Didim Holidays

Didim holidays combine nature, beaches and family-friendly fun to create an unforgettable break.

• Beach bliss: Didim’s big draw is its beaches. Lively Main Beach is best for dining and people watching, Second Beach for water sports and quieter Third Beach for families with young children.
• Didyma ruins: Right next to modern Didim, the Didyma ruins are magnificent in scale. They’re most famous for the Temple of Apollo, once the second biggest in the ancient world. 2 of the original pillars are still standing.
• Lake Bafa: Backed by craggy mountains, Lake Bafa is a gorgeous expanse of blue away from the crowds. Follow beachside walking trails or take a boat trip to an island to explore an ancient monastery.
• Dilek Peninsula National Park: Dilek Peninsula National Park is a mountainous reserve full of deep-green forests, deserted coves and walking trails. The wildlife, including wild boar and fallow deer, is pretty special too.
• Rabbit Nose Nature Park: For a peaceful getaway, Rabbit Nose Nature Park offers walks through coastal forest, picnics on the beach and clear, clean waters in which to cool off.

From ancient hilltop temples to cobbled medieval streets, Didim holidays are a treat if you’re looking for historical sites.

• Miletus: Once an important port city, ancient Miletus hosts impressive Hellenistic and Roman ruins. Check out the museum for that all-important historical background.
• Priene: Priene’s well-preserved ancient theatre is the main draw here. It reportedly used to seat 5,000 people and is a brilliant example of Hellenistic architecture. The setting among hills and pine trees isn’t bad either.
• Heracleia: Teetering over Lake Bafa are the ancient ruins of Heracleia by Latmus. Highlights include the crumbling remains of a temple to Athena and a Byzantine fortress right on the water.
• Ephesus: Ephesus is the most dramatic of Turkey’s ancient sites. Set back from the Aegean coast, it contains Roman, Ottoman, Hellenistic and Greek remains, all standing proud against a backdrop of bright blue skies.
• Bodrum Castle: Drive down the coast to discover waterfront Bodrum Castle. It dates back to the 15th century and houses the impressive Museum of Underwater Archeology.

Didim holidays offer enough beautiful beaches to keep you busy for weeks.

• Main Beach: Set right in front of Altinkum promenade, Didim’s Main Beach is the busiest in the area. When you’re tired of lying on golden sands, there’s shopping and plentiful restaurants to keep you busy.
• Second Beach: If it’s watersports you’re after, head for Second Beach, where you can organise everything from boat trips to jet skis. There are sunbeds for hire and warm, shallow waters to keep the kids happy.
• Third Beach: Quieter than Didim’s other two beaches, Third Beach sits next to Altinkum harbour. The wide sweep of sand and calm waters attract families from nearby resorts who spend the day splashing in the shallows.
• Kadikalesi and Yahsi Sahil: For a change from Didim make your way to the beaches of the Bodrum Peninsula. Try kitesurfing mecca Kadikalesi or Yahsi Sahil, Bodrum’s longest beach. It’s known for seafood restaurants and stunning views over Kos.
• Sevgi Beach: Join party-going tourists and locals at the large resort town of Kuşadası. Top picks include Sevgi Beach, an impressive 12km of creamy sand and azure blue sea.

With its long, hot summers and short, mild winters, Didim offers visitors a perfect blend of warmth and sunshine, ideal for beach-goers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

• Sizzling summers: Warm weather lovers are in for a treat in Didim. Expect hot, dry summers with average temperatures around 30°C in July and August.
• Mild winters: Looking for winter sun? Look no further than Didim. There are mild winters in this holiday hotspot with temperatures rarely dropping below 10°C. Most rainfall occurs in winter months, particularly December and January.
• Plenty of sunshine: Didim enjoys long hours of bright sunshine, especially in summer when daylight can last up to 14 hours!
• Warm waters: Water sports lovers can look forward to sea temperatures that range from about 16°C in winter to 25°C in summer. Perfect for aqua-centric adventures.

Didim holidays throw up traditional tavernas, fine-dining restaurants and succulent street food.

• International eats: For the best choice in town make for Altinkum’s promenade. You’ll certainly be able to tuck into Turkish treats, but if you want something different, there’s everything from Chinese food to pizza.
• Local seafood: Just up the coast from Didim, Mavisehir village hots up in summer thanks to its laid-back fish restaurants and nightly market, where you can pick up everything from fresh spices to street food.
• Luxury dining: If it’s elegance you’re after, Bodrum’s restaurant scene pulls in the beautiful people to its chic marina cocktail bars, bohemian beach restaurants and luxury, fine-dining showstoppers.
• Turkish breakfast: For a taste of local produce get up early and head for Lake Bafa. Small, family-run restaurants are known for serving traditional Turkish breakfasts, where everything’s home grown.
• Beach shacks: Eating fresh fish by the water is an absolute must on a holiday in Didim. Try the village of Gumusluk. The simple shacks and restaurants sit so close to the sea you can dip your toes in while you eat.

There’s plenty of international cuisine to be had but holidays in Didim aren’t complete without sampling the local specialities.

• Simit: You can’t come to this part of the world without trying street food, and the markets are the perfect place to pick up an inexpensive picnic or quick snack. Locals love a simit, a sesame coated bun halfway between a pretzel and a bagel.
• Lokmasi: If you’ve got a sweet tooth you’ll be well catered for in Didim. Try a tub of lokmasi, deliciously sweet, syrupy balls of deep-fried dough.
• Sebzeli doner: Kebabs aren’t just for soaking up booze, they’re a popular local dinner. Sebzeli doner, made up of meat, veg and potatoes, is both filling and delicious.
• Grilled meat: Traditional Turkish tavernas are the place to go for hearty, authentic fare. It goes without saying that the seafood is excellent but try the regional speciality of steak or chicken with potato, garlic and yogurt sauce.
• Pide: A classic staple around these parts is pide. A sort of oval Turkish pizza, it’s usually topped with spiced meat.

Luxury spas, romantic boat trips and sensational sunsets make Didim holidays a brilliant choice for couples.

• Sunset sailing: A relaxing sunset dinner cruise is a fantastic way to take in the Aegean coastline. You’ll kick off with canapes and wine before anchoring in a secluded bay to take in the views while you eat.
• Hammams: Once the preserve of wealthy sultans, hammams now offer tourists the chance for a scrub and a steam. A dedicated couples massage makes for a suitably romantic treat.
• Snorkelling trips: Get under the sea to check out the region’s incredible underwater sites. Just off Didim you’ll find reefs, caves and large schools of fish, while close to Bodrum you can visit an ancient shipwreck.
• Village charm: To get away from the crowds and discover Anatolian village life, head for a quaint mountain village such as Etrim or Doganbey, to wander cobblestone streets and taste traditional food.
• History tours: Want some history with your romance? Spend a day trip discovering a string of beautiful Byzantine monasteries to the east of Lake Bafa.

From flight-inclusive packages at beach resorts to Jeep safaris and water parks, holidays in Didim offer the perfect solution for families.

• Adaland: With surfing, slides, rafting and wave machines, there’s watery fun for both kids and grown ups at Adaland. Plus, you can even swim with dolphins at Dolphinpark next door.
• Didim Aquapark: If you don’t fancy making the journey to Adaland, Didim Aquapark is small, but offers plenty to keep kids occupied for a few hours. There’s a huge pool, several waterslides and a play area.
• Water sports: There are plenty of water sports on offer, even if the kids aren’t old enough for scuba and jet skiing. Try snorkelling off the beach at Altinkum. For something a little wilder, banana boat rides are popular with all ages.
• Lunapark: A funfair right beside the beach in Altinkum, Lunapark is a popular stop-off for both tourists and locals, with everything from toddler friendly roundabouts to bumper cars and ferris wheels.
• National parks: The mountains and national parks surrounding Didim are proper day trip territory. Make it even more enticing and explore the wilds on a jeep safari or horse riding tour.