Music Video Locations in Turkey: Abandoned vs Luxury (The Honest Comparison)
After shooting 30+ music videos across Turkey, here's my real-world breakdown of when to choose raw abandoned locations versus polished luxury spots, with actual costs and results.
Two months ago, I shot two music videos back-to-back. Same week, both in Alanya, both for electronic artists. The first was in an abandoned stone village in the mountains, with crumbling walls, overgrown vegetation, and dramatic ruins. We climbed fences, dodged goats, and shot for free. The second was at a luxury 5-star resort with an infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean, modern architecture, and perfectly manicured gardens. That one cost the artist €500 in location fees.
Want to know which video got more views? The abandoned village. By a lot. But here's the thing, it's not that simple. Both locations work, but for completely different reasons and different types of artists. If you're planning music video production in Turkey, the location choice has nothing to do with budget and everything to do with matching the vibe to your music.
I'm Amin, a videographer based in Alanya, and after producing music videos for artists from all over the world, I'm going to break down exactly when to choose abandoned/raw locations versus luxury/polished locations for music videos in Turkey, with real examples, honest pros and cons, and the specific spots I actually use.
Why Turkey is Incredible for Music Video Locations
Before we dive into abandoned vs luxury, let me explain why Turkey (and specifically the southern coast) is becoming a hotspot for international music video production in 2026.
Diversity in One Place
Within 30 minutes of Alanya, I can access ancient ruins, abandoned villages, pristine beaches, modern luxury resorts, mountain caves, Ottoman architecture, and futuristic hotels. You're not locked into one aesthetic.
Mediterranean Light
The light here is unreal. Golden hour makes everything cinematic. Even basic locations look stunning when you know how to work with Mediterranean sunlight.
Fraction of the Cost
Location fees in Turkey are a fraction of what you'd pay in LA, London, or Barcelona. An abandoned site? Usually free. A luxury hotel? €300-800 for a day. In California, that same resort would cost $3,000+.
Easy Permits
Way easier than most countries. Unless you're shooting at major tourist sites or need road closures, you can often just show up and film. More flexibility, less bureaucracy.
Plus, you can shoot here 300+ days a year. Plan a video shoot in Turkey with confidence from April to November, and even winter brings dramatic cloudy skies if that's your vibe.
The Abandoned/Raw Location Playbook
When Raw Locations Work Best
Abandoned and raw locations aren't just "budget options." They're a deliberate creative choice that works incredibly well for certain genres and artistic visions.
🎵 Best Music Genres
- Melodic techno/deep house (think Cercle vibes)
- Indie/alternative
- Hip-hop, especially trap/drill for gritty urban feels
- Rock/metal
- Emotional/melancholic electronic
🎨 Ideal Artistic Vision
- Raw, authentic, emotional storytelling
- Contrast between decay and beauty
- Content that needs texture and history
- Underground/alternative image
Real Example: The Abandoned Village Video
Artist: German melodic techno producer
Track: Deep, atmospheric, melancholic
Budget: €1,200 total (mostly my fee, zero location cost)
📊 Results
280K views on YouTube, featured on two major melodic techno blogs. Artist said it was his best-performing video ever.
We shot in an abandoned Greek village in the mountains above Alanya. Stone houses slowly being reclaimed by nature, incredible views of the Mediterranean below, this haunting beauty that perfectly matched the emotional depth of the music.
Started at sunrise (6:00 AM, worth it for the light). Shot the artist DJ-ing on a rooftop with the sunrise behind him, walking through crumbling doorways, sitting in empty stone window frames with the sea in the distance. The decay matched the music, the contrast between ancient ruins and modern DJ equipment was visually interesting, and the natural textures gave every frame character.
My Favorite Abandoned/Raw Locations Around Alanya
🏚️ 1. Abandoned Greek Villages (Mountains)
Stone ruins with Mediterranean views, haunting beauty. Perfect for melodic/emotional music and storytelling videos. The morning light here is magical, and you'll have complete creative freedom.
🏛️ 2. Old Town Alanya (Historic Streets)
Narrow cobblestone streets, traditional architecture, authentic Turkish atmosphere. The area near the castle walls is less crowded and offers stunning backdrops.
🏞️ 3. Sapadere Canyon
Dramatic natural canyon with waterfalls, wooden walkways, and lush greenery. Arrive at opening (9 AM) for empty shots before the tourists arrive.
🦇 4. Dim Cave
Massive underground cave with dramatic, otherworldly atmosphere. Bring your own lighting because the cave lights are fluorescent and don't work for video.
🏖️ 5. Secluded Beaches/Coves
Wild, natural, untouched Mediterranean coast. Hire a local fisherman to boat you there for the most dramatic locations that feel completely private.
Pros and Cons of Abandoned Locations
✅ Pros
- Unique, don't look like every other video
- Free or very cheap
- Natural texture and character in every frame
- Great for storytelling and emotion
- Total creative freedom, no staff restrictions
❌ Cons
- No facilities (bathrooms, power, shade)
- Weather dependent, if it rains you're done
- Can require hiking/difficult access
- Safety concerns with unstable structures
- Lighting challenges, often need your own gear
The Luxury/Polished Location Playbook
When Luxury Works Best
🎵 Best Music Genres
- Commercial pop/EDM
- Upbeat house/dance
- Tropical house
- Afrobeat/dancehall
- Any music with a "party/celebration" vibe
🎨 Ideal Artistic Vision
- Aspirational, luxurious, "living the dream"
- Summer vibes, vacation aesthetics
- High production value, polished look
- Brand partnerships/commercial appeal
Real Example: The Resort Pool Video
Artist: Turkish pop artist (Instagram influencer with music career)
Track: Upbeat summer dance track
Budget: €2,500 (€500 location, rest production)
📊 Results
420K views on Instagram Reels, artist gained 15K followers. Hotel reposted it which helped both of us.
We shot at a boutique luxury resort in Alanya. Infinity pool overlooking the Med, white modern architecture, palm trees, the whole Instagram aesthetic. Artist plus dancers around the pool, underwater shots with a GoPro, drone pulling back to show the resort and coastline, sunset shots on the rooftop terrace.
The track was about summer romance and living your best life, so the luxury location matched that energy perfectly. Production value looked high even though budget was modest, because a good location does half the work for you. Every single frame was Instagram-friendly and immediately postable.
My Favorite Luxury/Polished Locations Around Alanya
🏊 1. Boutique Hotels with Infinity Pools
Modern, clean, aspirational Mediterranean luxury. Book shoulder season (April-May, Oct-Nov) when hotels are eager for content and more flexible on pricing.
🏡 2. Modern Villas (Airbnb)
Sleek architecture, private pools, contemporary luxury. Offer the owner the final video for their listing, it saves you money and gives them great marketing content.
🏖️ 3. Cleopatra Beach (Public but Polished)
Beautiful public beach with turquoise water and mountain backdrop. The western end is less crowded and has better backdrop with the castle on cliffs.
🛥️ 4. Luxury Yacht Charters
Ultimate party/luxury aesthetic with Mediterranean backdrop. Split the cost with other artists doing separate projects on the same day to maximize value.
🌃 5. Rooftop Restaurants/Lounges
Urban sophistication, city lights, nightlife energy. Shoot during setup (3-5 PM) when staff is there but no customers, often for reduced rates or free.
💡 Pro Tip
If you're filming DJ performance content on a yacht or boat, check my guide on filming DJ sets on yachts for specific techniques that work on moving vessels.
Pros and Cons of Luxury Locations
✅ Pros
- High production value with minimal effort
- Facilities (bathrooms, power, shade, WiFi)
- Good lighting, well-designed spaces photograph well
- Weather backup with indoor options
- Instagram-friendly, every frame is postable
❌ Cons
- Costs money, sometimes significant
- Restrictions on what you can do
- Can look generic, similar to other content
- Time pressure with limited shooting hours
- Less authentic/raw feeling
How to Choose: The Decision Framework
Here's how I help artists decide between abandoned and luxury locations. Ask yourself these questions:
-
What's your music's energy?
Emotional/deep → Abandoned locations. Upbeat/celebratory → Luxury locations. The location should amplify what the music already communicates.
-
What story are you telling?
Personal struggle/authenticity → Abandoned. Success/aspiration → Luxury. Your video is visual storytelling, and the setting is a character in that story.
-
Who's your audience?
Underground/alternative fans → Abandoned. Mainstream/commercial audience → Luxury. Think about where your viewers spend time and what they respond to.
-
What's your budget?
Tight budget → Abandoned (free locations, invest in post-production). Moderate to good → Luxury (location quality does half the work).
-
What's your artist image?
Raw/authentic/underground → Abandoned. Polished/aspirational/mainstream → Luxury. Stay consistent with how you present yourself across all content.
"Location choice has nothing to do with budget and everything to do with matching the vibe to your music. A free abandoned village can outperform a €5,000 yacht shoot if it fits the song better."
The Hybrid Approach (My Favorite)
Here's what I actually recommend most often: use both. Shoot in multiple locations that contrast each other. Abandoned village for verse 1, luxury pool for chorus, back to abandoned for verse 2, yacht for bridge. The contrast makes the video visually dynamic and tells a richer story.
Real Example: Shot a video for a Turkish rapper. Started in gritty Alanya old town streets (his roots), transitioned to modern rooftop lounge (his success), ended back in old town (staying authentic). The contrast WAS the story.
💰 Cost
€300 total (just the rooftop fee), but two completely different aesthetics that made the video feel like a much bigger production.
This approach works because it creates visual variety without requiring a massive budget. You get the texture and authenticity of raw locations, plus the polish and production value of luxury spots, all in one video.
Practical Tips Nobody Tells You
For Abandoned Locations
- Scout beforehand: What looks cool on Google Maps might be dangerous or inaccessible in person
- Bring supplies: Water, snacks, first aid kit, phone charger, backup batteries
- Tell someone: Let people know where you're going and when you'll be back
- Check weather obsessively: No shelter if it rains, and conditions change fast
- Bring portable lighting: Even just reflectors make a huge difference
- Wear proper shoes: Abandoned sites have sharp debris everywhere
For Luxury Locations
- Get everything in writing: Permissions, hours, restrictions, all documented
- Negotiate: Especially off-season, hotels want content for their own marketing
- Offer value: Tag them, give them the final video, they'll often discount or waive fees
- Be professional: You're representing them, dress and act accordingly
- Respect their rules: They can kick you out mid-shoot if you cause problems
- Tip staff: They'll help you get better access and be more flexible
For Both
- Shoot in golden hour when possible: It elevates any location instantly
- Bring a drone if you have one: Aerial shots add massive production value
- Plan your shots in advance: Limited time at every location
- Have a backup plan: Weather, access issues, equipment problems happen
The Budget Reality for 2026
Let's talk real numbers for a full music video production in Turkey. These are actual costs I work with, not aspirational numbers.
Compare these numbers to what you'd pay in Western Europe or the US, and you'll see why Turkey has become such a popular destination for music video production. You can create something that looks like a €15,000 production for a fraction of that cost.
See It in Action
Here's one of my recent music video projects shot in Turkey. You can see how we combined different location styles to create visual variety:
For the full breakdown of this project including behind-the-scenes details and production notes, check out my music video production case study.
Related Resources
If you're planning a music video shoot in Turkey, these guides will help you prepare:
Music Video Production Guide
Complete walkthrough from concept to final cut, with budgeting tips and timeline expectations.
Best Instagram Spots in Alanya
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Drone Photography in Alanya
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Learn about drones →
Let's Make Your Music Video in Turkey
Whether you want to shoot in abandoned Mediterranean ruins, a luxury infinity pool, or both, I'm here to make it happen. I know the locations, I know what works for different genres, and I know how to make your budget stretch further in Turkey than anywhere else.
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