Vergi Dairesi – the Turkish tax office. Just hearing the words can be enough to make many foreign residents reach for their paperwork and start worrying. But if you own a holiday home in Türkiye, understanding the basics of the Turkish tax system can save you a lot of confusion – and potentially some expensive surprises. The first thing to know is that not every tax connected with your property is actually paid at the Vergi Dairesi. Some are dealt with by your local municipal

Didim’s streets are lined with cafés and restaurants serving everything from pide, kebabs and pizza to burgers, steaks and chicken dishes aimed more specifically at foreign tourists. But some of the area’s richest culinary offerings are found a little further off the beaten track, in the countryside cafés and restaurants serving köy kahvaltısı - traditional Turkish village breakfast. You may have seen pictures of, or perhaps been lucky enough to sit down at, a rustic table in

Visible from the road as you travel between Didim and Bodrum Airport, among the villages, there is a body of water that appears to be surrounded on all sides by mountains. In fact, this lake, called Bafa, is open at one end onto the Söke Plain, now farmland and a nature reserve. Not so long ago in geological terms, and certainly within recorded human history, the Söke Plain was under water and part of the Aegean Sea. It was possible to travel by boat all the way from the isla

Who isn’t familiar with that post-pub street food stalwart, the döner kebab? Also known as the “elephant leg”, the döner gets its name from its cooking method, turning continuously on a vertical spit. Döner kebabs originated in the Ottoman Empire during the nineteenth century, when cooks in Bursa began roasting seasoned meat on a vertical spit rather than the traditional horizontal one. Thin slices of lamb were originally used, although modern versions commonly include beef,

If you've lived in Türkiye for any length of time, you've probably heard someone say, "You'll need to go to the noter." For many foreigners, the Turkish notary system can seem confusing. In the UK, notaries are used relatively rarely, but in Türkiye they play an important role in everyday life. From buying a car to granting someone permission to act on your behalf, there's a good chance you'll need the services of a noter at some point. What is a noter? A noter is a state-aut

All you need to know about selling your property in Turkey

As a two-decade veteran of living in Türkiye, I've seen travel warnings come and go. We're now in March 2026 and sadly there's another war in the Middle East (or excursion, as current president of the US Donald Trump would have it). What does this mean for travellers hoping to visit Turkey for a holiday this summer? Are there any other safety issues we need to think about? What the UK Foreign Office says - UK travel advice for Turkey The UK FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Devel

Many of my friends who own property in Didim are overseas owners who bought here some years ago, and have been coming on holiday each year, or even made the dream happen and moved here to Turkey to join the expat life. Some of us made our home here, others come and go. But we all invested a significant amount of money into our property purchases and naturally we want to make the most of that investment. Recent trends in Altinkum property prices - March 2026 Setting aside for

Flea market second hand vintage shopping in Didim

If you spend even a short time in Didim, one thing becomes very clear: tea is everywhere. Whether you’re visiting a neighbour, waiting in a shop, relaxing at a café or finishing a meal, the chances are high that someone will offer you a small glass of steaming Turkish tea – or “çay.” For visitors and foreign property owners living in Didim, understanding Turkish tea culture offers a wonderful insight into everyday life in Türkiye. A Nation of Tea Lovers Türkiye is one of the

If you live in Didim or are considering buying property here, one of the most extraordinary historical treasures on your doorstep is the awe-inspiring Temple of Apollo at Didyma. Dominating the landscape with its towering columns and sacred atmosphere, this ancient sanctuary connects modern-day Didim with a fascinating world of prophecy, pilgrimage and powerful empires.

As winter slowly loosens its grip across Türkiye, many people look not to the weather forecast, but to an ancient tradition that signals the approach of warmer days: the falling of the cemre . Deeply rooted in Turkish folklore and rural life, cemre is one of those beautiful seasonal traditions that connects modern life in places like Didim with centuries of cultural heritage. What Is Cemre ? The word cemre comes from the Arabic “jamra” , meaning ember, glowing coal, or fire