Enchanting villages, with guest-houses
and small hotels on quiet bays, dot the peninsula.
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Geographical facts: Bodrum Peninsula is situated on the southwest coast of Turkey, in
the eastern Aegean. The Peninsula extends 42 km in the E-W direction and 6 km - 23.8 km in the N-S direction between
the bays of Güllük and Gökova. Covering an area of 649 km2, its highest elevation is measured as
690m. The Bodrum Peninsula is surrounded by 32 islands and islets and forms a 174 km long coastline.
The Peninsula:
There are several ways to explore the peninsula, the most enjoyable of which are to visit several of the bays and
seaside villages mentioned via one of the daily boat trips available from Bodrum harbor or from any of the local
beaches or harbors. The other is to take the Dolmus, the local mini busses. Dolmus await the passenger for every
destination at the bus station on the main road out of town. Destinations are clearly displayed on each vehicle
and all one does is go and take a seat and wait for the bus to fill.
This beautiful Peninsula suits holidaymakers interested in a subdued and relaxing atmosphere. Enchanting villages,
with guest-houses and small hotels on quiet bays, dot the peninsula. On the southern coast, Bardakçi, Gümbet, Bitez, Ortakent (12 km), Bagla and Akyalar (10 km), have fine, sandy beaches. Campers and wind-surfers
enjoy Akyarlar, and at Bitez colorful sail boards weave skillfully among the masts of yachts in the bay.
On shore you can enjoy quiet walks through the orange and tangerine groves bordering the beach. Ortakent has one
of the longest stretches of sandy beach in the area and offers an ideal place for relaxing in solitude. One of
the most beautiful beaches on the Bodrum peninsula, Karaincir, is ideal for lively active days by the sea and relaxed,
leisurely evenings with local villagers. Finally, Akyarlar enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the fine, powdery
sand of its beach.
Turgutreis (20 km from Bodrum),
Gümüslük and Yalikavak, (A natural shoreline,
beautiful sunsets and luxury holiday villages make this a rapidly developing spot), all with excellent beaches,
lie on the western side of the peninsula and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Turgutreis is
the birthplace of a great Turkish admiral of the same name, you will find a monument honoring him. In the ancient
port of Myndos, Gümüslük, you can easily make many friends with the hospitable and out-going local
population. In Yalikavak white-washed houses with cascading bougainvillaea line narrow streets. Small cafes and
the occasional windmill create a picturesque setting.
See the north coast of the peninsula - Torba (5 km), Türkbükü (15 km),
Gölköy (13 km) and Gündogan, - by road or, even
better, hire a boat and crew to explore the quiet coves, citrus groves and wooded islands. Little windmills which
up to 10 years ago provided the energy to grind grain crown hills covered with olive trees.
Torba,
a modern village with holiday villas and a nice marina is located 8 km north of Bodrum. Gölköy and Türkbüku (Small piers
are trans-formed into romantic restaurants at night) are small and simple fishing villages with a handful of taverns
overlooking a lovely bay.
Finally here is an insider tip for those who want to enjoy the sea and feel the local atmosphere away from the
crowd. Drive to Mazi or Yaliçiftlik, it is East of Bodrum, towards Mumcular and then left (the best
is to go in a jeep).
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a typical country house, as you will find them on the
Bodrum peninsula
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Ortakent offers sandy beaches on a wide shoreline
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Bitez, from private, stunning view
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the Bodrum postcard
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Êvening in Türkbükü
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traditional life lingers on in Mumcular
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DuMont Extra:
Bodrum & Marmaris
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