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Yalıkavak Town, Bodrum Region

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Within 5 minutes, we were strolling along the very pleasant harbour of Yalıkavak and already feeling pleased with life.

Ohh, yes, we like it here!

The Bodrum Peninsula is barely touched by the exploring feet of Barry and Julia.

But 2016 was the year where we had the opportunity to do a bit of mooching around.

Springtime is perfect travelling weather in western Turkey.

And staying at Ağan Pension in Bodrum centre for the Bodrum Global Run during that time, well we just had to make a long weekend of it so we could try and see a bit more of the Bodrum Peninsula.

One of those days, we allocated to the town of Yalıkavak…

Yalıkavak, Bodrum Peninsula

That’s the beauty of a peninsula, isn’t it?

Once you’re there, it’s easy to wander around the area and pack quite a lot into a small space of time.

Despite growth at super speed, Bodrum itself is still relatively compact. And, for now at least, all the dolmuşes congregate in the city centre otogar.

Get there and take your pick of destination.

View Of Yalikavak
Our first glimpse of Yalıkavak from the dolmuş

We hadn’t done any research on Yalıkavak.

This was just a day for a little aimless wander. Getting a feel for the personality of, and the scenery around, the Bodrum Peninsula.

We made a flying visit to Turgutreis a few years ago. Now it was the turn of Yalıkavak; on our radar thanks to Jack Scott’s chuckle-filled memoir, Perking The Pansies.

We wanted to see if we could recognise his former home from what we’d read in the book.

And thank goodness for small towns. No research meant we got off the dolmuş in Yalıkavak with no clue of where to head.

A slight downhill slope through the town, though, told us that must be the way to the sea. And it was.

Traditional Charm Of Yalıkavak

Yalikavak Fishing Boat
There is still a lot of charm in Yalıkavak

There’s a lot going on in Yalıkavak – there’s a lot going on around the whole Bodrum peninsula for that matter.

And it’s certainly no sleepy town on an Aegean peninsula.

No, Yalıkavak is now home to a huge swanky marina, but we’ll come to that a bit later.

You see, we’re suckers for Aegean harbour towns with a bit of history and a good dose of quaint surroundings..

Yalıkavak still manages to do that, too. And it does it very well.

Seafood

If you read up on the whole area of Yalıkavak, there are great beaches and bays, traditional villages in the hills, luxury all-inclusive hotels, boutique hotels, hidden coves…but we were there for just a few hours, having a nosy around.

In years gone by, Yalıkavak was a centre for sponge diving and fishing.

No immediate evidence of the sponge diving history. But any Aegean area with a fishing history usually treats you with a pretty seafood scene.

Yalıkavak Harbour
Pretty waterside restaurants line the old harbour in Yalıkavak

Ahh, how can you not smile to yourself and feel happy inside when you see low, stone buildings lining a harbour packed with small fishing boats; simple gingham tablecloths adorning the tables.

Most of these stone buildings are now Yalıkavak restaurants; rows of tables waiting for hungry customers.

Many are serving Turkish breakfast. Most are serving a range of seafood. And, for a town that is supposed to one of the Bodrum peninsula’s elites, prices are very reasonable.

Yalıkavak Harbour
Yalıkavak harbour is very pretty

Remember, it was springtime when we were there.

So, whether or not the prices increase when the summer season kicks in, we’re unsure.

But in April, we have a smattering of restaurants that, by lunchtime, have a good number of local customers all tucking into their various seafood dishes.

Many of them are washing that lunchtime seafood down with a rakı or a beer, too. Did we mention we like it here…

Drinking & Wandering

We’d had our own quick seafood lunch in the centre of Bodrum before we headed off for Yalıkavak.

So we were, unfortunately, too full to partake in all this leisurely harbourside dining.

That didn’t stop us having a little drink though; a pause to take all in and watch the world go by for a short time.

Then it was time for a little wander…

Yalıkavak Beach
Close to the harbour, the sea is calm, making this public sandy beach perfect

There might be a lot of building going on in Yalıkavak. But all is low rise – those oh-so-recognisable Bodrum peninsula white-washed cuboid dwellings that grace so many postcards from the area.

Yeah, give us a bit of natural countryside anytime. But at least we’ve not got huge tower blocks here.

The public beach in Yalıkavak, close to the harbour, is a lovely sight.

Peace and quiet in Yalıkavak
We’re lucky to be able to explore places like Yalıkavak in springtime

Again, summer might be a different story but we love an empty beach.

And, well we live in Fethiye.

We’ve got a lot of pebble and shingle going on on the beaches of our little area, which we do enjoy, it has to be said (sand is irritating when it sticks all over you).

But, in springtime, a mixture of sand and fine shingle underfoot in Yalıkavak was much appreciated for a change.

It’s little things like that that remind you you’re away from home. Somewhere new…

Yalikavak Windmill
This restored windmill sits along the harbour in Yalıkavak

Windmills

…As do the famous Bodrum windmills.

Yalıkavak has its own share of windmills, too. The town is on the northwest side of the peninsula, exposed to the Aegean breezes.

So was an ideal location for the windmills to do their bit, supplying the local population with flour.

The windmill in the photo is a restored version, placed on the harbour as a symbol of the area, for all to see.

Apparently, the remaining windmills in their original locations are all being restored.

Because someone, in their wisdom, has realised that people like us might actually want to visit them. And enjoy them rather than watch them decay and crumble away.

Lovely!

Yalıkavak Souvenir Shopping
It was only April but there were a few people around shopping for souvenirs

Behind the harbour buildings, we ambled along a pedestrianised street shaded by trees; each side lined with souvenir shops.

There were already a few people around buying up goodies to take back home with them. But we didn’t stay long around here.

We were only here for a little mooch and we couldn’t put it off any longer.

It was time to leave historic and quaint behind and go and check out the modern and the dynamic…

Ultra-Modern Yalıkavak Marina

Palmarina
Wandering around the ultra modern Yalıkavak Marina

Because Yalıkavak is now home to Yalıkavak Marina.

A huge swanky marina that, since its multi-million pound buy out and extension throughout 2012 and 2013, is apparently the only marina in Turkey that can accommodate such a large capacity of mega yachts and giga yachts for docking and mooring.

69 boats of 40 metres and above, according to Yalıkavak Marina website, as well as your more usual sized yachts…

Palmarina Bodrum
Well, we can look, even if we never get to touch

Anyway, our knowledge of yachts starts and ends at yacht, super yacht, mega yacht.

We can only assume that a giga yacht is the daddy.

Yachts, for us, are those things you look at in marinas or out at sea and either admire the aesthetics. Or wonder what on earth possessed someone with lots of money to want to buy it.

But back to the marina.

When we eventually found the entrance, we were in a glossy arcade of designer stores and huge floor-to-ceiling windows.

We walked out onto the waterside and followed the palm-lined walkway; yachts (of their various classifications) on one side of us and more designer stores and a cafe to the other.

Exploring Palmarina Bodrum
Neat and sleek and super smart but…

Designer Stores

The large waterside cafe was packed. With locals or with people visiting from the yachts? Who knows?

But it certainly wasn’t deserted.

As well as its array of national and international designer stores, Yalıkavak Marina has hotel accommodation, nightlife, health centre, events…

Palmarina, Bodrum Peninsula
Yachts and yachts and shops and yachts

If there’s a marina around, we do love to have a bit of a wander to take some photos.

But when you’re not a part of the boating fraternity, to novice eyes (sorry yacht people), all of these vessels kind of start looking the same.

Now, a boat yard packed with gülets under construction and repair – like the one I lost myself in, in Bodrum’s İçmeler – ahh, now we’re talking.

Fascinating places!

We explored a tiny stretch of coast in Yalıkavak when we were there – history and modernity sat, literally, side by side.

Two little worlds coexisting. We loved Yalıkavak and are definitely looking forward to more explorations around there in the future.

Think the Bodrum peninsula started to weave its magical web around us when we were there in spring.

We know we’ll be back again soon.

Well, there’s Yalıkavak windmills and villages to explore, isn’t there?

Book a few nights in Yalıkavak through Booking.com

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mick sutton

Wednesday 5th of October 2016

we went there about 10 years ago, in july/august, and it was still pretty quiet and laid back even at the height of the season. i did get bitten extensively by mozzies in the little garden cafe around the windmill, though. we stayed quite a way out of town, and only managed to walk in once! taxis EVERY TIME after THAT little adventure! used to love dining on the edge of the harbour, seing the sun set over the mountains across the harbour.

Turkey's For Life

Saturday 15th of October 2016

Thanks a lot for your comment. :) Think we're pretty immune to mozzies now and in April, there weren't any in Yalıkavak anyway. Still lovely and cool. Ha ha, sounds like an adventure walking into town from where you stayed.

BacktoBodrum

Tuesday 13th of September 2016

You now know Yalıkavak better than me. I'm pleased it has retained its charm despite the gentrification.

Turkey's For Life

Tuesday 20th of September 2016

Thought you would have been a Yalıkavak expert, BacktoBodrum. :) Really enjoyed the original part - would love to explore more. :)

Jack Scott

Sunday 11th of September 2016

Thanks for the plug! The marina was much smaller when we lived in Yalikavak. No mega yachts in our day, only the odd sea plane dropping off the well-heeled from Istanbul to get well-oiled!

Turkey's For Life

Monday 12th of September 2016

You're welcome and, wow, sea planes in Yalıkavak, too? Really is a place for the more wealthy peeps of this world isn't it. :)

Alan

Saturday 10th of September 2016

. . nice write up guys! Have to admit these places are not my scene - horses for courses and all that. Just as well really otherwise where would all the mega-yachts hang out? :-)

Turkey's For Life

Monday 12th of September 2016

Places like the marina in Yalıkavak are not really our scene either, Alan. Just places to go and take a few pics. ;)

Alan

Saturday 10th of September 2016

. . nice write up guys! Have to admit these places are not my scene - horses for courses and all that :-)

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