Yalikavak Turkey - property and information
Situated
on the north-west of the Bodrum peninsula,
Yalikavak is a thriving fishing centre – one of the most productive
on Turkey’s Aegean coast – which is becoming increasingly popular
as a tourist destination. Yalikavak’s picturesque harbour is a
vibrant spot where fishing boats moor alongside yachts and where
locals and visitors mingle amid the heady aroma of fine food and
flowers; a selection of superior restaurants lining the seafront
offers great fresh seafood and an assortment of other Turkish titbits.
Yalikavak’s aesthetic appeal is incalculable; the road from Bodrum to Yalikavak offers some of the peninsula’s most arresting vistas and the views from the top of the mountains overlooking the town have to be seen to be believed, with both north and south coasts visible from this one spot. The town itself boasts some extremely attractive architecture and, while Yalikavak is not as blessed with beaches as are some of the peninsula’s other resort towns, the coast is interesting enough in its own right to warrant thorough exploration.
Although
tourism arrived here some time ago, the town is still unspoilt,
offering good potential for growth without compromising Yalikavak’s
aesthetic qualities. The town centre – boasting an array of shops
and bars – is car-free, reflecting Yalikavak’s laid-back attitude
and emphasis on relaxation and the finer things in life. The authorities
are keen to ensure that tourism develops unobtrusively and it seems
safe to say that Yalikavak will remain one of the Bodrum area’s
most sedate and genteel hot spots for a long time to come.
Tourism
As
already noted, Yalikavak’s tourist industry is one the up, supported
by good dining and socialising facilities and, of course, the town’s
marina. Notable local attractions include a compact art gallery
on the site of a converted cistern, and a kilim (rug) showroom
which used to be an olive oil press. A small number of hotels serve
the town’s growing tourist population but, as with many other locations
on the peninsula, demand is growing faster than supply and an investment
in rental property here could pay great dividends long-term. The
season lasts from April to October; the high season includes July
and August.
Transport
Yalikavak is relatively out of the way, and while those staying in the town can exist perfectly happily without a car, anyone planning to explore the area will probably want to rent a car – several agencies are in place, and there are also a number of taxis and minibus companies serving the town. International arrivals will usually come through Bodrum airport (some 50 kilometres from Yalikavak); ferries to some of the Greek islands run regularly and, of course, the marina caters for visitors of a nautical bent.
Lifestyle
Nightlife: Yalikavak
lies at the more tranquil end of the nightlife spectrum; a couple
of small discos and dancehalls exist but this isn’t the place to
come for those looking for all-night raving. There are, though,
plenty of peaceful bars in which to sit and watch the night go
by, and those who do want a little bit more rock’n’roll can take
a cab to one of the peninsula’s more hedonistic resorts very easily
and affordably.
Restaurants: Yalikavak prides itself on its cuisine; like much of the region, understandably, the emphasis is on fine fish and seafood and the town’s thriving fishing industry ensures a regular supply of the best ingredients each day. The typical Yalikavaki eatery is small and unpretentious, concentrating on quality over presentation, and it is to be hoped that the upsurge in tourism complements, rather than compromises, this highly successful recipe.
