I think we are getting a wee bit off topic here .Beachlizard asked for advise,and now it seems to have turned in to some sort of competition .If you go up to the top of the page beachlizard click onto resort reports and have a wee look ,then make up your own mind .We really are all friendly on this forum ,dont let it put you off turkey.

Bluepeterno1

Hey different strokes for different folks... my preference of course is for the quiet area of Cirali. Unfortuneately most of the areas around Antalya with exception for Cirali and Adrasan are built up tourist resorts. Like Beldebi, Camyuva, Kiris, Kemer and Tekirova. And these are just the resorts located soutwest of Antalya..

In my opinion the areas stretching from Antalya to Fethiye offer some of Turkey's best and most scenic landscape...The scenery is stunning with the mountains following into the sea..

But then have a look through my photos at various places around Turkey and decide for yourself;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/canmom/sets/

I moved to Antalya, Turkey over 13 years ago and have travelled to a few places along the coast ranging from Alanya up to Canakkale and back...everyone has their own special place in Turkey. Like has been mentioned before what works for one might not work for another. As I live in a very touristic city ( Antalya ) I have visited ( not stayed ) many of the resorts nearby..

Cirali ( Çıralı ) is a very lovely and unspoilt area...with Olimpos Roman ruins scattered in a pine forest, a secluded 4km non-touristy beach, fertile fields, and the Chimaera, the world's oldest and best-known natural "eternal flame". Also a natural nesting-ground for carretta carretta (loggerhead turtles).

So what makes Cirali so special ?? !!! It is protected by the WWF and limits the amount development in the area....and you won't find any package tours as Cirali does not cater for the mass tourism of package tours..

It is not over crowded with 5 star hotels or loud bars etc. Just a nice place to have a quiet holiday.

Antalya 1 hr away and Kas about 2 hrs...plus with many worthwhile sights to visit in between..also Kemer and Kumluca 30 mins away by bus

iI you want to experience the real Turkey then visit the small towns or villages that are not catered for package tours...Cirali is nice..but dont expect your english breakies, big screen football games, pubs, etc...it is a traditional village..

If you are happy enough taking lovely long walks, biking, hiking, ( weather permitting ) swimming and all things associated with nature then Cirali is a great place for families..

other areas in Turkey that I like are Kayakoyu, Patara, Assos, and Uçagiz...as they are also very quiet and more traditional villages...Kas is also a nice town however not well know for great beaches inside of Kas however there are some nearby including Kaputaş beach..the same goes for Kalkan...Patara is one of the longest sandy beaches in Turkey and is another non-commercialized area..as it is like Cirali a protected sight..

As already mentioned Dalyan might be an option as well.

my type of holiday is looking for a smaller out of the way place that also offers a bit of history..if I want a big resort then I can just stay home..in Antalya..however as a city to live in..I enjoy Antalya very much..

do your research an then you decide..I will point out that larger resorts will be more expensive to eat out in over the smaller rural villages..

caretta some really stunning pictures,
i have really enjoyed looking at them thank you

Beautiful photos caretta thank you for posting them, really enjoyed them might help the OP make up their mind.

maverick57uk & doepsmc

Thanks and I am glad that you both have enjoyed my photos..a real passion of mine for the past year or so..I used to do a bit of photography 20 years ago..and was happy when I got my new DSLR camera just over a year ago..I take far too many photos....but at least with digital these days you can delete the ones you dont like...love nature and landscape shots..I dont have all the time I would like to spend taking photos all over Turkey as there are so many wonderful places..

I also think that photos are a great idea to discover new places as a picture is worth a thousand words..or so they say.

I would suggest you try Yalikavak, on the northern, quieter side of the Bodrum Peninsula. It is far less commercialised than Bodrum itself and many of the other resorts on the Peninsula. It has a lovely harbour area with restaurants looking out over the sea. If you choose your accommodation carefully you can walk into the centre, and to the beach, in only 10 mins.Much of the accommodation is a long way out, up steep hills, but still called Yalikavak. You would need to book your flight and accommodation separately, as hardly any tour operators go there.

Hi, i have been to turkey on numerous occassions. Firstly it depends on what you like as a whole, if there are children to cater for etc. Marmaris is good plenty to do, and its like Blackpool in the sun.
Alanya is quiter, plenty of bars and shops and a brilliant harbour for the boat trips, the only down fall is it is full of Russians and germans.

Side is lovely, goergous beach, very nice place.

Bodrum and Gumbet are nice places too, nice cheap bars and restaurants, nice beach.

I have just booked my mums hols to Turkey, they are going to Kusadasi, they not been before nether have I.

Me and my partner kev have just booked Turkey, Altinkum, not been before but heard really great reports about it, really looking forward to it.

the only thing to do is give it a try and only go either s/c or b/b as it is really cheap to eat out, plus the weather will be good between may-October.

Happy holidays

Thank you so much to everyone who has very kindly taken the time to reccomend various places for us. I have such a large selection to choose from so I shall begin searching the web for all the destinations you have mentioned. It really is very kind of you and I shall let you know what we eventually choose. Once again thank you everyone, very grateful.

Well after much poring over the web, we finally managed to get a booking today, we have decided on Side, after reading about the particular hotel, supposed to be in the quietest part of Side, with a private beach, and 1km from any hustle and bustle sounds just what we want. I would like to thank everyone for your input and for helping us to make up our minds, it is lovely to know that there is a wealth of knowledge out there, ready & willing to offer advice.................Thank you everyone.

Glad you have sorted your holiday out. have a great holiday!

Carreta,
obviously you know Turkey coast very well
Now please, may I ask you to write a word or two about Finike
It is suppose to be a quiet little town , with a little bit of Turkish tourism...mainly agricultural, with lots his historical sites all around...
Can you tell me about the beach.. is it suitable for small children?

Many thanks
Greetings