Soke is not a typical tourist town and shows little hurry to become one. Located on Turkey’s Aegean coast, it sits a short drive from holiday resorts such as Altinkum and Kusadasi. It’s also a convenient stop for travelers heading to Izmir, Ephesus or Selcuk thanks to a busy bus station that serves many regional routes.
I had passed through Soke many times over the years but never truly explored it. On one occasion I had a four-hour wait for a bus, so I used the time to walk the town and discover what I’d overlooked for almost seven years.
If you visit Soke, I recommend spending a day there rather than an overnight stay. Accommodation options are limited, and the available hotels cater mostly to short stays.
Spending a Day in Soke
Seeing the town on foot changed my impression. Soke feels like a place caught between two eras. In the center you can still find horse-drawn carts in regular use. If you buy goods you can’t carry, a cart owner will be called to load them and deliver you and your purchases home for a modest fee.
I’m always drawn to animals, so I asked to take some photos. The man with the cart was relaxed and obliging. While I was photographing him, his phone rang and he hurried off to serve a customer. As the cart moved onto the road, a Mercedes Benz behind it slowed down respectfully so as not to startle the horse—an everyday example of modern and traditional life sharing the same street.
In the older neighborhoods you’ll find stone houses that have stood for generations. Many retain traditional features like a courtyard toilet, yet signs of modern living—satellite dishes and remote-controlled air conditioners—sit on their roofs.
In the town center I discovered an old tomb set inside a small building. It appears to have belonged to a person of importance; historically, coffins of notable figures were kept in this area before being moved to cemeteries. This solitary tomb remains, but identifying who is buried there proved difficult.
What is Soke known for?
1. Army base. The town hosts a military base where many young men from outside Soke complete their compulsory service.
2. Cotton fields. In summer you’ll see vast fields of white cotton stretching to the horizon. Larger farms use modern, automated cotton pickers, while smaller producers hire seasonal workers from eastern regions. Much of the cotton used in clothing and products around the world likely begins in fields around Soke.
3. Brand factories. Soke is also home to factories that employ many locals, producing goods for well-known brands. The town supports a local economy that includes both manufacturing and services for workers and visitors.
4. The Wednesday market. A large weekly market draws residents from nearby towns and visitors from coastal resorts. It’s a lively place to experience local life, shop for fresh produce and textiles, and enjoy street food.
5. Çöp şiş. Pronounced “chop shish,” this dish is made of cubed lamb or beef on skewers, served with salad, grilled tomato and onion. Along roads leading out of Soke you’ll find numerous eateries specializing in çöp şiş.
Soke is well worth visiting if you want to experience a version of Turkey that has not been shaped by mass tourism. Expect to see traditional and modern lifestyles blending throughout the town.
