Culture & Sightseeing

Some of the coast's best places can only be reached from the water, and some only on foot once you get there. Your captain knows the bays where a short walk leads somewhere special.

Walks and sights: Take the tender ashore at Butterfly Valley, a steep gorge that opens onto a pebble beach. Climb the path on St. Nicholas Island near Fethiye, where Byzantine ruins cover the hillside, and stay to watch the sun set. In Kekova, walk up to the castle above the village of Simena for views over the sunken city.

Culture: The Turkish coast is layered with history. Lycian rock tombs, Greek and Roman cities and Byzantine churches sit side by side with fishing villages, weekly markets and lively harbour towns. On a first visit to Turkey, you'll see both the ancient and the everyday sides of the country. Some routes can also include nearby Greek islands, such as Kos opposite Bodrum or Kastellorizo opposite Kas.