Out and About on the Bodrum Peninsula

Villa Adakani in Gumusluk, Turkey
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Out & About on the Bodrum Peninsula (drag mouse over images and click or use tab key) 26th February 2007 Out and About A pretty artists house at Sandima village The deserted and derelict village at Sandima near to Yalikavak Traditional Turkish crafts on sale at Derekoy Turkish crafts at Derekoy The shop selling gourds and crafts at Derekoy A closer look at some of the gourd crafts on sale at Derekoy The beach at Bitez Hammocks and cushions under the tree-lined beach at Bitez View of Bodrum and the area for nightlife (taken from the castle) Bodrum at night time The harbour at Bodrum looking towards the castle The restaurants lay out their tables on the jetties at Golturkbuku The wooden platforms around the bay at Golturkbuku The bay and rabbit island at Gumusluk Gumusluk viewed from Rabbit Island The restaurants lining the waters edge at Gumusluk Gumusluk restaurants The harbour attracts many visiting yachts at Gumusluk The pretty restaurant tables along Gumusluk Bay The weekly market at Turgutreis The pretty harbour at Yalikavak Restaurants line the harbour at Yalikavakt The windmills on the ridge near to Gumbet Bodrum Castle
No other area on the Turkish Aegean coast provides the visitor with the opportunity to experience traditional Turkish life only a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of a modern tourist center. Bodrum The heart of the town is around the harbor, where shops, bars and restaurants jostle together in the narrow streets under the shadow of the St. Peter Castle . The main artery is Cumhurriyet Caddesi (Republic Street), much better known as bar street. This street is a pedestrianized showcase of what the town has to offer. Skilled artisans can make you a pair of snugly fitting leather sandals in the traditional Aegean style, while small boutiques offer stylish creations inspired by local designs and fabrics.Shopping tips: mainstream Turkish Fashions (Gallery Emelce) are well represented to, with clothes designed for hot summer living . The souvenir shops sell attractive onyx, copper and brass ware, along with toy camels, and Gold harem slippers. Cafes and restaurants offer a cosmopolitan choice.To accompany your meal, try the light aniseed flavored national drink Raki or locally produced wine. After sundown, Bodrum lights up with flashing neon and laser shows to pulsating throb of the latest dance music. It's party time all over the town. Gümbet Only 2-3 km away from Bodrum this place recently became almost a resort unto itself. Gümbet (named after Kümbet - these numerous white-domed cisterns in the area) features one of the longest and most popular beaches on the peninsula. Gümbet is also one of the most popular water sports centers with water-skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, etc. available. The popularity of Gümbet has also generated serious nightlife and the streets of Gümbet vibrate till dawn with the music from numerous bars, discos and street side-cafes Bitez Bitez lies 7 km west of Bodrum, in the bay next to Gumbet. The winds here are particularly favorable for windsurfing and several water sports operators are based here. The beach is sandy, with plenty of sunloungers and umbrellas for sunbathing. Away from the beach it is possible to wander through mandarin orange groves where oxen plough and life continues as before. The village itself is a 15 minute walk, or short drive, inland and remains totally unspoiled by tourism. The only Turkish Delight (Lokum) to be made on the peninsula is made here. Ortakent and Yahsi Ortakent & Yahsi occupy the next bay to Bitez following the peninsula round to the west. The very large beach is popular with families, although the water rapidly becomes quite deep. There are several beach side cafes providing inexpensive meals and snacks throughout the day. To get to the beach, take a dolmus from the main bus station in Bodrum to 'Yahoos beach'. The village is unremarkable except for the distinctive 17th century 'tower houses' unique to the area and built for defensive purposes. Turgutreis You find this little town at the western tip of the peninsula. Named after the famous admiral, Turgut Reis, this is a stroll town in its own right and combines a compact town center with several long sandy beaches. This part of the coast is favored by professional wind surfers as the winds are generally strong. Regular buses connect Turgutreis with Bodrum, and in high season coaches for Istanbul and Ankara leave from the Turgutreis bus station. Gündogan Only a few minutes West of Yalikavak a place that can be really called peaceful. It is little village which is still more or less unspoiled despite the holiday developments on the surrounding hills. Here in the North of the peninsula a fresh breeze often comes . A reason why many surfers prefer this bay. Gümüslük Gümüs is the Turkish word for Silver. Thanks to strictly enforced building prohibitions, the sea front has kept its original appearance and photogenic fishing village charm. This is the ideal spot for peace and quiet, with the added advantage of many excellent fish restaurants along the small waterfront, where you can sit comfortably next to the gently lapping sea. Your feet are touching historical ground here, it is the harbor of ancient Myndos Yalikavak Turn right on the main road near Ortakent, after 10 km you come to Yalikavak with its small, but busy, center and a harbour where visiting yachts and fishing boats moor cheerfully together. The restaurants in the town center and on the sea front are popular with locals and tourists alike. Here is little beach, but it's more comfortable to sit in a waterside cafe and watch the world go by. Several buildings have been tastefully restored in the town; a former water cistern has become a small art gallery and a former olive oil press is converted into a kilim showroom where visitors are welcome. Torba This little village is hiding in a charming little bay. Heading North of Bodrum Torba is the nearest village. It is only active during the summer months, but due to the generally high quality of the holiday home developments is a pleasant and relaxed place to visit. There are also the remains of a Byzantine monastery, and nearby is a small path leading to the next bay, which is ideal for a little light walking. Ferries to Didim (ancient Didyma) leave from Torba harbor across the Gulf of Güllük. Türkbükü und Gölköy These two fishing villages we will mention in one, because they are close to eachother. You find them on the peninsula map east of Yalikavak. These delightful spots are the favorite retreats of many well-known Turkish artists, actors and entertainers who enliven the many small bars and restaurants at night. Several of the more popular restaurants are run by Istanbul couples who have fled the big city. Click here for a larger map of the Bodrum Peninsula Click here for a larger street map of Bodrum Town Arriving from Bodrum Milas Airport The road from the airport to Bodrum is very good and fast and has dual carriageways for much of its route. From Bodrum you will continue along the main highway (with a view of the resort on your left hand side) and carry on in the direction of Turgutreis passing through the town of Ortakent. A few further miles and you should see a small sign on the right hand side to Derekoy and Gumusluk. This is a much smaller road (similar to an English country lane in places) but has the advantage of being very quiet with very light traffic. Travel all the way to Gumusluk and then follow the detailed instructions and arrival notes.
Villa Adakani © 2008

Villa Adakani in Gumusluk, Turkey

Out & About on the Bodrum Peninsula (drag mouse over images and click or use tab key)