Immerse yourself in the Turquoise Sea in the Unforgettable Bays of Bodrum
Gümüşlük
Gümüşlük, a unique bay overlooking the Aegean Sea, has recently become one of the most popular destinations in Bodrum. With its natural ambiance, Gümüşlük is the perfect place for swimming, sunbathing, water sports, and fine dining. As you arrive there, this friendly village warmly welcomes you with its farmers’ market. You can buy handcrafted ceramics, dried gourd lanterns, unique souvenirs, handcrafted jewellery, and many more mementos. The windmills, old white houses in the old Karakaya village complete the bay's picturesque view. Rabbit Island, one of the most popular spots on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretches out through King Road and Koyunbaba Island with its unique nature and beach. This small fishing town, Gümüşlük, has a rich and colourful culture and boasts some of the best fish restaurants in the region. Gümüşlük is also renowned for the most beautiful sunsets on the whole Peninsula. You will most certainly have the most amazing sunset experience at Gümüşlük, watching the sun go down, sitting on tables placed in the shallow sea, your feet in the water whist enjoying the delicious mezes and seafood being served.
Yalıkavak
An 18 km drive from the centre of Bodrum, Yalıkavak lies on the north-western tip of the Bodrum peninsula, a popular destination for blue voyages along the Turkish Riviera. Over the past few years, Yalıkavak has become one of the most luxurious destinations on the Turquoise Coast and a popular destination for ex-pats as well as anyone seeking out the most luxurious marinas in the world. Surrounded by beautiful blue seas, Yalıkavak is the perfect spot to enjoy the sun and sea on uncrowded beaches. Yalıkavak Marina is a beautiful complex welcoming yachts and offering superyacht facilities, gourmet restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs, entertainment venues, and other amenities appealing to yachties, visitors and locals.
Göltürkbükü
Türkbükü, a wide bay along the Bodrum peninsula's northern coast, is undoubtedly one of Bodrum's most popular tourist destinations. Two coastal villages, Gölköy and Türkbükü, came together and formed the wonderful green village that is today called Göltürkbükü. You can see tangerine trees almost everywhere. Türkbükü has a well-protected harbour ringed with high hills containing several luxury hotels and holiday villas. The town is situated in the ancient Greek town, Caryanda whose origins are in the 6th-5th c. BCE. There are numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs lined along the shore, tempting visitors with fine cuisine and exotic flavours.
Torba
Situated to the northeast of Bodrum, Torba Bay is another well-established summer destination close to the town centre. Torba Bay prides itself on its numerous luxury hotels and resorts, offering stunning bays, pine forests, and beautiful beaches. Torba Bay has a long history going back to the Leleg era about 2500 years ago; the remains of an old Lelegian tomb on a hill overlooking the village, as well as the ruins of an old monastery to the eastern end of the bay can be seen.
Gündoğan
Gündoğan Bay is situated on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula and located between Göltürkbükü and Yalıkavak Bays. This bay is one of the quietest and peaceful places on the Bodrum peninsula, offering an amazing landscape and great views. It has one of the longest beaches in the region. You can enjoy a constant soft breeze in this horseshoe-shaped bay. Gündoğan is a popular water sports destination and houses various amenities for windsurfing, paragliding, snorkelling, jet-skiing, fishing and sailing enthusiasts.
Turgutreis
Named after famous Ottoman Greek Admiral Turgut Reis (1485-1565), also known as Dragut in the West, Turgutreis Bay is the second-largest bay town on the Bodrum peninsula and a major centre for commerce. It is also one of the most popular summer vacation spots with its extensive sandy beaches, water sports facilities, delicious fish restaurants, local bazaars, and a vibrant night life. D-Marin Turgutreis, only 20 km from Bodrum, is an award-winning marina village and heliport, combining the lifestyle benefits of yachting, Blue Flag facilities, premium boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, creating an elegant seaside atmosphere to appeal to select visitors.
Turgutreis is rather highly populated compared to other Bodrum towns since people live here throughout the whole year. As there are various accommodation options, it is a convenient place to settle. However visitors often prefer smaller towns for summer vacations since to the minds of some they have more character.
Gümbet
Heading west from the city centre of Bodrum, the first village you come across is Gümbet. This small village is surrounded by pine tree clad mountains and a glittering topaz-blue bay offers visitors a serene environment. It is also a perfect holiday destination with various all-inclusive hotels, resorts, holiday-villages, shops, restaurants, and other facilities. The Aquarium Cove, which is famous for its stunning turquoise sea, stretches between Bitez and Gümbet. The Cove is frequently visited by daily excursion boats coming from nearby ports. If you like scuba diving, then Aquarium Cove is the perfect place for you. Aquarium Cove offers a variety of aquatic experiences, especially for divers. Divers get the chance to enjoy the pristine reef paradise, warm water, consistently good visibility, various species of fish, corals, and other sea animals that are abundant underwater. Aquarium Cove is the best diving spot in the Aegean Sea and one of the best scuba diving spots in Türkiye.
