Sailor’s House

Bozukkale has no road, no mains electricity and no street lighting, so visitors come by boat or on foot, including along the Carian Trail from Taşlıca. Sailor’s House has served sailors here for years. Ali Boratav, a columnist for Gazete Oksijen, named Mustafa as the man who runs it and rated its buğulama, fish steamed with vegetables, the best in the area.

Meze are made fresh each day, partly from the garden behind the restaurant. The rest of the menu is octopus, fish baked in salt, lamb and the day’s catch. Ask for the buğulama if fish is on that evening. Bread is baked daily, and the restaurant will deliver it to boats.

The jetty takes about 18 boats in around 4 metres of water, and there are mooring buoys for 8 more. Boats that tie up get water, hot showers, toilets and wi-fi. The bay is deep, so if you anchor instead, take a line ashore and come in by tender. In summer, aim to arrive by late afternoon, before the bay’s jetties fill.

The fortress of Loryma stands on the ridge above the bay, with dry-stone walls up to about eight metres high. A rough, steep path climbs to it over loose stone, so wear proper shoes and go early, before the heat. Call ahead to reserve a berth and a table. Opening days change through the season.