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Situated
at the northernmost point of the Gulf of Fethiye, the picturesque harbour
village of Gocek is blessed with a wonderfully scenic position, gazing out
across the shimmering turquoise waters of the gulf and backed by steep, densely
forested mountain slopes. An important
port for the export of copper in Ottoman times, Gocek slipped into obscurity as
the copper trade declined, and subsequently reverted to being a sleepy seaside
backwater.
Over
the last two decades, Gocek’s harbour found a new lease of life as a popular
anchorage for gulets, yachts and other pleasure craft, unsurprisingly so as it
offers the perfect base from which to explore the countless bays and coves of
the gulf and the “Twelve Islands” which lie scattered just off the coast.
In the 1980s, it became one of the favourite
vacation spots of Turkey’s late President Özal, a fact that further enhanced
its reputation amidst the international sailing community.
Before
long, the village began to adapt in order to cater for the demands of its
discerning visitors, as appealing watering holes, surprisingly sophisticated
restaurants and all kinds of tempting shops and boutiques started to spring
up. And yet in spite of the excellent range
of facilities, Gocek has managed to avoid succumbing to mass tourism, and
contains no high-rise hotels although there are now an increasing number of
smart holiday villas. In fact, for all
its air of sophistication, the village retains a traditional Turkish feel,
especially in the backstreets that fan out from the original village
square. Here, stylish fashion
boutiques, souvenir and craft shops sit side by side with good old-fashioned
hardware stores, traditional grocers and other shops catering for the local
population. Similarly, the choice of
eating places ranges from simple cafés where you can grab a Turkish pide for a
few lira to smart restaurants serving international gourmet cuisine.
The
long, pedestrianised promenade that runs along Gocek’s seafront linking the
original harbour and the new marina makes the perfect venue for a relaxed
stroll at any time of the day or evening.
The shore here is mostly rocky, although there are a couple of shingle
patches, which are adequate for a swim in the calm waters of the gulf.
As an alternative, excursion boats and water
taxis ferry beach-lovers to some of the beautiful off-shore islands for the
day. A fairly regular dolmus service
links Gocek with Fethiye, should you occasionally fancy a day out in a larger,
livelier town.
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