What to do in Göcek | Strolling

We’ve called this ‘strolling’, as opposed to walking, because walking generally means at some sort of pace but we don’t have much of a pace. Anyway, when strolling we think we see much, hear and smell a lot more of our surroundings.

view from the top of the canyon walk

It takes us about 20 minutes to stroll down to the village and depending on the time of day about 40 minutes to stroll back up. Stroll may not be the correct word when talking about getting back up to Rosmarin with one's own leg but we are used to it and just think of what pert bottoms and firm thighs we will achieve. In summer we try to avoid walking in the heat of the day.


Early morning and evenings are special – the light, smells, sounds and comfortable temperatures.


If we feel energetic and have friends or family visiting we take them with us through the canyon to sit on the plateau for glorious views of Göcek bay and the 12 islands of Turkey. This is not a stroll, not a walk but more a climb. You don’t have to be a rock climber but you do have to be sturdy on your feet. The effort is well worth it and we often take up a bottle of wine and some sandwiches.

you may see a goat or herd of goats on your canyon walk



and you may see one of these plants on your walk - don't smell it though - it attracts and eats insects



In the village we go back to strolling. Strolling along the esplanade looking at the boats we would never be able to afford – such wealth is amazing. Strolling along the main street to the newsagent, to visit Mustafa at the post office, drop into Kebab Hospital for a coffee or beer or West Café for a variety of great food and drink.

you may also see a donkey on your walk back up to Rosmarin from the village

Strolling and then sitting -  a wonderful pastime.

What to do in Göcek | Dining

There are a few favourites where we dine when we can get ourselves away from our terrace. We love the 'kitschiness' of Kebab Hospital, run by Murat.

At the Kebab Hospital we particularly enjoy the wood oven bread, that one scrapes on home-made butter and goat cheese.  Since first travelling to Göcek in 2004 we have seen the Kebab Hospital grow from a small restaurant on the main street (one only main street) to now extending to the esplanade area. The service is friendly and professional and we have watched some of the young men who work there expand their English language skills, putting our Turkish language skills, or lack thereof, to shame.

deflating the wood oven bread at the Kebab Hospital

We did read that incorrect spellings or play on words such as "Kebab Hospital" (which is meant to be  Hospitality) is a strategic marketing tool - it worked -  attracting us there for the first time because we had to come home and tell family and friends that we had been to a "Kebab Hospital".

2011 season

The 2010 season was so busy we didn't get a chance to write anything.

Now we are preparing for the 2011 season and looking forward to welcoming guests to the delightful Gocek and, of course, the most classical location in Gocek with magnificent views, Rosmarin.