Altınkum — Turkish for "Golden Sand" — does exactly what it says on the tin. This laid-back Aegean resort is all about proper good beaches, ancient ruins you can actually walk to, and prices that'll make your wallet very happy indeed. It's got that "undiscovered gem" energy without being too quiet, and the Temple of Apollo is literally up the road.

✨ Destination highlights

• 🏖️ Golden sandy beaches — Three Blue Flag beaches with calm, shallow waters perfect for families

• 🏛️ Temple of Apollo — One of the ancient world's most important temples, a 5-minute drive away

• 💰 Brilliant value — Your pounds stretch properly far here

• ☀️ 300 days of sunshine — Seriously, it's one of the sunniest spots in Turkey

• 🍽️ Proper Turkish food — Fresh fish, kebabs, and mezes at beach-view restaurants

• 🛥️ Boat trip heaven — Crystal-clear bays and hidden coves just offshore

🏛️ TOP SIGHTS

Altınkum punches well above its weight for history — you've got ancient temples, ruined cities, and 3,000 years of stories all within easy reach.

• Temple of Apollo (Didyma) — The star attraction. This was one of the most important oracle sites in the ancient Greek world, rivalling Delphi. Only two of the original 122 columns still stand, but it's still jaw-dropping. Just 5 minutes up Atatürk Boulevard.

• Altınkum Beach — The main event. 1.5km of golden sand with shallow, calm waters. Blue Flag awarded, lined with bars and restaurants, and perfect for families.

• Miletus Ancient City — A 30-minute drive gets you to this once-mighty port city with a stunning 15,000-seat theatre. Absolutely worth the trip.

• D-Marin Didim — The swanky marina with upmarket restaurants, designer shops, and a beach club if you fancy something fancy.

🛏️ WHERE TO STAY

Altınkum's hotels are all about value — you'll get a lot for your money here, with most spots just a short stroll from the beach.

Laur Hotel Experience & Elegance | Beachfront The big all-inclusive option with seven pools (including a waterpark), its own beach, and a Greek-themed design. Spa, hammam, and evening entertainment included. Great for families wanting everything on-site.

Holiday Resort Hotel | Akbük Set in the peaceful Akbük area with sparkling sea views. A good pick for a relaxed holiday with on-site restaurant and pool. Close to ancient ruins for day trips.

Burak Hotel | Central Altınkum Just 100m from the sandy beach and 150m from restaurants and bars. Pool, sun terrace, and a rooftop bar with sea views. Solid budget-friendly option.

Delta Hotel | Central Altınkum A friendly, well-reviewed hotel just 80m from the beach. Rooftop bar with sea views, pool bar, and known for its excellent service. Great value.

Mutlu Apartments | Central Altınkum Self-catering apartments right in the centre, 300m from the beach. Pool, kids' club, and Turkish nights. Perfect for families who want flexibility.

More Altınkum hotels

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 THINGS TO DO FOR FAMILIES

Altınkum is properly family-friendly — shallow beaches, waterparks, and activities that'll keep the kids happy without breaking the bank.

• 🏖️ Main Beach paddling — The shallow, calm waters are ideal for little ones. Sunbeds and umbrellas available all along the front

• 🏊  Aquaparks — Several hotels have waterparks, or head to local aqua parks for slides and splash zones

• 🚤 Boat trips — Glass-bottom boats and bay-hopping trips keep kids entertained while you relax

• 🏛️ Temple of Apollo visit — Old enough to be impressive, ruined enough to be climbable (carefully!)

• 🎢 Luna Park — The fairground near the seafront comes alive on summer evenings

• 🍦 Promenade strolls — Ice cream, people-watching, and boats to spot along the waterfront

💑 THINGS TO DO FOR COUPLES

Altınkum isn't flashy, but it's got proper romantic potential — quiet beaches, sunset dinners, and ancient ruins to explore together.

• 🌅 Sunset drinks at D-Marin — The marina beach club does cocktails with gorgeous Aegean views

• 🚤 Private boat hire — Explore hidden bays and swim stops along the coast, just the two of you

• 🏛️ Temple of Apollo at golden hour — The ruins look magical as the sun goes down

• 🍽️ Seafood dinner on the front — Pick your fish, watch the boats, and let the evening unfold

• 💆 Turkish bath experience — Hammam, scrub, massage — proper pampering sorted

👯 THINGS TO DO FOR GROUPS

Whether it's a mates' trip or a family reunion, Altınkum delivers — cheap drinks, good craic, and plenty of activities.

• 🍻 Dolphin Square nights out — The nightlife hub with bars, clubs open til 5am, and proper party vibes

• 🏎️ Buggy safaris — Two-hour off-road adventures through the countryside with a Temple of Apollo photo stop

• 🚙 Jeep safaris — 4x4 tours with water fights, swimming breaks, and a Turkish lunch included

• ⛵ Day trip to Kos — Hop on the catamaran to the Greek island for shopping, beaches, and a change of scenery (passport required!)

• 🎤 Bar Street karaoke — Belt out the classics at Second Beach's family-friendly bars

• 🛒 Saturday market haggles — Pit your bargaining skills against the locals at the big weekly market

🏛️ THINGS TO DO FOR HISTORY BUFFS

This corner of Turkey is absolutely stacked with ancient history — you could spend a week exploring ruins and still not see everything.

• 🏛️ Temple of Apollo (Didyma) — The third-largest temple in the ancient Greek world, once home to a famous oracle. The carved Medusa head is iconic. 5 minutes from town.

• 🎭 Miletus Ancient City — A 30-minute drive to one of the ancient world's great cities. The 15,000-seat Roman theatre is staggeringly well-preserved.

• 🏔️ Priene — Dramatically perched on a clifftop, this Hellenistic city has remarkably intact streets and a Temple of Athena with mountain views.

• 🛤️ The Sacred Way — The ancient 16km pilgrimage road connecting Miletus to the Temple of Apollo. Parts are still walkable.

• 🏺 Miletus Museum — Artifacts from Apollo, Miletus, and Priene all under one roof

• 📜 The Didyma Oracle story — This was where ancient Greeks came for prophecies. The god Apollo supposedly loved a shepherd here and taught him to see the future. Properly mythic stuff.

🍴 THINGS TO DO FOR FOODIES

Turkish food is an absolute joy, and Altınkum does it brilliantly — fresh, flavourful, and fantastically cheap.

• 🐟 Fresh Aegean fish — Pick your catch at waterfront restaurants and have it grilled to perfection

• 🥙 Kebab hunting — From döner to şiş, the kebabs here are the real deal

• 🥙  Gözleme at the market — Watch these stuffed flatbreads made fresh at the Saturday market

• 🌿  Olive oil everything — The September Olive Festival celebrates the local stuff. Proper liquid gold.

• 🍳 Turkish breakfast — Eggs, cheese, olives, tomatoes, fresh bread. The works. Try Lake Bafa for proper traditional versions.

• 🥧 Baklava and Turkish delight — Save room for the sweet stuff. Your dentist might not thank you, but your taste buds will.

🛒 MARKETS & SHOPPING

Altınkum's markets are brilliant for a browse — whether you're after souvenirs, fresh produce, or just the experience.

Weekly markets:

• 🛍️ Saturday Market — The big one, near the bus station. Everything from clothes to fresh fruit to souvenirs. Haggling expected.

• 🥬 Wednesday Market — Fresh food and produce in the town centre

• 🌙 Mavisehir Night Market — Summer evenings at the nearby resort. Bargains, atmosphere, and gözleme on the beach afterwards.

What to buy:

• 🌿  Olive oil and olives (this region is famous for them)

• 🍯 Local honey

• 👜 Leather goods (bags, belts, sandals)

• 🧿 Evil eye souvenirs

• 🧣 Textiles and pashminas

🚂 DAY TRIPS FROM ALTINKUM

Altınkum is perfectly placed for exploring the Aegean coast. These are all easy half-day or full-day trips.

🇬🇷 Kos, Greece | 1.5 hours by ferry

Yes, you can do a day trip to Greece! The catamaran from Bodrum takes you to this beautiful Greek island. Explore Kos Town, see the tree where Hippocrates allegedly taught medicine, visit the Knights' fortress, or just hit the beach. Bring your passport.

🏛️ Ephesus | 1.5 hours by car

One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. The Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Terrace Houses — it's absolutely unmissable. Usually combined with a Kuşadası stop.

🏖️ Bodrum | 1.5 hours by car

The glitzy big sister resort. Bodrum has the famous castle, buzzing marina, legendary nightlife, and beautiful beaches. Worth a day trip or an overnight if you fancy a change of pace.

🏊 Lake Bafa | 45 mins by car

A stunning natural lake surrounded by mountains and ancient ruins. Great for birdwatching (250+ species!), hiking, and traditional Turkish breakfasts at lakeside restaurants.

🧖 Pamukkale | 3 hours by car

The famous white terraces and thermal pools. A long day trip but absolutely worth it — you can even take a hot air balloon over the travertines.

🎧 NIGHTLIFE

Altınkum's nightlife is friendly and fun rather than full-on Ibiza — think beach bars, quiz nights, and the occasional big night out.

• 🍻 Dolphin Square — The main nightlife hub with sit-down bars and clubs open til the early hours

• 🎤 Second Beach bars — Family-friendly spots with karaoke, quizzes, and "open the box" games

• 🍸 D-Marin bars — Upmarket cocktails at the marina if you fancy something fancier

• 🎵 Live music nights — Various venues host Turkish music and international acts through summer

• 🌙 Rooftop bars — Several hotels have rooftop spots with sea views for sundowners

Pro tip: The bigger club scene is in Bodrum or Gumbet if you want to go properly big.

📍 NEARBY RESORTS

Fancy exploring more of Turkey? These popular spots are all worth a look:

Aegean Coast

🏰 Bodrum | 1.5 hours The glamorous big sister of the Turkish coast. Famous castle, buzzing marina, legendary nightlife, and beautiful beaches scattered across the peninsula. Great for couples and groups who want a bit of everything.

🎉 Gumbet | 1.5 hours Party central with the famous Bar Street and a gorgeous horseshoe bay. If you want golden sands by day and clubs til dawn, this is your spot.

🏛️ Kuşadası | 1 hour Gateway to the incredible ruins of Ephesus — one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Plus brilliant beaches, a massive Friday market, and day trips to Greek islands.

Mediterranean Coast

☀️ Antalya | 3.5 hours Turkey's biggest beach resort region with something for everyone. Five-star all-inclusives, waterparks galore, the charming old town of Kaleiçi, and endless Blue Flag beaches. Brilliant for families.

🏖️ Dalaman | 2.5 hours Laid-back vibes on the southwest coast. Think Ölüdeniz's famous Blue Lagoon, the mud baths of Dalyan, and sea turtle beaches. Perfect for nature lovers and paragliding adventures.

🏰 Alanya | 4.5 hours Historic beach resort where Cleopatra allegedly swam. Dramatic medieval castle, 70km of beaches, and the Taurus Mountains as your backdrop. Great mix of history and beach time.