While the island is generally a fairly crime free place with lovely people, you should take care to keep an eye on your belongings at the beach, sometimes people do have things stolen although this isn't a common occurence. It's best to avoid doing anything stupid, like getting drunk in the night clubs. You should also be aware that anything imported to the island is generally a bit more expensive, particularly in restaurants. Don't be surprised if you're charged a small fortune for drinks in bars or clubs, or for food in restaurants at peak season.
The island gets very very hot in the summer and can get very windy too. Make sure you carry water with you during the summer. The island has a seawater desalination plant, so the water is generally safe to drink from the tap but most places will serve bottled water fairly cheaply, as until recently it had to be imported anyway. If you're walking around the hills try not to go when it's windy or when it's very hot, it's easy to go off the beaten track and end up somewhere miles away from anyone. As a general rule as long as you can get to a road, head to the shore and then walk to the nearest civilisation.
The island is a fairly laid back progressive place, but be careful with public displays of affection, clothing and drinking. Drinking is acceptable, getting raucously drunk and being loud and/or offensive less so. Girls may find themselves the source of unwanted attention on the beach from boys if not accompanied by a man, especially girls that look foreign as this is uncommon. As with all of Turkey, during Ramadan things get a little stricter and a little frustrating. While most places will sell alcohol during Ramadan, it's best not to drink in public if you can avoid it. Likewise, during Ramadan women should dress a bit more modestly than normal.
If you're not Turkish, you may find some cultural customs a bit strange. If something happens and you don't agree with it e.g. an old lady picks up your child and starts cooing at them, or a retailer offers them sweets it's not intentional. Turkish people are very passionate and while AvÅa is a fairly heavily populated place in the summer, the people have a more rural mentality compared to Istanbul. As such, you may find things like the hospitality a little overwhelming at first, but the people are just proud of their island and want to make sure your stay is a happy one.
contact
Islandâs telephone code is 266 +90 266 when calling from out of Turkey.
talk
English is not a popular language, but many people will speak some English or German. This is mainly an island visited by Turks rather than foreigners, but Turks are incredibly hospitable people and don't be surprised if someone is sent out to fetch an English speaker to translate if there isn't one there in the shop.