Turkey - The Bodrum Peninsula

PompeyPete

Got back a couple of days ago from a cheapie last minute self-catering package to Gumbet, booked with Thomson. The Bodrum Peninsula is outstandingly scenic, has a comprehensive public transport system, and is very easy to get out for day trips without the need for expensive excursions.

A few things to share...

- Getting from Bodrum Airport. Nowhere on the Bodrum Peninsula should be more than an hour away from the airport. The roads are perfect, and traffic light. We had a coach transfer with Thomson, which took 35 minutes to our aparthotel in Gumbet.

- Exchange Rate. The best rate we got during our stay was £ = TR3.45.

- The temperature. Steadily increasing, and was 30c for the last couple of days.

- Gumbet. We just used Gumbet only as a base. We only used the beach area to enjoy alfresco breakfasts at the many reasonably priced beach restaurants. Apart from that we stayed clear of the Gumbet tourist area.

- Getting around Bodrum is the hub for the area. The bus station (Otogar) is in the town centre, and is used by the long distance buses and also the local dolmus (minibus). The dolmus are frequent, safe and efficient. There are routes covering all of the Bodrum Peninsular.

- Where did we go for trips out? We don't do organised excursions. And as the dolmus are so efficient we used them all the time. Some examples of places to go and fare (all single tickets)...

Gumbet to Bodrum - TL3.

Bodrum to Bizet - TL3.5 Bizet is mainly beach based.

Bodrum to Turgutreis - TL5. Turgutreis is a smaller version of Bodrum, but worth a run out.

Bodrum to Gulluk - 8TL. Gulluck is close to Bodrum airport. It's an unspoilt fishing port, and is picture postcard perfect. Hardly any tourists.

Bodrum to Yalikavak - 5TL. Wonderful resort. Got a brand new marina, and some seriously expensive boats moored alongside. Also a traditional part of town. It's a must-see.

Bodrum to Golturkbuku - TL5. An upmarket beach resort.

- Eating. As we were self-catering we had the opportunity to eat where we wanted, what we wanted, and when we wanted. We hardly ate at the same place twice, and enjoyed everything that passed our lips, including lots of Efes. eating where the locals eat is usually better value, and if a place is busy then you know the food will be good.

- Will we return? Turkey is a big country and everywhere is different and has it's own appeal. It was our 6th trip since 2009. Have stayed in Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Antalya, Side, Fethiye, and Icmeler. We'll be back asap, don't know where, but wherever it is we know we'll be made very welcome.

maman

Thanks for that Pete.



What a good idea to go off on a quick break like that.


I love Turkey, we've been going most years for 20+ years:eek:


We're off to Kalkan in a couple of weeks and then a 'classical' tour (Istanbul, Troy, Gallipoli etc) at the end of September.

leeparsons

Now if turkey was only a member of the eu, i should have constitutional rights to be able to use my bus pass there. lol

I actually stay in Bodrum last year, and can save more things are happening in Bodrum, but apart from the harbour and the castle Gumbet does beat it hands down. It has some nice coves in comparison to bodrum beach. I also found there was a price difference in the beer prices between bodrum and gumbet of about 1tl to 2.5tl in end of sep 13, which i notice as i walk over the gumbet from bodrum.

Saint_Chris

Brilliant review, where did you stay?


which restaurants did you eat at?

PompeyPete

Stayed here...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g298661-d673398-Reviews-Club_Pedalisa-Gumbet_Bodrum_Mugla_Province_Turkish_Aegean_Coast.html

Couldn't fault it especially for the price. Self catering = less demanding people = no hyper kids = no loud parents = peace and quiet!

Plenty of places to eat, if the restaurant is busy then there's a reason. English breakfast is English breakfast, TL10 to TL12 including tea/coffee seems to be the norm. If you don't like it then go somewhere else the next day. If you're on self catering then buying fresh fruit and veg is a pleasure, and it all tastes of what it's supposed to taste like.

Kedi_Yavrusu

I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday on the Bodrum Peninsula, it is one of my favourite places. Like you we love to get out and about exploring and seeing different places, eating at different restaurants and going where the locals do.

We are heading back again in the summer

PompeyPete

Thanks.

I was really impressed how easy it was to get from Bodrum otogar to any point on the Peninsular. I was half expecting (but not hoping) that the minor roads leading to all the small resorts and towns would be a bit like the narrow roads you always have to endure in Devon or Cornwall. But the roads are all plenty wide enough for 2-way traffic, and the views leading down to most of the dolmus destinations are wow!

The longest trip by dolmus was to Gulluk, and only took 40 minutes.

Nice 30 minute walk between Bodrum and Gumbet too, over the hill where the disused flour windmills are. Great expansive views from up there.

Favourite lunch was buying a simit and a banana from a mini-market, and making a banana simit buttie, then sit on a small jetty, socks off and dunk our feet in the warm Aegean Sea. Cost less than TL2 per head! Here's what a simit looks like...

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=simit&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=0gmHU-DCOoeU7Qb_toHoCA&ved=0CDcQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=653

Kedi_Yavrusu

Yes, it really is easy to get about and there are so many nice little resorts to see.

I love simit, they are great for lunch