Villa Adacay

Akyaka may not be as well known as some Turkish resorts but it’s a discovery well worth making. This pretty town on a hill overlooking Gökova Bay has the beaches and the restaurants but not the high-rise blocks. Akyaka owes its distinctive architectural style to poet, journalist and architect, Nail Çakırhan, who built a much-admired house in the 1980s which ended up winning a prestigious architecture award. The style has since been imitated many times over.

You will find a beautiful beach and harbour in Akyaka which enjoys a spectacular mountain backdrop. However you spend your time at the beach, you are sure to admire your surroundings. The beach offers the chance to dine, sunbathe and try water sports. There are many good places to eat around town – be sure to try some freshly caught fish for something truly local.

A scenic way to enjoy the area is on a boat trip along the River Azmak, or you can simply take a walk along its banks. There is a lot of wildlife to see, including plenty of ducks and geese. You can find lots of outdoor activities around the area. In nearby Akçapınar, there’s a great kite-surfing beach – you can book lessons in advance if you want to give it a try for the first time.

Away from the beach in Akyaka, head up to the upper village where you will find shops, more restaurants and regular street markets. These are good for trying locally made bread and pastries, or looking for distinctive gifts and craft items.

The region is a big producer of honey and olive oil. The Akyaka Olive Farm is a popular attraction not far from the town, where you can buy food and beauty products made using the farm’s olive oil and dine in a lovely riverside restaurant. In Marmaris, you can check out the honey side of things at the Marmaris Honey House.

A boat trip along the River Azmak is a visitor favourite, as are cruises out to Cleopatra Island. You can go and see the ancient remains of the city of Kedrai on the island, which date back to the 6th century BC.  Another archaeological talking point is the Carian city of Idyma which once stood where Akyaka is now. You can see what’s left on the outskirts of the town, including a castle, mosque and some ancient Lycian rock tombs.

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.