“Golden Sands” Population: 46,000
Old name: Panormos
Market day: Saturday
Overlooking the wide sweep of sand from which it took its name (Golden Sands), Altınkum is now a huge resort that is very popular with visitors from the UK in particular. It is also home to a large expat population, also largely from the UK. It’s the sort of place that is popular with families, both British and Turkish, and with those in search of a lively nightlife followed by a full English breakfast, not, to be honest, my kind of a resort.
There are plenty of water sports on offer here as well as boat trips to surrounding beaches and islands.
Sleeping
There’s no shortage of places to stay in Altınkum but they are mainly aimed at the package-holiday market which means that you will probably get a better deal by booking through a tour operator before travelling to Turkey.
Transport info
There are regular dolmuşes to Altınkum from Söke. These can be picked up at the road junction at Dalyan if you are travelling north from the Bodrum or Milas areas.
On Tuesdays and Fridays in high summer there are boat trips to Bodrum for the day.
Day trip destinations
Modern Altınkum has turned its back on the past but this statue of Poseidon commemorates a temple to the sea god that once stood in ancient Panormos
