Bodrum Peninsula
Major
Villages in Bodrum Region
No other area on the Turkish Aegean Coast provides the visitor with the
opportunity to experience traditional Turkish life only a few minutes away from
a modern tourist centre.
One of the unique features of Bodrum as a holiday resort is that in addition
to recreational opportunities available by day time, visitors also
have unequalled Bodrum nightlife.
Ortakent Village and Yahsi Beach
In the centre of Bodrum Peninsula, along the main highway there is this
considerably large village of Ortakent which is famous for the
attractive 17th century 'tower houses' unique to the area. These tower houses
were built by locals for defensive purposes especially to protect themselves
from the dangers coming from the sea. The oldest house is the Mustafa Pasa
Tower house built
in 1601.The house, which is built over the rocks, has three floors.
Kargı Beach
Kargı Beach is certainly one of the best
beaches in Bodrum Peninsula with its white sand and palm trees and camels for a
ride.
Yalikavak
Situated 18km from Bodrum, Yalikavak's history goes parallel with that of
Bodrum. Today, most of the
archaeological remains are either unexcavated sites or unattractive ruins.
It is suggested that the ancient city of Yalıkavak was situated on top of one of the
hills. Few tombstones and city
walls still bear witness to history of the town.
Gümbet
Located at 2-3 km distance from Bodrum, Sınce the swimming
possibilities are very limited in Bodrum, many people prefer nearby Gumbet. Gumbet recently became
very popular resort. The town is named after numerous white-domed cisterns in
the area. Gumbet, which offers one of the longest and most popular beaches on the
peninsula, is also one of the popular water sports centers with
water-skiing, windsurfing, parasailing. There is also several wind surfing
school.
Bitez
Bitez is located at 7 km west of Bodrum, in the bay next to Gumbet.
Since the winds
here are particularly favorable for windsurfing, Bitez is considered as
one of the best places for wind surfing and this feature attracted several water sports
operators to the Bitez Beach. Bitez's sandy beach welcome tourist from the
various parts of the world.
Gundogan
Gundogan is situated at only a few minutes drive in the west of Yalikavak. It
is quite and peaceful place which is still more or less unspoiled despite the
holiday developments on the surrounding hills. Since the north of the Bodrum
peninsula has often a fresh breeze, Many surfers prefer Gundogan Area.
Gumusluk
The classical site of Myndus is situated at Gumusluk.On the
other hand, this was not the site of Lelegian city. Myndus was one of the eight
major cities on the peninsula, established It is suggested that old Myndus was
located in the south east of present site of Gumusluk on the hill now called
Bozdag. It was during the Mausolos' time, new Myndus was established at the
present site near the modern village called Gumusluk. Since the population of
many Lelegian cities had been moved to Halicarnasus to populate the new capital
of Caria, it was difficult to populate the city.
Akyarlar
Akyarlar offers good camping sites and is an ideal place for wind
surfing. It has
marvelous scenery of the Greek islands and it has safe and sandy beaches for
children.
Several cafes and a tiny harbor welcome the visitors. Those looking for an
accommodation
have camping facilities and inexpensive pensions at this quite place.
Türkbükü and Gölköy 
These two fishing villages are mention in one name,
because they are so close to each other. ıt is located on the peninsula map east of
Yalikavak. These delightful spots are the favorite retreats of many well-known
Turkish artists, actors and entertainers who appear at many small bars and
restaurants at night. Several of the more popular restaurants are run by
Istanbul couples who have fled the big city.
Golkoy
Golkoy is an inland village by the sea 18km north of Bodrum where visitors
also enjoy heavily forested area in the Bodrum Peninsula. The village is divided into upper and
lower Golkoy. Since the area was once occupied by Greeks population, it is
possible to see the remains
of a number of churches. Until as recent times, main occupation of the
local people was fishing and sponge-diving and the town did not have good roads.
With the arrival of tourism starting from 1970s, the town and way of life
started changing.
Torba
Torba, one of the nearest villages in the north of Bodrum, is
located in a charming little bay. There are also the remains of a
Byzantine monastery, and nearby is a small path leading to the next bay, which
is ideal for a walk. Torba is only active during the summer months, but due to the high quality of the summer homes is a pleasant
place to visit. Ferries to Didim (ancient Didyma) leave
from Torba harbor across the Gulf of Güllük.
Karabag
15 minutes from Turgut Reis situated the tiny village of Karabag,
believed to be the site of the first settlement in the area. The word
"bag" means either "vineyards" or "ties", and
there are two very different theories as to the origins of the name. One theory
has it that the local grapes were of particularly high quality. Another more
colorful story relates that a group of Venetian traders were captured and tied
up by the local women, with the name "Karilar Bagi" (wives ties) later
being shortened to Karabag.
Mumcular
Mumcular former Karaova,
famous for tabacco, honey and olive production is located 29 km in the north of
Bodrum. Mumcular which has been municipality since 1972 is also famous for
carpet production. In the recent years, people in this area decided to put more
focus on carpet production. The women of the region do all the work for carpet
production. They shear the wool from the sheep and spin it. They do the dyeing
with natural dyes and finally do weaving. Most of the homes in Mumcular area are
involved with rug production in a certain way.
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