Turana Atash: the best beaches in the Middle East

Turana Atash: the best beaches in the Middle East

Earlier this year, Turana Atash founded her eponymous London label with the intention of creating a new kind of stylish swimwear that can be worn all around the globe. Taking western-style swim- and resortwear and reimagining it with the contemporary Middle Eastern woman in mind, she makes everything from stunning half-covered swimsuits to flowing resort kaftans, the idea being to create pieces that are modest and also magnificent. We talked to her about her three favourite beaches in the Middle East.

Kai Beach, Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi

Saadiyat is a natural island 500m off the coast of Abu Dhabi, which is famous for being the emirates’ centre of culture – there’s a Jean Nouvel-designed Louvre and a Gehry-designed Guggenheim – but it’s also home to some of the best beaches in the UAE. My favourite is Kai beach, which is a lovely stretch of pristine white sand. It’s great for eco-friendly water sports activities and there’s a MLT food truck which does amazing burgers.

kaibeachsaadiyat.com

Berenice Beach Club, Aqaba, Jordan

Jordan doesn’t have much coastline, just 15 miles or so on the Gulf of Aqaba, but what it has is beautiful, particularly Berenice Beach in the heart of the Aqaba Marine Park. It’s got a protected reef which means there’s great snorkelling, and there’s a nice beach club which has pools and a restaurant.

sindbadjo.com

Lucca Beach, Bodrum, Turkey

This gorgeous beach club on the Turkish Riviera is an offshoot of the famous Istanbul restaurant, and the food – fish taquitos and oven-fired pizzas – is just as good. The club sits on Paradise Bay, one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Bodrum, and the water is the most incredible turquoise colour.

luccabeach.com