I returned home from Gumusluk about 4 weeks ago and it's a tribute to the relaxing nature of the place that I've only just got round to thinking about posting a review for anyone who's interested. It was probably the most laid back place I have ever been to, and my mind was almost completely blank when I returned.....
The village is about an hour and a half's drive from Bodrum airport, and about 45 mins from Bodrum town. We went with Simply Turkey and stayed at the Mandalin Studios. This accommodation is right at the far end of the village, and is wonderfully secluded being right on the beach yet only 5 mins away from a very nice restaurant indeed, and only another 5 mins to the village. It was bliss drifting off to sleep each night listening to the sea just feet away. And wonderful being able to walk straight into the sea from our large marbe terrace (which had sunbeds on it, as well as a table and chairs). The studio was simple but had a few nice touches. There was a/c (which we didn't need but must be a godsend in high season) and the kitchen was well equipped (toaster, kettle, iron, beach towels etc). The studios had a large very pretty communal garden with lots of sunbeds. Simply Turkey are not cheap but they look after you. The reps were the best I ever came across in many years of package tours. Their boat trip was so good we did it twice.
As for Gumusluk, it has a few really nice restaurants and some that looked like they might charge quite a lot for perfectly ordinary looking fish (we heard of a few fellow travellers being ripped off something awful). Our favourite place was a little eaterie run by a lovely Kurdish family; it wasn't right on the front, although you could see the sea, but it was unbelievably cheap and did real Turkish kitchen dishes and wonderful homemade tomato soup. There are a few little shops and supermarkets, a small market once a week and some lovely walks in the area. There isn't much accommodation in the village, but quite a lot of daytrippers come to visit. The dolmus service is excellent - every 20 mins, and they run late, so it's very easy to get to Bodrum, and Turgutreis for a big market and English menus if you feel the need for roast beef and Yorks pud, not to mention Irish pubs ! We went to Turgutreis one evening but it was a bit of a culture shock for us and we were mightily relieved to get back to our little studio. 'Listen' said Husband when we were back and tucked up in bed. 'I can't hear anything ?' I replied. 'Exactly....' he said, turning out the light. Whether Gumusluk can stay as it is remains to be seen. Its very beautiful, lovely views, and has a lovely sheltered bay that's a magnet to boats and yachts of all types. Apparently no more planning permission is going to be granted to build on the empty land because there are ruins to be excavated one day. But that land must be worth a small fortune and sooner or later some property developer might offer enough cash to persuade the decision-makers to change their minds. Meantime, I can thoroughly recommend Gumusluk to anyone who wants somewhere easy to reach, peaceful and quiet, with nice scenery, friendly people, and good food.
sounds wonderful
nice report sue.c.
makes a change to hear of someone going to a lesser known area of Turkey.
Glad you enjoyed it, sounds idylic.
Gene
makes a change to hear of someone going to a lesser known area of Turkey.
Glad you enjoyed it, sounds idylic.
Gene
We went to Gumusluk some twelve or so years ago and absolutely fell in love with the place. I had feared that by now the developers would have moved in and spoilt the peace and charm of the place.I think you've convinced me to go back again!
Maz
Maz
Sounds fantastic- Great review!
My wife and I have stayed in Turgutries twice and discovered Gumusluk during our first stay, I must agree with Sue about her comments, it is my favorite place in the world. During the day we used to go snorkelling over sunken harbour wall and in the evenings we would eat at the restaurants which were right up against the shore. My only concern is that by by telling more and more people it might get spoiled.
thanks to sue for her messages about gumusluk.
Great report Sue which I enjoyed reading. Sounds the ideal place for a relaxing holiday.
Wilson
Wilson
Thanks everyone for your feedback.
We found no shortage of variety re food, maybe there are more restaurants in Gumusluk now than when Briar was there, there was one great place that did very good steaks & chops etc, and several places that did good pizza & pasta & casseroles, and a place called the Gumuscafe that did omelettes & casseroles. Our second-favourite place, a complete contrast to Mimoza, was run by a Kurdish family - they treated us as family too, they kept bringing us titbits. They didn't speak English at all, its amazing how you can communicate with lots of smiles and nods and pointing. They gave us a notebook and crayons once to draw what we wanted, oh how they laughed when they saw Husband's representation of a chicken. They did fantastic lamb (little kebabs) with yogurt dip, big pancake things stuffed with meat & vegetables, lovely stuffed aubergines & peppers, and very good moussaka and stuffed vineleaves. And fantastic crispy brown chips. And lovely little round donuts with honey and ice cream. The family owned a supermarket next door, and if you ordered wine you went through & chose it off the shelf and were charged at very little more that the shop price.
But I would agree most of the places right by the harbour do mostly fish.
Looked overpriced to me - some of them charge differently for farm fish & open-sea-caught fish (how would you know the difference on the plate ??)
Briar, we were there in September & yes it was a little breezy in the evenings although never actually cold - I wore trousers & top most evenings, just a cardi or denim jacket round the shoulders, Husband was cosy in chinos & shirt & pullover round shoulders. Our favourite eaterie was called the Mimoza where the management thoughtfully had a large stock of fleecy wraps which the waiters tucked carefully round our shoulders on request, while we ate our garlic tiger prawns & sea bream listening to the classical music....I tell you, I could've got well used to that in another week or so...
I am sure you're right and it gets chilly early and late season. In the studios, there were little diaries with comments & recommendations, and there were a few appreciative comments dated April and October about the studios' central heating (the system can be switched from cool to warm a/c). And the restaurants all have indoor bits that look very cozy. One has a huge open fire !
Wish I was there now. I've got a cold and I could just do with a bit of sunshine. And a bit of TLC Kurdish style - tomato soup & moussaka & a bottle of red Villa Doluca would go down a treat. Feed a cold etc.......
I was looking at some of my old reviews just now - Husband remarked on how I tend to go on a bit about creature comforts like food. Sorry about that !
We found no shortage of variety re food, maybe there are more restaurants in Gumusluk now than when Briar was there, there was one great place that did very good steaks & chops etc, and several places that did good pizza & pasta & casseroles, and a place called the Gumuscafe that did omelettes & casseroles. Our second-favourite place, a complete contrast to Mimoza, was run by a Kurdish family - they treated us as family too, they kept bringing us titbits. They didn't speak English at all, its amazing how you can communicate with lots of smiles and nods and pointing. They gave us a notebook and crayons once to draw what we wanted, oh how they laughed when they saw Husband's representation of a chicken. They did fantastic lamb (little kebabs) with yogurt dip, big pancake things stuffed with meat & vegetables, lovely stuffed aubergines & peppers, and very good moussaka and stuffed vineleaves. And fantastic crispy brown chips. And lovely little round donuts with honey and ice cream. The family owned a supermarket next door, and if you ordered wine you went through & chose it off the shelf and were charged at very little more that the shop price.
But I would agree most of the places right by the harbour do mostly fish.
Looked overpriced to me - some of them charge differently for farm fish & open-sea-caught fish (how would you know the difference on the plate ??)
Briar, we were there in September & yes it was a little breezy in the evenings although never actually cold - I wore trousers & top most evenings, just a cardi or denim jacket round the shoulders, Husband was cosy in chinos & shirt & pullover round shoulders. Our favourite eaterie was called the Mimoza where the management thoughtfully had a large stock of fleecy wraps which the waiters tucked carefully round our shoulders on request, while we ate our garlic tiger prawns & sea bream listening to the classical music....I tell you, I could've got well used to that in another week or so...
I am sure you're right and it gets chilly early and late season. In the studios, there were little diaries with comments & recommendations, and there were a few appreciative comments dated April and October about the studios' central heating (the system can be switched from cool to warm a/c). And the restaurants all have indoor bits that look very cozy. One has a huge open fire !
Wish I was there now. I've got a cold and I could just do with a bit of sunshine. And a bit of TLC Kurdish style - tomato soup & moussaka & a bottle of red Villa Doluca would go down a treat. Feed a cold etc.......
I was looking at some of my old reviews just now - Husband remarked on how I tend to go on a bit about creature comforts like food. Sorry about that !
Briar, I'm sure you're right - I wouldn't go in October either. I like it quiet, but not that quiet !
I reckon the business at a lot of places in Gumusluk tails off with the end of the main season for boat and yacht holidays - even at the end of our second week there weren't nearly as many of the little flotillas in evidence as there had been at the beginning.
Have you ever been to Kadikalesi ? We went there one evening and it looked nice - but I can't find it in any British brochures.
Sue
I reckon the business at a lot of places in Gumusluk tails off with the end of the main season for boat and yacht holidays - even at the end of our second week there weren't nearly as many of the little flotillas in evidence as there had been at the beginning.
Have you ever been to Kadikalesi ? We went there one evening and it looked nice - but I can't find it in any British brochures.
Sue
sue, found a site with links to a couple of hotels in kadikalesi
http://www.bodrum-bodrum.com/indexen.htm
http://www.bodrum-bodrum.com/indexen.htm
Thanks Briar - I might well think about diy next year; and thanks Dorothy for the website link.
Hi, we're "first timers" to Turkey and would really appreciate any recommendations on restaurants, places to see, etc, etc?
Hi,Janita
are you the same Janita that used to be on the Greek islands website and helped me out with info on paxos last year?If so you have come to join us ever increasing lot that are about to try Turkey this year.I can't wait it sounds so good doesn't it?
this is a fantastic website
Mel.
are you the same Janita that used to be on the Greek islands website and helped me out with info on paxos last year?If so you have come to join us ever increasing lot that are about to try Turkey this year.I can't wait it sounds so good doesn't it?
this is a fantastic website
Mel.
Hi,
All the restaurants along the coast on Gumusluk are pretty much the same, they all have fresh seafood and you can choose your own fish before you site down to eat. I would say, have a look at all the restaurants and see what they have on the day before you choose your restaurant.
All the restaurants along the coast on Gumusluk are pretty much the same, they all have fresh seafood and you can choose your own fish before you site down to eat. I would say, have a look at all the restaurants and see what they have on the day before you choose your restaurant.
Janita,
wow, you will so love Gumusluk!Unless of course you like clubbing and pubbing til the early hours!
It's a very quiet laid back sort of place- but thats probably why you picked it in the first place.We went many years ago, but it doesn't sound as though it has changed a lot.
Most of the restaurants were good and back then they weren't just fish restaurants-you could get kebabs, grills and other Turkish dishes,but maybe that has changed.I think the restaurant we liked best was called the Siesta?As I said it was quite a long time ago.
The old village is a contrast to the beach side restaurants and shops ,where men can get an excellent Turkish shave or even get a pair of shoes made!
Also remember Kadekalesi along the road was a lovely little coastal village.After you have been there a few days the charm of the place will work on you and you probably won't want to stray too far
Maz
wow, you will so love Gumusluk!Unless of course you like clubbing and pubbing til the early hours!
It's a very quiet laid back sort of place- but thats probably why you picked it in the first place.We went many years ago, but it doesn't sound as though it has changed a lot.
Most of the restaurants were good and back then they weren't just fish restaurants-you could get kebabs, grills and other Turkish dishes,but maybe that has changed.I think the restaurant we liked best was called the Siesta?As I said it was quite a long time ago.
The old village is a contrast to the beach side restaurants and shops ,where men can get an excellent Turkish shave or even get a pair of shoes made!
Also remember Kadekalesi along the road was a lovely little coastal village.After you have been there a few days the charm of the place will work on you and you probably won't want to stray too far
Maz
Thanks everyone for your thoughts - we are really looking forward to exploring the area, trying out the fish restaurants and, by the sound of it, hunting out alternatives for my carnivorous husband! Will definately visit Kadekalesi.
crockergirl - yes I am the same Janita. Still obsessed with the Greek Islands and going back in Sept, but have heard so much about Turkey thought we'd also give it a go. Hope you enjoyed Paxos and good luck for this year.
crockergirl - yes I am the same Janita. Still obsessed with the Greek Islands and going back in Sept, but have heard so much about Turkey thought we'd also give it a go. Hope you enjoyed Paxos and good luck for this year.
Janita
We stayed in Gumusluk last year, and Maz is right when she thinks it hasn't changed much - it's very beautiful and very peaceful, it gets quite a few day trippers but remains quiet anyway. There are some great restaurants, the beaches are good, but its very easy to get to Bodrum if you fancy the bright lights. I'm sure you'll love it.
We almost decided to return this year, it was a close call, but we're going to Yalikavak for a change.
Where abouts are you staying ?
Happy hols,
Sue
We stayed in Gumusluk last year, and Maz is right when she thinks it hasn't changed much - it's very beautiful and very peaceful, it gets quite a few day trippers but remains quiet anyway. There are some great restaurants, the beaches are good, but its very easy to get to Bodrum if you fancy the bright lights. I'm sure you'll love it.
We almost decided to return this year, it was a close call, but we're going to Yalikavak for a change.
Where abouts are you staying ?
Happy hols,
Sue
Lucky you!! Gumusluk is my favorite place in the world. Don't forget to take your mask and snorkle.
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