View of the mountains and ocean in Icmeler, Turkey.

If you’ve never heard of Icmeler in Turkey (pronounced each-mell-er), then don’t worry, most people haven’t! Located in the far southwest, it enjoys much better weather than the rest of the country and has become an ever-popular resort area over the past 20 years.

What makes Icmeler special is its beautiful location, comfortably hugged between green hills covered with pine trees which offer some of the best hiking in the country. The closest airport is about 100 km away so things haven’t been over developed like some other seaside resort areas in Turkey, namely Marmaris across the bay.

There are plenty of affordable hotels and restaurants to enjoy, but nightlife isn’t based around a throbbing club scene like in Bodrum. You can relax with some live music at the local pubs and manage an early rise to enjoy great diving in Icmeler and the surrounding area which is full of caverns to explore. There are also a lot of other water sports available like waterskiing and banana boating.

All around, Icmeler is a great place for a beachside vacation in Turkey that offers great options for both budget minded and luxury travelers.  It also offers a much more authentic experience than some of the other options nearby. Bon Voyage!