A coastal town on Turkey's Aegean coast, known for the ancient Temple of Apollo and long sandy beaches. Popular with British expats and summer tourists.
Didim sits along Turkey's Aegean coast, where visitors find Altinkum Beach's golden sands, the towering Temple of Apollo, and boats heading to small coves. Ancient Greeks traveled here to consult the temple's oracle; today you'll see modern marinas beside ruins and windsurfers cutting through clear blue waters. Sixteen neighborhoods spread between olive groves and the shoreline, including Mavişehir where many foreign residents live. Ferries run directly to the Greek island of Kos, and sunshine fills most days of the year. This area works well for swimming in warm shallows, exploring old ruins, or joining jeep tours through pine-covered hills.
Temple of Apollo: Walk Through Ancient History
Stand beneath 24-meter-high columns at this 2,300-year-old religious site, where priests once delivered prophecies believed to come from Apollo. The temple's main courtyard stretches 51 meters wide, with a sacred spring now dry but marked by stone channels. Archaeologists found carved Medusa heads and detailed stone artwork here, displayed near the entrance. Visit within an hour of opening to avoid crowds and capture sharp photos of the columns' morning shadows. Reach the site by taking the shared minibus from Didim's center or walking 40 minutes along the coastal path.
Altinkum Beach and Nearby Shores
Families favor Altinkum Beach for its gradual slope—children can safely play in shallow water 30 meters from shore as adults relax under rented umbrellas. Move west to Manastır Koyu for smaller crowds, where pine trees provide shade near the remains of a 6th-century monastery. Try water sports like jet skiing near Third Beach or kiteboarding at Akbük Bay, known for steady winds. All major beaches here meet Blue Flag standards for water quality and maintain facilities like showers and restrooms.
Explore Bays by Boat
Book a day cruise on a wooden gulet from Didim Marina to snorkel around Hayıtlı Cove's underwater rock formations or fish near Kargı Island. Full-day trips typically stop at four swimming spots and serve grilled fish lunches on deck. To reach Küçük Kargı, a pebble beach with no road access, negotiate a private boat ride from Mavişehir's fishing harbor.
Day Trips to Miletus and Priene
At Miletus, 22 kilometers north, climb the 15,000-seat theater to test its acoustics—a whisper from the stage reaches the top rows. Look across fields that were once a busy harbor to see where ships unloaded goods 2,000 years ago. Five kilometers east, Priene's stone streets pass Roman bath complexes and a Temple of Athena aligned with the monthly sunrise. Plan 3-4 hours to visit both sites, adding a stop at Lake Bafa's bird observation decks.
Lake Bafa: Wildlife and Byzantine Ruins
From October to March, pink flamingos feed in this lake 30 minutes east of Didim, while cormorants nest in half-submerged trees. Follow the trail to Herakleia's hilltop fortress, passing carved tombs and a chapel with 700-year-old paintings of saints. Lakeside cafes on the north shore sell flatbread stuffed with spinach or cheese, served with black tea on outdoor patios.
Didim Marina: Boats and Evening Meals
Yachts from Greece dock at this 620-berth marina, where visitors browse clothing stores and watch technicians repair sailboats on the 400-ton lift. Order grilled sea bass at Marina Restaurant as live music starts around 7 PM on Fridays. The boardwalk lights up after sunset, reflecting off polished hulls of catamarans.
Nightlife Options
Blue Point Beach Club switches from daytime lounging to DJ sets and poolside dancing after sunset, with cocktails served until 2 AM. On Tuesdays, Efes Pub hosts musicians playing traditional reed flutes and dancers performing with wooden spoons. Bars along Second Beach Street keep late hours, offering local beers and anise-flavored spirits.
Wednesday Market Shopping
Every week near the bus station, vendors sell dried apricots, jars of thyme honey, and towels woven from Turkish cotton. Watch cheesemakers shape fresh curd cheese before 10 AM, when the morning rush begins. Leather goods and replica ancient jewelry fill the market's eastern stalls, while food carts at the entrance grill seasoned meat wraps.
Transportation Tips
Most visitors fly into Bodrum Airport (90 minutes by car) for summer vacations or Izmir Airport (2 hours away) for year-round access. Shared minibuses labeled 1A connect Altinkum's clock tower to Akbük every 20 minutes. Rent bikes from shops near Third Beach to pedal the paved trail tracing 7 kilometers of coastline to Mavişehir.
Living in Didim: Expat Basics
British and Dutch retirees form the largest group of foreign residents, often renting apartments near the Temple of Apollo for 40% less than similar spots in Bodrum. The Didim Community Center holds weekly meetups and Turkish lessons for newcomers. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 14°C, with enough open restaurants and shops in Mavişehir to support those staying year-round.
