A European grand tour by yacht. Next stop - Turkey.

Published 06 July 2023

Planning your European grand tour by yacht

Turkey

Bodrum's well-sheltered bay and abundant shops and restaurants make it a popular superyacht haunt

Many of Turkey’s highlights are clustered along the beautiful Aegean coast. The best place to begin your Turkish yacht charter is Bodrum, the upscale hub of the Turkish Riviera. Set in a handsome bay with windmills on the hilltops behind, it has a stunning location and a magnificent 15th century castle dominates the harbour with superyacht moorings directly beneath its imposing walls.

Bodrum is renowned for its fizzing nightlife

Bodrum Bay has become a celebrity hotspot in recent years and its exclusive nightspots are the best in Turkey. The area is also increasingly renowned for its excellent seafood and fine dining scene, its private beaches, secluded anchorages and more.

Dream-like views of Iztuzu Beach in Dalyan, also known as Turtle Beach as it's a loggerhead nesting site

For a change of pace, drop anchor off the beach at the mouth of the Dalyan River to meet loggerhead sea turtles – perhaps in the wild and for sure at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. Then take the tender upriver through lush landscapes to see tombs of ancient kings carved into cliffs, experience therapeutic mud baths and more.

The Roman remains of Ephesus, near Selcuk, are extensive, well preserved and quite fascinating

There’s plenty of history and culture along the Aegean coast. Major antiquities like the ancient city of Ephesus, the ruins of Troy, the Bergama Acropolis (and many more) are all conveniently close.

The pebbly Olympos Beach, home to the Eternal Flame, has a real Boho vibe

A Turkish yacht charter should also include the aptly named Turquoise Coast. Running south-east from Fethiye to Antalya, it’s one of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline anywhere in the Mediterranean. You’ll find many perfect anchorages in secluded coves with soft sand beaches and steep, forested hillsides running down to the clear blue sea.

Lycian ruins pepper the south and west coasts of Turkey, like the Xanthos sanctuary of Letoon

A few miles inland there are ancient Lycian ruins, like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Letoon, and historic hilltop towns to discover.

The castle on the northern side of the Dardanelles Strait signifies the strategic significance of this much-contested stretch of water

To turn your charter cruise into a real grand tour, the final ingredient is to sail through the Dardanelles Strait with its impressive castle and through the Sea of Marmara to the amazing metropolis of Istanbul, where a host of wonders await.