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YALIKAVAK INFORMATION |
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Yalikavak, 18 km away from Bodrum centre on the north western tip of the Bodrum Peninsula, has grown in size over recent years, but remains still very much a place where the locals welcome holiday makers with open arms. The permanent inhabitants of Yalikavak number around 6,800 people.
Yalikavak is becoming ever more popular as an alternative resort to Bodrum. The small harbour is surrounded by restaurants and bars, and while there is the occasional disco bar, the general atmosphere is quiet, unhurried and relaxed, yet further along the shoreline is a new sophisticated Marina.
 
Approaching Yalikavak from Bodrum you cannot help but notice the stunning panormaic view of Yalikavak Bay. This fertile coastal region is ideal for sailing and all water sports
and attracts many foreign yachts to the Marina and old harbour that once sheltered
mainly fishing boats.
Holiday Villas
Yalikavak has a wide range of properties for rent to the independent holiday maker. One of the best ranges can be seen at www.peninsulavillcare.com or visit directly using the link below
Holiday Villas for Rent in Yalikavak
Fishing & Seafood
Yalikavak still supports a thriving fishing industry and the restaurants around the picturesque harbour display a wide selection of fresh fish every day. The town is known for its excellent seafood restaurants - try Sait, you won't be disappointed.
 
Restaurants
Yalikavak has a huge selection of restaurants to suit all tastes.
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Shopping & Market
There are many shops in the traffic free center, selling local wares and tourist items.
 
Every Thursday there is a colourful weekly market split in 2 halves. Clothes, textiles and traditional Turkish wares on one side, and the other with fruit, vegetables, great choices of olives, herbs and spices.
Marina
Just a few minutes walk along the shoreline from the centre of Yalikvak is the new Marina. The Marina is home to many large yachts and is visted by yachts from all over the world in summer. It has stylish shops and several restaurants and cafes, plus a seaside 2,500 seater Amphitheatre used for open air concerts and fashion shows during the summer months.
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Beaches
The main beach in Yalikavak is long and narrow and lined with a few restaurants. It is easy to sit back and not worry where your next drink or meal will come from! Yalikavak's beach is never busy and you won't be sandwhiched in amongst sun loungers. Away from the harbour end of town, the quieter the beach becomes. Yalıkavak is always said to be a little cooler in the summer than other parts of the region due to the gentle offshore breezes. Whereas Bodrum is hot, in all respects, in summer.
 
Yalikavak is renownd for its superb sunsets and unspoilt shoreline. Its sparkling clean sea is one of the few remaining abodes of the endangered “Monachus Monachus” mediterranean seals and therefore a protected area. In 2002 Yalikavak Bay was awarded the "Blue Flag" for its clean waters.
History
Archaeological excavations have established that human
habitation in the Yalikavak area began in around 2000BC, and there are
ruins and artifacts from the Carian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and
Ottoman eras. The historic sites such as Sandima, Pasanda (Geriş),
Kandiba and Termil (Dirmil/Gökçebel) attract visitors from all over the world.
Yalikavak is famous for the numerous windmills found in the
vicinity. The winds, that until recently turned the vanes of these
working windmills, now fill the sails of boats and windsurfs. Another
“typical” feature found in abundance here are domed water cisterns
which, in the past, were used in times of drought and are now being
adapted for artistic and cultural uses.
Sandima
A deserted village which was inhabited for more than 600 years by Turks and Ottomans. High up on the hills overlooking modern day Yalikavak, the village has been deserted since 1965 when the last villagers moved down to Yalikavak to cultivate citrus fruits and to work in the growing tourist industry.
 
 
Directions to find Sandima:
Take the main street from the PTT heading toward the sea, take the turning on your left just before reaching the harbour front. You will pass the market area on your right. At the T-junction, turn left. Shortly, you will see the 'Belediye' (council) building on your right, take the right turn immediately before you reach it. Park your car here, if you wish to continue on foot. The walk from here to Sandima is 2.2km, uphill in places.
The road becomes a track and runs straight. After 1.1km, a road joins from the right, it follows a river bed on your left and you will see bridges across to the houses on the other side.
The road starts to ascend and to your left you will see a dome-shaped structure. This is a 'Sarnie' or 'Gumbet', used for storing water, there are many dotted throughout the Peninsula, often plastered and painted white. Continue for about 4 minutes and you pass a fountain.
You will start to see the empty houses scattered over the hillside. Head right, toward the eucalyptus trees but turn sharp left, into a walled-in trail, before reaching them. Head uphill, you reach an ornamental water fountain at what would appear to be the old village square.
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