Didim - authentic hidden gem on Turkey’s west coast
- Authentic Chica
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Turkey can be quite the underrated gem, as many are not aware of the country’s versatility and ancient beauty, and I nor was I, even after having visited the Turkish Riviera 4 times. This became clear again during my last trip to Didim, a true hidden gem of Turkey, located on the west coast.
It turns out that this region has much to offer, from Unesco sites and ancient Greek and Roman archeological remnants spread out over small villages, to classy seaside towns that can easily compete with the French Riviera. The Aegean coast has it all!
Didim - hidden gem of Turkey
Last month, around half May 2025, we visited this lesser-known destination on the Aegean coast of Turkey. Didim is surrounded by ancient history, vibrant culture, and pure natural beauty.
Quite surprising, even after having visited Bodrum, Kemer and Side already over the past 25 years.
And just last year I had the pleasure of also visiting Fethiye for the first time, about which you can read more in my affordable luxury holiday blog.
Because, although I do like Bodrum and the bigger towns on the Turkish Riviera, Didim and its surroundings charmed me with their authenticity, diversity and multitude of archaeological sites.
Unlike the popular and busy cities on the Aegean coast, such as Kusadasi and Izmir, the town and area around Didim is a unique combination of historical wonders and laid-back seaside vibes.
From the ancient Temple of Apollo to the quiet Lake Bafa and one of the most luxurious, yet authentic 5 star hotels in the region, in this blog I will share all my tips and our full itinerary for the Didim region, with all the best sights and activities nearby.
But first:
How to get to Didim?
Traveling from the Netherlands to Didim becomes easy and budget-friendly with the package deals of Corendon. The most convenient route is a direct flight from Amsterdam Schiphol to Milas-Bodrum Airport, about 80 km from Didim, or Izmir Airport, about 140 km away.
As Didim is one of the newest destinations in the offering of this Turkey specialist, Corendon now offers direct flights to Bodrum, which take about 3,5 hours. And from there a shuttle or taxi transfer takes about 1 hour to Didim, which can easily be added to your trip package via Corendon.
A week-long stay, including flights and luxury accommodation in Didim starts at €650 per person already (depending on the period and hotel type, based on 7 nights).
Corendon has an extensive offering of 12 different 4 and 5 star hotels in and around Didim. Most bookable on an all-inclusive basis with several à la carte restaurants at the hotel, like ours.
Although I also like smaller-scale (boutique) hotels or B&B’s and love to eat at local restaurants, the food at most Turkish hotels I stayed before was excellent. And admittedly, it's also quite convenient not having to leave the hotel for dinner every night:)
That’s why I also really enjoyed our stay in Didim at our all-inclusive luxury hotel with no less than 9 restaurants, situated in complete privacy!
Where to stay?
Anda Barut Collection - premium label
For a luxurious base near Didim, Anda Barut Collection, a 5 star resort that opened in May 2024, is unmatched. The Barut hotels are renowned in Turkey and known for their design and high level of quality and service. And this brand new resort in unique contemporary design with beautifully landscaped resort grounds, really lived up to that!
This resort is now bookable via Corendon at sharp package rates including flights, although the price is a bit higher than most hotels in their Turkey offering.
But that’s why it’s marked with a premium label but is worth it, in my opinion, even if only for a few nights😊!
Find the best rates for your preferred dates (most affordable in the months April, May, October and November when the temperatures can already, or still, be good)
Anda Barut really blew us away and is honestly one of the most excellent 5 star hotels I have stayed at so far. And that says a lot, having stayed at more than 300 hotels and accommodations already! But what made this resort so unique to me, you might ask?
Get an impression through this gallery and my unique features below:
Unique features Anda Barut Collection Didim
Let me start with the hospitality level, that’s truly top notch here, which justifies its rating, which has unfortunately not always been the case at other 5 star hotels.
The welcome was warm, the service was great, the mini bar was stocked, even with top label liquors, all included and refilled daily. And there were complimentary snacks and a bottle of wine waiting for us upon arrival.
The resort is spread across 150 acres on the scenic Delice peninsula, a short drive from Didim’s city center, and is divided into 3 zones, which made it extra unique and convenient in my book!
With 558 rooms and villas ranging from deluxe sea view rooms with complimentary minibars in both the family, adults and community zone, to exclusive Bayou Villas with private pools and beachfront terraces.
We stayed in a swim-up room with sea view, which is certainly worth the extra charge. The room is very spacious, as you can see in the pictures below, it has a large outdoor terrace with 2 seats, 2 sun loungers and direct access to a pool strip dedicated to these rooms, separate from the main pool.
In the room design they really thought of everything: the well-stocked fridge and mini bar, Nespresso machine, stylish bathroom with 2 sinks, a blow dryer and even a hair straightener. The big rain shower, spacious walk-in closet, good wifi, comfortable king size bed with great mattresses and a lovely extensive terrace with several seating options, all make this resort 5 star worthy in my opinion.
And I haven’t even mentioned the multitude of facilities! Throughout the resort there are 5 outdoor and 2 indoor pools, 2 private beaches, an aqua-, adventure- and fun park, with extensive playgrounds, waterparks, several attractions and a kids’ club.
The extensive spa has 2 heated indoor pools and offers traditional Turkish baths, massage treatments, and wellness activities like yoga and aqua zumba.
There’s a fitness center with direct sea views, 3 tennis courts, water sports facilities (for an extra charge) and a several km long track, perfect for a seaside stroll or run, all on the resort grounds.
I found walking around the resort extra nice because of the lovely landscaping with beautiful vegetation, contemporary architecture and artwork and sculptures spread out over the grounds.
Dining at Anda Barut was also pure delight as we were able to eat at a different restaurant every night. The resort has 9 restaurants to choose from, as well as a patisserie. The main restaurant Zestful Bazaar has an extensive buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The quality was very good, and much is prepared fresh or right in front of you. There’s also an à la carte restaurant open for all from 3 pm until midnight. And they have many kid-friendly food options too.
The other 7 à la carte restaurants are available upon reservation, bookable by app or via the guest service in the morning of the same day, serving Turkish, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, international and seafood specialties. Get an impression through this gallery, and don't forget to swipe and click on the pictures to see the full size version.
The adults-only Mansion restaurant was one of my favourites, since we were staying in the Adults zone, near it. I loved having breakfast, lunch or dinner in that stylish setting with their diverse à la carte menu, offering international and Mediterranean dishes.
There are several bars, including the 24-hour lobby lounge bar, serving cocktails and Turkish coffee with sea views.
And there's daily and nightly entertainment at the resort, with plenty of activities and shows that offer something for every one.
Although this resort was excellent and we hardly wanted to leave, it’s located a bit remote on a peninsula 8 km from the center of Didim. Therefore, having a car or hiring a taxi is convenient. From Anda Barut it’s about a 10-minute drive to get to the city center, which is interesting to see, but was not really noteworthy.
However there are the many sites around Didim’s city center that are:
Things to do & unique sights in & around Didim
Didim’s history goes back to ancient Didyma in 500 BC, a sacred Greek sanctuary renowned for its oracle, which made the base for the city's foundation. This makes it an absolute must visit when you go to Didim!
Temple of Apollo
Located in the ancient Didyma area, just outside the current city center of Didim. One of the best-preserved ancient temples of Turkey, featuring 124 Ionic columns (bases) surrounded by quaint shops and restaurants. Unfortunately this archeological site is currently closed for renovation, which should be checked before your visit.
But we were still able to walk around it and admire it from the road. Also the surrounding area, with cute venues like the Oracle Café, providing a perfect view upon the site, and the authentic setting, still makes it worth a visit, even while closed.
City of Miletus & Amphitheater
Just 22 km from Didim this ancient city used to be a thriving Greek port with a 15,000-seat Roman theater. The impressive amphitheater offers panoramic views, while ruins of temples, baths, and the agora are spread our throughout the rugged landscape and olive trees around it.
We had this special place almost completely to ourselves and entrance only costs €6 p.p. This also includes entry to the nearby Miletus Museum, a 30-minute visit, displaying artifacts that enhance the experience.
Didim markets - Pazar Alani or Carsamba Pazari
Perfect for souvenir shopping, fresh produce, accessories and clothing. Or just go there to enjoy the local sights and taste Turkish delicacies.
Alani is only open on Saturday from 8 am - 8 pm and Carsamba every day from 9 am - 9 pm, with stalls full of clothes, spices, fruit, vegetables and Turkish delights. And of course many local products like olive oil and honey, which make great souvenirs.
Sapli Adi
This nature area is located just a 15-minute drive from Anda Barut. Unique for its volcanic peninsula off Akbük Bay, reachable by wading through waist-or ankle-deep water, depending on the tide.
It’s a beautiful and quiet protected nature area where you can relax on the deserted beaches and go snorkeling and swimming in clear waters.
Lake Bafa Nature Park
Just 25 km from Didim, this extensive nature reserve has plenty of hiking trails, and is popular for birdwatching, with up to 300,000 species, including flamingos, living in and around the 60 km2 lake.
Renting a boat to explore the lake’s islands, its unique rocky landscapes, olive groves, pine forests and archeological sites is recommended!
Herakleia is located on the shores and a small island on the northeast side of the lake with its Temple of Athena and ancient theater hidden among the rocks, something I still have to come back for.
There are several hiking trails around the ruins, and the towns around the lake show the local farm life perfectly.
You can also discover many other ruins, monasteries and castles around this large lake.
Surprisingly, here you will also find the Michelin BIB Gourmand-awarded restaurant and B&B Agora Pansiyon, a hidden gem that should not be missed if you want to sample true local cuisine with lovely views!
Ephesus
A tour of this iconic Unesco Site, a 1.15-hour drive away, is a real highlight, although also overpriced and quite busy, in my option! Nevertheless, we really enjoyed our visit to this ancient city, which is impressive in its grandeur.
Find everything you need to know for your own Ephesus visit, including many practical tips, in my next Turkey blog.
Some other suggestions and activities in the vicinity of Didim, which we unfortunately didn’t get to do ourselves this time, are:
Priene
Just 40 km away you can find another well-preserved ancient city on Mykale Mountain. Its Temple of Athena and remnants of ancient houses, once visited by Alexander the Great, are perfect for history lovers. Just note that the marble paths are slippery, so wear good shoes for that.
Jeep Safari
For even more adventure you can also go on a jeep safari through Didim’s countryside, to explore mountain trails, quiet bays, and waterfalls. These tours often include swimming stops and lunch with forest views.
Quad or horseback riding
Alternatively, a quad bike or horseback riding tour via one of the many tour companies around Didim is also unique way to explore the beautiful natural surroundings. Many tours can be booked through your hotel or directly via Corendon.
Sunset Cruise
For a more relaxing experience, you can book a sunset cruise from Didim Marina, 6 km from the center. These cruises often include dinner, drinks, and of course sunset and sea side views of the Aegean coastline.
Didim turned out to be a very unique and more authentic destination in Turkey, that combines natural beauty, local scenes, ancient history and that Turkish charm perfectly!
From the authentic Temple of Apollo, the desolate and impressive Miletus, to the tranquil shores of Sapli Ada, this destination provides a relaxing, yet diverse holiday!
And when combined with a stay at the Anda Barut Collection in Didim, your Turkey vacation will also become extra comfortable, luxurious and indulgent.
While I wrote this blog in collaboration with Corendon, my opinions and findings are still my own and always authentic! I hope this blog will help you find your ultimate luxurious summer escape to Didim - hidden gem of Turkey, which is a bit more authentic than the usual Turkey destinations, while also keeping it affordable through the combination packages of Corendon.nl.
And you can find even more inspiration for your next holiday in this diverse country on my Turkey page.
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