Itinerary Inspiration:  Relax and Tan

No matter how much time you have to devote, there’s a variety of options to build your ideal Bodrum Itinerary.  Do you want to fill an hour, or devote a whole day to relaxing and tanning?

Here’s a list of Relax and Tan suggestions for your holiday to help with the decision making process:

(Click on any of these links to jump straight to this section to read more about it)

1. Quick jaunt to Kumbahçe Beach

2. Short stroll to Azmakbaşı Beach

3. Water Taxi to Bardakçi Beach

4. Dolmuş to a nearby beach

5. Day Boat from Bodrum

Carry on reading, to discover more details about these Bodrum Itinerary options:

1. Kumbahçe Beach

Recommended Time: Short

If time is of the essence, and you only have an hour or so to fill, head down to Bodrum’s local strip of shingle beach, for a quick trip to Kumbahçe Bay. You can enjoy the view of the castle, and watch the boats in the harbour, and also be really close to a wide selection of eating establishments along bar street.

Watch a short video of Kambahce Beach

2. Azmakbaşı Beach

Recommended Time:  Short

This beach is just north of Kambahce Bay.  If you walk along Bar Street, past the Halicarnassus Club, and follow the harbour round the point, you’ll pass the day boat jetty to reach Azmakbaşı beach. It’s more of a beach than Kambahce bay, and is slightly more secluded.

Both Kambahce and Azmakbaşı are recommended for a short stay at the beach, but if you have time to go futher afield, I’d recommend one of the following Itinerary options.

3. Bardakçi Beach

Recommended Time:  Less than 1/2 a day

Alternatively, you can catch a water taxi from Bodrum Marina, for the 5 minute trip to Bardakçi Bay.  You can also reach here on the Gumbet dolmuş, or a 1km walk (hill included!), but the water taxi is the quickest and easiest way to travel to this nearby bay.

If you plan on immersing yourself in a full-day of relaxing and tanning, you can choose between land or sea options, with one of these of recommendations:

4. Visit a Nearby Bay via Dolmuş

Recommended Time:  1/2 day to Full day

Head to the Bodrum Otogar (bus station) and hop on a dolmuş to a nearby beach or bay.  One of the most convenient and laid back bays nearby is Torba.  The resorts are fronted by a beach full of sunbeds, and there are a selection of wooden jetties jutting into the sea, with loungers and cushions.  It’ll only take you 15 minutes to get to Torba, but it’s a world away from Bodrum, and a perfect short-jaunt destination.

If you’ve set your heart on laying on the sand – Gumbet has a beach lined bay and is closer than Torba. Gumbet attracts more of the 18-30 crowd, it’s livelier and has lots of water sports – but it’s not the most relaxing beach to head for.

If you want to spend a full day relaxing at the beach you’ll be able to travel further afield.  Two favourites are Gündoğan and Türkbükü, both tranquil locations to enjoy a full day at the beach, and also incorporate a stroll around the village and shops.

Or get more adventurous, and visit a couple of different beaches. Visit Turgutreis or Kadikalesi, and use the coastal route to walk between the two. Or walk along the beach to travel between, Ortakent, Yashi and Camel Beach.

If you can’t decide which beach to head for, just spin the holiday roulette wheel and head to the Bodrum Otogar station and see which dolmuş is the next to leave.  The destination will be shown on the front of the bus, so you’ll know where you’re heading.

5. Boat Trip

Recommended Time:  Full day

There’s nothing better than a boat trip.  These are all day affairs, and will drop anchor at a selection of bays and beaches for swimming.  Lunch is served and included in the price; drinks are extra.  The decks are lined with cushions, so get to the boat at least 30 minutes before departure time, to choose your prime location for a day at sea.  Make sure you select a boat that doesn’t pump loud music all day.  Opt instead for one of the smaller boats that take a maximum of 8-12 people – they cost a little bit more, but are well worth the investment.

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