5 Days Tour Experience in Göcek

Hey friends, I'm back from an amazing 5-day vacation in the town of Göcek on the Turkish Riviera. Göcek is known for its beautiful blue lagoons and yacht marinas, and it totally lived up to its stunning reputation. I thought I'd share some highlights from my trip in case any of you are looking for an Mediterranean escape.

We flew into Dalaman Airport, which is about a 1.5 hour drive from Göcek. The airport was small but easy to navigate, and we had no problems grabbing our rental car and hitting the road. The drive to Göcek took us along the coastal road, and I was blown away by the gorgeous scenery—crystal clear waters, limestone cliffs dotted with ancient ruins, charming coastal towns, and lush green hills stretching as far as the eye could see. It was awesome to cruise with the windows down, soaking it all in.

We checked into our hotel right on the Göcek waterfront when we arrived in the late afternoon. What a view—our room had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bright blue water and boats dotting the harbor. We quickly unpacked and then explored down by the marina, snapping pictures of the stunning yachts and doing some people watching over an early dinner. By nightfall we were ready to crash after our travels, but woke up totally refreshed and ready for adventure the next day thanks to our ocean views.

The next morning we had a big breakfast at the hotel buffet then headed out on a full day cruise around the nearby islands and coves. Our boat took us to secluded spots like Turunç Bay that you can only access by water. The crystal clear waters were absolutely unbelievable—so clear you could see the colorful fish swimming below your feet! We spent hours snorkeling around the vibrant reefs. It was such a fun way to experience the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the area. That evening we tried some fresh seafood at one of the restaurants along the harbor.

On day 3 we rented a car and drove south down the coast to the ancient Greek city of Phaselis. The ruins were really well preserved with intact theaters, baths, and buildings. I loved exploring and imaging what daily life must have been like there in antiquity. After working up an appetite, we drove inland into the forested hills for a homemade Turkish lunch at a rural farmhouse—lamb stew, fresh bread, local cheeses...it was all so delicious! We lingered over the meal for a few hours before driving back north along the coastline.  

For our fourth full day, we took to the seas again on a private yacht tour. Our captain picked us up from the marina and took us to some fascinating spots like Cennet and Cehennem Coves—they looked like stunning tropical lagoons hidden away amongst the cliffs. We spent hours swimming in the crystal clear waters, snorkeling over sunken archaeological sites submerged just below the surface, and soaking up the sun on the yacht. It really is photogenic and relaxing! That evening we watched the sunset over cocktails at one of the rooftop bars overlooking the harbor.

Our last morning came way too soon! After breakfast at our hotel, we reluctantly checked out and made the journey back to Dalaman Airport. I was already dreaming about returning to explore more of the amazing Mediterranean coastline. Göcek is such a gorgeous place—the scenery, history, activities, and hospitality we experienced truly made it a highlight of our European travels. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing beach getaway with lots of opportunities for fun outdoor adventures too. Thanks for reading and let us know if any other questions!