Is Göcek worth visiting? A guide to Göcek on the Turkish coast.
Göcek is a laid back coastal town on the south west coast of Turkey and is absolutely worth visiting as a holiday destination. Göcek is situated between the towns of Fethiye and Dalaman and is centred around a stunning marina that is home to some of the world’s biggest super yachts owned by the richest people in the world.
Boats & Yachts
The town’s marina facilities are one of the main reasons why Göcek is worth visiting especially for those interested in boats and sailing. The natural harbour offers it’s boat’s protection from the elements and is an ideal gateway for exploring the turquoise waters that surround the islands of Göcek Bay, the Turkish Riviera and even nearby Greek islands. Absolutely worth doing is my best recommendation for Göcek, a full day boat trip around the islands of Göcek Bay. This can be easily organised as there are a number of yachts along the marina offering group trips and private hires, have a look below to book your boat in advance.
Our boat, the ‘Serdar S’ included several visits to some picturesque coves for swimming and snorkelling, with a delicious lunch of marinated chicken and fresh salad and vegetables cooked and served on board. One of my favourite spots was a little bay in front of a private island (the names escapes me and I can’t find it anywhere!) which is said to have been one of Princess Diana’s favourites spots, you can certainly see why!
Even today, the bay of Göcek continues to host a number of A list celebrities, with rumour in the town suggesting that Leonardo Di Caprio and Eva Longoria were currently exploring the bay at the time. With the sheer amount of super yachts cruising around the bay, it’s nice to imagine the boat you’re anchored up next to might have one of your favourite film stars on board.
Mega rich A list celebrities aren’t the only ones to be making use of Göcek Bay with a number of super yachts owned by Roman Abramovich and other Russian nationals, known to be associates of Putin, also anchored up in the bay. In fact, with the sheer amount of Russian money floating around (quite literally) according to the locals, Göcek is undergoing a period of major development and it is predicted that in ten years time, the town will be fully geared up to accommodate the rich and famous who already use the bay, in a similar style to Cannes in France. With new luxury hotel resorts and villa complexes currently being built, as well as high fashion boutiques dotted along the main high street, you can already see this happening.
Restaurants
Another reason that makes Göcek worth visiting is that it is yet to be influenced by Brits abroad culture like other Turkish resorts such as Marmaris. You won’t find anywhere with Union Jack bunting selling a full English breakfast but instead there is an abundance of restaurants that provide high quality meals with lots of fresh, well cooked, local cuisine. Here is a list of some of our favourites restaurants in Göcek that are worth visiting.
Splurge
The Dim Elit Restaraunt wins on location alone. Situated at the edge of the marina with the water almost at your feet, this restaurant provides amazing views across to the many boats in the harbour. The light just before sunset makes this a perfect location for a pre sunset dinner and sundowner drinks. Also serving the best fried calamari in town (we tried it in every restaurant we visited!).
Caesar-Et Lounge Göcek | Steakhouse – Restaurant – Bar
A steakhouse on the main street in Göcek offering……lots of steak. They also offer a range of pasta dishes and I can highly recommend the fillet steak burger. A bit pricier than most of the other restaurants in Göcek we visited but it was a nice experience overall.
Mid-range
Blues Cafe & Restaurant (bluescaferestaurantgocek.com)
Overall the favourite of the week, we visited twice and even got a takeaway delivered to our villa on the final night. A great range of menu options including pizza, pastas and local cuisine all at reasonable prices served to you by friendly staff in a pleasant setting. My recommendation is the beef tagliatelle or seafood pizza.
Budget
The Kebab Hospital
Yes you read that correct….best for traditional Turkish food especially the bubble bread served as a sharer, smothered in finely chopped lamb mince in a tomato, pepper and onion paste. Service at times was a bit questionable but for good, honest Turkish food, the Kebab Hospital is a shout.
The exchange rate for Turkish Lira is currently quite volatile and as such prices in Turkey appear to have been increased to compensate for the weakness of the Lira. Meal prices were somewhat reflective of prices in the UK but the quality of the food makes it better value for money overall.
Accommodation
The range of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets is another reason why Göcek is worth visiting. Some of the most popular resorts in Göcek are:
A five-star resort set in a secluded bay with lush greenery and turquoise waters. The resort provides luxurious rooms and suites that are spacious with modern designs and amenities. The rooms often include private balconies or terraces, some with sea views. The resort also has its own marina along with a private beach. A variety of dining options are also on offer, from Turkish and international cuisine to seafood dishes.
This is a is a family-friendly resort (other suggestions are Adults Only) located close to the town centre of Göcek. The hotel has several swimming pools, including a children’s pool with slides along with other amenities that include a spa, fitness centre, mini-golf course, and a kids’ club.
The resort features stylish rooms and suites, many of which offer sea views or direct access to the pool. D-Resort Göcek has multiple swimming pools, a private beach, a spa, and fitness facilities so there are endless opportunities to keep you occupied. The resort also has it’s own marina which provides convenient access for guests who wish to explore the surrounding coastline and islands by boat.
A range of private villas, aparthotels and B&Bs are also available for rent in Göcek. As Göcek is mainly known for it’s marina and boating facilities, it’s also worth noting that there are companies in Göcek that offer yacht charters with accommodation on board. This option allows you to stay on the water and enjoy the freedom to explore Göcek’s stunning coastline. Click here to explore other accommodation options in Göcek.
A few other things to consider about Göcek
The nearest airport is Dalaman airport which is approximately half an hour from Göcek. For a total of five adults and two babies with car seats, this cost 1000 lira each way. Apparently Dalaman airport is known as being one of the most expensive airports in the world so be prepared…..I paid 9 Euros for a bar of chocolate!
In general Göcek is not expensive and most bars and restaurants are very reasonable although it’s certainly not as cheap as you might be expecting. Prices are said to have increased in recent times to cope with the weakness of the lira. Like anywhere else, there are cheaper places and more expensive places to choose from.
Nightlife in Göcek is somewhat lacking but there are a few spots that are still worth visiting. Local regulations mean bars can’t play loud music after 1am and bars didn’t seem to open much later than this (on a Tuesday night anyway). Check out Misket on the main promenade for an international party vibe. This place was filled with boat crew who had anchored for the night and the tunes were brilliant. Skopea View roof top bar was also quite cool if a bit overpriced and lacking atmosphere, not bad for a drink if you’re passing by. Bamboo also had some live music and a chilled atmosphere.
Göcek is a picturesque town with surrounding turquoise waters and a paradise for sailing and boat enthusiasts. With a laid back atmosphere and authentic feel about the town, it’s an ideal location for a chilled out holiday in Turkey.
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One Comment
Gemma
Love Gocek and have been to most of the restaurants mentioned. Beautiful place to visit and spend time with our kids.