tomb of Mausolus, which is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum also houses the Castle of St. Peter, a large Crusader castle that still remains intact.With the turquoise sea and a bustling beach, Ölüdeniz is also a favorite, especially when it comes to transportation and accommodation options. It is surrounded by a number of vacation resort towns including Ovacık and Hisarönü. Fethiye lies on the ruins of the ancient city of Telmessos and includes many historic sites such as the Tomb of Amyntas and the Telmessos Theater, where many important Greek plays originated. Çalıs Beach is considered the best beach in Fethiye. The beach is especially famous for its tourist facilities and water sports. If you are going on a family vacation, then Çalıs is also ideal, as you can enjoy the fall sun on the 2-kilometer-long beach. It is impossible not to mention Gemiler Bay when it comes to Ölüdeniz as well. Located on the western coast of the Aegean Sea, Gemiler Bay stands as proof that old civilizations had a better understanding of nature. In Gemiler Bay, you can find more than just vivid blue waters and serenity, including remnants of the Byzantine Empire and early Christianity with churches and cisterns. St. Nicholas Church is a popular destination in the area. This place will remind you that once it was a little town visited by people to find peace to give you hope for tomorrow. Gemiler Bay is only 6 kilometers away from Kaya village where you can meet friendly locals. You can reach the bay either by boat or by bus from Hisarönü. If you would also like to experience a pleasant trek, you can also grab your camping gear and walk the nearly 6 kilometers from the village.Surrounded by olive and pine trees dotting the natural beauty of the Aegean Coast, Gemiler Bay is where you can find nature and history at the same time. In the famous holiday destination of Muğla, Akyaka is a real hidden gem with its perfect atmosphere suitable for a fall holiday. Surrounded by pine trees on the Gulf of Gökova, Akyaka, once a small fishing town, is the home of serene resorts. Akyaka is where you can find absolute peace with no traffic, no loud music and no noise. This magical town not only features organic foods and a serene daily life, but also nature-centric sports and activities such as windsurfing, biking, kitesurfing, sailing, paragliding, rafting, trekking, riding, rock climbing and sea kayaking.As Turkey's third largest city on the Aegean coast, İzmir is a renowned holiday resort with perfect water for swimming and hidden villages on the coast to relax. There are nearly 50 Blue Flag beaches in İzmir with most of them located in the towns of Çeşme, Menderes, Seferihisar, Karaburun and Selçuk. In Çeşme, which is Turkey's western-most point with nine Blue Flag beaches, you will find an array of marinas, hotels and restaurants as well as one of the country's most famous beaches.There are also little tourist spots that are only a drive away from Çeşme. Among those spots, the most popular one is Alaçatı, which you must visit for an unforgettable holiday experience. Urla, a little district in the renowned holiday destination of İzmir, is a perfect destination for those who are looking for serenity, but it is typically unknown to most foreign tourists. What gives it a perfect atmosphere is its crystal-clear waters and beach, which is suitable for rest and relaxation. Another İzmir district, Selçuk, has three Blue Flag beaches and is not only a perfect autumn destination, but also a significant historical site to visit, especially Ephesus. Ephesus ("Efes" in Turkish) is one of the ancient Greek cities in the region. Built in the 10th century B.C., the city was founded by Attic and Ionian colonists. The Temple of Artemis in the city is the most well-known ancient remnant, since it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. So, in order to experience one of the seven wonders, a visit to Ephesus must be on your list. This ancient city was home to one of the seven churches of Asia, as cited in the Book of Revelations. Along with the Temple of Artemis, the House of the Virgin Mary is another destination that makes Ephesus worth a visit, as it has been regarded since the 19th century as the place where she spent her final days. Seferihisar and Karaburun are not as well-known as other holiday spots in İzmir, since they are hidden secrets that locals mostly visit during summer and fall, but there are nearly 12 Blue Flag beaches in these towns.