One of the most beautiful beaches in the
Middle East is surrounded by campsites and has been a favourite of travelling hippies for decades. Kabak Beach used to be a secret gem on the southwestern coast of
Turkey . Despite the purity of its white sand and the dazzling blue of the sea there, few but the most determined backpackers made it that far. The remoteness of the coastal spot meant it was not on the typical trails and enjoyed a calmness few others in the popular holiday region did. Today things have changed in Kabak a little. Word has got out about the looks of the place, the way in which the verdant hills rise up dramatically from the water in a manner not dissimilar from the Calanques in the south of
France, and the startling quality of the water. Today if you make it there you will likely find a small crowd of people who've decided to make the same trip. Yoga retreats and hostels are also present. But that shouldn't put you off. "Despite mass tourism creeping in on this little hidden gem of a town, the white sand beach and the remoteness of Kabak are still great places for travellers who are looking to do nothing except relax and swim in the ocean," Bucketlist Fly wrote of the coastal spot. Exactly where and when to go to
Spain to maximise sunshine and hot temperatures The beach remains peaceful and idyllic ( Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) "If you are looking for a place in Turkey to do nothing, then you are going to love Kabak. The whole point of visiting Kabak is to do nothing but relax. With a beautiful sandy beach, a nice beachside accommodation that often includes breakfast and dinner, and a location away from the bustling city life." Oliver's Travel recently judged Kabak Beach to be finest Turkey has to offer. The website notes how the 25km trip from the resort town of Ölüdeniz, as well the half an hour walk that is required to get down to the water, is well worth it if you're able. "This half-moon bay, surrounded by pine forests and mountains, can only be reached by descending this trail on foot, but the serene and peaceful beach at the bottom is well worth the effort (and the views from the top aren’t too shabby either)," the website notes. "On the pebbles and white sands of Kabak Beach, you’ll mostly be in the company of locals and backpackers travelling along the Lycian Way. You won’t find many amenities, any water sports or beach chairs for hire. The vibe is distinctively laid back, and people come here mainly to appreciate the natural beauty and undisturbed stillness during their villa holiday in Turkey. "There are some shaded areas to escape from the sun with a juice or a beer from one of the beach bars. Other than that, it’s just you, the Mediterranean, and a few friendly loggerhead turtles to keep you company." Sun-soaked resort has 30C weather in April and one of world's best beaches Spanish holiday resorts swamped by 3ft high piles of invasive algae spoiling famous beaches If you fancy checking out the beach for yourself, then the closest large settlement is Antalya which is around 150km away as the crow flies. Kayak lists flights from a number of
UK airports to the city for around £140 in May - one of the best months to visit Turkey weather-wise. Those who are heading for the Middle Eastern country this year should pay heed to a rule that impacts tourists and can potentially land them with large fines if fallen foul of. It is a legal requirement to show your passport or ID card when asked by
police in Turkey. The good news when it comes to Turkey holidays is that they are currently relatively cheap. Those with pound sterling visiting Turkey can get around 73% more liras for the pounds than a year ago – the equivalent of almost £211 extra on a £500 currency purchase. This rises to 113%– or £266 extra - over two years, according to the Post Office's Exchange Rate Monitor, published as part of the Holiday Money Index. Check out more of Daily Mirror's latest travel stories by signing up to our free weekly newsletter.