About the Gulf of Gökova

Our featured villas in the Gulf of Gökova are located in the forest on the mountain-side just over ten minute’s drive from the stunning pebble beach at Çinar, (image above) and the pretty town of Akyaka with its ‘Ula-Muğla’ style of architecture, renowned river restaurants and sandy town beach. 

Further afield - but within a forty-five minute journey - lie Marmaris and the Bozburun and Datça Peninsulas in one direction, in another the Dalyan Delta (with the towns of Göcek and Fethiye a little further away, yet still easily accessible), and yet another direction leads towards the county market town of Muğla and then onto Bodrum, Ephesus and Pamukkale beyond.

The Gulf of Gökova is therefore brilliantly positioned to explore the entire Lycian Coast of Turkey, and to get a real insight into the richness and diversity of the scenery.

Akyaka has managed to retain its strong Turkish character, which gives it much of its appeal. You can still sit and watch elderly women driving their flocks of goats and sheep along the streets. There are several small grocery shops, a fruit and vegetable stall, and a choice of restaurants. Akyaka is surrounded by Forestry Commission land on one side and by a conservation area on the other, offering superb opportunities for exploring. 

These include a wonderful coastal single-track road that follows the coast through magnificent, remote scenery until finally reaching one of our favourite bays on the entire coast at Akbük. Here you will discover a couple of restaurants catering predominantly for passing yachts and you can relax in the most glorious isolated beach settings!

Dining in the Region

The region is famous for its garlic. Dishes such as Galli Patlıcan (a regional aubergine dish), börülce (black-eyed peas) teltoru, saç böreği (savoury pastry cooked on a hot griddle), börülce çorbası (black-eyed pea soup) are generally prepared and eaten in the homes of the locals. Some of these local dishes can be found in restaurants in Akyaka. The region also has another popular dish, Ekşili Tavuk (Sour Chicken) and can be found at the simple restaurants on the old Muğla road between Ula and the village of Çiçekli.

The fish restaurants of Akyaka lie on the banks of the crystal clear Kadın Azmak (meaning ‘Woman River’). Here, freshly caught fish is carefully prepared and served in a beautifully peaceful setting. These restaurants are renowned by gourmets throughout Turkey.

Akyaka is the also the perfect place for picnics. There’s a fantastic area down by the sea, surrounded by pine forests. Here, you can watch glorious sunsets, and enjoy a picnic or have a snack in the café.

Architecture

Akyaka is well known for the authentic architecture of the Muğla area. The Ula houses are generally one-storey buildings built between fifty centimetres and a metre above ground level to prevent water flowing in. The Ula town structure is sadly deteriorating. However, the alaturca tiles are still being made in the kilns today, and in addition, the blacksmiths who make the traditional metalwork used in the houses are still active.

With many of the houses being abandoned, Ula-born architect Nail Çakırhan, decided to build himself an Ula house in Akyaka, with his own interpretation. His house gained recognition and won the Ağa Han Architecture Award. First his friends, and then a circle of hotels began to adapt this style in their building and it’s now dominant. Thus the Ula traditional architecture has found a new life. Nail Çakırhan succeeded in reminding Ula locals of the old houses they had previously neglected and this has lead them to restore, renew and even re-build them as they are today.

Although Akyaka has grown in recent years, it remains a picturesque village. There are no high-rise hotels – any construction has adhered strictly to the traditional architectural style of the region. Numerous wooden balconies, intricately arranged pan-tiled roofs, and delicately carved fretwork shutters give the houses their distinctive appeal.

Trekking in the Region

One of the principle attractions of this region is the stunning walking. There are many trails leading through the fortest direct from our properties in the region. Additonally, the coastal trails from Akyaka are breathtaking.

Beaches in the Region

The Gulf of Gökova is home to a variety of beautiful beaches, with others such as Iztuzu on the Dalyan Delta also easily accessible...

Akyaka Town Beach
There’s a great public beach that extends from the pier to the entrance of the National Park. Palm trees and bamboo umbrellas create something of a tropical feel, and secluded swimming coves are also nearby. The beach has a sandbar which extends nearly 100 metres into the gulf, making it ideal for young children.
Çinar Bay
The remarkably untouched shingle beach at Çinar is a fifty-minute walk or ten-minute drive from Akyaka.
Akbük
A wonderful coastal single-track road that follows the coast past Çinar through magnificent, remote scenery until finally reaching one of our favourite bays on the entire coast at Akbük. Here you will discover a couple of restaurants catering predominantly for passing yachts and you can relax in the most glorious isolated beach settings! The journey is over an hour, but worth it for the scenery alone.
Iztuzu - on the Dalyan Delta
The fantastic beach at Iztuzu is a fifty-minute drive from your property. Here, you’ll find six kilometres of glorious golden sand, and breath-taking views. There’s an entrance fee to get on to the beach - which goes to the conservation fund - and facilities include a simple café that sells drinks and snacks, and umbrellas and sunbeds available for hire.
Dionysos Sea Club at Kumlubük
Exclusive Escapes Guests are welcome to use the Dionysos’ Sea Club in Kumlubük, which is a fifty-minute drive from Akayka, past Marmaris and along the Bozburun Peninsula.  Discover more »