Settle in Sarigerme, down by Dalaman

The name Sarigerme perhaps doesn’t roll off the tongue and you’d be forgiven for having no idea where this small beach resort is. What you might not be forgiven for is ignoring it if planning a holiday to Turkey. Situated just minutes from Dalaman Airport, it’s the ideal spot for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or some time with the kids in one of its larger, feature-packed resorts. And you might even spot a loggerhead turtle nearby!

One of the biggest resorts in the area is Holiday Village Turkey. This place really has got the lot. If you love the water then you’ll be spoiled for choice – there are numerous pools, from lazy Jacuzzis to larger ones with water slides. And all this is right by the sea if you fancy hitting the warm waters of the Mediterranean.

In addition to all the water-based activities, the Village has plenty of activities on dry land, including a huge aerial adventure playground, tennis courts, crazy golf and even a ten-pin bowling alley. Regular coaching is held for kids in the likes of football and aeroball – a not-to-be-missed mix of basketball and trampolining!

There are plenty of bars and restaurants on-site and more than enough variety if you choose to take advantage of our All Inclusive Dalaman holidays.

Maybe you don’t have kids though and, if you’re honest, no desire to see anyone else’s kids? Then head to the Alinn Boutique Hotel where you won’t come across anyone under the age of 16. Situated a little further outside the village, this adults-only hotel stands proudly with its distinctive turret towering above the beautiful forest that surrounds it, looking more like a castle than a hotel. Expect great views, luxurious accommodation and fantastic restaurants – the perfect romantic retreat . If you do fancy leaving the hotel, Sarigerme is a leisurely 20-minute walk.

Other hotels near the village include the classy Hilton Sarigerme Resort and Spa and the Suntopia Tropical Hotel. Most of the hotels have their own patches of private beach but the main Sarigerme Beach is lovely as well and offers plenty of loungers, parasols and facilities.

While a lot of Sarigerme’s charm is in doing not a lot either by the pool or the beach, there is plenty to explore in the area. The village itself is small with a selection of shops and eateries and definitely worth a visit for a more authentic taste of Turkish life, albeit with a slightly touristy twist.

If you fancy getting closer to nature, one of the more unusual wildlife sights you might see in the area is the loggerhead turtle. Situated around 20 miles from Sarigerme, between the village and Dalyan, Iztuzu Beach is sometimes referred to as “Turtle Beach”. Here these rare creatures are protected and a centre has been set up to care for them – visit for guaranteed sightings of a turtle or two. The protection of the turtles relies on donations so if you have a little cash to spare, it will be gratefully received. Hotels such as Holiday Village Turkey can arrange a day trip to Iztuzu Beach so check with your tour operator if some turtle-spotting is on your agenda.

Sarigerme may not be as large as other Turkish resorts such as Bodrum but the great choice of hotels, quick transfer time from Dalaman and wonderful beaches make this definitely worth checking out when booking your next holiday to Turkey.