Just 20 km from bustling Bodrum lies Gümüşlük—a charming fishing village that has preserved its authentic character while attracting countless visitors. Whitewashed houses with blue shutters climb the hills toward the ruins of ancient Myndos, while colorful fishing boats bob gently in the harbor. The main attraction? Seaside restaurants built atop ancient piers:
• "Fener"—its terrace stands directly on antique stone blocks, with vintage kerosene lanterns lighting the tables at dusk
• "Kaptan"—decorated with maritime treasures: fishing nets with cork floats hang on the walls, and upside-down traditional sai boats serve as lamps
• "Gümüşlük Balıkçısı"—features 4th-century BC amphorae uncovered during construction
A Culinary Paradise on the Aegean Coast
Food lovers flock here for unique dishes found nowhere else:
• "Kulur"—wood-fired bread baked with local herbs (thyme, sage)
• Oysters cultivated on underwater farms among ancient columns
• "Papalya" fig dessert—a 6th-century BC recipe revived from Carian papyri
Chefs buy the freshest catch straight from fishing boats at 5 AM—don’t miss the sea urchin with lemon at "Köşem", served in its shell with a silver spoon.
Secrets of Rabbit Island (Tavşan Adası)
This tiny island, accessible on foot at low tide, holds traces of three eras:
• Ancient harbor (4th century BC)—remains of pink granite breakwaters
• Byzantine basilica—mosaics with fish skeletons (an early Christian symbol)
• 19th-century Ottoman lighthouse, built with stones from Myndos
Archaeologists discovered a unique statue of Apollo with rabbit ears (now in Bodrum Museum)—hence the island’s name. In 2022, an underwater necropolis with dolphin-shaped sarcophagi was found nearby. Here, you can have breakfast on Hellenistic agora ruins and dance to remixed Greek sirtaki at "Barbun" by night. Even the air carries a special scent—a blend of sea salt, wild thyme, and ancient stone.
