Villa Rezene

Overlooking Gökova Bay – a view guaranteed not to disappoint – pretty Akyaka has a look and feel all its own. Far from being an overdeveloped resort, the town is known for its distinctive, low-rise wooden buildings. The much-copied architectural style was pioneered by poet, journalist and architect, Nail Çakırhan, who built a house in Akyaka in the 1980s which won a prestigious architecture award.

The town’s lovely beach enjoys a spectacular mountain backdrop, and offers the chance to dine, sunbathe and try water sports. If you prefer to eat elsewhere, you can find plenty of good restaurants in Akyaka’s upper village area. Here, you will find shops and regular street markets, where you can buy locally made gifts and foodie treats like bread and pastries.

A boat trip along the River Azmak is a particularly delightful way to see Akyaka, or you can take a walk along the river bank and admire the wildlife. Another very popular outdoor activity is kite-surfing. In nearby Akçapınar, there’s a beach that’s perfect for it, with a kite-surfing school ready to show you the ropes.

The Akyaka Olive Farm is a popular attraction on the town’s outskirts. You can buy food and beauty products made using the farm’s olive oil and dine in the restaurant looking out over the river. Not far away, the ancient remains of the city which once stood where Aykaka now is – Idyma – make for interesting archaeological fare. If this is your thing, you should also take a boat trip to Cleopatra Island to see the remains of the city of Kedrai.

Turkey is a big honey producer, and in Marmaris, you can find out all about it at the Marmaris Honey House – not forgetting to buy a jar or two of the region’s fine pine honey, of course. Travel a bit further and you could visit one of southern Turkey’s biggest outdoor attractions. Whether you fancy wading through it or zooming across it, the canyon of Saklikent Gorge provides an unforgettable adventure.

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.