Blue Flag Beaches in Turkiye: A Complete Guide 2023

Every year qualified beaches around the world are rewarded with the famous eco-label, the Blue Flag. They are being evaluated by the Foundation for Environmental Education on four major criteria: water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety. The Blue Flag beaches not only provide a sustainable environment for all but also prove that they well deserve the attention earned. Visitors undoubtedly choose these beaches as their next travel destination.

In fact, following Spain and Greece, Türkiye locates itself as the third country that has the most Blue Flag beaches. As of 2022, Türkiye is home to 531 of them, and since this number might be overwhelming for the ones who seek to enjoy the Blue Flag beaches in Türkiye, we prepared a complete guide for the best Blue Flag beaches of 2022. Get ready to be mesmerized by them!

In addition, we strongly recommend that you read this complete guide, too!

1. Kumburnu and Belcekiz Beach

Why limit yourself to one Blue Flag a day? We thought the same! In Oludeniz, Fethiye, you get to enjoy two Blue Flag beaches on the same day because these beaches are located side by side. As you can see in the picture above, Kumburnu Beach is a cape extending onto the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, and Belcekiz Beach is a wide sandy beach lying in front of the Oludeniz village. These beaches keep attracting tourists throughout the year and host awesome activities such as paragliding. If you want to discover more and immerse yourself fully in this unique geography, we recommend you to check our trip plan via this link.

2. İçmeler Beach

İçmeler Beach is also situated among the best Blue Flag beaches. It is only 8 km away from Marmaris, Mugla, meaning that after a cozy day at the beach, you can hit the town and enjoy your night out. If you are a nature lover instead, you might consider climbing the mountains around the bay. That way, you will have the best view as the sun sets down, we promise.

3. Ilıca Beach

Another Blue Flag beaches in Türkiye is Ilıca Beach. If you are a senior traveler, we are sure that you have heard of this beach before. In comparison to İçmeler, Ilıca offers more room on its wide shore for large groups, which makes it the holiday destination of Izmir. Behind all that chatter and sand castles lies its shallow waters. Kids love it here too. Moreover, the natural thermal springs, particular to the area, mixes with the seawater, and it is said that swimming here is beneficial for skin care. Let’s give it a try, shall we?

4. Akkum Beach

Do you know what Akkum means? This compound word consists of ‘ak’, meaning white, and ‘kum’, meaning sand, in Turkish. No need to say more! This Blue Flag beaches is located in Seferihisar, which is a coastal town of İzmir that is overloaded with cuteness, calmness, and history. In the end, a traveler is always a traveler and, after some time lying on a sunbed, gets eager to do more. For a detailed trip plan of Seferihisar, İzmir, we suggest you check the link.

5. Konyaaltı Beach

After Mugla and İzmir, we now step into the blue waters of Antalya with sublime mountains rising behind us. In close proximity to the center of Antalya, you will find one of the best Blue Flag beaches, Konyaaltı Beach. On this 4.5-km-long beach, you are not limited to swimming and sunbathing only. You can also benefit from the basketball courts and fitness areas provided. Moreover, your pet friends are welcomed too since there is a dog park. A little reminder that there are multiple beaches on this coast, and only the public beaches numbered 11, 12, and 13 are rewarded with Blue Flags this year. Additionally, it gets rocky in some areas, and that is the reason why it is highly preferred by those who dislike sand. If you are among them, we recommend you check this beach.

6. Sarısu Beach

Just when you leave Konyaaltı behind, as you are driving towards the west, you see Sarısu. This Blue Flag beaches in Türkiye is home to a picnic area, allowing you to cool off under the shades of trees after a long day at the beach. Next to it, there is a women-only Blue Flag beaches as well, meaning that men are not allowed here. If you are fantasizing about a world without men, this beach turns this dream into a reality for you. Shout out to all the ladies: Enjoy a day in peace! Like other beaches suggested on our list, these beaches are free of entrance too. Alternatively, you can get on the mountain gondolas nearby, called ‘teleferik’ by the locals, and enjoy the scenic view of the Antalya Gulf. Rumors have it that kids love it in here!

7. Göynük Beach

Göynük is a popular resort town of Kemer, Antalya, and thanks to the endeavors of the municipality, you get to enjoy a part of this beauty free of charge. Pack your sunglasses, sunshades, and flip-flops. At this Blue Flag beaches, there is sun, sand, and sea only. Some call it 3S, we call it the heaven on earth.

8. Çamyuva Beach

At Çamyuva Beach, also located in Kemer, Antalya, you have multiple options. You can either remain idle and read your book at the beach, or you can wake your inner child up and hop on a banana. No jokes! In return for a small fee, you can benefit from the activities offered on the shore. Such include a banana boat ride, windsurfing, jet-skiing, and pedalo-riding. Moreover, there are other opportunities provided like dining in a restaurant, barbequing, and playing volleyball. We suggest you not hold yourself back at this one of the best Blue Flag beaches.

9. Beldibi Beach

Our last suggestion in Kemer, Antalya is Beldibi Beach. Although there are many resorts occupying the coast of Beldibi, a public area is reserved for your pleasure. The shore might not be that wide and long, but the refreshing waters make up for it. All that is left is to take a dip at this Blue Flag beaches!

10. Kızkalesi Beach

Like all good things come to an end, we have come to the end of our list of the best Blue Flag beaches in Türkiye, and our last recommendation is in a different city, Mersin. This city might not be that popular among travelers, but it surely deserves to be. Its beaches are truly spectacular, and among them, Kızkalesi Beach stands out due to the castle you see in the picture. In fact, both the beach and the town are named after this castle, which was used by the pirates in ancient times and later embraced by the Byzantine Empire. Afterward, it was restored by the Armenian Kingdom of Cilia and well-preserved by the Ottomans, allowing it to survive till today. We assure you that swimming against this centuries-old castle will be a unique experience.