Dagli Evi

Located in the Mugla Province of Turkey, a 1-hour drive from Dalaman, Akyaka is a charming coastal town known for its striking natural scenery, large sandy beach and accredited by Cittaslow for its keeping with local culture. With plenty to offer foodies, nature lovers and architecture buffs alike, it’s an ideal holiday location for families with children, friends and couples.

The main attraction is Akyaka’s beautiful rural surrounds where a multitude of wildlife, including fish otter, herons and flamingos inhabit the wetland conservation area. There are walking routes in the pine forest and along the Kadin Azmak River, where fresh fish are caught, there are plenty of fish restaurants. You’ll also find more restaurants, shops and markets between 2-6km from the villa.

Walking along the banks of the river, from  the harbour you'll find several restaurants serving a hearty Turkish Breakfast. Protected forests lie to the north and west, with mountains beyond. Upper Akyaka is the working part of town, with a small market, fishmonger, butcher and baker and coffee houses full of men playing traditional tavla (backgammon). You can also explore the traditional Turkish Ottoman Ula Houses in the town, characterised by double staircases, ornate wooden balconies and their white or cream-painted walls.

For outdoor adventuring, Cinar Beach is a short drive away. It’s a secluded cove surrounded by forested mountains, with a small creek and a beach bar. You could also take a boat trip from Akyaka to Cleopatra's Beach on nearby Sedir island, where it’s said that Mark Antony brought the golden sand from Egypt. Sedir island also has Hellenic and Roman ruins for you to see, including a beautiful amphitheatre, where olive trees have grown through the stones.

From Akyaka you can take the dolmus (public bus) to Mugla, which has the largest market in the region (every Thursday), drive to the ruined city of Ephesus or the quaint village of Sirince. The ruins from a sculpture school at Aphrodisias are less known but no less impressive. The travertine pools of Pamukkale are also within a day's drive.

Read more about Akyaka

Turkey is an eclectic mix of dramatic scenery, amazing food and a deep history.  A visit to Turkey almost always inspires comment about the hospitality, maybe because the Turkish people believe a visitor is a gift from God. A trip to Turkey will almost definitely inspire you to return. You’ll be following in the footsteps of many a famous person from ancient history.

The South West coast of Turkey offers the perfect climate for your holiday, boasting over 280 dry days a year and an average June temperature of 28C in Akyaka, with sea temperatures of 23 degrees Celsius.  

Akyaka sits where the Kadın Azmak river joins the sea. Enjoying a Turkish breakfast or fish lunch at one of the many restaurants it is difficult to imagine anything disturbing the peace. Ducks and geese jostle for bread, fish swim past and bright green reeds wave in the slow-moving water, fed by cooler waters from the mountains above. Favoured by local day trippers from nearby Bodrum and Denizli, who gather on Akyaka’s wide sandy beach with shallow water meaning you can go a way out and the water is only up to your waist.

In recent years, Akyaka has become Turkey’s centre for kitesurfing and you’ll see all the kites in the sky, above the beach on the head of the gulf. There are several schools so if you fancy a go. Contact them beforehand, so you can get booked in as it is particularly popular during the holidays and weekends.
Akyaka is a member of the cultural Cittaslow organisation, recognising its connection with tradition. The local architecture of wooden balconies and white walled houses with terracotta roof tiles, bow thanks to 70’s architect Nail Çakırhan. The coast up from here has lots of small bays where you can swim and sunbathe, just drive through the forest and along the coast road to find them. Akyaka has a local market on Wednesday, or visit the huge very Turkish market in Mugla, which is the administrative centre of the area. In recent years Mugla has expanded as it’s university has gained popularity, but the centre still shows architectural signs of its Italian occupation last century.

For Turks, breakfast is a key meal, and you see family groups enjoying a feast late morning. Other than the riverside restaurants who serve a hearty feast, go to Sakartepe, at the top the mountain has the most amazing panoramic views.