The Turkish Riviera is increasingly being chosen as an alternative to distant exotic destinations for an autumn beach holiday: here warm seas, sunny weather, ancient monuments and luxury resorts come together.
One of the region’s main tourist attractions is the ancient city of Side, founded in the 7th century BC. Among the preserved sights are the Roman forum, an ancient theatre and a restored Greek fountain, which demonstrates engineering solutions for bringing water down from the mountains.
According to local guide Ismet, the city’s ancient infrastructure is particularly impressive: a drainage system created about two thousand years ago still works. ‘The centre of the world,’ the guide describes Side, emphasising its role on ancient trade routes.
Ismet also notes that the region enjoys about 320 sunny days a year, and in October and November daytime temperatures stay at roughly 27 °C, the sea remains warm, and there are far fewer tourists than in summer. The author of the piece, who visited the town as a tourist, believes the Turkish Riviera can compete with the Maldives in holiday appeal, with the advantage of a shorter journey from Europe and less jet lag.
Increased interest in the region could affect demand for flights and tour packages from Ukraine due to a more affordable and shorter flight.
