Your luxury yacht charter to Greece and Turkey

A luxury yacht charter is the ultimate platform for a truly diverse and unforgettable water-centred vacation. Whether you are looking to spend quality time with family and friends, or the opportunity to explore the world in absolute luxury, or both, a yacht charter is designed to be bespoke to you and can be as cultural, relaxing, active, and fun as desired. 

When you’re speaking of culture, the Aegean’s Turquoise Coast and Greek islands promise more history, culture, and scenic anchorages than any yacht charterer could hope for. What is more, they also have an ideal and reliable climate that extends the summer season significantly, a vast variety of cruising options and, with plenty of superyachts to choose from, they are perfect for the waterborne. From Lycian Coast jaunts along Turkey’s coastline to cruising the sun-drenched island archipelagos of Greece, Burgess discovers why these magical cruising grounds perfectly combine for a summer yacht charter. 

Why book a combined luxury yacht charter to more than one country? 

A yacht offers a multitude of advantages to a land-based holiday, one of which is the flexibility to explore breathtaking coastlines, escaping the confines of one destination, or even one country, whenever the mood takes you. Whether exploring remote islands or glamorous coastal cities, you can tailor your itinerary to suit your preferences, enjoying the flexibility that a yacht affords and cruising wherever you desire. And if that involves cruising two countries in one itinerary, then why not? 

The only decision you need to make is which cruising grounds are for you. Of course, the most popular cruising grounds vary by season. If you are planning a high season summer charter, you might consider the cruising grounds of the Western Mediterranean, where there are plenty of options to combine two countries in one itinerary. For example, Corsica and Sardinia offers a dual-country itinerary with short distances between the French and Italian islands, while many charters along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast begin or end in Italy, with Venice being a great embarkation point. 

The winter months see The Bahamas and Caribbean welcoming superyachts to their shores, and here again itineraries can be combined to take in the East Coast of America, cruising from Florida to The Bahamas, or taking in the multiple island nations of the Caribbean in one charter. For the waterborne, the options are endless.  

Set sail from Athens to Mykonos  

Rich in history, culture, scenery, and hidden gems to explore, and easy to get to, Athens is an ideal starting point for a charter through the Aegean. After a day or two exploring the magical and ancient city, cruise overnight to Mykonos. This island may be small, but it is one of the most famous of the Greek islands, and for good reason. A must-visit summer destination for the jet-set since the 1960s, the cosmopolitan island continues to attract A-listers and the superyacht set to this day. 

First spend a few days enjoying the quieter and more hidden corners of this beautiful island with its stunning beaches. Some bustle with onshore life, others are seemingly yet to be discovered. Expect to spend your days sunbathing and swimming, while evenings are reserved for dancing to world-renowned DJs in one of the many beach clubs on the island. One of the most iconic spots is the bohemian beach club Scorpios, which transfers into a busy bar come sundown.  

Recommended – Enjoy a long lunch at Nammos on Psarou Beach – the Greek alternative to the Côte d’Azur’s Le Club 55, this beach restaurant is home to an impressive events calendar, with international DJs and live bands taking to the stage daily during the high season.  

Explore stunning Santorini 

Breathtakingly beautiful, Santorini is well known for its vertiginous cliffs and bucket-list sunsets, but the past few years have also seen its culinary scene take off. There are now some fantastic restaurants and chic bars in Santorini’s capital, Fira, and also tucked away in the whitewashed streets of the smaller town of Oia. The most exclusive area at the northern tip of the island, Oia is the ultimate postcard Greek island village with its white houses and domed churches. 

It is also the best spot to catch the famous Santorini sunset – you’ll struggle to find a more beautiful spot in all of Greece. Santorini is actually a group of five islands formed by intense volcanic activity – in fact, the island is still an active volcano, although it is currently dormant – and the crescent shaped archipelago is perched right on the edge of the caldera. This is certainly one where it is well worth stepping up onto the foredeck for the spectacular views as you cruise into port. 

Recommended – Easily one of the best beach clubs on the island, Yalos is the place. Cool décor, beautiful views, wellness classes, and a great cocktail – order a paloma to your beach bed while their DJs set the evening vibe.  

Overnight cruise to Rhodes  

Immerse yourself in history and sparkling Aegean bays as you discover the island of Rhodes. The largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, its sandy beaches, ancient ruins, and medieval city will keep both culture vultures and the more sybaritic charterer entertained for days. Step ashore to explore the ancient old town before making a pit stop at the Knight’s Quarter. Its ruined remains mostly date from the medieval order of the Knights Hospitaller, who ruled here for more than two centuries. 

The old town is at the heart of a ring of clifftop defences that still dot the island and punctuated by beautiful bays and beaches – any of which are perfect anchorages for your yacht as you circumnavigate the coastline. From the long golden sands of Tsambika beach to Agathi Bay, onto the island’s southernmost cape where, at low tide, a double beach emerges to join Prassonissi (‘green island’), you can easily spend a few days discovering the island and all its archaeological sites, interspersed with dips in the clear-blue waters of the Aegean. 

Recommended – Be sure to visit Lindos to explore the magnificent Acropolis and the ruins of the Temple of Athena Lindia.  

Set sail for Bodrum 

There are few cruising grounds that compare with the coastlines and landscapes of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. Laden with natural and man-made treasures, the coast runs from Cesme in the north to Alanya in the south – over 1,100 miles of coastline and 500-plus beaches, each beach lapped by the Aegean Sea that reflects every shade of green and blue. Just a short hop from Rhodes, the mainland’s indented coastline is perfect for an extended Aegean yacht charter. 

Bodrum, one of the most popular Turkish yachting hubs, displays a bohemian vibe; its nightlife even gives Ibiza a run for its money – this is where the fashion set and Turkish A-listers all spend their summer weekends. While berthed in the attractive port, visit the Castle of St. Peter that overlooks the harbour, and step ashore to embrace the town’s cultural riches along Cumhuriyet Caddesi (Bar Street) with its bazaars and hammams.  

Recommended – Reserve a table at BRAVA at The Bodrum EDITION. After a long lunch enjoy cocktails at the Discetto as DJs take to the decks.  

Cruise south to Marmaris  

The further south you cruise along the Turquoise Coast the more verdant the landscape, with pine-forest inlets along the shoreline providing perfect sheltered anchorages. The Bozburun Peninsula, between Datça and Marmaris, is dotted with picturesque harbours and coves only accessible by boat. Bozburun itself is quiet and relaxed with an authentic feel, but Marmaris is quite different. 

Known as Turkey’s yachting capital, its strategic location in one of the world’s largest natural harbours has attracted all manner of seafarers over the centuries, including Nelson. Today it attracts a different type of sailor, attracted to its bustling waterfront promenade and traditional Grand Bazaar.  

Recommended - Just a few nautical miles south of Bodrum’s bustling waterfront, the ancient city of Caria, now known as Knidos, is where you will find the remains of the temple of Aphrodite. 

Cruise around the Gulf of Fethiye 

Right in the middle of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, the Gulf of Fethiye is one of the coastlines most unspoiled areas. A large inlet with Fethiye and Göcek at its head, the gulf offers idyllic sailing conditions, with 12 islands offering bays and inlets for sheltered anchorages. Fethiye itself has increased in popularity, becoming a yachting hotspot known for its traditional eateries along the beaches and historic sites in the old town. Tender ashore to the Yazz Collective which, tucked away in a remote cove, offers beautiful vistas. Expect sunset parties and DJ sets.  

Recommended – Discover the Blue Lagoon, Fethiye’s most famous landmark, which is now a protected nature reserve.  

Adventures in Antalya

Antalya has a natural beauty with over 400 miles of beaches and secluded coves backed by the Taurus Mountains. This is the perfect spot from which to head inland for activities. Whether hiking the mountains, white-water rafting in the vast limestone gorge of the Koprulu canyon, or discovering The Duden falls, Antalya is the gateway to adventure. Those after a culture fix should head to Antalya itself and the ancient Aspendos amphitheatre, while the vibrant seaside town of Kas has a bustling café culture and is slightly more low-key than larger Antalya.    

Recommended – Venture over to the island of Kekova. Uninhabited except for a few goats, the island is protected but the remains of the Sunken City of Kekova can still be viewed both above and below the water. 

Return to Athens

Cruise back towards mainland Greece, dropping anchor at any of the Greek islands that take your fancy as you pass by Ios for its buzzing nightlife; the concealed cliff-top village of Hora on Folegandros; the uninhabited island of Polyaigos for a peaceful anchorage; Milos for its hued beaches and uninhabited offshore islands; Serifos and Sifnos for their charming towns; and for your final ports of call before hitting Athens, drop anchor in the clear blue waters off Paros for a final swim.