I don’t know about you, but my money is a bit tight at the moment. However, I’m not prepared to give up my holidays, so I’ve been looking for ways to stretch my cash and still get to enjoy a week or so of sunshine in the process.
Turkey has been on my to-visit list for a while now and I think this is the perfect time to go. I’ll be steering clear of large resorts though, as I prefer crowd-free stretches of coastline. So, I’ve been trying to decide which of Turkey’s picturesque fishing villages I should base myself in – here are the options I’ve narrowed it down to.
Selimiye
Selimiye sounds to me like the quintessential Mediterranean fishing village, where you’ll find white-washed houses, a small harbour and colourful boats bobbing in the water. This is said to be one of Turkey’s charming unspoilt seaside spots, where the best thing to do is take a walk along the harbour or just relax in the sun by the sea.
However, there’s another side to Selimiye that really appeals to me – its small selection of Gulet shipyards where you can see these traditional vessels being made. I’d also be tempted to take a day cruise along the coast to see a bit more of the area and enjoy the tranquillity of being out on the sea.
Turunc
Turunc looks like a real hidden gem, as it’s surrounded by hills and completely secluded from the nearby resorts of Icmeler and Marmaris. The village itself is really small and has a lovely sand and shingle beach that rarely seems to be crowded.
As I’m on a tight budget for my holiday in Turkey I’ll probably spend quite a bit of time making use of the beach and swimming in the calm sea – it’s free after all. There’s also a regular dolmus service that runs to the neighbouring resorts. The views from the boat are meant to be spectacular, as you can see the mountains towering over the coast as you make your way around to the nearby towns.
Ovacik
Ovacik is close to the top of my list because it’s one of the cheapest resorts to visit on the Turquoise Coast. It’s surrounded by pine-covered mountains and the beach is a lovely strip of sand that’s relatively sheltered.
What appeals to me about Ovacik is that it’s close to the stunning Olu Deniz lagoon and the lively resort of Hisaronu, so there are some good opportunities for day trips. The bay looks really beautiful, so I think this is the ideal place for a peaceful getaway without the crowds.
Orhaniye
My final possibility is Orhaniye, where development has been restricted to ensure it retains its traditional feel. Orhaniye also has an unusual natural feature in the form of a sandbar that runs across the bay. You can actually walk across this sandbar at low tide, which is a great way to get a different perspective of the beach and the landscape.
Another plus to Orhaniye is that it’s got some excellent Turkish restaurants where you can sample local specialities. This is a real bonus for me, as I love trying food from the place I’m visiting and getting to know the local culture. There’s also a market every Saturday where you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables and other produce from the region.