Within this Gocek travel guide, let's introduce a delightful small town in Turkey's Fethiye district that everyone should sit up and take notice of. Gocek's natural environment and upmarket vibes easily encourage people to buy a home here, either for holidays or to live here all year round. The town also attracts many daily tourists who arrive to see what all the hype is about. Sitting on the Mediterranean, southern coast, the vibe revolves around laid back summer days, and for sailing, Gocek retains a reputation for excellence.
Tourists spend holidays enjoying excellent sailing, entertainment, and numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars. One reason for its success is Gocek refused to sell out on its aesthetic to bring in tourists. In 1998, Gocek's new building regulations prevented buildings more than two floors. This not only makes Gocek a pretty Mediterranean town but also instantly pleasing, hence why many people fall in love. If you have not yet seen Gocek, there are many reasons to visit, so let us look at what to know.
Dalaman, 25 kilometres away, is the nearest airport to Gocek, and getting here is easy via taxi, shared shuttle, private transfer, or car hire, which takes 30 minutes. Otherwise, Gocek is well situated on the D400 highway running from the east to west of Turkey, so getting here by car is easy. For bus services from other places in Turkey, head to Fethiye main otogar first, then catch a connecting service. Gocek is also an official entry/exit point for those coming in by sea.
Gocek's average temperature during winter is 14 degrees, while summer sees high temperatures of 38 degrees. Ideal temperatures and perfect topography mean Gocek's reputation stems around fruit trees, like tangerines, lemons, and oranges. The best time to visit depends on what you will do during the day. July, August, and the beginning of September are too hot for exploring but perfect for boat trips and days lounging by the pool. In contrast, those who want to get active would do well to visit April to June or the end of September to November.
To understand the sailing industry's professionalism, think charter yachts, traditional gulet boats, sailing companies, fishing boats, and six ultramodern marinas that count themselves among some of Turkey's best. They are Skopea, Marinturk Village, Marinturk exclusive, D-marina, Club marina and the municipality marinas. Some charter boats operate daily cruises to take in several beautiful coves and bays around the coastline, while others do overnight cruises traditionally known as Blue cruises. These are set routes within the Turkish riviera and Turquoise coast, of which Gocek proudly belongs to both.
People who live on the beach might feel left out by the small choice. The reason being is Gocek is a big sailing hub; so much coastline is taken up for boats. D-resort Gocek marina is home to a stunning beach that visitors use daily for a small fee. There is also a water taxi to Gocek Island beach. Otherwise, the following best choices are Inlice, a 10-minute drive away, Sarigerme, and Iztuzu beaches, 30 minutes’ drive, or Oludeniz and the Blue Lagoon, 40 minutes’ drive away. We often hire a car while visiting beaches, to see the towns and nearby attractions, and make a family day out.
So once the sun goes down, our attention turns to nightlife and food. Gocek does not do large, scale nightclubs playing music to thousands of people. The town is more about sit down dining and family entertainment. For food, expect every menu from around the world. Favourite restaurants as rated by Trip Advisor users include Mercan Pizza, Lotis, and Caesar lounge. While in Gocek, though, we wholly recommended trying the Mediterranean evening cuisine. Gocek's coastal position means seafood and fish are top dishes to try. Head to a seaside restaurant, and after eating traditional Turkish mezes for starters, tuck into juicy fish served with salad and chips. To be conventional Turkish, accompany your meal with a traditional glass of Raki.
In the main town, there are many things to do, including a Turkish shave for the men, a traditional Turkish bath to de-stress and relax, and a daily boat to visit small islands. A Sunday bazaar is the place to experience authentic social vibes, and for self-catering holidaymakers, pick up your fruit and veg. However, Gocek's primary purpose serves as a good base for seeing the surrounding countryside. Book tours or hire a car and head to the following places.
Rustic Dalyan: Sitting 32 kilometres away, Dalyan is another town staying true to its traditional heritage. Some call it rustic, others a haven. We love the quaint vibes and landscapes of natural beauty. After exploring the old village heart, head to the Dalyan delta and jump on board a boat heading up the reed-lined river to the mud baths. Other places to explore include Caunos ruins and Iztuzu beach, a protected nature place for the endangered Caretta turtle. Also, see Koycegiz lake, which is nearby.
Beautiful Oludeniz: This scenic beauty sits within the Fethiye region and proudly boasts about the Blue Lagoon, one of Turkey's most photographed beaches. This is the place to try paragliding since many excursion shops sell tickets. Holidaymakers hook up with an experienced pilot who takes the reins. After heading off Babadag mountain, grab a bird's eye view before coming in to land on the beach.
Other Places in Fethiye: The region is a delight to explore, and there is much to do. A must-see is Kayakoy ghost village, an eery gathering of houses, schools, and churches deserted nearly 100 years ago. Faralya and Butterfly Valley is a great day to relax in nature and go snorkelling. See the theatre at Fethiye harbour and the Lycian tombs overlooking the town centre.
Greek Island of Rhodes: Why not combine two cultures within one holiday? The Rhodes ferry sets off from Fethiye town centre, and within 90 minutes, arrives at the harbour of this famous Greek island. Go shopping, explore old town historical buildings, or indulge in some traditional Greek cuisine before catching the ferry back to end the day.
Saklikent Gorge: As one of Turkey's stunning places of natural beauty, Saklikent gorge is worth the hour's drive. Upon entering, walk along the side pathway before arriving at the viewing platform. Head further into the valley if you want to, but be aware of fast-flowing waters. Spend lunchtime in traditional riverside restaurants or make a day out of this and visit mountain high Yaka Park that serves up delicious fresh trout.
Given Turkey's robust tourism industry, many foreigners own holiday homes here, and one place they choose is Gocek. If you want to buy a holiday home in Turkey, browse our portfolio of apartments and villas for sale in Gocek. Each listing contains everything to know, including price, location, home features and contact details to find out more or arrange a viewing.
We hope this Gocek travel guide has been of use, but to know more, browse our area and information guide for the larger Fethiye region Gocek belongs to. Consisting of district guides and things to do and places to go, it also gives more ideas for holidays in Gocek.
About Us: We are Property Turkey, an investment and property agent with offices all over the country. We have taken our many years of experience and local knowledge to form our blog about Turkey that will be of use to anyone thinking of visiting or buying a home here. Talking about culture, food, traditions, history, and society, the blog also talks extensively about destinations.