A true farmers' market on Sundays in Göcek

The Sunday market

The Sunday market in Göcek is one of our favourite activities.  We try to get to the market before lunch time so we can take our pick of the best produce and this gives us time to have a delicious gözleme with a cup of tea.  Whilst enjoying this it gives us time to people watch and also catch-up with people we know.

We can buy our week’s supply of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, olives, honey, chicken, bread. It is seasonal so don’t expect to find unseasonal foods.  There are also the lokum (Turkish delight) and spice stands, hardware, linen and trinkets for tourists.

If you are a farmer’s market addict like we are there is also a larger market in Fethiye on Tuesdays.

You will need to take  Turkish lira and in small denominations is preferable.

The array of cheeses and local honey gets us excited

Gözleme making - one

Gözleme making - two

Gözleme making - three

A day or more on a Gulet is a must

An aerial view of some of the islands in Göcek Bay.   Sailing on a Turkish wood boat - gulet - is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable activities to do.  There are many boat owners, you can talk to and inspect their boats on the esplanade.  We have used Nirvana with Sadi and Meryem.

What to do in Göcek | Look back to Gocek from The Mediterranean

The view from the Mediterranean in Göcek Bay, looking back to Göcek. We've done this trip many times with friends and family and we get excited every time.  It is just a matter of walking down to the village (or driving, taxing) and negotiating a deal for the day or few days with one of the local gullet owners.  Generally it will include the food. You supply your drinks.

What to do in Göcek | Swimming & Boating

A trip on a gullett (Turkish wooden boat) is a must do on your holiday. This picture was taken on a journey in Gocek Bay. In the water you can see so very clearly, it is just beautiful.

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.