Think of Türkiye (Turkey), and two images probably come to mind. One is likely to be the soaring minarets of Istanbul. The other is of a coastline of soft sands and azure blue waters stretching for kilometres after kilometres.
However, neither image hints at the amazing camping and glamping now available right across Turkey. Sites span forests and mountains, as well as beaches and cities (there’s even camping in Istanbul). From the basic to the ultra-luxurious, there’s no better way to connect with Türkiye’s wealth of beautiful landscapes.
Here then are the best camping and glamping spots in Turkey!
Kabak Valley
Lycia’s Kabak Valley lies approximately 200 km west of Antalya in a region of lush forested hills sweeping down to the stunning Gemile Beach. Although once the near-private domain of yoga practitioners long before yoga went mainstream, the Kabak Valley has now substantially widened its appeal. There are more than ten excellent campsites to choose from, each within a short stroll of the cliff-flanked sands.
That said, the Kabak Valley remains a tranquil place to get away from it all and is undoubtedly one of the best camping spots in Turkey. You’ll not only sleep well, but eat well too, which is just as well when one of the valley’s main attractions (beyond the beach) is its hiking trails.
Getting to the Kabak Valley is superbly easy too. Dolmus minibuses depart from Fethiye, around 30 km north, hourly. The journey takes roughly an hour. And as we’re sure you’re already aware, Pegasus Airlines is a leading provider of cheap flights to Turkey, meaning Kabak Valley camping doesn’t have to break the bank.
Butterfly Valley
The name alone is enough to have us booking our next camping in Turkey at Butterfly Valley. Just a short distance away from the Kabak Valley—multi-centre vacation, anyone? Butterfly Valley is arguably even more special. It’s as close to wild camping in Turkey as you can get.
Enclosed by high cliffs, the Butterfly Valley’s good-sized beach is an ideal place for family-friendly camping stays in Turkey. That’s because its warm, pristine waters are protected for several hundred metres by the geography of hills. Waves are therefore minimal.
Reaching Butterfly Valley can be equally magical. Taking the main road, which winds around the back of the valley, is worth it for the viewpoints alone. But for the romantic of heart, there can be no better way to reach the Butterfly Valley than by boat from Belcekız Beach at Ölüdeniz.
Once you get there, there’s two good campsites to choose between. Both put you at the centre of the valley’s natural beauty. Moderate walking trails lead to year-round waterfalls (one dropping 60 m). Between June and September, you can’t miss the butterflies either. More than 100 species have been identified, including the wonderful Spanish Flag day-flying moth (also called Jersey tiger).
Olimpos
Olimpos (or Olympos) is situated on the same large bay of the Turquoise Coast as Antalya. But its atmosphere couldn’t be more different, making it a chilled alternative from the city. Its camping options range from beachfront to hilltop, and from spots to pitch your own tent to establishments offering the full-on glamping Turkey vibe.
With a beach that has a length hitting no less than four kilometres, there’s always plenty of space to lay down a beach towel or relax on a sun lounger—even during peak season. At one end, you’ll also find ruins dating to a Roman city of the first century CE. At its other end, at Çıralı, there’s an eternal flame, a natural fire that has burnt for millennia.
Olimpos is particularly popular with backpackers from both within Turkey and further afield, perhaps attracted by the cheap flights that dot the airport schedules like shells on Olimpos Beach. Yet they might also be attracted by the chance to encounter nesting and swimming sea turtles—a rare occurrence in this part of the Mediterranean.
Kaş
Head to Kaş on your camping vacation, and you’ve got the chance to sleep overlooking a marina, town, or beach. And that’s what makes Kas one of the best camping and glamping spots in Turkey for us.
There’s no doubt that the main attraction in Kas is its beach, nor that the town is a known tourist resort. All the same, Kas hasn’t been overdeveloped and still has a more than pleasant seaside town atmosphere. This makes it attractive to holidaymakers of all ages.
Bursting with wild flowers close to the shore and heavy with olive and almond trees further up, Kas is another destination nature lovers will struggle to find fault with. Though there’s little in the way of nightlife, the small bars filled with locals drinking raki more than make up for the fact.
During the day, it’s the waters off Kaş that are sure to hold your attention. A popular scuba diving location, beginners can obtain their qualifications from one of the registered dive schools. In turn, experienced divers have 50 dive sites to explore, including six artificial reefs.
Camping Spots in Istanbul
Believe it or not, it’s even possible to camp in Istanbul, Türkiye’s biggest city. Most are located on the Anatolian (Asian) side of the city, taking advantage of the city’s little-known nature parks.
In fact, find a nature park in the Istanbul area, and it’s likely you’ll find camping too. Examples include the campsites at Cilingoz Forest Nature Park and Marmaracik Bay Nature Park. Facilities tend to be on the basic side, with WCs but few showers or places for cleaning plates.
Such sites are therefore probably better as short stays for when Istanbul gets too much rather than longer vacations. Predominately utilised by Istanbulites, they’re also a great way to make friends with locals.
Needless to say, getting to Istanbul is really easy with Pegasus Airlines. Our fleet crisscrosses the skies of Europe to Istanbul and a multitude of other destinations in Turkey. Our great value fares will keep you in budget even if you then need to use a taxi or rental car to explore the best camping and glamping spots in Turkey.
