Bodrum Daytrip

If you’re looking to explore a little bit further afield than the Bodrum Peninsula there are plenty of places within an easy 60-90 minute drive from central Bodrum. Earlier this week we decided to venture to the famous Çökertme – which is the topic of a traditional Turkish folk song from Ottoman times. This bay backed by pine forests and olive groves and is a favorite mooring point for captains cruising along the Blue Cruise route.

Routes to Çökertme

There are a couple of different ways to reach Çökertme from Bodrum, the southern route is shorter but it takes longer because most of the journey isn’t on main roads. As we were coming from the Yalikavak area we opted for the quicker route that goes via  Güvercinlik

What’s at Çökertme?

The beating heart of Çökertme is centered around the beach area, and it’s lined with pensions, restaurants, a souvenir shop and a funky art gallery. Here’s some photos we took of our short visit there.

Çökertme Souvenir Shop

Gelin Dostlar (translates to “Come in Friends) is run by a mother and a daughter team who left the brights lights and big city of Istanbul and moved for a quieter life in Çökertme.

A couple of souvenirs that caught my eye

Çökertme Cybell Art Gallery

Çökertme Captain Ibrahim’s Restaurant

We were recommended Captain Ibrahim’s by fellow Bodrum Blogger, Annie, who blogs at Back to Bodrum. Her and Ibrahim go waaaay back, so we had to see this famous eatery for ourselves. There was no sign of the Captain, but there was plenty of photos on the wall of him in is famous pirate garb.

It wasn’t the only restaurant along the beach, but it’s the only one we visited.

Çökertme – other pictures

Here’s a couple of photos we took while wandering back through town along the main road that runs parallel to the beach.

Çökertme hadn’t been on my visit list, but now that I’ve seen it first-hand I’d recommend it for a day trip from Bodrum. We only wandered around the local businesses, but there’s clear water and a pebbly beach that is worthy of a longer visit.