ABOUT ALTINKUM

Didim is shaped as a peninsula surrounding Mugla on the east coast with huge inlet of Akbuk town, Aegean Sea on the west and east coast, Lake Bafa and the Menderes River on the northern coast. 106 km's to Aydin provenience, 53 km to Söke town, 73 km to Kusadasi, 110 km  to Bodrum. Spread to 300 km2 of area.

About 15 years ago, the people from large cities around Turkey such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir first came to Altinkum and started to build their own summer houses, holiday homes. When Turkey's economy started to decline those people found very hard to survive in the big cities most of the summer house owners who were mainly retired people have decided to move into the small resorts such as Altinkum.

ALTINKUM means “golden sands” and with its beaches which gently shelve into the inviting turquoise blue Aegean, you will soon see how the resort got its name. Excellent Beach life in Altinkum has also got water sports or pedals for those who prefer the pace of life a bit slower. Sun beds and umbrellas are available for rent and once settled there will be no need for you to move until sunset.

The location of today's Didim used to take part around the Apollo temple at the ancient Didyma town. They called the area "Yoran" (name derives from Yeuwani) until the biggest earthquake in 1955-1956 which used to look like a fortress and locals of Yoran later on called it "hisar" meaning "castle" but just after the earthquake government supported locals and build them modern concrete houses down on the south west part of the old civilization later on called "Yenihisar".

People of Yenihisar used to go to Söke for their weekly shopping and Akköy used to be the biggest town of those days. But just after tourism, the place itself has turned into a rapidly growing holiday resort for tourists.

Today's Didim as rapidly growing holiday resort completely different than what it used to be 10-15 years ago welcoming large population of tourists with its beautiful beaches, ancient towns, culture, climate from all over the world. But comparing to the big tourist resorts like Bodrum, Kusadasi it's not been spoiled we can say. Most of the infrastructure work has done by last winter which we expect no more flooding of rain water in Altinkum and better main roads have finished including pedestrian walk paths by the beach.

Local market of Didim is held on Saturdays can be visit by local transport between Altinkum - town centre, runs in every 5 minutes or take a walk for 25 minutes.
You can discover the beaches, natural coves and bays by boat trips better, organised daily from the harbour in summer season which starts beginning of May. Water sports, diving courses, fishing tours are also available.
Didim itself very close to ancient towns and natural wonders comparing to most of the holiday resorts of Turkey.