Things To Do
Exploring the Peninsula
Apart from Bitez and Ortakent, there are several other coves that you can visit, all within 15 – 45 minute taxi rides. For example, Gümüşlük on the western tip of the peninsula is a great option for catching the sunset.
Enjoying the Med
A trip to Bodrum isn’t complete without spending some time at the beach. Most of the coves in Bodrum will have a long waterfront with restaurants and hotels that have beach beds and chairs set up by the water during the day. Depending on the cove, these may be on the sand or on a platform over the water. While some may have a minimum spend requirement (typically hotels), most will just require a beverage or food order, and are open to the public. If you are looking for something more private, there are also beach clubs that you can go to that either have an entrance fee or a minimum spend requirement, but will have a more private stretch of the beach. Whichever option you choose, enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean waters!
Mediterranean Meals
The true magic of the Turkish Riviera unfolds at the dinner table. Find a nice, seaside restaurant with a view of the water (or better yet, with tables on the sand), order a variety of local mezes, and try some Mediterranean fish like levrek (branzino or sea bass) or çupra (sea bream) to top it off! Bodrum dinners are meant to be enjoyed slowly – first you will be guided to a large, refrigerated display of mezes, or “Turkish tapas”, and the waiter will explain each one. These will be brought out with your drinks (try a glass of rakı for the full experience), followed by “ara sıcak” or “warm appetizers” and finally fish or meat. Everything will be coursed out at your pace, so take your time – most of the tables around you will be there for several hours. And of course, save room for dessert!
Daytrips
If you have some extra time and are feeling a bit more adventurous, there are several destinations that you could consider for a daytrip or multi-day trip from Bodrum. Datça is another peninsula that is a 1.5 hour ferry ride from the Bodrum marina and has a charming old town district (“Eski Datça”) with shops, restaurants and historic stone homes. You can also spend some time exploring local farms and more isolated coves there. There are also a few Greek islands (like Kos) that you can get to by ferry, but may require more planning and time (and don’t forget your passport!).
Exploring by Sea
The Bodrum and Datça peninsulas can also be explored by sea, giving you access to islands and coves that are not accessible by car or foot. From the Bodrum marina, you will find a long line of docked boats that offer hourly or daily trips, most of which will also serve you delicious, home cooked local meals. Feel free to also reach out to us if you want recommendations for booking these trips!
