The Turkish Riviera - the stretch of Mediterranean coastline from Antalya to Fethiye - packs ancient ruins, cliff-backed beaches, and harbour towns into roughly 290 km of coastal road. A car turns what could be a rushed bus-hop into a proper exploration, letting you stop at unmarked coves and mountain viewpoints that public transport skips entirely.
Route overview
| Days | Location | Nights | Drive from previous |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Antalya | 2 | - (start) |
| 3 | Side | 1 | 75 km, 1h 15m |
| 4 | Alanya | 1 | 65 km, 1h |
| 5–6 | Kas | 2 | 250 km, 3.5h |
| 7 | Olympos | 1 | 105 km, 2h (backtrack via coast) |
| 8–9 | Oludeniz / Fethiye | 2 | 200 km, 3h |
Note: The route backtracks slightly from Kas to Olympos because Olympos sits between Antalya and Kas on the coast. If you prefer a linear route, swap the Kas and Olympos stops.
Car rental
Pick up your car at Antalya Airport - rates start from approximately ₺1,500/day for a compact car and ₺2,500/day for an SUV including basic insurance as of 2026. Full CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) adds approximately ₺300–500/day. Compare rates at GetRentacar.
Drop off in Fethiye or Dalaman Airport (most rental companies allow one-way drops for an additional fee of approximately ₺1,000–2,000).
Fuel: Petrol costs approximately ₺42–45/litre as of 2026. Budget roughly ₺3,000–4,000 in fuel for the entire trip (approximately 800 km total).
Tolls: The D400 coastal highway is toll-free. The O-31 motorway near Antalya has a short tolled section (₺30–50 via HGS sticker - ask your rental company).
Where to stay
Antalya (2 nights)
- Budget: White Garden Pansiyon, Kaleici - doubles from approximately ₺1,200/night as of 2026
- Mid-range: Tuvana Hotel, Kaleici - doubles from approximately ₺3,000/night as of 2026. Ottoman courtyard, pool.
- Splurge: Akra Hotel - doubles from approximately ₺8,000/night as of 2026. Cliffside infinity pool.
Side (1 night)
- Budget: Side Kleopatra Beach Hotel - doubles from approximately ₺1,500/night as of 2026
- Mid-range: Hotel & Club Liman - doubles from approximately ₺3,000/night as of 2026. Overlooking the ancient harbour.
Alanya (1 night)
- Budget: Temucin Hotel - doubles from approximately ₺1,000/night as of 2026
- Mid-range: Villa Turka - doubles from approximately ₺2,500/night as of 2026. Boutique restored house below the castle.
Kas (2 nights)
- Budget: Hideaway Hotel - doubles from approximately ₺1,500/night as of 2026
- Mid-range: Kas Marin Hotel - doubles from approximately ₺3,500/night as of 2026. Harbour views, rooftop pool.
Olympos (1 night)
- Budget/experience: Kadir’s Top Tree Houses - bungalows from approximately ₺1,500/night including dinner and breakfast as of 2026
- Mid-range: Olympos Lodge, Cıralı - doubles from approximately ₺2,500/night as of 2026
Oludeniz / Fethiye (2 nights)
- Budget: Ferah Pension, Fethiye - doubles from approximately ₺1,000/night as of 2026
- Mid-range: Oyster Residences, Oludeniz - doubles from approximately ₺4,000/night as of 2026. Hillside pool with Blue Lagoon views.
- Splurge: Yacht Classic Hotel, Fethiye - doubles from approximately ₺6,000/night as of 2026
Days 1–2: Antalya
Day 1 - Kaleici and the Museum
Explore the old town (Kaleici): Hadrian’s Gate (free, 130 AD), the Roman harbour, Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret). Visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum (approximately ₺300, open 08:30–19:00) - world-class Roman statuary from Perge and Aspendos, plus a Prehistoric Hall.
Lunch at Vanilla Kaleici (₺200–350/person). Dinner at Club Arma - seafood on the harbour, ₺400–700/person.
Day 2 - Perge, Aspendos, and Beaches
Morning: drive to Perge (18 km, ₺200 entry) - Roman stadium, agora, colonnaded streets. Continue to Aspendos Theatre (29 km further, ₺200) - seats 15,000, acoustics so precise a coin dropped on stage can be heard from the top row.
Afternoon: swim at Konyaalti Beach (free, pebbly, mountain backdrop) or drive 12 km east to Duden Waterfalls (free) - the Lower Duden falls plunge directly into the sea.
Dinner at Seraser Fine Dining in Kaleici - modern Turkish tasting menu, ₺500–800/person.
Day 3: Side
Drive: 75 km east on the D400, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Side is a compact ancient city on a peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean. The Temple of Apollo (free, best at sunset - the columns are photogenic against the sea) and the Side Theatre (₺100, seats 15,000) are the main ruins. The Side Museum (₺50, housed in a Roman bathhouse) has a strong collection of sarcophagi and reliefs.
Walk the narrow streets of the old town - restaurants line both waterfronts.
Beach: Side’s long sandy beach stretches east from the town. Sunbed rental approximately ₺200/day.
Lunch at Soundwaves Restaurant on the west beach - seafood and Turkish mezes, ₺250–400/person. Dinner at Karma Restaurant near the Temple of Apollo - ₺300–500/person.
Day 4: Alanya
Drive: 65 km east, approximately 1 hour.
Alanya Castle (₺50 entry for the inner fortress, free for the outer walls) dominates the town from a 250-metre rocky peninsula. Drive or walk up (the road is steep - 3.5 km from the base). The Red Tower (Kizil Kule, ₺40, open 09:00–19:00) - a 33-metre Seljuk watchtower on the harbour - offers views along the coast.
Damlatas Cave (₺30, open 10:00–18:00) - a stalactite cave at the western end of Cleopatra Beach.
Cleopatra Beach - Alanya’s main sandy beach, consistently rated among Turkey’s best. Sunbed rental approximately ₺150/day.
Lunch at Ottoman House in the old quarter - Turkish home cooking, ₺150–250/person. Dinner at Ravza Restaurant - kebabs and pide, ₺200–350/person.
Days 5–6: Kas
Drive: 250 km west along the coast (you are backtracking past Antalya). The D400 climbs through the Taurus mountains - expect 3.5 hours with spectacular views. Fill up with fuel before leaving Alanya.
Day 5 - Kas town and Kekova
Kas sits on a small bay facing the Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis). Walk the Antiphellos Theatre (free, overlooking the sea) and the Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff behind the town (free, visible from the street).
Kekova boat trip - full-day tour to the sunken city of Simena/Kaleköy, where you peer over the gunwale at submerged Roman walls. Swimming stops at Tersane Bay and Gokkaya Bay. Approximately ₺400–600/person including lunch. Departs 10:00, returns 17:00.
Dinner at Bi Lokma - harbour-front mezes and grilled fish, ₺250–400/person.
Day 6 - Diving or Patara Beach
Option A - Diving: Kas is Turkey’s premier scuba destination. A two-dive day trip costs approximately ₺1,500–2,500/person including equipment. Sites include the Canyon (wall dive, 30 m), the Airplane Wreck (a Douglas Dakota at 20 m), and Fener Island reef.
Option B - Patara Beach: Drive 45 minutes west to Patara - an 18 km stretch of sand backed by dunes and the ruins of ancient Patara (₺100 combined beach + ruins entry). The beach closes at sunset to protect loggerhead turtle nesting sites.
Lunch at Cinarlar Restaurant in Kas (₺200–350/person) or pack a picnic for Patara. Dinner at Bahce Balik - garden restaurant, ₺300–500/person.
Day 7: Olympos
Drive: 105 km east back along the coast toward Antalya, then turn off at the Olympos junction. Allow 2 hours.
Olympos ancient city (₺100 entry) - Lycian and Roman ruins in a forested river valley. Walk through the overgrown temples, baths, and tombs to reach Olympos beach - a grey pebble cove framed by cliffs.
After sunset: hike to the Chimaera (Yanartas) - natural gas flames burning from the mountainside (₺50 entry, 30-minute uphill walk from the car park). Bring a torch and water. The flames are most dramatic in darkness.
Stay at a treehouse pension - the Olympos valley has a distinct backpacker culture. Kadir’s Tree Houses: bungalows from approximately ₺1,500/night including dinner and breakfast.
Days 8–9: Oludeniz and Fethiye
Drive: 200 km west via the D400, approximately 3 hours. The road between Kas and Fethiye is one of Turkey’s most scenic coastal drives, with switchbacks above turquoise bays.
Day 8 - Oludeniz and Paragliding
Oludeniz Blue Lagoon - the paid beach area costs approximately ₺100 entry; the free public beach is adjacent and equally swimmable.
Tandem paragliding from Babadag mountain (1,969 m) - a 25–40 minute flight landing on Oludeniz beach. Operators include Gravity, Reaction, and Sky Sports. Approximately ₺3,000–4,500/person as of 2026, including pickup and GoPro footage.
Lunch at Buzz Beach Bar, Oludeniz (₺200–350/person).
Butterfly Valley - boat from Oludeniz (₺150 return, 15 minutes each way). A steep-sided canyon harbouring over 100 butterfly species and a waterfall. The beach at the base is a swimming spot. Boats depart 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00; last return at 17:00.
Day 9 - Fethiye
Fethiye Rock Tombs - Amintas Tomb (₺50 entry, 4th century BC) carved into the cliff above the town. Best photographed in afternoon light.
Fish Market - buy raw fish from the fishmonger (priced by weight - approximately ₺200–400 per portion for sea bass or bream), carry it to any surrounding restaurant, and they cook it for a service fee (approximately ₺100 per plate). Side dishes extra.
12 Islands Boat Tour - full-day cruise around Fethiye Bay with swimming stops, lunch included (approximately ₺500–800/person). Departs 10:00, returns 17:30.
Dinner at Megri Restaurant - courtyard garden, Ottoman-Fethiye cuisine, ₺250–400/person.
Drop the car at Dalaman Airport (55 km from Fethiye, 50-minute drive) or Fethiye town if your rental allows it.
Driving tips
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on the open road, 120 km/h on motorways.
- Police checkpoints are common on the D400 - keep your licence and rental papers accessible.
- Mountain sections between Antalya and Kas have sharp hairpins and no barriers on the cliff side. Drive in daylight.
- Fuel: Shell, BP (now Opet), and Turkish Petroleum (TP) stations appear every 30–50 km. Many accept credit cards at the pump.
- Parking: Kaleici (Antalya), Kas, and Fethiye have limited parking. Use signposted otopark lots (approximately ₺50–100/day).
Budget summary
| Style | 9-day total (USD) |
|---|---|
| Budget (pensions, street food, no activities) | $500–800 |
| Mid-range (boutique hotels, restaurants, 2 activities) | $1,000–1,600 |
| Comfort (sea-view hotels, fine dining, paragliding, diving) | $2,000–3,000 |
Includes estimated car rental (9 days compact) and fuel. Excludes international flights.
Full city guides along the route: Antalya, Side, Alanya, Kaş, Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Marmaris. Key activities: whitewater rafting in Antalya, paragliding at Ölüdeniz, scuba diving in Kaş, and gulet cruising.
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