Turkey 2026: Riviera, Antalya, and Cappadocia

Hi everyone!

If you're looking for great tips and offbeat spots, if you love exploring uncharted parts of a country, if the exotic is your adrenaline, then move along!

Our 15 days in early May in this part of Turkey (a country I first discovered during a city trip to Istanbul in 2017) will only tread well-worn paths and revisit popular routes. Simply because I kept hoping until the very end that our flight to Jordan wouldn’t be canceled. Events in the Gulf proved me wrong, so we left with: Zero preparation. Not a single hotel booked (well, except the first one), no visits planned, just a flight ticket bought three weeks earlier. No guidebook, no app—just the desire to explore southern Turkey and Cappadocia, whose images and the chance to stretch our legs had caught my eye.

Oh, wait—I did bring along a new guide: Gemini! Yes, my friends, generative AI was my chief advisor throughout the trip for sites to visit, accommodations, routes, and even restaurants! An experiment I wanted to try to form my own opinion on using this new technology. And what better way to test it than a Turkish getaway?

The verdict? You’ll have to wait for the trip recap to find out!

The main idea of the trip is also relaxation.

So, the plan is Antalya for a few days, the Turkish Riviera for a few more, Cappadocia as the highlight, and a return via Antalya to wrap up the trip. And it was all planned by AI!

So, if you're ready, fasten your seatbelts—cabin crew, doors to automatic and cross check—boarding for Turkey now!

A little sneak peek?

Off the beaten path here we come, through the open doors 😎@

Come on Bruno, make me dream... a country I don’t know at all. That first photo is amazing—it could’ve been a June finalist! 😊

Hey Bruno,

Your travel journal is gonna bring back some *super* distant memories for me! I won’t recognize anything...

That much time in Ankara?

Catch you later for the rest! 🙂

( Isn’t that first photo kinda AI-generated? ) ( I’ve tried asking AI stuff in Kyrgyzstan—with mixed results... )

Isn’t your first photo AI-generated?

I wondered the same thing... 🤔 but I trust Bruno! 😊 He wouldn’t dare, right?! 😨 Though now you’ve got me doubting! 😳💨

Same here! Is this an AI-generated photo? Bruno could totally do that just for fun 😉

Same here... Is this an AI-generated photo? Bruno could do it just for fun 😉

Yeah, it is indeed 🤭 Let's wait for his reply 😜

That much time in Ankara? 😮 See you for the rest! 🙂

If you're talking about Antalya, we arrived at midnight and stayed for 2 nights, so a full day in reality.

If you really wanted me to go to Ankara, maybe next time… 😉

Okay, let's get the suspense out of the way about the photo: No, but yes 😄

Actually, it's a real photo taken very early in the morning that I slightly (okay, maybe too much) edited with my iPhone (the magic wand tool) 😄 The original looked like this:



Promise, I won’t do it again 😅

Ugh! I read too fast!

That said, I have a bad memory from my second time in Antalya... Ibiza right outside my door—I wasn’t there for that...

Personally, I prefer the original.

Personally, I prefer the original.

Personally, me too, once I’ve restored it.

Personally, I prefer the original.

Personally, me too, once I’ve restored it...

Yeah, the original is great 👍 Okay, now we’re waiting for the next part—let’s not dwell on one photo, no matter how beautiful it is, for two days 😄

Turkey, Cappadocia—just old memories, but I’m happy to jump in without having to run to catch up with you. You can pick up the thread again😎

Part 1: Antalya and the Riviera

The adventure starts in Geneva. It’s late April, just before the long weekends, and I had no trouble finding a direct flight to Antalya at a competitive price (140 € round-trip, baggage included).

I did have a few concerns about the airline, SunExpress, which I’d never heard of before. In a Muslim country, it’s off to a good start...

Turns out it’s a low-cost airline based in Antalya, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. If you overlook the non-reclining seats and the 3 € bottle of water, it’s actually pretty smooth. Especially since the flight only takes 3.5 hours—with my tablet and a few episodes of my current favorite series (*Stranger Things* Season 5, saved just for this trip), it was a breeze. That said, we landed an hour late at 10:30 PM (guess that’s the low-cost experience for you?). .

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The taxi we booked through Booking was waiting patiently and took us to Kaleiçi, Antalya’s old town, where we’d drop our bags for the first two nights—the only ones we’ve planned so far.

But here’s the catch: it’s Saturday night, and the biggest Istanbul derby of the year just ended with Galatasaray beating Fenerbahçe, securing a strong shot at the title (officially confirmed on May 9th for the stats-obsessed). The city center is *packed* with cars and motorbikes celebrating the win. Our taxi couldn’t even reach the hotel, so we got dropped off as close as possible and finished the last 10 minutes on foot, rolling our suitcases through the chaos of the victory party!! .



Yes, this one’s an AI-generated image—I could never look that miserable 😉

We finally settled in at the Cédrus Hotel around midnight. It’s a great tip if you’re looking for something affordable right in the old town. Shoutout to Gemini for finding it... .

Today, our first discovery of Antalya—well, the old town, actually, since the whole city is home to over 1.5 million people… The first thought we had—and will have throughout the trip—is *wow*, it must be crazy to walk around here in peak season! With the number of tourist boats in the harbor, the number of restaurants, and all the local agencies offering the same things, you can tell this place is all about mass tourism… A feeling confirmed by my host (who speaks French!), as Antalya apparently welcomes over 15 million tourists a year, according to him…

But we didn’t get that vibe—the area was calm, and we strolled through the old town with pleasure.









We even let ourselves be tempted by a little 2-hour boat tour—very, *very* touristy—to see the Düden Waterfalls, a 20-meter-high aquatic curiosity right in the city, from the sea.

What a warm welcome! They were actually waiting for you 😇 Okay, I’m already noting that we should go in May 😊

I’ll admit, Bruno, I’d have preferred Jordan too, since it’s also in our plans. But even on well-trodden paths, your first photo and your arrival in the middle of all that excitement (I’d have loved it 😊) really makes me want to see what’s next. And I’m also curious about your verdict on Gemini, though I have my suspicions 😏. Looking forward to the next part! Christelle

What a warm welcome! They were actually waiting for you 😄 Anyway, I’ll definitely remember to go in May 😊

We weren’t expecting that at all! If there’s one thing to remember from the trip, it’s this: don’t go in August! 😄

Alright, the exclusively female 🤪 fan club is here, so we can continue. But not tonight—it’s too late ….

If any kind soul (male) could step up, I’d feel less alone 😇

And on top of that, you're being picky—thanks for the welcome! 😄 I’ve got a pretty strong tomboy side—does that count? 😜

And on top of that, you're being picky—thanks for the welcome! 😄 I’ve got a major tomboy side, does that count? 😜

Oh no, don’t get me wrong—I’ve always preferred female company (well, except maybe Sandrine, but I don’t know her personally, just a hunch 😏), so you’re very welcome here!

Oh no, no misunderstanding—I’ve always preferred female company

I don’t know why, but I kinda had a feeling 😏😉

Hey Bruno.

A little sneak peek?

Did you take a hot-air balloon ride? 😏 When we were there in June, we saw very few, and the quad bikes (those were the things that worried me the most) were all in the parking lots.

But we won’t have that feeling—the place is quiet, and we’ll stroll through the old town with pleasure.

Same impression as you (in June)—way fewer people than on the Côte d'Azur! And the town is really nice. The restaurant staff were super friendly; they even let us taste wines for free without us having booked a table for dinner! The only challenge: Driving to the doorstep of our guesthouse (in the old town)! I circled the city twice and ended up "forcing" the barrier so I wouldn’t have to park a kilometer away. 😏

Hi Jean-Michel And welcome—you’ve become the reluctant male mascot of this travel journal, it seems! 😉 Hot-air balloon or not, we’ll have to follow the journal to the end to find out—the suspense is killing me!

I told you, for the first part of our trip we wanted some chic beach time—that is, not ending up in the middle of Antalya’s all-inclusive resorts (and trust me, there are *so* many of them!).

My favorite AI suggests the town of Kaş, nearly 200 km south of Antalya, on the Turkish Riviera—that’s the southernmost coast, facing Cyprus. “A magnificent and stunning road you absolutely shouldn’t miss” (Yes, AI is *always* super enthusiastic, just so you know). But I don’t want to drive it all in one go, and the stop is suggested at Çıralı Beach, where I’d find “a peaceful haven just a stone’s throw from Antalya’s hustle and bustle.” And a major local curiosity—we’ll get back to that.

But first, this morning, back to the airport via Uber to pick up our spirited mechanical steed, which will carry us around for the next fifteen days. I hadn’t rented it beforehand because of our late arrival and Antalya’s pedestrian-only old town—no point in having a car there. 342 € for the SUV for 15 days via Booking, impeccable service. In the photo, it’s the white one.



Before the peaceful haven promised by Gemini, we won’t miss another must-see in the area: the cable car ride to the top of Mount Tahtalı, 2,365 m, where the mountain (still snow-capped, by the way) literally plunges into the sea. You know me—I can’t resist altitude, so we’ll make a little detour for this attraction, even if it costs 40 € round-trip per person. It’s not the Aiguille du Midi, but budget-wise, it’s getting close...

So it’ll be almost 4 PM when I park the car at Lemon Garden Lodge, near the beach, where a charming little chalet is waiting for us for the night (and 120 € for half-board). The place is run by a really friendly family, but they’re not bilingual at all—our exchanges were via Google Translate, which I’m not a fan of, but the welcome was genuinely warm, and the meal, cooked by the lady of the house, was excellent in both quality and freshness.

Two must-see spots in the area: The ancient city of Olympos, which we’ll visit tomorrow morning, but especially Yanartaş Milli Park, also known as the Flames of Chimera!

Honestly, in peak season, it must be a nightmare to visit, given the size of the parking lot at the park entrance. My AI is begging me to visit the site at nightfall so the flames stand out better in the dark. Well, the 45-minute hike (and stairs) made me reconsider and decide not to always listen to it, but the methane emissions that ignite on contact with the air are a pretty magical sight.





Yeah, we didn’t buy the whole story about the chimera being trapped for millennia by Pegasus or whoever... Those Turks are so naive...

You're starting strong with originality, Bruno! Do the flammkuchen also work as barbecue 🥩😂?

And those little kids there are playing with the flames? 😕

Two must-see sights in the area: The ancient city of Olympos, which we’ll visit tomorrow morning, but especially Yanartas Mili Park, also known as the Flames of Chimera!

I really liked Çıralı and its region. It was very peaceful, and there were some great walks along the Lycian Way following the coast. Even though we’re not particularly into old ruins, the site of Termessos—completely empty of tourists (maybe because you have to walk a bit to get there?)—had such a serene atmosphere. We didn’t regret going. Same for the Chimaera (Yanartaş) in broad daylight—hardly anyone around.

A beach near Çıralı from the coastal path (Lycian Way)



Yanartaş

And those little kids there are playing with the flames? 😕

We’re not far off—on the site, the game is to grill sausages and, of course, marshmallows, which the kids are doing.

There’s even a guy at the entrance selling the full little scout kit

So yeah, Christelle, it’s like a barbecue!

I don’t think I could’ve resisted the cable car’s appeal either!

I'm off—Turkey is on my list! I’ll be following our Montagnard... or rather, our Montagnard and his Gemini!

I don’t think I could’ve resisted the cable car either!

Or the barbecue!!! 😏

Hey Manu, welcome! I don’t know if you’ll learn much about Turkey from me—my Gemini is way more knowledgeable, anyway!

Probably your inner scout coming out 😉 Thanks for stopping by—just need a little patience, I’m short on time to keep going 😛

Probably your inner scout 😉 Thanks for stepping in—just need a little patience, I’m short on time to keep going 😛

Can’t you ask Gemini to take over?

Can’t you ask Gemini to take over? 😏

Especially since it’d probably do a better job than me!!!

Let’s continue the story:

The night was short—the rooster at the house made sure of that. I took the opportunity to hop on a bike provided by the lodge and explore the area at the crack of dawn. .

The place was peaceful, and I had the ancient city of Olympos all to myself—a series of open-air archaeological ruins accessible from the beach, though the guards must’ve arrived much later than I did... .

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Now’s the time to tell you about Turkish breakfasts... The one served this morning, like most we’d have at our accommodations, was enormous—sweet, savory, but mostly *very* savory... We sat on the terrace in the farm courtyard, feasting among cats, chickens, and geese. .



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Then it was time to hit the road—2 hours to reach our next destination: the coastal town of Kaş.

With a quick detour (guess who suggested it?) to Demre to visit the ancient city of Myra, where Lycian rock-cut tombs (5th century BC) stand alongside a 2nd-century Roman theater.





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A quick word on entrance fees: super cheap for locals (thankfully, given their cost of living), but totally outrageous for tourists. For example, here it’s 2 ₺ for locals and 15 € for everyone else... Is Erdoğan taking us for fools? Trying to fleece visitors? Scare them off? You *can* buy the Turkey Museum Pass, which covers tons of sites, but it’s 165 € per person!!! So, do the math... Since I hate being treated like a sucker, we skipped the nearby church you could visit for an *additional* 17 €. End rant.

Quick stop for gözleme by the roadside—a super-thin flatbread stuffed with fillings (minced meat, mixed veggies, potatoes, cheese) that you’ll find everywhere in Turkey for next to nothing (1 to 2 €). Then we got back on the road to Kaş, less than an hour away. Fun fact: the drive there is gorgeous—a Turkish twist on the Great Ocean Road. And you know I’m an expert on the Great Ocean Road...

Following up on your message, I just checked the prices for Ephesus.

They’re a bit steep...😮

The one served this morning, like most of the ones we’ll have at our accommodations, is enormous—sweet, savory, but mostly savory, actually...

A great way to start the morning!😉 That’s what I call a real breakfast... Makes sense since I always prioritize it (even at home) over lunch. It’s only in France (or pretty much) where people don’t eat much in the morning—just some sweets I’m not too fond of. When I’m abroad, especially in Eastern Europe, Turkey, etc., I love it! Though I didn’t see any fries at the Turkish breakfast, though.

One downside for the entry fees charged to foreigners... but a big plus for the breakfasts!

Following your message, I just checked the prices for Ephesus. It’s a bit steep...😮

Even the locals I’ve talked to don’t understand and are worried it’ll scare tourists away... But the country really needs foreign currency...

Kas, with 9,000 inhabitants in winter, is a small, very boho seaside town on the Turkish Riviera, featuring a peninsula with crystal-clear waters—very (too) cold at this time of year.

The pool seems like a good fallback, so we’ll be settling in at the Peninsula Garden Hotel for 4 nights, thanks to a tempting offer and an upgrade at this 5-star establishment (which truly deserves its rating). But they only opened the week before, and the team isn’t quite up to speed yet... The setting is stunning, and the room with a private pool we were given matches the place perfectly.







We’ll spend 3 days lounging around, punctuated by a gargantuan breakfast—but we’ve already mentioned that—along with relaxing on the terrace, reading, and evenings of aperitifs and dining out in town. It’s the weekend, so there are quite a few people around.



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Oh, I almost forgot! Don’t miss the sunken city of Kekova nearby—accessible by tourist boat in the summer, but we drove along the coast, just 30 minutes away. To make the most of the spot, nothing beats hiring a local fisherman to take us out. The fisherman definitely saw me coming with my euros—he charged me 60 € for a 30-minute ride... Pleasant but a bit pricey. Luckily, the site itself is free! 🤪 We then wandered around the ancient ruins before heading back to our base.

Did you forget the photos? 😉 (You posted them since...)

Kekova, Kaş—such great memories!

But it was a spot that wasn’t very developed back then.

(Ugh, I see tomatoes and cucumbers for breakfast! No way! I prefer sweet over savory, especially if the savory isn’t cold and high-quality. Eggs are okay, but not every day...)

Did you forget the photos? 😉 (You posted them since...)

To explain everything, I’m writing the text from my work computer, but I upload the photos from my tablet because my hard drive can’t be connected to my computer anymore due to my company’s security procedures.

Kekova, Kaş, such great memories! But it was a spot that wasn’t very developed back then.

That must’ve been in the 19th century then!!!

(Arghh, I see tomatoes and cucumbers for breakfast! No way! I prefer sweet over savory, especially if the savory isn’t cold and high-quality. Eggs are okay, but not every day...)

I’m definitely on team sweet too. I never eat eggs, especially not in the morning 😕 (That morning, they didn’t get that eggs were a no-go for me). But no matter how much I told them, they still served them… On the other hand, we got to try different homemade jams—absolute heaven!!

Sweet or savory, all of this still looks way more appetizing than what they serve in Kyrgyzstan 😉

You can still buy the Visits Pass that includes many sites in Turkey, but it’s 165 € per person!

Good thing photos are free... for now, at least! 😮

That must’ve been back in the 19th century then!

She’d just turned 17...

The coastal road wasn’t even finished yet...

(But I went back in the early 2000s, and while I remember Antalya and Bodrum being really lively, I don’t recall Kaş as a party-hotel hotspot???)

It still looks way more appealing than what they offer in Kyrgyzstan 😉

Yeah! !