Property in Altinkum

Known as a very affordable yet ex-pat friendly area of Turkey, the resort of Didim/Altinkum is a relatively new expat destination where development has gained momentum only within the last 10 years. Altinkum means “Golden Sands” and good sandy beaches are part of the appeal.

Brits outnumber any other foreign property-owners by far - and it has thus gained the nickname the “Blackpool of Turkey” by some, although in the past couple of years agents report a surge in interest from other nationalities. But prices are still cheaper than in, for example, the Bodrum area, Alanya or Fethiye, although investment is being ploughed into Altinkum.

Recently finished or on-going projects that benefit the resort – Didim takes in 55 km of coastline with 11 blue flag beaches - include the upgraded international terminal at Bodrum airport and the road system linking Altinkum with Bodrum and Izmir.

There’s also Altinkum’s new marina - one of Turkey’s largest and where permission for a handful of 5-star hotels has been given - its revamped seafront and plans for a golf course.

Where to Buy Property in Altinkum 

Altinkum isn’t a concrete jungle and there are restrictions on height levels - seven storeys in the Didim area and five storeys in the beach areas - ensuring it will never become a high-rise city.

Currently, quality new two-bedroom apartments, either in a small private block or larger complex, are available in Didim or Altinkum for £35,000-£45,000, or £28,000-£40,000 for a resale one. A small villa will set you back £70,000-£90,000.

Resident expats in Didim, of which there are an estimated 2,000, typically prefer to be a step back from the busy Altinkum seafront, most of which shuts down during the winter months, unlike Didim town. They tend to opt for areas such as Third Beach, Mavisehir, Yesilkent and Apollo Temple. 

For second homes, central Altinkum, the new Marina Road, Hunters Valley and Akbuk are popular. Local Turkish people tend to stick to the centre of Didim, home to one of Turkey’s largest covered markets, the Pazar.

Akbuk, Yesilkent & Mavisehir

While it’s Altinkum that receives the lion’s share of publicity, it’s only one of a handful of areas worth considering in the area.

Yesilkent is a quiet leafy area with small beaches and villas and Mavisehir has a quaint fishing harbour and gets stunning sunsets.

Twenty minutes round the coast from Altinkum is Akbuk, a much smaller resort, where people buy for the tranquillity and views. Property in Akbuk is often more expensive now than in Altinkum and building has slowed due to the difficult terrain there. A three-bed villa starts from around £100,000, new ones from £135,000, or apartments from around £35,000

Planning permission is very different to neighbouring Altinkum, so in Akbuk there is more green space but in coming years there may be several resorts and spas there.

Throughout Didim and Altinkum, the feeling is that the area is still up-and-coming, with further development expected to put it on a par with other Turkish hotspots.