Göcek is not only a yachting capital but also an excellent starting point for exploring the rich history and unique nature of the region. Most of the sights here are connected to the sea, but there is also plenty to see on land.
Marine Sights: "12 Islands" Tour
The main reason tourists come to Göcek is the famous boat ⛵ 12 Islands tour of the Göcek Gulf. This is a full-day trip with swimming stops in the most picturesque coves.
- 🏛️ Tersane Island (Tersane Adası): The largest island in the gulf. Here you can not only swim but also see the ruins of an old Greek village and the remains of a Byzantine shipyard (tersane means "shipyard").
- 👑 Hamam Bay (Hamam Koyu) and Cleopatra's Sunken Baths: According to legend, there were baths here that Mark Antony gifted to Cleopatra. Part of the ruins is underwater, making swimming here particularly interesting.
- 🏝️ Yassıca Islands (Yassıca Adaları): A group of several tiny picturesque islands. There is a sandy spit between them, allowing you to walk from one island to another.
- 🎨 Bedri Rahmi Bay (Bedri Rahmi Koyu): Named after the Turkish painter Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, who painted a fish on one of the rocks in 1974, which became the symbol of this place.
Sights on Land (Day Trips)
Thanks to its convenient location, it is easy to reach world-famous historical and natural monuments from Göcek.
- Ancient City of Tlos: One of the oldest and most powerful cities of ancient Lycia. An impressive complex of ruins awaits you here: an acropolis on top of the hill, Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff, a Roman stadium, a theater, and baths.
- Saklıkent Gorge (Saklıkent Kanyonu): One of the longest and deepest gorges in Turkey (18 km). An icy mountain river flows along its bottom, and visitors can walk several kilometers deep into the canyon directly through the water. This is an ideal place to cool off on a hot summer day.
- Kayaköy: An amazing ghost village. Greeks once lived here (the town was called Levissi), but after the population exchange in 1923, the village was abandoned. Today, hundreds of stone houses and churches create a mystical and unforgettable atmosphere.
- Dalyan: A neighboring resort town where you can go for an excursion from Göcek to see the famous Lycian rock tombs and visit Iztuzu Turtle Beach.