Bozburun

Bozburun

Bozburun, Turkey is located at the end of the Bozburun peninsula, in a sleepy corner, opposite of the Datca peninsula. The town of Bozburun and it’s surrounding areas are rich in natural beauty and largely unspoiled, making it is perfect spot to escape the madness of the bustling city of Marmaris, 47 kilometres to the east. Whether you are looking for a quiet getaway or an adventure, the region hosts a variety of activities, cultural sights, and natural wonders to visit. Due to its proximity to dozens of inlets and bays, the famous wooden gulet ships are built here, where they are then shipped all across the Mediterranean to take holiday goers on sailing trips. Each of these vessels are unique, as they are handmade and only built in the Aegean region of Turkey. In the fall, the town of Bozburun is host to the Gulet Festival, where gulet owners sail their boats into the port to show them off and even compete in races against other ships!

Weather in Bozburun is typical of the Mediterranean region: hot and sunny during the summertime, mild and rainy during the wintertime. The average temperature in the summertime is around 27 C/82 F. July and August are the hottest and busiest months. September is ideal when the summer crowds are gone and the temperatures cool down a bit. The Aegean Sea stays warm and is comfortable for swimming all the way through the end of October. In the Spring, the water may be chilly still, but it will be serene and quiet.

Hotels

Despite being a small town, there are many hotel options in Bozburun. The Bozburun Yacht club is a top-rated hotel, perfectly situated on the bay. Whether you have been sailing on the sea for several days or have just arrived in the region, the club offers a luxurious base for holiday goers right on the bay. They have a different type of accommodation ranging from the deluxe suite to a private villa. Melek Hotels is a mid-range priced accommodation, with a dockside restaurant right in town.

Swimming

Situated in the town of Orhaniye, in between Marmaris and Bozburun, you will find one of the most famous beaches on the peninsula. When arriving at the beach you will spot a long, red line in the middle of the turquoise-coloured sea. At first glance, it seems as if people are walking on the water, but in actuality, it is an 800 meter (2,624 feet) long sandbar! On nautical maps, this area is known as “Goat Bay”, but over the years the beach has become better known as “Kizkumu” or Maiden’s Sand. There are several variations of the local legend, as to how this name came to be. The most popular legend is that 3,000 years ago, when the ancient city of Baybassos was captured by enemies, the daughter of the King was one of the few survivors. Trying to escape the kingdom surrounded by sea and unable to swim, she filled her dress with sand and began dropping it in the water to create an escape path. Halfway through the water, she ran out of the sand and tragically drowned. Nowadays you can “walk on water” in her honour.

Sogutkoy is an even smaller, out-of-the-way village that is worth visiting in the summertime. While there is no proper beach, visitors are welcome to swim off the dock, where the water is crystal clear. Watch the yachts come in from their cruises, enjoy the mountains towering over you, and get your tan on! Once you have had enough relaxation and swimming, freshly caught octopus and fish are just a few steps away from you at one of the town’s four restaurants.

Nearby

The sites of the Datca peninsula are all within an hour or two by car, but a closer option to explore is Selimiye. This quaint seaside town is larger than Bozburun but smaller than Marmaris. Selimiye has a number of hotels from a cosy guesthouse with typical Mediterranean vibes to a hotel in a hidden garden, with a pool looking upon the sea. For those who crave a nice fish dinner, there are a variety of great restaurants right along the seaside. For the history lovers, you can see the ruins of the ancient city of Hydas is right in the centre of town. If you drive a few miles over to the closest beach, Sığliman, you’ll find the remains of Hydas’ watchtower.

Wherever you go in Turkey you can always count on there being dozens of honey sellers. Turkey is one of the top beekeeping countries, producing a whopping 92% of the world’s alpine honey. In the village of Osmaniye, you can find the Marmaris Honey House. Far from the sea, surrounded by alpine forest, this small mountain town has previously failed to attract summer tourists. Since 2012, they have been working to put Osmaniye on the map as the honey capital of the world and spread the word of the town’s high production of honey. With support from the regional government, the Marmaris Honey House provides interactive tours and information on the honey-making process, with the intention of educating visitors on the importance of agricultural activity and the honey bee in the region.

If you are looking for a taste of the bucolic life, take a walk on the Carian Trail, Turkey’s newest and longest marked walking path. Spanning an impress 820 km along the coast, it stretches from Dalyan to the Ekincik Bay On the trail you’ll find a great deal of both natural and man-made sites including, but not limited to: prehistoric cave paintings of the ancient Carian civilization; rock tombs; views of the sea; olive, lemon, and, jasmine trees. The lemon trees tend to bloom in the summer, while the olive harvest is in the late spring. These are also the ideal times to hike, but if do choose to head off on the trail in the summertime, note that temperatures can be dangerously high, so remember to carry a sufficient amount of water in your backpack. In order to stay hydrated, it is suggested to have at least a litre of water for every two hours hiked.