One of the quieter alternatives to the rumbling Bodrum city center is the Gümüşlük bay. Despite the glaringly visible inroads of modern tourism, tradition and tranquillity are partially preserved by local open-air vegetable markets and the rugged coastline, overlooked by scarcely populated hills in the peninsula’s center. It 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. Right on the beach, there are fast-food eateries (Lentil soup – 35 TRY, Döner – 40 TRY) and restaurants serving amazing classic Turkish homemade dishes and of course seafood. We tried sweet delicious Gümüşlük’s lokma with orange – a small crispy fried ball of dough that’s dipped in orange syrup. Next to the beach is an open-air market selling beautiful handmade ceramics, dried gourd lanterns, souvenirs, jewelry, and much more. Our favorite small beach bar with cold Efes beer (50 TRY / 0,5 l) is located on the right of famous Club Gümüşlük.
Parking location – Gümüşlük: 37.052862N 27.241351E