Dikili by Sharon Egin
Dikili is a seaside fishing town that is made up of mainly holiday villas and a few hotels. The charming centre with cobbled streets has restaurants, bars and shops. American and European tourists from cruise ships briefly pass through on their way to Pergamon. The excavations reveal the history of Dikili, which goes back to 4000-5000 B.C. The scenery consists of sea, mountains, olive groves, vineyards and cotton fields.
There are good transport links both internally and to the surrounding sites of interest, at very reasonable prices. From the centre, you can get frequent dolmuses to Candarli, Avyalik, Bergama and Bademli and other areas of interest.
There are numerous restaurants throughout Dikili, though the majority are in the town centre and harbour. You will be surprised at the variety, quality and cost of the food in Dikili, where it is still possible to eat a 3-course meal with wine for under £10 per head.
Dikili has a weekly organic market on Tuesdays, where farmers from the surrounding areas sell their produce. The market also sells other goods such as gifts, so it is an ideal place to stock up on some presents. There is also a European type supermarket, especially useful for those with young children.
You will find numerous shopping opportunities, both in Dikili and the surrounding areas. Gold can be purchased cheaply in Dikili and Bergama. If you are looking to buy a Turkish carpet, then Bergama is a famous weaving region in turkey. Turkish plates and leather can also be found in the more commercial Bergama, which is a 20-minute drive away.
The main activities revolve around the harbour in the evenings, where Dikili lazily comes to life. People eat, drink and relax by having a fish supper and watching the stunning sunset. There is a small bazaar where you can purchase local crafts, and sometimes traditional music is arranged on the beach. The feel is very provincial, relaxing, and caters firmly towards families and couples, with a lack of noisy bars and discos. Children are welcomed with open arms in all establishments.
The beach is 6km long and consists of a mid colour fine sand. Two beaches in Dikili hold blue flag certification, and the sea is clean and clear. To view map of the area
click here
Your Holiday Matters - approved properties
Villa Hanorah 2 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms by the sea sleeps 4-6
Do you want to experience the real Turkey? Have you
reached the point when commercial holidays fail to satisfy? Looking for
something more, then why not consider Villa Hanorah.
The region has so much to offer, miles of sandy beaches, hidden coves, and numerous sites of historical interest. Set amid Mountains, olive groves, and cotton fields, it is recommended by the Lonely planet author Tom Brosnahan as the ideal place to get away from the madding crowd.
CLICK HERE for further information