By Chris Evans
Last year we published a piece on one of the unsung parts of Didim. Sagtur is beautiful and offers a lot to visitors. We know, from our contacts, the article led to an influx of visitors to the area who got to see caretta caretta nests, meet some wonderfully friendly children of the local bar owners, and see one of the prettiest bays in the area.
The changes started last year as a hard-standing basketball court was built and various small improvements were made. This winter has seen the area change quicker than Lewis Hamilton racing down the Hangar Straight at Silverstone. It has started a chain reaction where everyone has upped their game and made improvements.
The old favourites are still there with Seyir Cafe, Oz Cafe and Bar, and Gumuskum shop and restaurant. Even these have seen improvements. Gumuskum has completely refurbished its restaurant giving amazing views of the bay. Seyir Cafe has installed a water feature in the garden which has affectionately been christened the hot tub.
Oz Cafe is still here and run by the stalwarts of Sagtur beach. The shop, however, has moved to an area behind the bar. It’s full of those useful things we all forget on a trip to the beach. At the other end of the bay, Mavi Beyaz restaurant has also reopened for another season.
The restaurant on the corner has also reopened under new ownership. It’s now called Kokina Restaurant. It’s a family business with the chef bringing his experience of four years of working at the Marriott Hotel in Ankara. He’s teamed up with his parents to add more choice to those who visit Sagtur.
If lazing on the beach is your aim for the day, then the never-ageing Faruq is back with his sunbeds and brollies: he’s been a constant for so long, it should probably be named after him.
For those in need of a burst of adrenalin, Cilgin Watersports has also made a welcome return. A pedalo, banana boat, or jet-ski are never far away.
The major changes certainly stand out. Didim Belediye has been hard at work installing street lighting along the road leading to the beach and further up towards the hill. It adds security when night falls. The work done on the main road over the winter is complete and drainage improved.
The biggest change has seen BIM join the community. It’s one of the biggest stores in the Didim area at 580 square metres. Locals have welcomed it with open arms as it means a Dolmus is no longer required to do their shopping, especially during the winter months.
The other major change has seen the Buyuk Anadolu Hotel become the Prive Hotel Didim and a huge refurbishment undertaken.
Sagtur beach owes a debt of gratitude to the volunteer group, Plogging In Didim, who have spent many hours picking up rubbish from the beach and the surrounding areas. Without their efforts, and those from Didim Belediye, the beach would be a rubbish tip. Instead, it’s one of the most beautiful areas on the west coast of Turkiye.
You will notice there are several stray dogs on the beach. It is their home year round. They are incredibly friendly and love playing with people in the sea. They are part of the community and are fed by many locals in the village. They add to the rich tapestry that is Sagtur.
It’s not only the beach area that’s seen changes. The shop at the end of 2991 Sokak has new owners. Suslu shop offers all the essentials and is quickly becoming the centre of village life. They’re even trying to teach a certain expat author how to speak Turkish. A fool’s errand if ever we’ve seen one.
Sagtur has transformed from a sleepy little village on the number 6 Dolmus route into one of the must go to areas around Didim.