Akyaka and Gökova
Akyaka is a beach resort in the Southern Aegean region of Turkey, at the head of the Gulf of Gökova.
Gökova is a larger, older village 2 km inland, on the site of the ancient city of Idyma.
Tourist agencies and travellers often use the two town names interchangeably. In 2022 Akyaka, Gökova and surrounding area of Ula had a population of 26,613.
Get in
Highway D550 runs between the towns just before it forks (as D400) either south to Marmaris or southeast to Dalaman. So buses from Istanbul and Izmir pass through every couple of hours round the clock, and the pick-up / drop-off point is the filling station just north of the fork. The Dalaman airport bus also stops here; it's shown as "Gökova" on timetables.
Muğla 30 km north on D550 is the provincial capital, with local buses and dolmuşes to all parts including Akyaka and Gökova.
From Bodrum and Ören, a scenic minor road twists and turns along the north shore of the Gulf of Gökova.
Get around
From the bus stop on D550 to accommodation near the seafront is about 2 km, so look for a taxi or dolmuş.
See
- 1 Gateway views are from the hairpin highway as it descends towards town.
- Traditional architecture is seen here and there in Gökova village.
- 2 Castle ruins straggle along the slope above İnişdibi Cd, the lane from Akyaka up to Gökova.
- 3 Rock tombs are scattered across the mountainside, the most accessible are at the top of Akyaka village just before İnişdibi Cd passes beneath D550. They're of Lydian style, maybe from 550 BC.
- 4 Çatalçam Basilica is a ruined church from the 6th century. The ancient city of Idyma stood on the slopes hereabouts.
Do
- Akyaka beach is sandy but narrow, so it can get busy and grubby.
- Boat trips leave from the pier, for instance up Çay Creek.
Buy
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- There's cluster of small stores near the pier, then more along Atatürk Cd inland.
- Akyaka Town Market is held on Atatürk Cd on Wednesday 08:30-16:00.
- Board Sports at Karanfil Sk 14 by the pier sells water sports equipment. It doesn't do rentals, repairs or lessons.
Eat
Small eating places are along the east side of Akyaka, no standout.
Drink
It's a measure of how touristy Akyaka has become that a dozen bars line Karanfil Sk near the pier.
Sleep
- 1 Kerme Ottoman Konak, Çatal Çam Sk, ☏ +90 252 243 5874. Mixed reviews for this small hotel in village centre. B&B double 2500 TL.
- 2 Mosso Akyaka, Sanat Sk 6, ☏ +90 542 724 4848. More like a restaurant with rooms, good reviews for comfort and service. B&B double 3500 TL.
- Yücelen Otel, Hamdi Yücel Gürsoy Sk 4 (100 m west of Mosso Akyaka), ☏ +90 252 243 5108, gokova@yucelen.com.tr. Smart friendly place by the beach. B&B double 3000 TL.
- Akyaka Forest Camp is on the headland west of Akyaka village.
- 3 Baga Hotel, Gümrük Sk 3, ☏ +90 252 243 4550. Relaxing hotel in gardens by a quiet bay, open April-Oct. B&B double 5000 TL.
- İskelem Butik Otel is on the beach next to Baga Hotel.
Connect
Akyaka and its main approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers, though the signal is patchy along the coast to Bodrum. As of March 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.
Go next
- Muğla the provincial capital is mostly industrial but has a charming old quarter.
- Marmaris is a raucous mass-tourist destination to the south.
- Datça is a 70-km long peninsula beyond Marmaris dividing the Aegean Sea from the Mediterranean.
| Routes through Akyaka |
| Datça ← Marmaris ← | W  E |
→ Dalyan (Ortaca) → Antalya |
| Izmir ← Muğla ← | N  S |
→ END at  |