4 reasons why Bodrum should be on your travel bucket list

Turkish cuisine is full of flavourful dishes, and this is particularly true in Bodrum, where visitors are bound to have one of the Turkish mezes, which are small appetizers that can include Baba ganoush, Humus, Tarama, Vine leaves, Calamari, Octopus salads, and many other dips including red pepper dip, yogurt dip, or even carrot dip. But since Bodrum is on the coast, it is also an incredible place to try some fresh seafood and fishes. Make sure to head to Memedof in Yalıkavak, which offers some delicious jumbo fish, scorpion fish, as well as plenty of other local fishes and seafood. Don't miss Limon Café which offers wonderful views on the surroundings in Gumusluk, and Orfoz Restaurant, with plenty of tasty fish mezes depending on the catch of the day. And of course, do not forget to try some Shakshuka, which is a delicious preparation with eggs and tomatoes perfect for brunch, as well as Karides guvec, which is a tasty shrimp casserole.

Although it has expanded a lot over the years, Bodrum still retains a small town feel, with plenty of narrow streets in the old town where to go for romantic walks, as well as gorgeous beaches to enjoy some of the most romantic sunsets in Turkey. Because of its position in the west of the country, Bodrum is perfect to watch romantic sunsets with your other half since it gets the last setting sun. We would recommend either going to one of the beautiful beaches for the sunset, or just setting up at some of the lovely restaurants offering great sea views and delicious food.

One of the great advantages of going to Turkey, and particularly Bodrum, is that you can avoid the peak season and still get great weather while enjoying your trips with less tourists and crowds than during the summer. For instance, if you head there in May, September, or October, prices will be cheaper and it will be a lot less crowded, while the temperatures still remain between 25 and 30 degrees, which is still great, and might even be easier as you will probably struggle less with sunburnt than during the summer months.

Whether you want big sandy beaches that are particularly popular with resort goers, or more remote and relaxing beaches, you will find everything you want in Turkey, including plenty of beach parties organized by beach clubs if you are more of a party goer. But if you’re going to Bodrum with your family, you might prefer Bitez, which offers plenty of facilities and is very safe for children, while Ortakent beach is preferred by swimmers and water sport lovers. Gümbet is probably the perfect beach for younger tourists, as it is often filled with loud music coming from the nearby hotels and restaurants, creating a pretty strong party vibe. And if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you should probably go for Yalıkavak Beach, which is much more peaceful and relaxed as it is located 26 kilometers northwest of Bodrum.