Bodrum Properties - The Bodrum Peninsula
Property in Bodrum
The Peninsula is served by Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV)
The Bodrum Peninsula is situated on the south west coast of Turkey and is by far the prettiest area on the South Aegean coastline.
Bodrum is unique as it caters for such diverse interests. You can experience traditional Turkish life only minutes away from the hustle and bustle of a modern resort. The resorts of Bodrum and Gumbet offers a vibrant nightlife for the young and the energetic and are a shoppers paradise, whilst there are many other resorts and charming fishing villages offering peace and tranquillity. Watersport enthusiasts are more than catered for. Many of the resorts offer parasailing, windsurfing, canoeing, snorkelling, banana boats and ringos. Divers from all over the world enjoy exploring the waters around Bodrum and there is something for both beginners and advanced divers. There are many Diving schools offering internationally accredited courses and who act as dive guides.
For those of you who would like to play a round of golf in Bodrum Turkey, there is a brand new two 18-hole championship Golf Facility at the Vita Park Golf Resort. Vita Park also offers many facilities for the non-golfing members of your family. For the Children – or the young at heart – there are two Aqua parks on the peninsula, one in Bodrum and a larger one in Ortakent. A further one is planned for Konacik. And of course, a Turkish Bath is a must!
The area is steeped in history and this is still evident right across the peninsula. Take time to visit the more obvious sites such as St. Peter’s Castle, The Mausoleum, The Amphi Theatre and Myndos Gate.
There are various ways are to explore the peninsula. You can cover the whole peninsula by car in just a few hours by following the coastal road. Daily Gulet cruises, available from Bodrum Harbour and from some of the local beaches and harbours, visit some of the beautiful bays and coves. Alternatively you can visit each village individually by public transport called a Dolmus.
The sun shines endlessly in Bodrum and after sundown you will enjoy the millions of stars in the clear sky. There is no humidity, and rain in Bodrum during the summer (April to October) is a very rare occurance. There is no ‘winter’ in Bodrum, frost and snow never touches the Aegean. Of course we do have rain in ‘winter’ but mostly the days are sunny and bright. You have to experience it to truly appreciate the attraction of Bodrum.
| Bodrum monthly Average Temperature °C (°F) | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct. |
| Day Temperature | 21 (70) |
26 (79) |
29 (84) |
33 (91) |
34 (93) |
29 (84) |
24 (75) |
| Sea Water Temperature | 16 (60) |
18 (65) |
21 (70) |
23 (75) |
25 (77) |
24 (74) |
21 (70) |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 |
Bodrum
Distance to Airport : 35 km
Formerly known as Halicarnassos, Bodrum is home to the Mausoleum – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Bodrum’s famous Castle of St. Peter rests between two bays, one of which houses the large Marina where the many fishing boats and wooden gullets (daily, sunset and weekly cruises) jostle with the yachts of the rich and famous.
The Marina is lined with quiet bars and restaurants and has a sophisticated atmosphere where people pass many an hour watching the boats come and go. Next to the Marina is the bazaar – a pedestrianised area of narrow streets full of shops, restaurants, bars and night clubs. At the end of the bay is Halicarnoss – the largest open air disco in Europe. For those with any energy left at the end of the day there are more bars disco’s and nightclubs than you can count. They don’t close until sunrise so can literally dance the ‘til dawn.
Whether you want to shop, eat, party or just relax, Bodrum has something for everyone. The many restaurants cater for all tastes, from traditional Turkish food to a variety of far Eastern and European cuisine (and yes – a full english breakfast !). Bodrum remains open until the crack of dawn and most shops are open until midnight, perhaps the best time to shop as the cool of the evening is more comfortable.
The weekly market, located next to the bus station, is held on Tuesdays and is popular with tourists looking for a bargain. İn the summer months the market gets overcrowded and very hot and in my opinion is not a particular pleasant experience. You can pick up the same ‘bargains’ in the bazaar next to the marina or in the shops in Gumbet.
Dolmus, which means ‘shared taxi’ is the local form of transport and offers an excellent, regular network across the whole of the peninsula. If you are staying in one of the resorts outside Bodrum town, avoid going on a dolmus to Bodrum on Tuesdays unless you want to visit the market. The houses characteristic of Bodrum are small, white-washed houses. The local authorities here do not allow high rise buidings which is probably one of the many reasons Bodrum is popular with both tourists and settlers alike.
Property for Sale in Bodrum - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Konacik & Oasis Centre
Distance to Bodrum Town: 1 km
Distance to Airport: 36 km
Located on the outskirts of Bodrum Town are Konacik and the Oasis centre. Konacik is becoming increasing popular with foreign buyers as there are many new properties here and prices are very reasonable considering it’s close proximity to Bodrum Town. New developments are spreading up the hillside and comand excellent views of Bodrum Castle and the surrounding beaches. It is only 10-15 mins to Gumbet central and beach.
The Oasis centre has many designers shops, bars and restaurants and houses a multi-screen cinema complex showing films in English. It is also a hub for locals and foreigners who live here in the winters months.
Property for Sale in Konacik - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals unless within close proximity of the Jandarma.
Gumbet
Distance to Bodrum Town: 2 km
Distance to Airport: 37 km
Gumbet, so called because of the numerous white domed cisterns in the area, features one of the longest sandy beaches on the peninsula, popular with sun-worshipers and watersport enthusiasts alike. It’s crescent shaped sheltered bay is lined with large hotels, bars and restaurants. At the far end of the beach is the jetty where dozens of Gulets depart on their daily cruises. Above the jetty is the hill that separates Gumbet from Bodrum. Pearched on the top are several old windmills. There are fabulous views of both Gumbet and Bodrum from here.
Parallel to the bay is the main street. By day this is fairly quiet but at night it transforms into a hive of activity with it’s bright lights, bar, restaurants and disco bars. Gumbet, it has to be said, is one of the most vibrant resort on the peninsula and is popular with tourists of many nationalities. Gumbet does, however, offer something for all tastes and age groups.
The weekly market is held in Gumbet every Sunday. It is a smaller version of the market held in Bodrum but ıt is never crowded.
Property for Sale in Gumbet - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Bitez
Distance to Bo drum Town: 5 km
Distance to Airport: 40 km
Bitez (or Agacli – meaning ‘full of trees’) is one of the main citrus growing areas on the peninsula. If I think of Bitez, I think of Mandarin Gardens, Olive Groves and evening walks along the promenade which runs alongside the beach. The beach here is one of the cleanest on the peninsula. The restaurants and cafes that line the promenade offer turkish, oriental and international cuisine. Each restaurant offers the free use of sunbeds on the shoreline. There are no noisy bars or night clubs here so you can be assured of a relaxing meal or stroll. Bitez village is a 15 minute walk inland and remans totally unspoilt by tourism. In my opinion, Bitez is one of the most elegant resorts on the peninsula.
Property for Sale in Bitez - some areas of Bitez are restricted for property purchase by Foreign Nationals. There are no restrictions for purchase in Bitez village, some of which nestle amongst the Mandarin Gardens and Olive Groves.
Ortakent & Yahsi
Distance to Bodrum Town: 7km
Distance to Airport: 42 km
The village of Ortakent, meaning ‘middle town’ is located inland between Bodrum and Turgetreis and is one of the oldest settlements on the peninsula. Ortakent is home to one of the 13 remaining original tower houses – the Mustafa Pasa tower house. Built in 1601 it has canon embrasures along the walls and roof. The walls are 60cm thick, indicating it was built with defence in mind. Like Bitez, it is also one of the main citrus growing areas. The beach side of Ortakent, known as Yahsi, boasts a wide sandy beach and crystal clear waters. At the western end of the bay is Camel beach, so called because of the camel rides available here during the summer months. The majority of the daily boat cruises dock here for an hour or so in the afternoon. There are just a couple of restaurant/cafe,s ready to serve you that much needed drink.
Property for Sale in Ortakent and Yahsi – some areas are restricted for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Bagla & Akyarlar
Distance to Bodrum Town: 10 – 15km
Distance to Airport: 45 – 47 km
After Camel beach are the bays and coves of Bagla, Kara-incir (black fig) and Akyarlar. The bays offer blue waters and sandy beaches and are probably the safest beaches for children. The scenery here is lovely and the Greek Aegean Islands are just a little way off the coast. There are very few large hotels in this area apart from the Magic Life Resort & Spa, popular with turkish holiday makers. There are however, a few small hotels and camping sites for the independant traveller.
Property for Sale in Bagla and Akyarlar - Foreign nationals are not permitted to buy property in this area.
Turgetreis
Distance to Bodrum Town: 18 km
Distance to Bodrum Airport: 53
Turgetreis is named after the great Turkish General who was born here in the 16th century. General Turgetreis is well known for his participation in the Otoman siege of Malta. Just outside the town a waterfront memorial marks the place where he first set sail.
Turgetreis is situated at the western point of the peninsula and is the nearest resort to the Greek island of Kos. At night you can even the see the lights on Kos’s shoreline. Turgetreis is well known for it’s large marina. Opened in 2003, the marina has the capacity for 500 yachts. Turgetreis has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now the second largest town on the peninsula. It boasts miles of sandy beaches and a long promenade, ideal for evening strolls to watch the sunset. It offers a wide choice of hotels and motels and the area has a somewhat cosmopolitan feel about it. The open-air market is open every Saturday and you can buy just about anything here.
Property for Sale in Turgetreis – some areas of Turgetreis are restricted for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Gumusluk
Distance to Bodrum Town: 20 km
Distance to Airport: 55 km
Gumusluk, meaning ‘of silver’ is the harbour of ancient Myndos and is one of the oldest settlements on the peninsula. This area is steeped in history and rich in archaeology both on land and underwater. Bring your snorkel because there is so much to see just below the water where parts of the historic city subsided. The centre – a small fishing village - has kept it’s charm thanks to strictly enforced buiding prohibitions. This photogenic small waterfront is home to about a dozen fish restaurants and just a few craft shops and is an ideal spot for a bit of peace and quiet. The only noise is the gentle lapping of the sea on the shoreline. From here you can walk across the sunken causeway to Rabbit Island.
There are old and new developments outside the village, spreading several kilometers along the coastline. It is becoming popular with Europeans, buying their own little piece of Turkey. The area is not over-developed and provides some of the most scenic views on the peninsula.
Property for Sale in Gumusluk - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Yalikavak
Distance to Bodrum Town: 18 km
Distance to Airport: 53 km
The overland journey from Bodrum to Yalikavak provides you with some of the most spectacular scenery on the peninsula. Slowly climbing through fertile valleys, the road then tops at the mountain range running down the peninsula, at this point providing panoramic views of the North and South coasts before descending to the seaide village of Yalikavak.
This once sleepy fishing village is now becoming one of the busiest towns on the peninsula whilst still retaining it’s charm and culture. The cobbled streets of the main town offers a variety of restaurants and cafe bars. If you enjoy eating fresh fish then you will be at home here as there are many excellent fish restaurants – just look for the sign ‘Balik Restaurant’. Yalikavak is known for it’s clean air, stunning sunsets and crystal clear waters and offers fabulous views of both the sea and the mountains. Port Bodrum Marina, opened in Yalikavak in 2003, harbours both fishing boasts and luxury yachts.
Most of the archaeological remains are either unexcavated or are ruins. It is suggested that the ancient city of Yalikavak was situated on the top of one of the hills. Few tombstones and city walls still bear witness to the history of the town.
New developments dotted around the sweeping coastline offer peace and quite and great views whilst being easily accessible from the main town.
Property for Sale in Yalikavak - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Gundogan
Distance to Bodrum Town: 16 km
Distance to Airport: 43km
Travelling from Bodrum past magnificent rock formations and mountain peaks covered in pine forests brings you to the secluded village of Gundogan. Gundogan, meaning ‘Sunrise’, was once an important fishing village but it’s main economy now is tourism and citrus fruit growing. A few small hotels dot the beach and the intimate seaside restaurants serve the fresh catches of the day. Gundogan offers a fresh sea breeze making it popular with water-sport enthusiasts and walkers. This small village is still relatively unspoiled despite the new developments dotted around the surrounding hillsides.
Gundogan also offers some interesting historically sites. The ancient Farilya and Peynir Ciçeği Caves can be found here. A steep climb up the ridge just outside the upper village leads to a flight of 50 steps cut into the rock and the entrance to a small but spectacularly sited monastery. Across the bay is Kucuk Tavsan Island where an old Greek Church is clearly visible on top of the hill.
Property for Sale in Gundogan - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Golturkbuku
Distance to Bodrum Town: 14 km
Distance to Airport: 41 km
Nestling in a bay on the peninsula’s north shore are the two quaint villages of Golkoy and Turkbuku. Sheltered by two islands it is a natural haven for fishermen who still operate from the many wooden jetties along the beachfront. The area was once occupied by Greeks and it is possible to see the remains of a number of churches.
The newly named Golturkbuku encompasses these two fishing villages and the area is a favorite retreat of many well known Turkish artists, actors and entertainers who enliven the small bars and restaurants. Golturkbuku combines both village life and resort atmosphere.
Property for Sale in Golturkbuku - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Torba
Distance to Bodrum Town: 5 km
Distance to Airport: 32 km
Situated on the north east corner of the peninsula, Torba remains a quiet seaside village, despite being a favorite with holiday makers. It is a popular residential area for those looking for peace and quiet. Torba features a long coastline dotted with small hotels and bars and encompasses a few bays and isolated coves ideal for private sunbathing. A Ferry boat makes daily trips across the unspoiled Gulf of Gulluk to Didim and provides the opportunity to view the magnificent Temple of Apollo and combine a pleasant boat trip at the same time.
There is a pebble beach on the east side of Torba where you will fine the remains of a Byzantine church. On a hilltop above Torba there is a remarkable well-preserved Lelegian Tomb. You will need your hiking boots though as it is a one and half hour climb.
Property for Sale in Torba - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals.
Golf in Bodrum Turkey
Distance to Bodrum Town: 22 km
Distance to Airport: 8 km
The Vita Park Golf Resort is a new two 18-hole championship golf facility located on the shores of the deep natural harbour of Mandalya Bay nestling next to Tuzla Lake, where these inland waters meet with the Aegean Sea in the Gulf of Gulluk. New property developments in the areas of Bargylium, Gulluk, Guvercinlik and Tuzla are underway to accommodate the increased interest in golf in Bodrum Turkey.
Bargylium Village is named after the ancient city of Bargilia, the ruins of which, can still be seen scattered over this beautiful, quiet area. Bargylium Village is set in a natural environment of abundant flora and fauna and commands stunning views over Tuzla Lake with a lush hillside backdrop of olive groves, Pine and Tamarisk trees.
Tuzla itself covers an area of 380 hectares and is famous for it’s lake which is a protected nature reserve for migrating birdlife. Common visitors include Pelicans, Great and Little Egrets, and Greater Flamigos which flock to the area by the thousands. Tuzla also hosts the traditional stone housed, fishing village of Bogazici where several fish restaurants fringe the sea front offering the days fresh fish.
Gulluk, just 15 minutes from the golf course, is an attractive coastal town surrounded by the fig, citrus and pine topped hills of the Gulf of Mandalya. The Bay itself is protected by the outlying Dodecanese islands affording spectacular views. Originally a delightful fishing village the area is growing in popularity and yet steeped in history. Take a boat trip to the nearby Carian village of Iasos where recent excavations have discovered a Roman Town Hall, a Hellenistic Theatre, dwellings, and a fifth century city wall.
Guvercinlik, just a few kilometers from the golf course, is a traditional fishing village set in the beautiful turquoise waters of the Aegean. The area is a collection of small, sandy coves washed in azure blue waters with stunning views of the neighboring coastline.
Property for Sale in Golf Course Area - no restrictions for purchase by Foreign Nationals. (Some restrictions in Guvercinlik Village).
