Akyaka is situated in the province of Muğla, in the southwest of Turkey, at the eastern end of the Gцkova gulf, between Marmaris, Muğla and Bodrum. The number of inhabitants amounts in the winter to approximatly 3500, in the summer it almost 15000.
Its delightful position at the end of the Gцkova gulf, bordered in the north by the almost 1000m high Sakartepe, in the south by the wetlands of the Gцkova plain ("heavens plain") with its multitude of species, particularly water birds, takes the visitor into its spell.
Being a settlement even in antique times - there are plenty, though not very important remains- the village of Akyaka lead an existence as a fishing village, off the roads, with a little of agriculture. In the 1970s Akyaka was "discovered ".
A meager tourism developed, consisting mainly of locals and some "refugees" of the big Cities, seeking unspoiled nature and the refreshening summer climate with a constantly blowing seabreeze. Slowly Akyaka developed into a summer residence for wealthy holiday guests from Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.
The tourist boom, beginning in Turkey in the 80s and persisting until today, did not ignore Akyaka. Still most of Akyakas visitors being turkish, the number of european tourists is increasing.
The main attraction for most of the visitors is the natural beauty of Akyaka, with a multitude of species in the wetlands, among those the nearly extincted European Fishotter(lutra lutra), during the wintermonths different types of herons, flamingos, even migrating pelicans can be observed with some luck. Since some years paragliding from the height of the Sakartepe, the "local mountain" of Akyaka, down to the plain became quite fashionable. The launch site is sufficient, but not easy for beginners.
The fish restaurants on the bank of the crystalclear " Kadın Azmak"(Woman river`) where freshly caught fish is perfectly prepared and served, are very well known by gourmets throughout turkey.
From the small town of Akyaka, all points of interest are very accessible. A comprehensive network of Public transport opens up limitless opportunities. The Kadın Azmak river runs in to the sea to the south of the village and is the home for otters, birds, and the other wild life.There are some famous fish restaurants by the river. The Parachute platform on the Sakar Mountain is very populer all over Turkey and if you venture to the top you are rewarded with amazing panoromic view of the gulf.
The upper part of this small town has jewelry shops, craft shops, and general stores.The beach is short walk from the lower town and there are several beach front restaurants and bars. Everyday there are boats leaving from the local harbour where you will be taken to breathtaking coves and beaches including Cleopatras Beach where it is said Marc Anthony brought in sand from Egypt for Cleaopatra. There are ruins and a theatre here. The boat trips are very cheap and a great lunch is included in the price.
Akyaka’s houses are very famous, not just in Turkey, but world-wide. They are very different from the houses in other towns with their unique construction. They live up to their reputation.The ceilings and windows are all trimmed in custom wood architecture and most have 3 floors. There are American kitchens and living rooms on the first floor and generally two or three bedrooms on the second floor and one or two bedrooms on the third floor where there is another living room or a terrace. All floors have balconiess or a terrace and always a garden plot at Gokova&Akayakas houses. The houses must have the approval of the Akyaka city mayor to keep in harmony with nature and the other houses of our town. There are some housing developments in Akyaka. These are like mini "condo" complexes. They use a garden and swimming pool jointly. Recently the houses of Gцkova&Akyaka have been opened up for purchase to people of the world and they will become a valuable asset in the future as the word gets out to people that they too can purchase a home in our beautiful town.
Akyaka has a hot and dry climate in summer and warm and rainy winters. The winters are mild by European standards and very pleasant. These show the typical characteristics of Mediterranean climate . There are 8.5 months of sun. The average of sea temperature is 19.5 єC annually and you can swim for 7 months. During the summer season generally it does not appear to rain and on the rare rainy days in the summer season, the air temperature does not appear to change. The other typical peculiarity is the wind of the Gцkova Gulf. The wind of the Gulf is known as “Deli Mehmet” [Crazy Mehmet] by the local people. Appearing in the Summer season, the gulf wind can go on for one or two days. The temperature rises to about 40 degree in the sun during the day but with the soft offshore breezes, together predominate to coolness. Because of this, we need to stress again that you should be careful during the dangerous times between 11:00-15:30.
Akyaka/ Gцkova is 30 km.to Muğla and 32 km. to Marmaris. At northern Gцkova the mountains rise up to 1000 m. and are covered by forest. Eastern Gцkova, a unique grassy plain comes between Kadın and Akзapınar streams, where fresh water comes from. Whereas, Akyaka was a district previously dependant upon Kozlukuyu ( Gцkova ) village where there are ramshackle houses around İskele (quay), it became a mukhtar in 1972 and a municipality in 1992.
Akyaka has become a fast-developed tourism centre since 1970. It was included in the first “Environment Protection Zone “ in 1988. Akyaka is a tourism heaven with its mountains covered by the forest, streams like aquariums, its sea, camping, abundant history, wood covered houses with architectural characteristics . In short, Akyaka is the place to live .