Eski Doğanbey
A Wonderful Day Trip
By Slowtravelguide
A Wonderful Day Trip From Bodrum or Kuşadası
A wonderful day trip from Bodrum, Didim or Kuşadası to Eski Doğanbey which is located on the beautiful Dilek Peninsula, a national park between Didim and Kuşadası in Western Turkey at the Mediterranean Sea.
The peninsula is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, combining Mediterranean flora and fauna with valleys, canyons and deserted beaches. This is indeed almost paradise.
In all this fantastic natural beauty, you will find Eski Doğanbey. On a hill on the southern side of this peninsula. Eski Doğanbey was once a Greek village, and it makes sense if you look at the style of the buildings and understand how close to the Greek island of Samos is.
If you like typical quaint villages, then add this to your list! This is the perfect day trip from Bodrum, Kuşadası or Didim. You will not be disappointed, we promise!
Overview Of A Part Of Eski Doğanbey
Pretty Sights Around Every Corner
Eski Doğanbey Was Once Called Domatia
Of course, when the Greeks lived here, Eski Doğanbey had a different name. The village was called Domatia, and its history can be traced back to 7 BC.
Like Kayaköy, the famous ‘abandoned village’ near Fethiye, Domatia was part of the population exchange program that ended the Greek-Turkish War in 1923. The Greeks left, and the Turks came to live in a village they called Doğanbey.
In the end, the living environment caused them to abandon the village in the late 1800s. They moved to a new settlement in the fertile valley below.
At that time, Doğanbey became two villages; the old one is now called Eski Doğanbey, and the new one is called Yeni Doğanbey, or Doğanbey for short.
Perfect Cobbled Streets To Wander Around
Still Life In Eski Doğanbey
Eski Doğanbey
Don’t worry; the old village of Doğanbey is not a ghost village. Around 1990, people realised what a beautiful place this is and started buying and renovating ancient Greek houses.
Today, many buildings and homes have been completely restored, and the village even has a few sympathetic cafes, pensions, and vacation rentals overlooking the valley and the sea below.
Although most of the houses were empty in early December, the cafe was still open, and the village felt peaceful and vibrant.
In any case, the old cobblestone streets and the many steps in the village have a unique charm.
What To Expect
How To Get There: Private, rental car or public transport (check the map below).
Nearest Airport: Bodrum Airport.
Parking: Yes.
Terrain: Easy.
Stroller: Yes.
Income: Free.
Facilities: Yes.
Best Time To Visit: All year, depending on the weather.
And Yes, The Village Also Has Sea View!
What A Perfect Spot For A Nice Cup Of Coffee Or Tea!
This Small Village Has A Lot Of Magic
We are very confident that this village looks very different during the summer months when artists and city people flee the busy life and move to this village.
Depending on your preferences, this may be a good thing or a bad thing. No matter what you like, this small village has a wealth of magic, but no doubt soon, more people will start to discover it and turn it into a circus, just like Şirince during the peak season.
Cross Roads In Eski Doğanbey
Trip To the beach
We believe that if you like a village-like Eski Doğanbey, you will also like pristine nature, scenic rides and local beaches.
If you do, and you are driving to Domatia, please take a moment to turn right when you return to the main road after leaving the village. Driving along the winding coastal road, every second is awe-inspiring.
After arriving at your destination, you will find yourself on a beautiful little beach where there are some local fish restaurants. A great place to watch the sunset!
If you have any questions about a place, feel free to ask. You can send us a message through our contact page or leave a comment on our Instagram or Facebook pages.
You can also join our group Turkey Travel Photography on Facebook to share your lovely photos or experiences about Turkey.
Practical Information
The village is a day trip from Kusadasi, Bodrum or Didim and the easiest way to get to Eski Doğanbey is by car. From the İzmir-Aydın highway, drive in the direction of Söke, then follow the straight road to Doğanbey. There is a clear sign on this road, and there is another sign on the uphill road that will take you to Eski Doğanbey.
If you rely on public transportation, you will need to take a dolmuş from Söke. You can find the current public transport schedule to Eski Doğanbey here. Be prepared to walk the last few kilometres and check in advance to ensure when the service returns.
If you have time, you can explore other attractions in the area, such as Priene, Miletus and Lake Bafa on the other side of the Büyük Menderes delta valley. The valley was once open to the sea, but now Bafa is a lake.
Places We Recommend
Buldan
Although not widely known, Buldan in the Denizli province, not so far from Pamukkale, is a town with a lovely old authentic centre. The old town and Buldan have been famous for their handwoven fabrics since before the Ottoman times. (Read more)
Bergama
Its UNESCO World Heritage Site often eclipses the small town of Bergama, located below the Acropolis of Pergamon. Travelers eager to tick the bucket list often skip it by mistake.
© 2016-2022 All rights reserved by slowtravelguide.net.
The content of this website is copyright protected and the property of slowtravelguide.net.No part of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Copyright ©2016-2022 Tüm hakları saklıdır. Bu (slowtravelguide.net.) web sitesinin içeriği koruma altındadır ve slowtravelguide.net.Buradaki hiçbir içerik (yazı,fotoğraf,video vb.) izinsiz olarak kopyalanamaz, alıntı yapılamaz,başka yerde yayınlanamaz.