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"Ölüdeniz beach, Ölüdeniz
Why go?
They don't call it the Turquoise Coast for nothing. The water here is an uncommonly crisp blue, and because the curved beach is so large, it can accommodate even the biggest of paradise-seeking crowds. There is mountainous scenery, and a famously calm lagoon along the beach's western stretch.
Who goes?
Everyone. Olüdeniz is widely known as Turkey's top beach destination and, not surprisingly, the surrounding area is equally well-developed, with accommodation in every price range. Young couples, large families, adventurous types, backpackers, and package-holidaymakers all flock here in huge numbers.
What is there to do?
Paragliding enthusiasts have been soaring above the beach in Ölüdeniz for two decades now, and some companies offer riding tours of the wooded mountains. It's also possible to join a day-long booze cruise - swimming and snorkelling optional.
Bars and bites
Bars and restaurants are simple to find. Try Cloud 9, a laid-back café and a favourite of the paragliding crowd. If you would rather have a sit-down meal of genuine Turkish cuisine, head to Kumsal.
Getting there
Dalaman Airport, about 30 miles away, is the closest you will get to Ölüdeniz by air. If you're staying in the nearby town of Fethiye, have a hotel employee point you towards the nearest pick-up spot for the Ölüdeniz dolmus (shared taxi), which loops through the area frequently during the day.
Why go?
More than a few of Turkey's most unusual travel destinations are time-consuming to reach - Cappadocia , for instance, or eastern Anatolia. Olympos is a short bus ride away from most of the Mediterranean resort towns - just 1½ hours from Antalya. And Olympos most certainly is unusual: a small cluster of tree-house hostels is the big draw, as are the eternal flames of the Chimera.
Who goes?
In the main, backpackers.
What is there to do?
Olympos is still a secluded village, which is why the aforementioned tree-house hostels have become something akin to all-inclusive resorts for the budget travel crowd. Most visitors stay at their guesthouses for nightly entertainment of the DJ and drum-circle variety. By day, everyone goes to the beach. Kayaking is an option, and guesthouses offer adventure travel trips, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and even whitewater rafting at the nearby Köprülü Canyon. Anyone keen on peace and solitude might consider trekking a portion of the 300-mile Lycian Way.
Bars and bites
Every decent guesthouse in Olympos serves breakfast and dinner, so make sure you know what's on offer at your tree house of choice before laying out any serious lira. As for drinking, if you don't have a beer or two with a couple of new-found friends at your guesthouse's bar, you will probably end up doing so at the place next door.
Getting there
Antalya has the closest international airport, although most travellers arrive in Olympos by bus, usually having bought one-way tickets from a guesthouse at their last destination. To find the beach itself, simply follow the stampede - there's just one main path and, conveniently enough, it's lined with Roman ruins.
Why go?
Konyaalti sits in the heart of the big city, so this is a great holiday option for anyone who might be bored by the idea of lying on a beach towel for hours. Diversions are plentiful. And although the population swells during the weekend, the beach seems to stretch on forever, so you won't have a problem claiming your own patch of sand. The black-and-brown Bey Mountains stretch out dramatically to the west. On clear days, they seem almost near enough to touch.
Who goes?
There are exceptions, but both Konyaalti and its surrounding village of restaurants and cafés are visited almost exclusively by locals, many of them well-off. The Russian and German package tourists who frequent many of the country's Mediterranean beaches don't seem interested.
What is there to do?
Entrepreneurial types offer banana boat rides and the like. On the western end of the beach, a marine animal park and a water-slide park sit near each other. And there seems to be no end to the number of drinking, dining and snacking establishments nearby.
Bars and bites
Antalya Beach Park is something like an upmarket, open-air food court, and you will pass by it on your way to the beach. Try some chewy Turkish ice cream during the day; when night falls, dine outside at one of the dozens of candlelit tables.
Getting there
Antalya Airport is only about 20 minutes from the city centre by shuttle bus. For Konyaalti, hop on the city-centre tram heading west, and ride it to the end of the line.
