Gocek, just a 20 minute drive from Dalaman airport, is a very special place. The setting is so beautiful it has been designated a national park and is jealously protected by Turkish people. Nestling at the foot of the majestic pine covered mountains this lovely coastal village is largely car free with landscaped promenades and a host of exotic trees.
Gocek is perfectly placed to visit the 12 islands lying off its shores; each tiny island has its own personality, some with ancient ruins to explore, others with sleepy restaurants but all set in breathtaking surroundings of warm crystal clear seas and secluded coves.
The St Tropez of Turkey as many have described it, attracts the rich and famous from across the world, their yachts adorn the harbour and this has created a quite unique environment. You see this is a place of two halves, on the one hand it’s a traditional Turkish village with friendly people selling local crafts, rugs and fake designer goods like any large Turkish village but the other face of Gocek is a place with boutique hotels, delicious restaurants, and designer shops. In short this makes a truly relaxing place for the discerning traveller.
To see and do in Gocek:-
Yacht or gulet rental
Daily tours to the 12 islands
Gocek beach – a 5 minute water taxi ride
Swissotel beach – a private beach payable locally
Turkish bath
Spa and beauty salon
Numerous boutiques and craft shops
Over 40 restaurants to try
Sunday market
Lovely walks on pine covered mountains
LOCAL THINGS TO DO
Fethiye
Fethiye is a short 25 minute drive away or you can catch the regular local bus from the bottom of our road. Attractions in and near the town include:-
• Scuba diving
• Fethiye museum
• Medieval fortress Knight’s Castle
• Kaya koya the largest late-medieval ghost town
• Jeep safari
• Paragliding
• Shopping at the vast Tuesday market famous for its many fake designer goods
• Island boat tours
• Walk the Lycian way
Sarigerme
Sarigerme, the same distance away as Fethiye in the opposite direction, has a gorgeous sandy beach with pine trees providing plenty of shade. Attractions include:-
• Parasailing
• Banana boats
• Scuba diving
• Windsurfing
• Turkish bath
• Cave swimming
• Several golf courses under construction
Dalyan
Visit Dalyan and the famous Iztuzu beach, a breeding ground for the endangered loggerhead turtle. Other attractions in and around the town include:-
• Mud baths
• Thermal springs of Koycegiz
• Kaunos ruins
• Canoeing
• Canyoning
The Xanthos Valley
The valley is the heartland of ancient Lycia and home to many archeological sites
• Tlos, one of the most important Lycian cities
• Walk the famous Saklikent gorge
• White Water Rafting
• Patara with ancient ruins and huge sandy beach, one of the longest in the Med
