France has the Côte d’Azur, Greece boasts 227 islands across the Cyclades and Ionian Sea, and Italy offers the Amalfi Coast – all of which attract tourists in their millions each year, and have long been favoured as glamorous destinations for the rich and famous. But one stretch of coastline which hasn’t always been in the spotlight is the Turkish Riviera. Spanning 620 miles through the Muğla and Antalya provinces, interspersed by gorgeous towns and cities like Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye, early data already proves this destination is going to enjoy a busy 2026. 

In March, the Turkish Tourism Agency (TGA) announced that 16 per cent more British holidaymakers visited Turkey than they did during the same month last year – and the season hadn’t even officially started yet. With many of the Turkish Riviera’s best hotels and resorts opening for the summer season this week, now is the time to book your coastal getaway. Here are the best towns, and luxury hotels, to have on your radar in 2026. 

Antalya

Antalya is easily the most commercialised city on the Turkish Riviera, going by the nickname of the ‘capital of tourism’ in Turkey, but that doesn’t mean it’s lost its old-world charm. Now flanked by yacht-filled marinas and high-end resorts, it was once named Attalia and founded in around 200 B.C., and thrived under Roman rule, with many monuments such as Hadrian’s Gate still standing and ancient cities such as Patara, Xanthos and Myra in the nearby Lycia region easily accessible. Currently the fourth most-visited city in the world – trailing behind only Istanbul, London, and Dubai – modern Antalya is known as the more family-friendly locale on this stretch of turquoise coastline. Fill your days exploring the aforementioned Roman sights and the historic Kaleiçi old town, before hunkering down on Antalya’s sun-drenched beaches, including Lara and Konyaaltı, for a dose of Turkish vitamin D. 

Where to stay: Cullinan Belek

Looking for an all-singing, all-dancing all-inclusive hotel? Look no further than Cullinan Belek, a luxury lifestyle resort that is more than just a place to rest your head. Blending ecological architecture, refined design and elevated hospitality across an expansive beachfront setting, days can be spent under the Turkish sun on the 800-metre white-sand beach, complete with custom iroko wood piers and cabanas, or at the Cullinan Links Golf Club –Turkey’s only course with sea on one side and river on the other, offering 36 holes to enjoy and tournaments after dark too. 

Pick from a diverse accommodation offering – from swim-up and lagoon rooms to huge private villas with heated pools, butler service and guest assistants – and dine at an equally diverse gastronomy portfolio spanning Turkish, Greek, Italian, Japanese and Indian cuisine, alongside a 24-hour bistro, in-house chocolaterie and premium bars. Elsewhere, the iconic Galapagos Beach Club, which transforms from a laid-back bohemian hideaway by day into a high-energy DJ destination by night, is perfect for party animals, while the expansive C’espace Spa offers the ultimate rejuvenation. Whatever you crave, Cullinan Belek has it in spades. 

From £580 per night. 

Marmaris

Once a sleepy fishing village and now a year-round destination on the Turkish Riviera, Marmaris is characterised by its leafy peaks, shimmering, sheltered bays and history. Like much of this stretch of coast, Marmaris features many sights that hark back to the Ottoman Empire, such as the 3,000 B.C. eponymous castle: a major architectural monument which was rebuilt by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522 and still features local artefacts. 

Head to Netsel Marina to discover a plethora of seafood restaurants, bars and a long promenade, and it would be remiss not to visit The Grand Bazaar which is famous for its spices. In terms of beaches, there are plenty: visit the main Long Beach (known locally as Uzunyali) or the nearby İçmeler Beach to get away from the crowds. Fancy taking to the waters? There are an array of boat trips to nearby bays, Sedir Island – also known as Cleopatra Island, as legend has it the Egyptian queen and Roman general Mark Antony once swam here – or hop on a ferry to the Greek island of Rhodes. 

Where to stay: D Maris Bay

Located at a spectacular vantage point on the Datça Peninsula, where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean, D Maris Bay opened for the summer season this week. Offering a distinctive lifestyle experience, this hotel is home to world-renowned restaurants, Dior-designed spaces, Barry’s high-energy workouts and international sports stars – and is set to be 2026’s ultimate getaway on the Turkish Riviera.

Surrounded by five unique beaches, pick from 196 sea-view rooms and suites, or splash the cash on a private villa complete with its own pool and private butler service. Whatever cuisine you desire, D Maris Bay delivers, with globally acclaimed Japanese restaurant Zuma, iconic Mediterranean beach restaurant La Guérite and contemporary Greek restaurant Manos all setting up shop here. Every restaurant will provide plenty of sustenance for guests to dance the night away, as D Maris Bay gears up to host international DJ performances such as Claptone, Bob Sinclar, Aaron Sevilla, Desiree and Arkadyan throughout the summer. If you’re looking for some R&R the next day, look no further than the beach cabanas and day beds set over the water on Silence Beach’s tiny pier – the perfect place to soak up the Mediterranean magic.

From £440 per night. 

Bodrum

Images: Shutterstock

Bodrum can be credited for kickstarting the Turkish Riviera boom, having become famous for its azure waters and sandy shores that can easily compete with those of the French, Italian and Greek destinations. A haven for Instagram influencers and the well-heeled, this slice of Turkey's southwest coast is not only privy to balmy temperatures – reaching up to 36°C in peak summer – but also goes by the nickname ‘Turkey’s Ibiza’. Home to high-octane beach clubs and parties that rival Ibiza and Mykonos, its party scene has attracted some of the world’s biggest names, from Kate Moss to Prince Harry. That said, the area also boasts a cultural and historic side; case in point is the medieval fortress built with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. 

Where to stay: Titanic Luxury Collection Bodrum

There are several luxury hotels vying for your attention in this destination – but Titanic Luxury Collection Bodrum gets our stamp of approval. Located in Güvercinlik Bay and surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Aegean, the resort is perfect for those looking to fly and flop, boasting an enviable location just 15 minutes from Bodrum Airport and with its own 350-metre private beach.

On a mission to blend into the surrounding environment, interiors follow a minimalistic style, featuring an earthy palette and natural materials across all of the hotel’s 466 rooms. Ranging from swim-up rooms, fringing the infinity pool that overlooks the Aegean, to private villas sleeping up to 12 guests, there’s something for every traveller. The all-inclusive offering means you can indulge in Turkish and international cuisine day and night – we love Pascarella’s traditional Italian plates – and also enjoy wellness on tap, from the traditional hammam rituals and personalised treatments, to yoga and Pilates classes. 

From £370 per night. 

Fethiye

Images: Shutterstock

Famed for its perfect sailing conditions and pristine lagoons, this resort city looks like something out of a storybook. It is not short on breathtaking sights, from pine-dotted hills, the Ölüdeniz lagoon, known for its silky sands and unspoilt waters, and Butterfly Valley: a protected nature reserve featuring 350m-high canyon walls which more than 100 species of butterflies, including the rare Jersey Tiger, call home. There’s plenty to entice adrenaline junkies too, from paragliding from Babadag Mountain, snorkelling around the bay’s 12 uninhabited islands, and hiking The Lycian Way, as Fethiye marks the start of a 535km trail which weaves through Roman ruins and historic sites along the Turkish Riviera. 

Where to stay: Ahãma Living

Hidden by a blanket of verdant forests, Ahãma Living is perched on Günlüklü Bay – a world away from the glitz of Bodrum or bustle of Istanbul in a sandy enclave of Fethiye. Opening later this month, the new resort is set within a pocket of protected sigla trees, known as sacred healers to locals. With that in mind, everything at Ahãma Living honours the spirit of sigla and invites guests to immerse themselves in nature, wellness and, of course, luxury.  

Ahãma’s rooms, restaurants and wellbeing spaces seemingly tumble from the treetops onto the turquoise coast. Twenty nine guest houses, designed by Stüdyo AB Architecture to assimilate into its surroundings, are nestled in the woodlands, while the two-bedroom Villa Uchi sits on its own private patch of beach. You won’t have to venture far to relax, with saunas scattered throughout the forest and an ancient temple hosting daily sound healing sessions under the trees. Restaurants also celebrate nature: Ay offers Turkish mezze with a twist; Êge is centred around Aegean seafood; Umi is a Japanese-inspired beach bar; and Mezkla draws inspiration from Mexico, serving citrusy ceviche and mezcal-based cocktails. Trust us when we say you won’t want to leave. 

From £550 per night. 

Göcek

Images: Shutterstock

A protected area of natural beauty since 1988, Göcek remains a relatively hidden paradise along the Turkish Riviera. Due to strict regulations regarding biodiversity, it lacks high-rise buildings and, as a result, mass tourism, boasting a largely untouched landscape. Known for its six prestigious marinas and 12,000 pine-clad archipelagos, this is where you can soak up Turkish island life. Unlike other destinations along this coastline, the town does not have a large central beach, but popular options include booking a day bed at the biggest hotel in the area, D-Resort Göcek (see below), or venturing to nearby Inlice Public Beach which is 10 minutes away by car. There’s not much in the way of nightlife here, and the majority of tourists you’ll be rubbing shoulders with are yachties. Go, go, go. 

Where to stay: D-Resort Göcek

Just 20 minutes from Dalaman Airport, nestled between forested hills and a sparkling marina, lies D-Resort Göcek. Whether you're craving peace and quiet, saltwater swims and spa rituals, or an itinerary of sushi, sailing, and seaside cocktails, this year-round resort encourages you to experience the rich spirit of Göcek in serious style. Boasting the only private beach in the region, accessible by bike or golf cart, this 103-key hotel encourages all guests to get outside and explore the surrounding landscape, whether that’s with a private boat charter to explore the nearby turquoise coves or with a trip to D-Marin Göcek, known as one of Turkey's safest natural marinas. 

Back at the five-star hotel, however, there’s plenty to entertain. Head to the D-Spa to indulge in wellness programmes, but also curated hikes and yoga classes, which will help build up an appetite to sample the three restaurants. Don’t miss Q Lounge, built into the treetops and serving world-class Japanese cuisine and cocktails, and overwater restaurant, D-Breeze, before rounding off any meal with a trip to DD Scoop, the hotel’s very own gelateria. 

From £240 per night. 

Read more: Meet the chic mountain resorts reimagining the summer off season