Turkish Riviera Tour: Antalya, Kaş and Fethiye

Who this tour is for

This tour is for travellers who want the turquoise coast of southern Türkiye at a gentle pace. Most of the week is spent on a gulet, a traditional wooden boat with cabins, sailing between quiet bays where you swim, snorkel and eat on deck. There is history too: Lycian rock tombs, a sunken city and the ruins of an ancient port. But the rhythm is slow, with long breakfasts, swims before lunch and an early night.

It suits couples, families with children old enough to swim confidently, and groups of friends or relatives who want to share a boat. It is a good second Türkiye trip for people who have already seen Istanbul and Cappadocia. If you have never been to Türkiye, you may prefer to begin with our Istanbul and Cappadocia tour and add a few Riviera nights later.

The cruise is not suited to anyone who dislikes boats or has strong motion sickness, since you are at sea most days. Anyone with limited mobility should tell us early, because boarding involves steps and a gangplank.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Antalya

You are met at Antalya airport and taken to your hotel or straight to the boat, depending on arrival time. Late in the afternoon there is a walk through the old town, Kaleiçi, with its Ottoman houses, the Yivli Minare and the old harbour at sunset [1].

Day 2: Antalya and Phaselis

In the morning we visit the Antalya Museum, then board the gulet around 14:00 [1]. We sail to Phaselis, an ancient port set on a peninsula with three bays. Because it lies inside a protected national park, a small entrance fee applies [1].

Day 3: Porto Genoese and Olympos

A sheltered bay for swimming, followed by a walk to the Lycian ruins of Olympos [1]. The sea here is calm in the morning, which makes it a good day to practise snorkelling.

Day 4: Gökkaya Bay and the Sunken City of Kekova

We cruise over the Sunken City of Kekova, visit the fishing village of Üçağız and climb to Simena Castle in Kaleköy, where a Lycian sarcophagus sits in the water [1][2]. A side trip by car to Myra and St Nicholas Church is possible [2].

Day 5: Aperlai

Aperlai is a Lycian port that can only be reached by boat. It has old walls, a harbour and Roman baths [1]. Swimming and lunch on board follow.

Day 6: Kaş

Kaş is a small port town of Ottoman houses, ancient tombs and a small theatre [1]. We spend a couple of hours there, with time for coffee and shopping [2].

Day 7: Kalkan and Ölüdeniz

A swim at Firnaz Bay near Kalkan, then Ölüdeniz and its lagoon, where hiking and paragliding are optional [1][2]. The final night is at Boncuklu Bay or Fethiye harbour depending on the weather [2].

Day 8: Fethiye and departure

Disembark after breakfast. A private transfer takes you to the airport [1]. You can extend your stay in Fethiye or Antalya before flying home.

Highlights

• Seven nights split between Antalya's old town and a private gulet
• Kekova's Sunken City, Simena Castle and Lycian tombs
• Swimming stops in clear bays that cars cannot reach
• Phaselis and Olympos, ancient sites by the sea
• Kaş and Kalkan, two small harbour towns
• Optional paragliding at Ölüdeniz

Practical notes

• Visa: Indian citizens can apply for the Türkiye e-visa if they hold a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen country, the USA, the UK or Ireland; the supporting document must be valid on the date of entry, and e-visas from other countries are not accepted [3]. The e-visa is for tourism or commerce, single-entry and valid for 30 days [3][4]. Otherwise a sticker visa is needed [4]. The official portal is evisa.gov.tr [5].
• Season: Gulet charters generally run from April to November [1]. Peak summer is hot and busy. May, June, September and October give warm seas with fewer crowds.
• Charter timing: Boats are commonly chartered Saturday to Saturday, though other dates can be arranged [1]. The captain may adjust the route for weather or crowds [1].
• Flights: Fly into Antalya and out of Dalaman, or the reverse; both are served from Istanbul, and Indian travellers can connect via Istanbul.
• Drinks and tips: On private charters, drinks are normally bought separately and tipping the crew is customary [1].
• Clothing: Swimwear, a light cover-up, sun protection, water shoes and a sweater for evenings on deck.
• Food: A gulet cook can prepare vegetarian meals. Tell us about Jain or other dietary needs before booking so the menu can be planned.
• Safety: Sea conditions can change. Listen to the captain on swimming and anchoring decisions.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need to be good swimmers? Strong swimming is not required, but you should be comfortable in the water. We confirm life jackets and supervision for children with the captain before sailing.

Can we mix hotel stays and the cruise? Yes. Many guests spend two nights in a hotel in Antalya or Fethiye at either end and shorten the cruise. We can also schedule a few hotel nights in Kaş.

What is the difference between a private charter and a shared cruise? On a private charter the boat, crew and route are yours alone. Shared departures exist, with groups of six to sixteen travellers and a medium pace [2]. For couples and families we usually recommend a private boat, because the itinerary can follow your preferences.

What TurkIndia does on this tour

Our Delhi partner Ufran helps prepare your e-visa supporting-document checklist. In Türkiye our team books the hotel nights, the gulet and captain, transfers between Antalya and Fethiye and any land excursions. We confirm meal preferences and swimming needs before sailing and stay in touch while you are at sea. We do not issue visas. This page shows no prices; ask for a quote on WhatsApp +90 530 991 37 21 or at [email protected].

Sources

This article is general information; rules and dates change. Sources are listed at the end.