Kadın Azmağı River in Akyaka, Turkey Draws Visitors with Crystal‑Clear Waters

The Kadın Azmağı, a 1.2‑km long river flowing through the Akyaka neighbourhood of Muğla Province, has become a popular natural attraction. Designated a "sakin şehir" by the Cittaslow International Coordination Committee in June 2011, the river features clear, soda‑rich water—about 20% of its flow is mineral water—and supports plant stems up to four or five metres tall. Its depth varies from 40 cm to 10 m, and it hosts species such as sea bass, gilt‑head bream and eel, while the surrounding wetlands shelter roughly 100 bird species and 300 plant varieties.

The site is protected as a first‑degree natural heritage area, prohibiting all hunting and fishing. Local boat captain Şadi Durmaz notes the river’s historic use for laundry because of its soda content. Divers, including national record‑holder Şahika Ercümen in 2019, have highlighted its underwater flora. Nearby ruins of the ancient Idima settlement, dating to the Hellenistic and Eastern Roman periods, add archaeological interest to the scenic landscape.