How To Spend A Day In Gmlk Bodrum's Summer Town

Bodrum may be known as a tourist summer hotspot, but one of the quieter alternatives to the rumbling city center is the Gümüşlük bay. Usually inhabited by locals and Turkish tourists, Gümüşlük is laidback in every sense of the word from the dried gourd lanterns at its many small restaurants to the faded wooden sunbeds on its pebble beach. Here’s how visitors can spend their day.

Where to Stay

Befitting of its down-to-earth surroundings, accommodation in Gümüşlük is simple without all the extra frills of luxury. You’ll find small pensions right on the beach such as Tevfik, Hera, and Arriba Aparts, all of which offer breezy summer apartments inclusive of fully functioning kitchens as well as private beaches. If you’d rather stay at a hotel, check out Liman Otel, which offers private bungalows plus all day dining at its waterfront restaurant right by its private beach.

Tevfik Apart: Gümüşlük Mahallesi, 1120 Sk, Karakaya Mahallesi, Bodrum-Muğla, Turkey, +90 542 574 05 45

Hera Apart: Gümüşlük Mahallesi, Bodrum, Muğla Province, Turkey, +90 252 394 30 65

Arriba Apart: Karakaya Mh., Kültür Sk No:8, Muğla, Turkey, +90 532 605 84 79

Liman Otel: Bodrum, Yalı Mevkii, Klimci Sokak, No: 28, Muğla, Turkey, +90 252 394 48 28

What to Eat

One of the best places to eat in Gümüşlük is definitely Limon, an enchanted garden with one of the best views of the sunset in Bodrum. Get a table facing the beautiful view and enjoy a cocktail from the bar while you watch the sun set before you dine on delicious meze and tasty Turkish dishes made from fresh and local ingredients.

If you’d rather be seated right by the water, Mimoza is another fantastic option, although a bit more on the pricey side. Located right on the beach, the restaurant is decorated with handmade dried gourd lanterns and flowers exuding a real Aegean summer vibe. Order fresh fish and meze and raise your rakı glass to toast a great day spent in beautiful Gümüşlük.

For those visitors on a budget, definitely try out Soğan Sarımsak, a restaurant right on the beach that serves amazing classic Turkish homemade dishes for lunch and dinner. Watching the sunset from a table inches away from the water is a truly memorable experience, especially when the food also happens to be excellent.

Limon, Yalı Mevkii no:1, Gümüşlük, Muğla, Turkey, +90 252 394 40 44

Mimoza, Karakaya Mah., 1120 Sk., Gümüşlük Belediyesi, Bodrum, Muğla, Turkey, +90 252 394 31 39

Soğan Sarımsak, Gümüşlük, Bodrum, Muğla, Turkey, +90 532 462 29 03

https://www.instagram.com/p/5sFRwVONKL/

What to Buy

As soon as you walk into Gümüşlük you’ll be greeted by a open air market selling beautiful handmade ceramics, dried gourd lanterns, souvenirs, jewelry, and much more. Take a little memento home with you and make sure to wrap it in something soft so that it doesn’t break.

For something on the very sweet side, check out Lokmacı Ana, which makes Gümüşlük’s famous lokma with orange. Lokma is a small crispy fried ball of dough that’s dipped in syrup and is quite the sweet dessert if that’s up your alley. The hint of fresh orange is excellent plus the shop’s renowned tangerine marmalade is a great gift for yourself or a loved one back home.

Gümüşlük Mahallesi, Merkez, Gümüşlük, Bodrum, Muğla, Bodrum, Muğla, Turkey, +90 0531 898 91 84

What to Do

Of course spending the whole day lying on the beach is the preferred activity for Gümüşlük, but if you’re feeling up for it, book one of the daily boat tours that leaves the Gümüşlük pier at 11am. The tour visits the small islands of Küçük Kiremit, Büyük Kiremit, Çavuş Island, and Çatal and arrives back in Gümüşlük at 6pm (lunch included).