More than a place. A way of life
Gökçe Gemile is a private coastal retreat set on a forest-cloaked peninsula in the southwest Mediterranean. It is home to just three architectural villas—completely hidden from view, yet situated on over 20,000 square meters of private and protected land. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of untouched forest and coastline, the experience feels like a private island—though discreet access to the outside world is always close at hand.
Perched above the crystal waters of Gökçe Gemile Bay, the estate includes ancient ruins, pine-shaded walking paths, and a secluded beach club connected to the villas via an open-air funicular. Everything around you—coves, cliffs, sky and silence—feels as if it belongs only to you.
Gökçe Gemile Bay itself is sheltered by geography. Framed by İblis Burnu and Af Kule, and facing the eastern side of Balaban Island, the bay is naturally protected from boat traffic. Tour boats from Fethiye and Ölüdeniz rarely reach these waters due to distance and open-sea exposure, making the entire bay an unspoiled sanctuary used solely by our guests.
Each villa is built from stone, wood, and hand-forged iron, placed carefully into the landscape. Terraces and gardens spill into infinity pools. Interiors open into the forest. Even the descent to the sea winds gently through the trees. To stay at Gökçe Gemile is not to escape the world, but to enter a place that belongs only to you.
Gökçe Gemile is not simply a place to stay — it is a way of thinking about space, time, and nature.
Everything here has been designed to honour the rhythm of the land, to slow you down, and to remind you of what truly matters.
At the heart of our philosophy lies simplicity, privacy, and deep respect for the natural world.
Each villa is built with natural stone, wood, and hand-forged iron, placed carefully within the contours of the landscape.
There are no sharp transitions. Interiors blend into shaded terraces, infinity pools spill into gardens, and pathways meander softly into forest and sea.
Luxury here is never loud. It is quiet, thoughtful, and deeply personal — a private cove, a silence uninterrupted, a space that feels entirely your own.
This philosophy extends beyond design. Whether walking alone through the pine trails, descending to the sea by funicular, or dining beside the water at sunset, time moves differently here.
You are not rushed, not watched, not directed — only welcomed into a slower, more elemental rhythm of living.
We do not believe in “good enough.”
Every detail, every sensation, every moment is refined until it feels inevitable — as though it always belonged.
Because Gökçe Gemile is not just a destination.
It is a philosophy made real.
The People Behind the Place
Gökçe Gemile is more than a destination; it’s a human story. Behind every stone, every tree left untouched, every hand-sewn fabric, is a small group of people who have worked not just with skill, but with heart.
Some of them — Ayşegül, Sevinç, Mustafa, Gülay — have been part of the journey for over a decade. Together, they form more than a team; they are a family. And like any good family, everyone supports one another.
Here, job titles are fluid — if the kitchen is busy, it’s not unusual to see Malik or Sevinç helping with lunch. The work is shared, and so is the pride.
A Life’s Work, Made Real
Malik Şahin, the founder and creative force behind Gökçe Gemile, dreamed of building something timeless: a place that felt like it had always been there.
With a background in geology, a deep love of the sea, and decades of experience in tourism, Malik began the Gökçe Gemile project not as a development, but as a personal vow.
He spent years searching for the right location. Then more years gathering ancient stones, salvaged wood, and local craftsmanship — travelling village to village across Turkey to learn, collect, and refine.
Built by Hand. Guided by Nature.
The houses at Gökçe Gemile were shaped by three master artisans: Sadık the stonemason, İlhan the carpenter, and Hüseyin the blacksmith.
Together with Malik, they carved sinks from single blocks of granite, hand-forged iron rain chains, and built furniture from reclaimed chestnut and oak.
Even imperfections in the wood were celebrated — knots were filled with tree resin and sealed with polished stone, preserving every natural story.
Not Just a Project — A Belief
Every detail at Gökçe Gemile reflects a belief: that real beauty comes from respect — for nature, for craft, for time.
Malik often says, “Trust in God, but tie your camel.” That balance of faith and precision lives in every corner of this place.
What stands today is not only a work of architecture — it is a life’s vision, shared by those who helped build it, and those who now call it home, even if only for a while.
Where coves, forests and wildlife live in harmony
At Gökçe Gemile, nature is not something observed from afar — it surrounds you, welcomes you, and walks beside you.
Perched high above the turquoise coves of the Mediterranean, our private forest is a living sanctuary of biodiversity. From ancient carob and olive trees to maquis and pine-covered headlands, the landscape holds the rhythm of life in its purest form. More than 33 indigenous plant species grow in this region — including rare snowdrops, wild pink daisies, and the prized sweetgum tree, found in only two areas of Turkey.
Our coastal trails wind through centuries-old pines, past rocky cliffs and wild herbs. These pathways do more than lead you somewhere — they teach, nourish, and inspire. The Gökçe Gemile trail system offers guests of all ages a chance to connect with the land: its ecology, its history, and its silence. These trails are not just for walking; they are a form of wellness.
Along the way, guests may spot foxes, hares, hedgehogs, wild boar, and if lucky, the elusive Mediterranean monk seal. Our forests are a resting point for migratory birds, with sightings of Eleonora’s Falcon, Dalmatian Pelican, Bonelli’s Eagle, and the rare Spanish Imperial Eagle. The waters below are home to sea turtles, dusky groupers, and — on magical days — dolphins.
The sea is crystal-clear, the forest thick and still. The cliffs hold warmth from the sun. The breeze carries the scent of pine and oregano.
Here, you don’t just stay in nature. You are invited to live within it.
