Seferihisar and Sığacık Guide: 10 Things You Must Do Before Leaving

"Streets that inevitably lead to the sea, a city life that remains calm at every moment of the day, and a unique nature where you feel time stand still... Seferihisar, Turkey's first slow city, and its most beautiful neighborhood, Sığacık, are waiting for you on the most beautiful coast of Izmir.

Don't be late to enjoy the taste of the first summer days in these coasts that open the doors of an unforgettable experience. And before you hit the road, don't forget to add to your list the 10 things you shouldn't miss experiencing on the shores of tranquility! 

1- Dive into the Cool Waters at Akkum Beach! 

Since every street meets the sea, one of the experiences you must try in Seferihisar is undoubtedly meeting the cool Aegean waters. One of the most beautiful points where you can enter the sea is Akkum Beach. Located about 2 km from Sığacık, Akkum Beach also has a facility where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas. You can enjoy the sea, sand, and sun all day long here. You can even add excitement to your vacation by windsurfing on the beach, which receives wind all year round and has strong wind corridors.

 2- Sığacık Castle with Over 500 Years of History…

 Located right next to the harbor, Sığacık Castle is one of the places you must visit during your visits to Seferihisar and Sığacık. Since Sığacık is located within the castle walls, it is known that the castle has a history of over 500 years. It is estimated to have been built by the Seljuks, and during the Ottoman period, it was renovated several times. One of the reasons that make the castle special is that during the Rhodes expedition, upon the recommendation of Piri Reis, it was used as a defense base. Since Sığacık is already within the castle walls, you will definitely see the inside of the castle. If you also want to see it from the outside, you can go to the marina and have a look at this beauty from there. 

3- Watch the Sığacık View from the Windmill!

 If you've watched Ata Demirer's highly acclaimed movie "Olanlar Oldu," you must have seen the windmill that has become the symbol of Sığacık. Since you've come all the way to Sığacık, you should add the windmill to your list of places to visit. The windmill located within the hotel next to Akkum Beach is one of the most beautiful spots where you can watch the view of Sığacık, so don't forget to catch the sunset. Moreover, since the most photogenic view of Sığacık is also here, you can take wonderful photos that you will happily look back on after your vacation. 

4- Trace the Footsteps of Dionysos in Teos Ancient City! 

If you're curious about what happened on the stage of history in the places you visit, don't forget to visit Teos Ancient City during one of your days in Seferihisar and Sığacık. Thanks to its location, Teos, one of the most important notes of Sığacık, which has been a port city since around 1000 BC, brings many special works from the past to the present day. Within the ancient city of Teos, which was a bishopric center for a period during the Roman period, you can see the remains of the Agora Temple dedicated to Dionysos. The ancient harbor, cistern, and ancient theater are some of the other structures you can see within the Teos Ancient City… 

5- Get on the Boats Departing from Sığacık Marina!

 One of the places you must see in Seferihisar and Sığacık is the marina located in Sığacık. Boasting more than 500 boats, boats depart from the marina at certain times of the day to visit the bays around Seferihisar. If you want to add joy to your sea pleasure, you can get on one of these boats and visit the most beautiful bays on the same day. Çamlı Cove, Demircili Cove, Aktaş Cove, and Çamcaz Cove are just a few of the most beautiful bays you can see around Seferihisar… When choosing morning or day-long boat tours, one thing you should pay attention to is that Aktaş Cove, also known as Aquarium Cove, must be included in the tour itinerary! We're sure you'll love the blueness of the enchanting cove. 

6- Explore the Nature School in Orhanlı Village! 

Seferihisar not only holds the title of Turkey's first calm city but also stands out for hosting one of Turkey's most special schools. Located just 24 km from the center, the Nature School in Orhanlı Village conveys ancient knowledge about nature to students by villagers and researchers. Among the school's courses, which last for a few days or longer, are programs such as wood carving school, bird school, water school, and nature school. Yak shepherd courses, which are held in some periods, are held for weekends and only require participants to pay nominal fees for food, accommodation, and lodging. It is possible to contribute individually to the school, which the famous singer Tarkan donated concert revenues during the establishment of the Nature School. You can either attend these courses by researching the dates before going to Seferihisar or spend a day visiting the school to see the research conducted there.

7- Visit Gödence Village!

 One of the best parts of being on the Aegean coast is undoubtedly discovering colorful villages! Gödence Village, one of the most beautiful corners of Sığacık, is one of these wonderful villages. What makes the village, which is one of the must-see places in Sığacık, so special is the cooperative established years ago and the unique hiking trails around it… The Gödence Agricultural Development Cooperative, established by the villagers in 1972, is one of the most successful cooperatives today. So much so that it even has an award from the World Bank. The cooperative, which has opened up an important path for villagers in olive oil exports, has gone beyond the country's borders with the fame of its olive oil products. If you want to support the cooperative, you can buy Gödence olive oils, which are considered among the highest quality olive oils in the country, for yourself and your loved ones. While you're in the village, you can also explore the hiking trails around the village and witness the most beautiful plays of nature.

8- Dedicate Your Sunday to Sığacık Market! 

The slow city philosophy, which also embraces the Slow Food motivation, places great importance on local products! Since you're in Turkey's first slow city, you can easily find the freshest and highest quality local products here. Various markets are set up in Seferihisar and Sığacık on certain days of the week. But the most popular one is the Producer Market set up in Sığacık on Sundays. All products sold at the market are directly presented from the producer to the consumer without any intermediary sales. Therefore, you will mostly find villagers behind the stalls, offering products produced with natural methods to the liking of Sığacık visitors. To experience this special Sığacık experience, you can dedicate your Sunday to the Producer Market and buy natural Seferihisar and Sığacık products for both yourself and your loved ones.

9- Experience Peace at Ürkmez, Also Known as Aquarium Beach… 

If you're always looking for the most peaceful places wherever you go, Ürkmez, one of the calmest beaches in the calm city of Seferihisar, is perfect for you! Ürkmez, also known as Aquarium Beach, which is considered one of Turkey's most beautiful beaches, truly lives up to its name with its unique beauty. With its crystal-clear sea and pristine beach, the beach stands out, and its pebbly structure and quick deepening of the sea make it tranquil. Therefore, this may be the most beautiful beach among Seferihisar beaches, generally preferred by professional swimmers. If you're confident enough, you can give this unique beach a try and enjoy swimming in the cool waters of the Aegean.

10- You Can't Leave Seferihisar 

Without Eating Fish! Fresh seafood, local appetizers, and unique Aegean scenery... The first answer to the question "What to do in Seferihisar and Sığacık?" should undoubtedly be to sit at fish tables! If you're one of those who say, "I could eat fish from the sea!" then don't leave here without eating fish and tasting the appetizers made with natural products of the slow city. Milos Fish and Meze Restaurant is one of the most ambitious places where you can taste delicious seafood and Aegean appetizers, just so you know! Çakoz Fish, Nena Fish Meze, and Liman Restaurant are some of the other places where you can eat fish in the region...

Visit the link for Seferihisar Sığacık Hotels recommendations: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/Seferihisar-Hotels