The Bodrum Peninsula
Our Bodrum Peninsula Collection
Luxury Villas in Bodrum
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 luxury villa rentals and 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. A holiday villa rental on the Bodrum peninsula offers an excellent combination of village life with the allure of a nearby busy resort town.
Turkey is a treasure trove of history; magnificent historical sites such as Ephesus, the Lycean rock tombs of Dalyan, Knidos at the end of the Datça Peninsula, Didyma and Miletus. It is the land of the Trojan wars and the exotic sultans of the Ottoman Empire.
Pine-clad mountains combine with spectacular rushing rivers and a stunning coastline with crystal clear waters. The countryside is lush with fertile plains of olive grove, cotton, grain, sesame, tobacco and even vineyards, and often tended by women wearing the brightly hued traditional costumes of their region.
There is something for the whole family here and whether you are staying in one of our luxury villas in Bodrum, a villa with pool on the Bodrum Peninsula, or a small boutique hotel on the sea front, we feel that you will be left with lasting impressions of the unforgettable natural beauty of the area, the charm of the villages and towns and above all the great hospitality and charm of the Turkish people.
The Bodrum area really does suit all ages; Turks adore children so whatever their ages they are welcomed everywhere, restaurants and cafes ensure that dining out with toddlers is a pleasant and welcoming experience. The sea is calm, there are no waves and with easy access beach visits are hassle free. Teenagers adore the range of shopping, fun things to do and night life available. For the grown-ups…the weather is great, the food is good, the wine is good and above all the youngsters are happy!
Bodrum Town
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.
Bodrum Market Street
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, fabulous leather clothing and bags, 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 where we feature the villa Omurja you can choose one of the elegant and sophisticated restaurants overlooking the marina or for an experience try the hectic and bustling Fish Market, buy your fish direct from the fish stalls and have it cooked in the nearby restaurants. It’s great fun with 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. Jade Jagger has opened a restaurant inside the world famous Halikarnas Discotheque; set right on the sea’s edge and landscaped like a Greek amphitheatre. 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, said to have been built in honour of a visit by Hadrian, 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 & Ortakent
Heading away from Bodrum town in a westerly direction but staying at the coast you will find the fabulous Doria Hotel with splendid sea views. Just a little further on you will come to the village of Bitez. 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. Evenings are relaxed here, chill out on a comfortable beanbag at a beach bar and watch the colours of another splendid sunset melt into the sea.
A stroll from the sea to the inland village will take you through the citrus orchards and along shady lanes where footpaths pass through dry river beds and criss-cross old irrigation channels. 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 – Chiftlik, Casa Maroc, The Creek House, Olea, Orange Bergamot and the Sha Hotel – provide an excellent base for exploring the peninsula as Bitez is only 7km. from the vibrant heart of Bodrum with a regular mini bus.
Just a bay or so away lies Ortakent, another village with an inland centre and a seaside area; here there are superb examples of 17th century “Tower Houses” which were built for defensive purposes, especially to protect from the dangers coming from the sea. The oldest of these tower houses is the Mustafa Pasa built in 1601. Built over the rocks, it has three floors, no windows and originally the doors at the lower floor were approached by a draw bridge. This splendid house now houses a restaurant specialising in Ottoman cuisine. Down at the wide and sandy beach there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. Our vacation villas in Ortakent are Akik Ev and Aquamarine Ev.
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 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 in the area. 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.
Gümüşlük
Gümüşlük is a favourite Peninsula destination. Situated on the west side of the Bodrum Peninsula the settlement was originally the Carian City of Myndos in the time of Halicarnassus – 4th C BC. Remains of the city are visible around Gümüşlük but most excitingly those city walls that fronted the coast ended up under water after an earthquake and can still be seen today.
There are two distinct sides to Gümüşlük beach – on the open side sun beds line the narrow beach and restaurants offer a delicious choice of Turkish foods, but a walk along the beach through the narrow lanes lined with craft stalls and a fabulous junk jewellery shop and then passing the famous waterfront fish restaurants will bring you to the lagoon side. Here as you walk along the path in front of the sea it runs out and you are literally paddling in the water. The sunken city walls can be seen if you don a mask and snorkel but if that’s not your thing then take a walk across the causeway – be prepared to get your knees wet – and you will be on Rabbit Island; if you climb to the top there are excellent views down into the water where you can see some of the ruins. It’s perfect to arrive at the beach late afternoon, have a swim, a cool drink and wait until sun set, then, relaxing in the big cushioned areas that most sea side restaurants offer, glass of wine in hand simply enjoy what people here have been enjoying for over 2000 years.
Many of our guests have visited Gümüşlük and fallen in love with it so we are very pleased to be able to offer high quality villa accommodation in Bergama Houses, and Clementine Houses. For larger groups of up to 18 people both Bergama and Clementine Houses offer the option of being rented as one; Bergama Estate and Clementine Estate. For smaller family groups and couples who enjoy being just a short walk from the beach front we can recommend the delightful Rose Cottages. Close to the inland village of Dereköy is the spacious Strawberry Fields villa. Gümüşlük is ideally situated between Yalikavak and Turgutreis and whilst the village has its own small market on a Wednesday both of the nearby towns have much larger markets. Bodrum is a 30 minute drive from Gümüşlük.
Yalikavak
The thriving town of Yalikavak is situated on the north side of the Bodrum peninsula. 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 town. Ali Baba, situated on the bay but within walking distance of the town centre is one of our most elegant properties. The town has a 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. 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 after which the area is named.
There is a beach in town but there is a plentiful selection of public beaches and beach clubs in the area. On the coast road towards Gümüşlük is the smart new yacht marina, Palmarina with elegant shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and yachts to match! A little further on there is a great selection of seaside fish restaurants. 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. With spectacular views and cooling breezes our properties situated in Geris are Mozaik and Karma. A local hike may find you stumbling across derelict windmills, the deserted Greek village of Sandima, Lycian rock tombs and even a temple dedicated to Zeus, a perfect picnic spot. Valley House is located at the south side of Yalikavak.
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; in the centre of the village we offer The Cream House, Mulberry and Almond Tree House and on the edge of the village KBellanna. 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. Amongst those villas we offer Blue Jasmine, Cheedem, Sakina Konak and Melengech; all villas with splendid reaching views over the valley to the sea.
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 a number of large supermarkets on the road to Yalikavak. Gökçebel main claim to fame has to be the unique garden restaurant in the village centre – “Havva Hanim” – a gem of a place serving a traditional Turkish breakfast with ingredients provided by Havva’s chickens and cows and flourishing garden! It’s just 3 kilometres drive to the nearby town of Yalikavak where there are plenty of shops and restaurants a very popular weekly market and the very glamorous Palmarina. There are a number of beaches in the area which can be visited by car. Pasha is located in Lower Gokcebel.
Göltürkbükü
Göltürkbükü is the name given to the two villages of Gölköy and Türkbükü, whilst they share a name and one is situated just around the headland from the other each has its own very different character. Türkbükü 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 Türkbükü, the even richer cruise in on magnificent yachts yet traditional village life is never far away. Villa Jay, Apartment Defne and Kuum Hotel are all within easy walking distance of Türkbükü.
Gölköy is less glitzy, the seaside with its narrow beach is lined with family run hotels and restaurants all of which have splendid jetties, Beyaz Hotel is located at one end of the beach and Gölköy Suites a little further along. Local weddings and seasonal festivals still take place in the village centre where everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations. Ege Cura is close to the village centre and just a short walk from the sea front. 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 from both Türkbükü and Gölköy to nearby small islands and coves unreachable by road and plentiful water sports are available. In both villages there are plentiful small village shops catering to daily requirements, supermarkets in Gölköy and much larger supermarkets on the road to Yalikavak (15 km) offer a wider choice and there are weekly fruit and vegetable markets in both villages.
Torba
Just a five minute drive from the busy resort of Bodrum lies the pretty seaside village of Torba. It has become a popular destination for Turkish holidaymakers with many exquisite summer houses surrounded by flower filled gardens lining the small streets. Towards the end of one of these small streets lies the very attractive Yeshil residential complex. The pretty harbour accommodates local fishing boats and luxury yachts alike, moored side by side. At one end of the bay is the busy Blue Dolphin beach where you can try your hand at a variety of water sports and take a sunbed for the day under the shade of the trees. Alternatively, for snorkelling enthusiasts, Torba’s village beach with its ruins of an old church, a very chic hotel Casa dell Arte and a handful of restaurants is a short drive from the village centre. The village offers a good choice of fish restaurants along the sea front but more simple fare can be found closer to the village centre. The village remains calm and unhurried for most of the year but during July and August it is swelled by the families coming from Istanbul and Ankara coming to summer in their seaside residences, the atmosphere is lively and very Mediterranean. Families with teenage children can be assured that the close proximity to Bodrum and its nightlife ensures that everyone in the family enjoys the holiday. Being so close to Bodrum, visitors can take advantage of the regular dolmus (bus) service which takes no more than 15 minutes. The addition of a hire car to your holiday will ensure that you have the advantage of being able to explore the villages and beaches on the Bodrum peninsula and a little farther afield the many archaeological sites as yet relatively undiscovered by the masses.
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, Barbaros Bay! 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 a summer evening 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!