Bodrum: A unique summer paradise
We are in one of Türkiye’s most beautiful summer vacation paradises. Bodrum, with its legendary beauty, is a perfect holiday destination presenting beaches, bays, and nature. In fact, the sheer splendor of Bodrum’s beaches has long been the subject of poems and songs. And despite a surge in tourism in recent years, Bodrum still offers calm, untouched bays alongside bustling beaches, colorful nightlife, and vibrant restaurants and cafes. Dive into a dream – bask on Blue Flag beaches, stroll tangerine-scented streets and discover the historical sites of this 3,000-year-old city.
To discover even more about Bodrum, the capital of purple flowers, click here.
Enchanting: Bodrum’s beaches and bays
Cennet Bay
Surrounded by magnificent nature, Cennet Bay, in Göltürkbükü, is probably one of Bodrum’s best known bays. It can get somewhat crowded on weekends, so, if you prefer a calmer experience, visit during the week. There are several hotels in Cennet Bay, as well as campsites.
Kargıcak Bay
Kargıcak Bay, also known as Balıkçılar Bay, is a pristine paradise. Further out from the center of Bodrum, Kargıcak Bay is one of Bodrum’s calmest and most relaxing beaches – no doubt, also, because it is not as easily accessible. Getting to Kargıcak Bay involves a challenging stretch of about two kilometers. In addition, there are no facilities here: bring your own food and water. But don’t forget to buy fresh fish caught by local fishermen on your way back!
For a quiet summer holiday in Bodrum, click on The Bodrum Peninsula’s most serene bays!
Gümbet Beach
Gümbet Beach is close to the Bodrum center – about one kilometer. You can reach Gümbet Beach on foot, by bicycle or by public transportation. This Blue Flag beach features both sand and pebbles and, due to its proximity to the center, there are numerous fish restaurants along the beach.
Bitez Beach
Dive into dreams and a garden of fragrant tangerine trees…Bitez Beach, also known as Bitez Yalısı, has been the subject of numerous songs and poems. The Blue Flag beach is approximately eight kilometers from the city center. It has grown in popularity in recent years so, to avoid the crowds, visit during the week or in the morning. Bitez also offers campsites and caravan sites. For a unique Bodrum summer holiday that includes swimming with fish in clear waters, be sure to put Bitez Beach on your list.
Akvaryum Bay
With a thousand shades of blue, Akvaryum Bay takes its name from its unique characteristics. Located between Bitez and Gümbet, Akvaryum Bay is one of the most popular stops for boat tours, mainly due to its prolific underwater life. Akvaryum Bay is accessible via the pathways on Bitez, but this road is somewhat rocky, so most people prefer to visit by boat. While you’re in the area, stop by Küçük Akvaryum Bay.
Karaincir Beach
Karaincir Beach is notable for its cool waters and relatively calm atmosphere. Reachable via Akyarlar minibuses departing from Bodrum or by renting a car, Karaincir Beach is quieter than other beaches in Bodrum. However, this calm beach also features shower, food and beverage facilities, making it convenient as well as pleasantly easygoing.
Yahşi Beach – Ortakent Beach
Yahşi Beach is in Ortakent; the Ortakent coast is the second-longest coast in Bodrum after the Bitez coast and the beaches here are accordingly renowned. Featuring clean water, tangerine-scented air, and a wide variety of food and beverage facilities, these blue-flagged beaches are among Bodrum’s most popular. Yahşi Beach, in particular, is a preferred destination for water sports.
Aspat Bay
Aspat Bay, between Ortakent and Akyarlar, is a Grade 1 Natural Protected Area. The area includes various water sources, mountains and, of course, Aspat Bay in all its splendor. This is among Bodrum’s most beautiful walking routes, also featuring the historical Çıfıt Castle. Visitors can canoe along the river, relax under palm trees and submerge themselves in the cool, clean sea.
Göltürkbükü Beach
Göltürkbükü, a melding of the towns of Türkbükü and Gölköy, is one of the most dynamic settings in Bodrum. Türkbükü is notable both as a summer destination for celebrities and for its lively nightlife, while Gölköy is considered a quieter town. The Blue Flag Göltürkbükü Beach, a kilometer from the city center, is renowned for its cold sea, as well as its dining and piers.
Bağla Bay
Set between Ortakent and Akyarlar, Bağla Bay has warmer waters compared to other Bodrum beaches. Bağla Bay is 14 kilometers from the city center and reachable via Turgutreis minibuses. The Bay is a popular destination for boat tours, as well as for camping.
Gumusluk Cove
The picturesque town of Gümüşlük has a well-deserved reputation as an arts center. There are art workshops, as well as markets with stalls for handmade jewelry, paintings and sculptures. Gümüşlük Bay features public beaches along with restaurants and cafes. While the beach is pebbly, the sea is clean and Gümüşlük has a unique place among the beaches of Bodrum with its calmness and beauty.
Water sports are indispensable for summer holidays in Bodrum
Bodrum is a paradise for water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, parasailing and water skiing. Bodrum is home to an enormous variety of Mediterranean underwater species and there are dive spots suitable for all levels of expertise. Among the most popular are Big Reef, Small Reef, Orak Island, Kurt Burnu, Delikli Cave, Paçoz Bay and Poyraz Bay. There are also three shipwrecks in Paçoz Bay, which makes it particularly attractive for diving. Beginners can attend diving programs and diving tours are available for more experienced divers.
Bitez is the most popular area in Bodrum for windsurfing, with Gümbet, Turgutreis, Yalıkavak and Akyarlar following. Windsurfing equipment is available to rent.
For other water sports, Bodrum offers numerous companies and travel agencies specialized in this field, especially in Bitez, Göltürkbükü and Gümbet.
Stories knock at your door!
You can easily download images, and share on your social media accounts via your smartphone. Just press and hold the story, and save or share the image you have selected via the menu that appears.
