A two-day break in Didim, well planned, gives you time both for a swim and for the historic sites. The plan below is for anyone leaving on Friday evening and returning on Sunday evening; rather than a packed programme, it aims for a weekend with room to breathe.
Friday Evening and Saturday
If you are coming from a distant city, overnight departures are the most practical way to stretch your weekend: board the coach on Friday evening and be in Didim on Saturday morning. If you are coming from a nearby city such as Izmir, you can also arrive without losing the day on a Saturday morning departure.
On Saturday morning, once you have settled into your accommodation, the Temple of Apollo is a good way to start the day; it is in the centre, so you will not lose any time. The afternoon can be spent on the coast: a few hours at a beach near the centre, followed by a walk along the seafront. In the evening, the seafront in the centre is good for both dinner and a stroll.
Sunday and the Journey Home
On Sunday morning you have two options: spend half a day in a quiet cove (for example towards Akbuk) or take a short tour of the ancient cities of Miletus and Priene. If you choose the sea, you will have time to return to the centre in the afternoon and collect your suitcase; if you choose the historic route, leave yourself a little more time before your return journey.
If your return coach leaves in the evening or at night, it is most relaxing to spend the last few hours in the centre. The bus station is in the centre, so you will not need to make a long trip at the last minute; still, in summer, allow for traffic between the coast and the centre.
Balancing Budget and Time
On a two-day break, most of your time goes on travelling and settling in. An overnight departure means one of your nights is spent on the road; on the other hand, you may need a few hours to rest after arriving in the morning. If you choose a daytime departure, the journey itself is enjoyable, but half a day of your weekend is spent on the road.
In the summer season, fares are higher and services are busier at weekends than on weekdays. If your dates are flexible, leaving on Thursday evening instead of Friday means both a better choice of seats and a quieter day at the beach.
Notes for Your Weekend Plan
- A small backpack is enough for two days, and it also saves you waiting for your luggage.
- If you plan to sleep on the overnight journey, try to choose a seat away from the front wheels.
- In the summer season, book your accommodation at least a few days in advance.
- If you are putting a beach and an ancient site on the same day, plan to spend the hottest hours in the shade rather than on the beach.
- On the day you return, set a reminder on your phone for two hours before your coach departs.
