Yalikavak,Bodrum. Holiday paradise of the Bodrum Peninsular.
Yalikavak
is without doubt one of Turkey's must
visit places. The sheer friendliness of it's local's, the quality of it's
restaurant food, the tranquility that you will find whether lazing around it's
beaches or just walking around the town will make you feel that you must one day
return, and you will find that they will remember you as a friend, a truly
amazing experience of the 'real' Turkey. Yalikavak is a perfect base for touring
the Bodrum Peninsular, away from the hustle and bustle of Bodrum, though Bodrum
is well worth a visit or two. Take a tour of the castle of St Peter, a
truly magnificent example of a Templar castle, or just walk the harbourside and
see the glorious backdrop that it makes. Have a fantastic Gullet {the amazing wooden
boats} trip to the nearby Greek island of Kos or many of the Bodrum Peninsular resorts. Take in Bodrum's Bohemian atmosphere, the historic sites, maybe evan a crazy night
out at the world famous Halikarnass disco, not for the faint-hearted, right alongside the castle, then
retire to the serene atmosphere of Yalikavak for a quiet and soothing end to the evening. Yalikavak, a corner of the world that you will remember
forever
Yalikavak,on the Bodrum peninsular of Turkey, is considered the most elite village on the Bodrum Peninsula. You will find that you are recieved as more of a guest that a holiday-maker earning Yalikavak the deserved reputation that it has for it's friendliness and hospiatlity. On your journey from Bodrum airport you will see the wonderful vista of Yalikavak. On descending to the town through orchards of tangerines you will reach Pasha,Tilicik and Agacbasi bays.Though the name Yalikavak means Poplars by the sea, you will mostly see oak forests. With its white-sand beaches and shop-lined streets, the nearby resort of Bodrum has long been a favourite seaside retreat in Turkey. Set against the blue waters of the Aegean Sea, the ancient fishing village of Bodrum,ancient Halicarnassus, has crashed the global party circuit.
Yalikavak is a lovely holiday spot on the Bodrum Peninsular of Turkey for the ideal family holiday. There is plenty of accommodation available, be it a hotel or a rented villa. Children are very welcome in all of the bars and restaurants that Yalikavak has to offer. There are many excellent hiking opportunities in and around Yalikavak. Whether you are a novice hiker or quite experienced, you should have no problem finding a suitable trail to explore, the most popular of which is to Sandima. One of the most iconic and famous places in all of Yalikavak is by the old windmills. These windmills are from an earlier era, and it can be very pleasant to pack a picnic lunch and to spend a couple of hours on this lovely hill. This can be a great way to really see and get to know the countryside in this scenic area of Turkey.
Walking through the town center of Yalikavak you will find many bars and restaurants, many of which are alongside the beach or harbour. The beachside restaurants have their own areas where you can relax on sunloungers to enjoy your drinks. The food offered is of a high standard, try some of the excellent locally caught fish meals. A good three course meal can be found at extremely reasonable prices.Though you will be approached to enter the restaurants it is done in a very friendly manner, not at all pushy, and a "no thank you" is accepted without any hassle. If anything, you will probably end up having an enjoyable conversation, nowhere will you find more friendly and hospitable people. Port Bodrum Marina is just a short walk from the center of Yalikavak. The surrounding hills offer unique views of Yalikavak bay, arguably one of the best views on the entire Mediterranean coastline. The hills of Yalikavak are great for long walks and picnics.
Yalikavak beach.The beach runs right around the bay of Yalikavak, from the boatyard through to the town center, a lovely stroll, especially in the evenings. It is a narrow sand/pebble beach with a sparkling clean sea that never gets crowded, you can always find a quiet spot for yourself. There are several bathing jettys to swim or fish from. Many of the town center bars and restaurants are situated alongside the beach and harbour from which you can witness the amazing sunsets that Yalikavak is so famous for. It is no problem to buy just a few drinks and relax on the private parts of the beach belonging to the restaurants, these tend to be the sandier areas.
Yalikavak harbour has a unique feel, very foreign, yet very friendly. Admire the yachts and watch the fishing boats unloading the tastiest of fish for you to enjoy at the many local restaurants.Yalikavak is not just popular for foreign visitors, it is also the holiday spot that the people of Turkey themselves visit including many celebrities, thus giving Yalikava the tag of "The St.Tropez of Turkey".
Shopping. The famous Yalikavak Thursday market, the biggest on the Bodrum Peninsular of Turkey, is the place to go. Local weavings, kilims, souvenirs, little windmills that are the symbol of Yalikavak, unique carpets of Turkey, hand made clothes, jewellery, watches, leather and just about anything else that you can think of. There are some souvenir shops in Yalikavak (one stocks glass goods from Dalyan that is simply stunning) but if you want a larger range then take the dolmus into Bodrum.
Yalikavak Transport. There are good connections with public dolmus [buses] to other neighbouring towns and villages, or to the larger shopping areas of Bodrum. Taxis are plentiful with reasonable fares.
Snorkeling and angling around Yalikavak is as good as anywhere in Turkey. Yalikavak bay is abundant in marine life including the Monacus seal whose survival is now under threat. The sea is also richly populated in fish - Red Sea Bream, Red Mullet, Sea Bass and Octopus among the many species available. Many of the shops sell basic fishing equipment for a fun day out.
Yalikavak bars and Restaurants. The colourfully painted gulets and fishing boats in the harbour are a delight to watch from the relaxed and friendly waterfront bars or restaurants. The restaurants of Yalikavak offer the freshest and tastiest local cooking that you will find on Bodrum Peninsular. There are many high quality waterside restaurants in Yalikavak providing some of the best dishes of Turkey. Watch the famous sunsets as you enjoy your meal. The locally caught fish dishes are not to be missed. The food is excellent at all the restaurants. The night life in Yalikavak is quite low key and revolves around the bars and restaurants, no noisy nightclubs here, if you want more bustle and excitement, the Disco's and nightclubs of Bodrum, some of the best in Turkey, are only a short taxi journey from Yalikavak.
History in Yalikavak .Ouranium, of which the Sicilian historian Daidolos spoke of, was once established here. Some sources state that the roots of the town go back as much as 700 B.C. The Carian cave tombs are worth seeing. The tombs have been carved directly into the rock and fronted with cut stones. It once contained a funerary urn in the shape of a ship's prow. Located along the main road are a number of antique cisterns, which have been used by the numerous civilizations. Many are still used today. The historic sites such as Pasanda , Kandiba, Termil (Dirmil/Gökçebel) and Sandima attract visitors from all over Turkey and the world. Archaeological excavations of Turkey have established that human habitation in the region of Yalikavak began near the end of the second millennium B.C, artifacts show that the area was inhabited in the Carian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Yalikavak is famous for the numerous windmills found in the vicinity.
Exploring around Yalikavak. Yalikavak is an ideal base for exploring the area by boat and several of the Gullets in the harbor offer Aegean trips including lunch, swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. They depart daily at 10.30 and return at 6pm. Destinations include the sunken city of Myndos, Gumusluk and Rabbit Island. On Saturdays, there is a special trip to the weekly market at Turgutreis.
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