Turkey’s striking coastline, stretching from the Aegean to the Mediterranean to the south and facing the Black Sea to the north, provides some of the country’s most popular holiday spots. But inland, the landscape is equally captivating, with the otherworldly rock formations of Cappadocia and the snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat among the highlights.
Soak it all up by basing yourself at one of the many luxury villas dotted around the country where you can enjoy the views from a rooftop terrace or infinity pool. While there are plenty of ultra-modern properties, many have retained a nod to local traditions, with rustic stone walls, whitewashed interiors and Ottoman terracotta roof tiles. These are some of the best villas in Turkey, but don’t be tempted to spend your entire holiday at the villa — amazing Bronze Age ruins, lively seaside towns and heart-stopping blue waters are just beyond your door.
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1. Villa Baris, Kalkan
££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 12
With a view of Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast, this six-bedroom villa ticks all of the boxes for big group get-togethers. There’s ample outdoor seating and dining space next to the infinity pool, spacious en suite bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a big, open-plan kitchen designed for those who love to cook. The nearest supermarket is close by so you can easily stock up on ingredients without needing to drive. If cooking on holiday is the last thing you want to do, the vibrant town of Kalkan is just a short walk away for dinners out.
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2. Villa Bartu, Kalkan
£££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10
This three-storey, five-bedroom villa makes most of the views from its hilltop location, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a bath that feels semi-alfresco thanks to the fact that the doors fully open onto the balcony. But while the Turquoise Coast is gorgeous to look at, you’ll probably be most excited about the swim-up bar that’s set into the L-shaped pool. Elsewhere, there’s an open-plan kitchen and lounge, outdoor dining space and a mature garden with olive trees providing dappled shade. Kalkan is just ten minutes’ walk away.
• More great luxury villas in Kalkan
3. Levissi Charade, Fethiye
££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 4
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“Why settle for one pool when you can have two?” is very much the ethos at this villa, set in the verdant countryside of Fethiye. One pool is outdoors and flanked by loungers while the other is indoors and surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows to allow the natural light in; both are very much lappable. Should you need a break from the pool, there are hammocks to relax in with a good book, and table tennis if you’re feeling competitive. The modern property also benefits from a sizeable kitchen and spacious lounge, while you can enjoy alfresco dining on the roof or in the garden.
• Best things to do in Fethiye
4. Villa Krystal, Dalyan
£££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 2-8
If mountain views are your thing, you could scarcely do better than Villa Krystal, a four-bedroom retreat located in the small town of Dalyan by the southwest coast. It’s built directly in front of a craggy peak, with raked ceilings and high windows designed to capture the incredible view of the mountain rearing up behind. This is no small-scale mountain retreat — it has extensive grounds in which the kids can play, and a spectacular circular swimming pool. Inside, the decor is modern and filled with contemporary artworks.
5. Karatavuk Cottage, Kaya Valley
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£ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6
For a slice of rural village life with the benefits of both the mountains and the coast, head to Karatavuk Cottage in the Kaya Valley, south of Fethiye. This three-bedroom retreat is built in classic style, with stone walls and red terracotta roof tiles, whitewashed interiors, and wooden floors brightened with local kilim rugs. It’s ideally located to wander mountain walking tracks, for days at the beach — or even to explore the eerie streets of Kayakoy, an abandoned Greek village dating back to Ottoman times.
6. Eagle Heights, Akyaka
££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6
Officially designated a “slow tourism city”, Akyaka is a perfect choice for those wanting a chilled-out holiday by the sea. The town is tucked into the easternmost corner of Gokova Bay and its laid-back atmosphere invites lazing on the sandy Akyaka beach, taking a boat ride through the wetlands or tucking into the delectable local seafood. Stay at Eagle Heights, a three-bedroom villa combining modern features with traditional Turkish style, and a glorious infinity pool with sea views.
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7. The Shepherd’s House, Akyaka
££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 4
It’s hard to believe that the Shepherd’s House in the mountains above Akyaka was once a simple sheep-herder’s hut. It’s been transformed into a perfect modern retreat, with up-to-date kitchen, contemporary four-poster bed and expansive glass doors leading onto the spacious pool terrace. The building’s roots, however, are still very much in evidence, from the stone walls to the Ottoman-style roof and rustic fireplace. Spend your days enjoying views over Gokova Bay, or head a little further afield to discover local restaurants and the tranquil waters of nearby Cinar Beach.
8. Waterfront Cottage, Bozburun Peninsula
£ | POOL | Sleeps 2
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Protected as a conservation area, the Bozburun Peninsula is one of Turkey’s wildest and most untouched coastal regions, home to small villages, secluded coves and seaside restaurants. The Waterfront Cottage is a one-bedroom stone villa in the small fishing village of Sogut, with eclectic white-and-rattan decor, a private pool and terraces for both sun and shade. As the name suggests, it’s located right by the water — you can even buy fresh catches from the fishermen as they come in, ready to be cooked up and enjoyed with a glass of Izmir wine.
9. Saranda Beach House, Bozburun Peninsula
££ | Sleeps 2
If your definition of paradise is to lounge with your partner on your own private jetty and gaze out over translucent waters, you’re not alone — and you should consider a stay at the Saranda Beach house. This one-bedroom retreat is simply and comfortably furnished with full kitchen and cosy en suite bedroom, but its main draw is its location right on the waterfront on Turkey’s unspoilt Bozburun Peninsula. Sink into a hammock on the bougainvillea-draped patio to while away the afternoon, or head straight to the water, just metres from your door.
10. Villa Gulseren, Bayir
£ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6
On a forested hillside with views out to both the Mediterranean and Aegean seas you’ll find the beautiful Villa Gulseren. This rustic, farmhouse-style stone cottage is surrounded by pine trees and feels perfectly secluded, disturbed only by the occasional crowing of a cockerel and the sound of the call to prayer drifting from a nearby village. Wander out among the gardens, scented with herbs and fruit trees, dive into the freshwater pool, or simply laze in a hammock under a wooden pergola wound with vines.
11. Cape Villa, Kas
££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10
Just a glimpse of the pool terrace at the Cape Villa is enough to make you breathe a little deeper: a perfect infinity pool merging with the distant blue of the Mediterranean, edged with creamy stone and shifting palms. This contemporary villa is designed to help you relax, with neutral tones and natural fabrics, airy high ceilings and oxygen-giving plants. Wander down to the water to find a private sea platform for an easy sea swim. Once you’re restored and ready for action, fascinating Lycian ruins and the bohemian streets of Kas are just a few minutes’ drive away.
• Best family hotels in Turkey
• Best hotels with waterparks in Turkey
12. Villa Konak, Kas
££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 11
Extending from the popular seaside town of Kas on the Turquoise Coast is the Cukurbag Peninsula, and near its western tip is Villa Konak, a six-bedroom retreat with unrivalled views across the bay. Its design is modern, with high ceilings, picture windows and French doors, but it’s also rooted in the traditions of the area, from its stone-built walls to wooden shutters and brightly woven fabrics. Spend your days on the terrace or floating in the infinity pool, looking out for passing dolphins or drinking in the views across the water to the Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis).
13. Villa Elmas, Kisla
£ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 5
For some Turquoise Coast luxury at an affordable price, try the bright and beautiful Villa Elmas. Positioned on a hillside in the Kisla area of Kalkan, it looks across the famous blue bay to the old town harbour in the distance — a view best enjoyed from the whirlpool on the upstairs balcony. The style is playful, with pops of bright yellow and blue against neat whitewashed walls, and furnishings are pared-back and neutral, allowing the view beyond the windows to do the talking.
14. Villa Marin Hill, Turgutreis
£££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 12
For an extended family holiday in effortlessly elegant surroundings, try Villa Marin Hill. This six-bedroom villa oozes laid-back contemporary style, with Insta-worthy interiors of pale wood and sheer fabrics, designer furniture and a funky suspended fireplace. Kick back in a hammock, curl up on the shady terrace or take a dip in the breathtaking infinity pool. The location is perfect for an afternoon’s exploration — it’s just a few minutes’ walk from shops and the beach. But this villa is so gorgeous, you may never want to leave.
15. Villa Nisan, Islamar
££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 4
The village of Islamar is famous for its restaurants serving up freshly caught trout and delicious mezze on terraces with views down the valleys to the sea. Sample the best of them when you stay at Villa Nisan, a peaceful, two-bedroom retreat only a moment’s walk from the village shops and eateries. Parents can unwind in the private sauna and hammam, while kids keep entertained with board games and a large swimming pool — complete with a cover for when the sun grows too strong.
16. Villa Pasha, Dagbelen
£££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10
If you like your holidays opulent, don’t miss Villa Pasha on the Bodrum Peninsula. It has the feel of an aristocrat’s grand country house, with sumptuous leather furniture, a formal dining room and a kitchen big enough to accommodate half a dozen sous-chefs. Bedrooms are filled with antique furniture, and there’s a sauna and Jacuzzi to melt into. But the villa’s most eye-catching feature is not the decor or luxe features — it’s the extraordinary view from the pool deck, stretching down a broad green valley to the Aegean Sea.
17. Asmali Cave House, Cappadocia
££ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6
The striking rocky landscapes and “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia in central Anatolia are one of Turkey’s most famous sights. These incredible formations have provided homes to humans since the Paleolithic era, and visitors today can sample a taste of cave-dwelling life, without compromising on modern comforts. The Asmali Cave House in the village of Uchisar is built into a cave, with heavy stone walls, barrel-vaulted ceilings and cosy bedrooms hollowed out from solid rock. Emerge from your cool and quiet sanctuary to relax on the vine-wrapped terrace and take in views over the incredible landscape.
• Best things to do in Cappadocia
18. Villa Zeytin, Bitez
£ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 4
The town of Bitez, just to the west of coastal party town Bodrum, was once known for its tobacco crops, citrus fruits and olives. These days, it’s more famous for its curving stretch of sandy beach, but there is evidence to be found of the area’s agricultural past — not least at Villa Zeytin, whose mature trees reveal its past as an olive grove. This modern two-bedroom retreat is surrounded by a walled garden, with an inviting pool and comfortable day bed designed for day-long lazing — you can even flavour your drinks with lemons plucked from the trees.
bitezvilla.com
19. Villa Perdue, Faralya
£££ | POOL | Sleeps 8
For all of the secluded comforts of a villa with the added perks of a boutique hotel stay, check out the luxurious Villa Perdue, located in a peaceful coastal village south of Fethiye. Here, you’ll find four bedrooms including a fully self-contained master suite, a beautiful hardwood deck with curved infinity pool and a stupendous view over the sea. You can also wander down to a local boutique hotel for yoga classes, massages and access to a private beach.
theturquoisecollection.com
20. The Villa at D Maris Bay, Datca Peninsula
£££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 4
The Datca Peninsula stretches out from Turkey’s southwestern coast, marking the meeting point of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. This lovely spot is home to the ultra-luxurious Villa at D Maris Bay. The two-bedroom property has all you could want for a truly decadent stay, with private hammam, sauna and pool, as well as butler service, a walk-in wardrobe and full kitchen kitted out in top-end Gaggenau appliances. Guests can take advantage of D Maris Bay Resort’s award-winning restaurants and choose from five private beaches, all without having to set foot offsite.
dmarisbay.com
21. Villa Ying, Kalkan
£££ | POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6
A favoured local activity in the popular seaside town of Kalkan is to head to a beach club for waterside lounging and dining — you can do both of these things without leaving the comfort of your own space at Villa Ying. Here, a triangular infinity pool juts out towards the bay, and there are plenty of spots on the terrace and balcony for alfresco meals. The villa itself is slick and contemporary, with white furnishings, cool stone floors and huge windows to bring the outdoors in. And if you did fancy a more social setting, there’s free access to the popular Villa Mahal beach club, only a short walk away.
theturquoisecollection.com
22. Tulip Cottage, Islamlar
£ | POOL | Sleeps 2
If you’re hoping to find the perfect secluded and downright adorable couples’ retreat near the Lycian Coast, look no further. Tulip Cottage is a quirky one-bedroom villa set in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains north of Kalkan, with rustic stone walls, exposed timbers, vintage furniture and lashings of charm. It’s set amid olive groves and vineyards in a flower-filled garden complete with its own lily pond and infinity pool — a perfectly romantic setting for couples to enjoy the incredible views down the valley to the sea.
theturquoisecollection.com
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