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Gümüşlük  

Gümüşlük, which is built on the top of the ancient city of Myndos, is one the pleasantest places on the peninsula. Everything is so cute here, with the place retaining its identity as a village, and with fisherman restaurants that are the best for cooking fish and octopus. You can even roll up your trousers and walk through the sea to Tavşan (Rabbit) Island where there are lots of rabbits to justify the island’s name. Before you reach here from Bodrum you pass the Peksimet Strait and the hill where there are windmills. Stop your car and get out. Look at Gümüşlük from above first. At the entrance of the cove you will park your car in the parking area and then walk. Even though we say walk it is only few steps. The Leleg city of Myndos is lying partly under the water and if you know how to dive you can see the remains. The cove is a natural and sheltered port. Today in sunken Myndos you can see the stadium, theatre, walls and a mosaic covered plateau. The church, which was from the Roman era, is currently in use as an art house. There are cushions on the ground, a little forest of cactuses and the sea right at your feet.

The region is a protected historic site. Gümüşlük is beautiful at every time of the day. Try to have breakfast in one of the waterfront restaurants or pastry shops: a hot Turkish breakfast roll (poğaca) or flat bread with chosen ingredients (gözleme) and a well brewed Turkish cup of tea.

You can stroll in the morning to Tavşan Island, through water that does not get above your knees. You can also get to the village of Karakaya above the village and look out at the view. The stone houses that once gave the impression of being an evacuated village are now returning to life again in the hands of new owners. The inner port area is like a lake, well protected by Dönmez Point. Even in the worst weather this cove that is still sheltered and very popular with Blue Cruise boats.

You can swim all around the shores of Gümüşlük, the beach, the stony area and in the open sea. Everywhere is clean. This was the reason for these shores being granted the Blue Flag certificate. The shores of the Sporat group of islands offer incomparable variety. Another day you can swim from Koyunbaba Cove on the Yalıkavak side. The green rocks that look like they were cut by a knife make a good picture, isolating those swimming in the area from the outside and taking them into its bosom. These soft and easy to work stones were used in the making of the Mausoleum that was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

The Gümüşlük Evenings

The best times in Gümüşlük begin with the twilight of the evening. In Gümüşlük the morning comes late and the evening descend even later. As the sun passes over the hill late it turns the sea in the evening into thousands of different colours. The colour of the water first turns into red and then to silver.

The best fish restaurants of the Bodrum Peninsula are here. You can sit at a table put on the beach that is covered with starters followed by a treat of fish and rakı. Do not forget to ask for a local dish of kabakçiçeği dolması (a dish of stuffed marrow flower), home made pickles and vegetables. The local market is on Wednesdays and at many stalls you can get fresh fruits and vegetables.