If you have experienced chartering a sailboat or motor yacht in the Republic of Turkey, those three words will conjure up images of stunning bays, splendid scenery, sumptuous food, bustling nightlife, and ancient historical sites, all while cruising the clear blue waters of paradise. Whether you’re just enjoying the sights while having dinner on the yacht, steeping yourself in Turkey’s rich history, or having drinks in one of the many hot spots along the coast, a day spend sailing on a yacht around Turkey is an adventure you won’t find anywhere else on earth.

Turkey has so many coastal destinations it can be hard to pick which ones to highlight, but here are a few must-see destinations for those chartering a yacht in Turkey.

Marmaris

A popular Mediterranean resort town on the Turkish Riviera, which is also called the Turquoise Coast, Marmaris features a gorgeous harbor with a bustling marina. Marmaris is most known for the decadent nightlife on Bar Street, which features open-air clubs and music venues, but there is so much more to do in this beautiful Marmaris in this gorgeous valley. The Marmaris Castle and Museum, the Old Town historical site, the bustling bazaar, the zen-style Jinan Garden, the Eski İbrahim Ağa Cami mosque, and the Atatürk Statue are just a few of the attractions that draw over a quarter-million people every summer to this stunning coastal gem.

Bodrum

For those chartering to Turkey in search of some history, Bodrum is a must-stop boating destination. Sitting on the Bodrum Peninsula, Bodrum stretches from Turkey’s southwest coast into the Aegean Sea.

Not only does Bodrum have access to many close by beach towns and resorts, the sights available to be seen in Bodrum seem as endless as its beauty and grace. With its twin bays, the restored Ottoman shipyard, the ancient Halicarnassus’ theatre ruins, the restored remains of the Myndos Gate, and so much more, the only problem you will have in Bodrum is fitting it all in.

Of course, one of the most notable sights in Bodrum is the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But Bodrum Castle is also worth special note as well. This castle was built by the Knights Hospitaller in the early 15th century using marble and stones from the Mausoleum. Today, the castle is home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, an attraction.

Fethiye

A port city and district on Turkey’s southwestern Turquoise Coast, Fethiye is major base for gület (Turkish yacht) chartering, and for good reason. Fethiye’s beautiful, natural harbor and bluest of blue waters are irresistible to yachters, who frequent it mostly between April and October.

Sight seers won’t be disappointed here either, with the remains and many surviving rock tombs of ancient Lycian city of Telmessos available to wow visitors. Fethiye’s most visited tomb is of course the 4th-century B.C. Tomb of Amyntas. Also, worth visiting is the beach at Ölüdeniz, one of Turkey’s coastal hot-spots, and just one of the many interesting sites in the countryside, including the ghost town of Kayaköy.

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Marjorie Pierce