Akyaka, a small town on the eastern end of Gökova Bay in Turkey, has retained its ramshackle charm despite changes in the country. My favourite memory of Akyaka was the second evening of our visit when the beach was floodlit by the last embers of a flaming sunset, and Turkish women were knitting with their toes in the sand. The town is an old friend of mine, where I visited as a holiday rep 30 years ago.
Akyaka has changed to some degree, with more houses and hotels, but it still retains its slow-paced, slightly ramshackle charm. Part of this is due to its status as one of Turkey's "slow towns," which focuses on preserving local traditions and culture. The town's vibe is also partly the legacy of Turkish poet and architect Nail Çakirhan, who retired there in 1971 and built a house that blended traditional Ottoman design with local materials.
The town's streets are lined with elegant houses, their wood-carved balconies spilling over with bougainvillea. The lack of big all-inclusive or sprawling resort hotels means it's still mostly the preserve of Turkish tourists, who come for the fish restaurants and to hike in the Akyaka forest.
Akyaka is also a leading watersports destination, with thermic winds that blow across the gulf from May to November making it an ideal spot for kitesurfing. The town has much to offer, including the charming village of Göcek, with its wooden vessels and sailing-hub vibe, and the still, blue waters of Lake Köyceğiz.
For those looking for authentic Turkish experiences, Akyaka is a gem. It's not polished or glitzy, but it offers a unique blend of traditional culture and natural beauty. Rooms at the İskelem hotel cost from £105-£260 B&B, while doubles at the Yücelen beachfront hotel start from £95 B&B.
Akyaka has changed to some degree, with more houses and hotels, but it still retains its slow-paced, slightly ramshackle charm. Part of this is due to its status as one of Turkey's "slow towns," which focuses on preserving local traditions and culture. The town's vibe is also partly the legacy of Turkish poet and architect Nail Çakirhan, who retired there in 1971 and built a house that blended traditional Ottoman design with local materials.
The town's streets are lined with elegant houses, their wood-carved balconies spilling over with bougainvillea. The lack of big all-inclusive or sprawling resort hotels means it's still mostly the preserve of Turkish tourists, who come for the fish restaurants and to hike in the Akyaka forest.
Akyaka is also a leading watersports destination, with thermic winds that blow across the gulf from May to November making it an ideal spot for kitesurfing. The town has much to offer, including the charming village of Göcek, with its wooden vessels and sailing-hub vibe, and the still, blue waters of Lake Köyceğiz.
For those looking for authentic Turkish experiences, Akyaka is a gem. It's not polished or glitzy, but it offers a unique blend of traditional culture and natural beauty. Rooms at the İskelem hotel cost from £105-£260 B&B, while doubles at the Yücelen beachfront hotel start from £95 B&B.
... I went to Hvar Island and stayed on the west side, near a super quaint fishing village that had these tiny little houses with steep roofs, reminded me of Akyaka! 
And you know what's wild, but have you ever tried kitesurfing? I did it once in Spain 
... totally exhilarating and stressful at the same time! 
Akyaka's got that old-school charm 
, and those wooden balconies with bougainvillea? Stunning 
. I can see why it'd be a fave among Turkish tourists - the fish restaurants and hiking spots must be amazing 
. And for watersports fans, that thermic wind sounds like a dream come true 
. It's all about keeping it real, you know? 
. The fact that it's still all about preserving local traditions and culture is really cool 
. And those thermic winds for kitesurfing? Genius!
and Lake Köyceğiz' blue waters? Stunning 
. And don't even get me started on the food – fresh seafood and local specialties are always a winner 
! It's amazing how some places still manage to hold onto their unique vibe, and Akyaka is definitely one of them 
.
i've been to lots of touristy places but there's something so special about this town it feels like you can breathe, you know? the slow pace of life is super relaxing and the people are so friendly and welcoming 
the food is amazing too - all these delicious fish restaurants along the coast 
it's like steppin' back in time or somethin'
and kitesurfing sounds like so much fun! but what really draws me in is the fact that its one of turkeys slow towns, preserving local traditions and culture 
and nail çakirhan's legacy is just incredible... i need to check out his house designs ASAP 
️ Did you know that only 10% of Turkish tourists visit the Aegean region, and Akyaka is one of the top spots? 
The town's "slow tourism" initiative has been super successful, with over 90% of visitors coming back year after year. 
According to Google Trends, interest in kitesurfing has increased by 300% since 2020! 
I mean, who needs luxury resorts when you can have a charming village with wooden vessels and sailing-hub vibes? 
The town's population has grown by 25% since 2010, but it still feels pretty laid-back. Maybe that's because the average age of visitors is around 40 years old? 
I've always been a fan of small towns that still keep their quirky charm alive, and Akyaka is definitely one of them 
It sounds like Akyaka is the perfect spot for those looking for an authentic Turkish experience, and I'm definitely adding it to my bucket list 