Gumusluk Hotel

10 vibes for Bodrum

like locals

1- Relax at the Blue Flag beaches

Although the area is best experienced outside the main tourist season, splashing around in typical tourist fashion is still one of the best things to do in Bodrum.

Located at the junction of the two best seas in the world, the Aegean and the Mediterranean, Bodrum is home to 67 blue-flag beaches. A blue flag is a stamp of approval given to the cleanest waters, making Bodrum one of Türkiye's most prominent beach holiday destinations.

2-Hide from Pirates in Karakaya Village (Gümüşlük)

If Karaköy is a little on the quiet side, it was only traditionally to escape the attention of marauding pirates! The village lies on the other side of Mount Peksimet near Gümüşlük. It was built by locals in the 16th century, chosen for its ideal, hidden location around half a kilometre from the coast on a hill with a commanding view of the bay.

Choosing a secluded location was only half the story for locals trying not to be noticed by avaricious pirates. The locals plastered their hovels in mud and straw camouflage. Although the village was abandoned and left in a state of despair around thirty years ago, life has returned to it due to investment and restoration projects. Around half of the 60-odd homes that make up the village are now once again occupied.

3- Scuba Dive to the Wreckage of a Sunken Plane

There are just over 20 diving sites along the Bodrum coast. These underwater landscapes cover reefs, caves, and three purposely sunken wrecks!

Bodrum has some unique bays around the Peninsula. The seas swiftly change from shallow to astonishingly deep, with a constant supply of fish, octopus, seaweed and seagrasses, and sea sponges.

On the reef of Bodrum, you can find underwater caves, sunken ships, and a plane wreck. Advanced divers can weave their way in and out of Red Lionfish, Barracudas, and Groupers as they tackle the Big and Small Reefs.

4- Take an All-Day Boat Tour

A daily boat trip from Bodrum is a must-do experience to see the coast from a different perspective. Spend an incredible 8-hour day on the Aegean Sea swimming in the crystal-clear waters, sunbathing on the boat, visiting spectacular bays, and lovely beaches. This fascinating trip might be one of the most memorable parts of your holiday in Bodrum. A delicious lunch is served on board. At the end of this blue cruise, the boat sails back to the harbour in Bodrum.

5- Have a Sundowner Cocktail before a great night out in the Bodrum Streets & Clubs

Before you hit the clubs, take your pick of a vast range of bars that sell every type of cocktail and beer under the Turkish sun. Nightclubs in Bodrum offers exceptional nightlife attractions with foam, lighting, loud music, and dance shows, and many people don't leave until the sun rises over the fuzzy horizon.

6- Visit Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology

The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is located inside the Bodrum Castle (Castle St. Peter). The Knights of St. John built the original castle between 1402 and 1409. Today the rooms of the castle serve as a museum since being established in 1964.

The museum exhibits a collection of fascinating relics from the lives of ancient, shipwrecked mariners, with glassware, copperware and gold items from the ship on display. The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is also home to the one of world’s oldest known shipwrecks.

7- Try Water Sports & Water Activities in Bodrum

Bodrum is situated in a unique natural setting with spectacular and beautiful beaches along an expansive coastline. Immersing yourself in the sounds and sights of the Bodrum waters will be an unforgettable experience. Water sports in Bodrum are within everyone's reach, regardless of skill, age, or season.

Water sports lovers will find and try various water sports activities in Bodrum, such as sailing, boat excursions, windsurfing, surfing, fishing, banana boat rides, snorkelling, scuba diving, jet-skiing and water-skiing.

8- Go Shopping in Bodrum Old Town

In Bodrum Old Town, you’ll find countless different souvenirs. Items range from the artistic to the functional, and everything in between. Stands display vibrant wares that will, for years to come, remind you of the sunny coast of Bodrum.

One way to get a unique experience is to haggle and negotiate whenever buying. It's part of the culture here, and you may find that the social ritual adds a bit of regional flavour. Be sure to shop around and find the best prices, too.

9- See the Bodrum Windmills

A refreshing hike up to the Bodrum windmills lets you stretch your legs and discover one of the gorgeous old sites on the Turkish Peninsula. Quite remote from other attractions in and around Bodrum, these windmills stand in blissful silence above the harbour.

The derelict structures humble you with a heavy, nostalgic atmosphere, allowing for a meditative break away from the city lifestyle. Though you might spend more time at the beach or the bar, you might remember best the quiet hour you spent at the Bodrum windmills. The views over the sea  and the harbour are not to be missed, either.

10- Make a Road Trip of the Bodrum Peninsula

Along with the town centre, the Bodrum peninsula consists of many more small resorts for exciting exploration. Areas like Turgutreis and Yalıkavak are renowned for their vibrant sunsets. Further down the road, Gümbet attracts water sports fans. Gökçebel is still traditional, while Torba is an emerging force in the tourism sector of Türkiye.