Gocek Holidays

Gocek is one of the most picturesque towns on this patch of Turkey’s coastline. It’s latched on to a mushroom-shaped bay, which is backed by steep, pine-blanketed hills. And because it’s tucked away from the main resorts, it’s retained a pretty exclusive feel. Six swanky marinas are dotted around the shores, and the upmarket hotel contingent doesn’t interrupt the mountain views – there are regulations against high-rise properties, so the background scenery looks as good as it gets.

This place was completely off the radar until a century ago. A bunch of poets and artists from Bodrum stumbled across Gocek on a sailing trip in the 1920s, and some decided to call it home. The town’s no Bohemian haven, but it’s hung on to a love affair of boating. ‘Blue Voyage’ outings pay homage to the creatives who first called here. They zig-zag between the aptly named Twelve Islands – pockets of land that are sprinkled around the mouth of the bay. Most are uninhabited, so the natural surroundings are great for your camera roll.

There’s no main beach in Gocek, but there are loads of dainty spots where you can spend a day sunbathing. Pebbly pockets are strung out like bunting around the shoreline, but you’ll need to catch a water taxi from one of the main marinas to reach them. The waters are really calm, too, thanks to Gocek Island acting like a breakwater. It’s not just a natural barrier, either – catch a boat here, and you can relax on a couple of lesser-known beaches.