Gümbet Holidays

Emerging from the shadow of nearby Bodrum Town, Gumbet is now standing on its own two feet as a go-to Turkish destination. Once a sleepy fishing village, its streets are now lined with modern, white-washed hotels looking out over one of the best beaches in Turkey.

Gumbet’s Blue Flag beach has a whole kilometre of silvery sand to its name. Right next to the town centre, it’s a prime spot for watersports thanks to the gentle – but not too gentle – waves that ripple through this part of the Med. When you’re done in the water, you can dry off on one of the beach’s free sun loungers.

You’ll find some of the best nightlife in Turkey here. Gumbet’s specialty is live music – often with a Turkish flavour – followed by your choice of pop, rock and dance DJs in the clubs on Bar Street. It’s also a favourite party spot with the rich and famous – Mick Jagger, Pamela Anderson and Richard Branson have all been spied on the dancefloors of Gumbet.

Ten minutes by bus and you’re in Bodrum Town, with its boisterous tavernas, designer boutiques and cosy cafés. Culture comes via a Roman amphitheatre and Ottoman castle. It’s also home to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Or what’s left of it, at least.