Bodrum town & the peninsula

A holiday villa rental on the Bodrum peninsula offers an excellent combination of village life with the allure of a nearby busy resort town. Our Bodrum villa accommodationand Bodrum hotels are located in the appealing villages around the Bodrum peninsula, all within a one hour journey of the Bodrum Milas Airport and within a 30 minute drive of Bodrum with its many attractions.

Bodrum was once Halicarnassus, famed for its colossal mausoleum begun by the egocentric ruler Mausolus, an earthquake toppled this wonder of the ancient world and the Crusaders used much of the masonry to build their castle, situated between two horseshoe bays. A visit to the magnificent 15th century castle with ramparts, leafy courtyards and imaginative archaeological exhibitions featuring many finds from shipwrecks dating back to the 11th century BC is highly recommended.

In the atmospheric shopping streets you’ll find local handicrafts such as copper goods, intricately painted ceramics, carpets and kilims competing with street stalls selling “genuine fake watches”, designer name clothing, natural sponges, jewellery shops abound offering a huge array of beautiful designs, fabrics, famed Turkish towelling, boxes of sweet pistachio filled Turkish delight, pastry shops with a tempting selection of sweet and savoury, just be sure to take enough bags to carry back your purchases!

If you have ever considered Scuba Diving then Bodrum is most certainly the place to take the plunge, deep blue water with high visibility crowded with huge living sponges, octopus, scarlet star fish and even tropical coloured fish attracts beginners and experienced divers who rate it very highly.

Vacationing in a private villa on the Bodrum Peninsula allows the opportunity to sample some great dining out.  In Bodrum town you can choose one of the elegant and sophisticated restaurants overlooking the marina or for an experience try the hectic and bustling Restaurant Alley, a vine shaded lantern lit street with outdoor restaurants, one spilling on to the next, authentic live music and impromptu displays of Turkish dancing; a real slice of Turkish life! The choice of bars is extensive, some loud and blaring, others refined and chic, there is something to suit all age groups. Visit the famous Halikarnas Discotheque, set right on the sea's edge and landscaped like a Greek amphitheatre but for the real thing the recently restored 4th century BC amphitheatre overlooking the sea and the castle hosts some spectacular concerts throughout the summer.

Basing your villa holiday on the peninsula allows great access to numerous nearby historical sites, Euromos with it’s temple of Zeus, Iassus, perfectly positioned on the water’s edge in the Bay of Güllük and inhabited since the Bronze Age, Heracleia by Lake Bafa where Selene the moon goddess fell in love with Endymion the shepherd on Mount Latmos, Didyma with its marvellous Temple of Apollo, Miletus, Priene, Stratoniceia, Pecin Kale and a little further away the exceptional site of Ephesus, the list is endless, every day of your holiday can be a journey into the spectacular past of Asia Minor.

Whatever your choice of holiday, luxury villa, stylish hotel or countryside cottage; lazy or active there are few places that can compete with the attractions of the Bodrum area.

Some information about the villages on and around  the Bodrum Peninsula

Bitez
Situated on the Bodrum peninsula and lying amidst citrus and olive groves this is a village split in two. At the seaside small hotels and restaurants line the sandy beach which is well known as a water sports centre with opportunities for wind surfing and water skiing. A stroll from the sea to the inland village will take you along shady lanes where footpaths pass through dry river beds and criss-cross old irrigation channels. Such is the interest in this network of walkways that an American university is to publish a guide. Traditional rural life is centred in the inland village where shops cater for day to day needs and there is a weekly market. The holiday villas and hotels in Bitez - Olea, Chiftlik, The Creek House, Villa Ekrem, Sha Hotel - provide an excellent base for exploring the peninsula as Bitez is only 7km. from the vibrant heart of Bodrum. In smaller towns such as Bitez, evenings are more relaxed. Chill out on a comfortable beanbag at a beach bar and watch the colours of another splendid sunset melt into the sea.

Yahsi
Driving from Bodrum towards Turgutreis there is a very small hillside village, a mosque, a very famous lunch restaurant and a small village shop and a scattering of houses, this is Yahşi. From this tiny village it is just a 5 minute drive to the famous Camel Beach, a popular sandy beach on the south of the Bodrum Peninsula. One of the great benefits of holidaying in an area that caters to the Turkish tourist is that beaches are rarely busy before mid-day, even in the height of the season. It’s our recommendation to plan your day accordingly and a visit to the beach straight after breakfast means that you can return to the privacy of your own villa with private pool – Villa Gamzi or Villa Pearl - once the beach starts to get a little busier. In the evenings there is the choice of nearby Ortakent with both village and beach side restaurants, Turgutreis or Bodrum. Holiday villas in Yahşi are conveniently located for all aspects of the south of the Bodrum Peninsula.

Turgutreis
Located 18 km to the west of Bodrum and with views to the Dodecanese islands, Turgutreis is a popular resort with a fabulous array of shops, bars and restaurants. The newly completed marina located close to the town centre provides an even more extensive range of shops, waterside cafes, restaurant, and open air cinema and tennis courts. There are plentiful activities in the area for guests staying at our favourite luxury villa in Turgutreis - Rosea: nearby Akyarlar is ideal for water sports enthusiasts and there is a choice of sandy beaches. We love Domalan just outside of town and Kadikalesi a little further along the coast towards Gümüşlük. Each Saturday the streets of Turgutreis are filled with a colourful and bustling market with all manner of fabric, clothing, jewellery and treasures enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Yalikavak
The small town of Yalikavak is situated on the north west side of the Bodrum peninsula and this is where we discovered the charming Lavanta Hotel and the stunning villa in Yalikavak, Ali Baba. Here in the north it is still possible to find picturesque villages where old traditions sit comfortably alongside the more modern lifestyle. Yalikavak is a favourite destination of the city Turks and in the months of July and August visiting minor celebrities cause a certain sophistication to descend on the village. The town centres itself around the small harbour with a handsome 300 year old windmill to one side. Restaurants line the sea front and in the streets running back from the sea, grocery shops and fresh fruit and vegetable shops nestle alongside an art gallery housed in an old water cistern and a kilim showroom in a former olive oil press. On the coast road towards Gümüşlük is the smart new yacht marina with elegant shops and cafes and an open air cinema. A little further on there is a great selection of seaside fish restaurants. The main town beach is just a short walk from the centre and tennis courts are available in the town. The striking Mosque with its two minarets stands on the hillside and watches over the village. Thursday is market day and locals from nearby villages throng to town to stock up with fresh fruit and vegetables. Enjoy hand picked citrus from local orchards and pass the time of day over a few cups of strong Turkish coffee sitting under the shady plane trees. There are numerous walks in the area, one of the best with spectacular views must be from the small settlement of Geris perched at the top of a mountain and only a few kilometres from Yalikavak centre. A local hike may find you stumbling across derelict windmills, a deserted Greek village, Lycian rock tombs and even a temple dedicated to Zeus, a perfect picnic spot.

Gökçebel
Upper Gökçebel village is delightful, hidden from all but the most curious, this is a charming, traditional village looking towards the sea and is where we have a great selection of our Turkish holiday villas; Hakiki Villa, Blue Jasmine, Mulberry, Almond Tree House, Cheedem, and Melengech. Small flower covered whitewashed houses line the crooked little streets and there is a backdrop of green hills dotted with a number of very stylish villas and houses. Many of the villagers seem to own a donkey or a cow and it’s no surprise to see them out walking their animals! The single village shop sells day to day requirements and there’s a small weekly market in the village centre, additionally there are 2 large supermarkets on the road to Yalikavak. It’s just 3 kilometres drive to the nearby town of Yalikavak where there are plenty of shops and restaurants and a very popular weekly market. There are a number of beaches in the area which can be visited by car.

Göltürkbükü
Göltürkbükü has become known as the St.Tropez of Turkey, it is immensely elegant, a place to see and to be seen in and many of Istanbul’s best restaurants open up here for the summer. By day large wooden jetties built into the sea are covered with sumptuous cushions and hammocks, by night these jetties are transformed into glittering dining platforms hovering above the floodlit water. The rich and famous own grand holiday villas in Turkbuku yet traditional village life is never far away for guests choosing the elegant holiday home, Villa J. Local weddings and seasonal festivals still take place in the village centre where everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations. Early and late in the season when the weather is a little cooler there are some excellent walks to be had, venture around the headland with views to the Bay of Mandalya, investigate the Byzantine ruins that are scattered around, discover the hidden lake and a forest of rare date palms. There are daily boat trips to nearby small islands and coves unreachable by road and plentiful water sports are available. The small village shops cater to your daily requirements, there are supermarkets in neighbouring Gölköy and much larger supermarkets on the road to Yalikavak (15 km) offer a wider choice and there is a weekly fruit and vegetable market.

Venturing a little way off the Bodrum Peninsula we offer luxury villas in….

Chiftlik
Venturing off the Bodrum peninsula and visiting the more rural areas is always enjoyable, traditional Turkish life can be seen and the pace of life is considerably slower than that in nearby Bodrum. The Lodge Cottages are in Chiftlik, a long skinny village that starts at Yali Chiftlik (Chiftlik by the sea) and ends after the last house! 

With just a local restaurant in the village the nearest selection of restaurants is to be found at Yali Chiftlik (3 kms.) and a little further on at Kizilağac (12 kms.) you’ll find the famous Mangal restaurants, here you select your meat from a great selection of prepared cuts and barbecue at your own table accompanying it with delicious meze dishes!  For a completely different night out with 5 start service then you could consider dining at the nearest local hotel…. the Kempinski! Of course the cosmopolitan town of Bodrum warrants a trip or two but we are sure that you will be delighted to return to the peace and quiet of Chiftlik. 

The nearest beach is at Yali Chiftlik and the sea on this southern coast is very clear. We think our accommodation in the village of Chiftlik – The Lodge Cottages - are ideally suited for walkers and adventurers, set off from the village centre and it’s just 3 kms. down the track to Kargicik Bay – it’s only known by locals and passing boats but once at the pebbly bay you will be well looked after by the local fisherman who have set up a rough restaurants where the only menu choice is grilled fish in a hunk of crusty bread. Just a 30 minute drive from Chiftlik lies the delightful seaside village of Mazi. It’s unlikely that you will find Mazi on a map as it is well off the beaten track, the drive down to the sea through the pine forest is spectacular, the sea views are magnificent and the small stone cottages of the locals are adorned with skeins of newly dyed wool, drying in the sun. Occasionally one of the local cows can be spotted taking refuge from the sun under the canopy of the single village shop, life is extremely slow in Mazi! Come out of season and it’s likely that you will have the beach to yourselves – in high season it may be a bit busier with Turkish families who enjoy picnicking on the beach.

Bogaziçi and Tuzla Lake
In the deep natural harbour of Mandalya Bay lies the traditional fishing village of Bogaziçi. This is the unique point where Tuzla lake unites with the sea in the Gulf of Güllük. Tuzla is most famous as a natural sanctuary for birds. Greater Flamingos flock to the lake between the months of October and April and although the Pelican is among the most frequent species of birds to be seen here you may also see the Great White and Little Egret. The area is a great favourite of the White Stork and their perfectly designed and built nests can be seen in the most unlikely places. Many butterflies are attracted by the unspoilt natural environment, watch for the Two-tailed Pacha it is an unforgettable vision of loveliness.

Tuzla holds an important place in history, ruins of the ancient city of Bargylia - including a Roman Temple - can be seen scattered over the hillsides amongst the olive groves, pine and tamarisk trees. Just along from Pink Flamingo, our luxurious seaside villa, several fish restaurants fringe the sea front offering the days fresh fish whilst original village houses line the road and testify to the Turkish traditional way of life, don’t be surprised to see chickens roaming around, this is not a sophisticated resort but a working fishing and farming village. Wednesday is market day and stalls line the single road running alongside the sea, whether it’s a bunch of spring onions, a saw or a live rabbit you are more than likely to find it here!

Just 5 minutes from the centre of the village lies the newly opened Vita Park Golf course – this is the Bodrum area’s first golf course and it is a splendid addition to the area. It’s just a 15 minute drive to the Milas Bodrum airport and Bodrum town is less than 30 minutes drive.

Güllük
Just 10 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from Bodrum Güllük is a traditional fishing village where daily life centres around the small fishing harbour.

After a night's fishing, the boats return home and the water's edge is a hive of activity, the catch, mainly sea bass and bream, is packed into polystyrene boxes, weighed and loaded into refrigerated vehicles before the long journey to far flung places. But don't despair, there's plenty for everybody. Restaurants line the water's front all offering a plentiful selection of mezes, grilled fish, prawns and calamari.

With so much sea, so many boats and plenty of captains there's no shortage of daily boat tours, most of them call at the ancient site of Iassus, on the far side of the bay and then onto some of the small beaches not accessible by car.  There's no ancient history in Güllük but there are some rather splendid buildings, often hidden between the more recent development, two that have been recently restored date back only to the 30's but their restoration has returned them to their former glory. The old Belediye (Council) building in its commanding position overlooking the sea has also recently been restored. Our fabulously stylish hotel in Güllük– Medinn – is situated just 5kms. south of the village centre.

From the village centre it's a pleasant walk along the palm lined sea shore, the walk can take you right along the coast line to the mouth of the Gulf. With three small beaches and early morning calm water there is no better place to take a stroll. From every point you have  stunning views of the bay. 

On Thursday's it's market day (it used to be Friday but the stall holders kept arriving earlier and earlier until it started on a Thursday!!), there's not many of the Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger stalls but if it's goats cheese, local olives, free range eggs or the freshest vegetables you're looking for then it's ideal.

Tefo Barbers is the gathering place for the men of the village, the shop is always full, but don't worry if you're in line for a shave, the wait won't be too long as half of them have just popped in to pass a friendly word and get the latest football score.

On summer evenings everybody is out for their regular family promenade up and down the front, in high season the atmosphere is almost carnival like with street sellers selling sweets, peanuts, corn on the cob and lokma (hot donuts), children race up and down on their bicycles, and grandma has a leisurely çay (tea) and watches the generations of her family.  Tea gardens abound and if you can manage to spend a Saturday evening in Güllük there's bound to be a wedding or a circumcision celebration, the band plays, the whole village assembles, the older ladies sit sedately (well, as sedately as possible on a small green chair), youngsters take the opportunity to show off their dancing skills and toddlers zip back and forth across the dance floor on their tricycles!!

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