Newsletters
Akyaka, in Mugla, is one of the rare coastal towns in Türkiye that has managed to stay largely untouched by large-scale tourism and overdevelopment. Surrounded by forest and mountains, the town still offers visitors a calm, authentic Aegean holiday experience, preserving its slow pace and traditional character.
The town’s position between the mountains and forests prevents large resorts and massive tourism projects from dominating the area. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful, nature-integrated experience where traditional streets and wooden houses with balconies and bougainvillea remain largely unchanged. The mix of forest, mountains, and bay provides ideal opportunities for walking, photography, and relaxing by the water.
In the evenings, the beach undergoes a quiet transformation. Loungers are removed and small tables with lights are placed on the sand. The mountains and bay take on shades of purple and deep blue, creating a serene and picturesque environment. Visitors walking along the shore at this hour experience the peaceful charm that sets Akyaka apart from more crowded coastal resorts.
According to a special report by Annabelle Thorpe, The Guardian article emphasizes the striking similarities between the town's appearance in the 1990s and its present-day state. Despite new developments, Akyaka has retained its core character and scale.
Unlike larger resorts or all-inclusive hotels, Akyaka is centered around small family-run guesthouses and restaurants. Most visitors are Turkish tourists enjoying the local cuisine along the Azmak River or taking walks through the pine forests. This helps maintain a genuine, low-key experience where guests can interact with locals and enjoy traditional daily life.
As one of Türkiye’s Cittaslow towns, Akyaka emphasizes quality of life, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. The town encourages visitors to experience life at a slower pace, from drinking Turkish coffee at small cafes to walking along quiet streets and observing local traditions without the rush of mass tourism.
Since the 1970s, architect and poet Nail Cakirhan influenced local construction by blending Ottoman design with local materials. Today, many streets still feature carved woodwork and flowering balconies, creating a visual consistency across the town and helping Akyaka maintain its traditional charm without modern concrete structures dominating the skyline.
Just outside the town, Akcapinar Beach offers ideal conditions for kitesurfing and wing-foiling thanks to daily thermic winds. The shallow sandy beach is perfect for beginners, while dozens of colorful kites in the sky provide a lively contrast to the otherwise peaceful town atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy both relaxing on the beach and dynamic water sports within minutes of each other.
Akyaka’s appeal lies in its simplicity: local restaurants, small boutique hotels, Turkish coffee, and casual riverside dining. Prices are reasonable, the focus remains on local cuisine, and visitors can enjoy traditional Ege life without the pressures of luxury tourism. Activities like backgammon on the jetty, paddleboarding, or walking along the Azmak River let guests experience the town’s calm pace and enduring charm.
Akyaka is not just a beach town. Pine forest trails and hiking paths provide outdoor activity options, while nearby Lake Koycegiz offers calm waters ideal for leisurely walks. The weekly Mugla market is a chance to experience local crafts and produce, far from the tourist-focused knock-off markets found elsewhere. These experiences preserve the authenticity of the region while remaining easily accessible from the town.
4 min read
1 min read
Set as preferred source
