Gulet Cruise Tips for Turkey, Croatia & Greece
A Gulet cruise is one of the most memorable ways to explore the Mediterranean — but should you sail Turkey, Croatia or Greece? Each coastline offers a different kind of holiday, from the turquoise bays of the Turkish Riviera to the walled harbour towns of the Dalmatian coast and the sun-bleached charm of the Greek islands. This guide compares all three Gulet cruise destinations side by side — routes, weather, cost, food, crowds and the character of each coast — to help you choose the right one.
Turkey — The Original and the Best Value
Turkey is where Gulet cruising began. The tradition of sailing the Turquoise Coast in handcrafted wooden boats dates back to the 1940s, and the country still has the largest and most varied fleet of Gulets anywhere in the Mediterranean. It is also, by some margin, the most affordable of the three destinations.
The Turkish Riviera stretches over 1,000 kilometres from Bodrum in the north to Antalya in the south, with hundreds of sheltered bays, ancient harbours and uninhabited coves along the way. The water is extraordinary — clear, turquoise, and warm enough to swim in from May through October.
Routes
Most Turkey Gulet cruises follow the Lycian coast, departing from Fethiye and sailing south toward Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Kaş and the sunken city of Kekova. The Bodrum-to-Fethiye route is another popular one-way option, taking in the Gulf of Gökova, Cleopatra Island and Bozburun. Göcek offers a quieter alternative within the sheltered Gulf of Fethiye, while Marmaris routes head toward the Datça Peninsula and can cross to the Greek islands of Rhodes and Symi.
What It Costs
Turkey is significantly cheaper than Croatia or Greece for Gulet charter. Private charters start from around £10,000 per week, and cabin charter cruises — where you book a private cabin on a shared Gulet — are available from around £1,099 per person for a full week, full board. Flights to Dalaman from the UK are frequent and affordable, and food, drink and entertainment ashore cost a fraction of what you would pay on the Croatian or Greek coast.
Who It Suits
First-timers, families, groups celebrating milestones, couples, and anyone who wants the most Gulet for their money. Turkey offers the widest choice of vessels and routes, the longest season, and the best value across all price points.
Croatia — Old Towns and Island Hopping
Croatia's Dalmatian coast is one of the most visually striking shorelines in Europe. Walled medieval towns drop straight to the waterfront, pine-covered islands dot the horizon, and the sea shifts between deep blue and emerald green as you sail from one harbour to the next.
Gulet cruising in Croatia feels different from Turkey. The emphasis is as much on the towns and islands you visit as on the sailing itself — Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korčula, Split, and the Elaphiti Islands are among the most beautiful harbour stops in the Mediterranean.
Routes
The two main Croatia cruise routes are Dubrovnik to Split and Split to Dubrovnik, both covering the central Dalmatian islands. Along the way, most itineraries call at Mljet National Park, Korčula (Marco Polo's alleged birthplace), Hvar, and the Pakleni Islands. Some routes extend to the Elaphiti Islands near Dubrovnik or head north toward Šibenik and the Kornati archipelago.
What It Costs
Croatia is the most expensive of the three destinations for Gulet cruising. Private charter rates start from around £15,000 per week. Flights to Dubrovnik or Split are widely available from the UK but prices peak sharply in July and August. Food and drink ashore are more expensive than Turkey, particularly in tourist hotspots like Hvar and Dubrovnik's old town.
Who It Suits
Couples and groups who are as interested in cultural exploration and gastronomy as they are in swimming and sunbathing. Croatia suits travellers who want Game-of-Thrones-era architecture, world-class wine, and an evening stroll through a candlelit old town at every stop.
Greece — The Iconic Island Cruise
The Greek islands need little introduction. White-washed villages, blue-domed churches, sun-baked harbours and the deep blue of the Aegean — it is the image most people conjure when they think of a Mediterranean sailing holiday.
Gulet cruises in Greece typically focus on two island groups: the Dodecanese (closer to the Turkish coast, including Rhodes, Kos and Symi) and the Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos). The Dodecanese route is often combined with a Turkish coast departure, offering the best of both countries in a single week.
Routes
Dodecanese cruises often depart from Bodrum or Marmaris in Turkey, crossing to Rhodes, Symi and Kos before returning. This Turkey–Greece crossover route is one of our most popular itineraries, combining Turkish bays with Greek island stops. Cyclades routes typically sail from Athens (Lavrion) or Mykonos, island-hopping through Paros, Naxos, Koufonisia and Santorini.
What It Costs
Greece sits between Turkey and Croatia on price. Private charter rates start from around £20,831 per week. Food, drink and mooring fees ashore are higher than Turkey — particularly in the Cyclades, where Mykonos and Santorini command premium prices. The Dodecanese route starting from Turkey offers the best value for a Greek island experience.
Who It Suits
Anyone drawn to the classic Greek island aesthetic — the architecture, the light, the food. Greece is perfect for couples seeking a romantic escape, groups who want variety between islands, and travellers who have already done Turkey and want something new with a different cultural flavour.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Turkey | Croatia | Greece | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | April – October | May – October | May – October |
| Peak temp | 30–38°C (Jul–Aug) | 28–33°C (Jul–Aug) | 28–35°C (Jul–Aug) |
| Sea temp (summer) | 24–28°C | 22–26°C | 23–27°C |
| Private charter from | From £10,000/week | From £15,000/week | From £20,831/week |
| Cabin charter from | From £1,099pp/week | Price on application | Price on application |
| UK flight time | 4 hrs (Dalaman) | 2.5 hrs (Dubrovnik/Split) | 3.5 hrs (Athens/Rhodes) |
| Best for | Value, first-timers, variety | Old towns, gastronomy, wine | Island hopping, romance |
| Crowd level (peak) | Moderate – many bays to escape to | High – popular harbours fill fast | High – Cyclades very busy Jul–Aug |
| Food on board | Turkish/Mediterranean, superb meze | Dalmatian/Mediterranean, seafood | Greek/Mediterranean, taverna style |
| Shore excursions | Lycian ruins, rock tombs, Lycian Way | Walled old towns, national parks | Temples, villages, volcanic islands |
| Fleet size | Largest – 50+ Gulets available | Growing – motor yachts also available | Smaller – often combined with Turkey |
| Shoulder season value | Excellent – May & Oct 15–25% cheaper | Good – Jun & Sep savings | Good – May & late Sep savings |
Private Charter or Cabin Charter?
A private charter gives your group exclusive use of the entire Gulet — you choose the vessel, the route and the dates. This option is available in Turkey, Croatia and Greece, and suits groups of six or more who want total flexibility.
A cabin charter lets individuals, couples or small groups book a private cabin on a shared Gulet sailing a fixed weekly itinerary. Cabin charters are primarily available in Turkey, departing from Fethiye on a Saturday-to-Saturday schedule with full board included. They are the most affordable way to experience a Gulet cruise.
If you are a couple or small group travelling on a budget, Turkey's cabin charter programme is the standout choice. If you are a larger group looking for a private experience, Turkey offers the widest fleet and the best value, while Croatia and Greece offer shorter flights and a different cultural flavour.
When to Book
All three destinations share a similar sailing season running from late April or May through to October. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months across the board.
The shoulder season — May, June, September and October — offers the best balance of good weather, fewer crowds and lower prices. This is especially true in Turkey, where the season stretches longest and shoulder discounts can be substantial. Read more about why October is one of the smartest times to cruise Turkey.
Whichever destination you choose, booking early secures the best vessels. The most popular Gulets for July and August sailings often fill six months or more in advance.
Why Book With Blue Cruise
Blue Cruise is one of the UK's longest-established Gulet cruise specialists, arranging bespoke holidays in Turkey, Croatia and Greece since 1995. We are fully ATOL-bonded (licence 4171), which means your holiday is financially protected from the moment you book.
Unlike online aggregators that list hundreds of vessels they have never seen, every Gulet in our collection has been personally inspected and selected for its build quality, crew standards and onboard experience. We know these coastlines and these crews — and we know which vessel and route will suit your group best.
Our guests agree. Blue Cruise holds a 5.0 Google rating from verified reviews, a 4.7 Trustpilot score from 116 reviews, and the majority of our bookings come through personal recommendations and repeat customers.
Ready to Choose Your Destination?
Whether you already know where you want to sail or need help deciding, our team can talk you through every option and build a Gulet holiday that fits your group, your budget and your dates.