How to Spend a Day in Gümüşlük, Bodrum's Summer Town

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.

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.

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.

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).