Turgutreis, Turkey

The second largest town on the Bodum peninsula, Turgutreis is named after Mr Turgut Reis - a famous pioneering fisherman from the 16th century, whose statue stands proudly in the town centre. Turgutreis is located just 19km from Bodrum.

Turgutreis combines the traditional Turkish lifestyle and the tourism elements perfectly. Comprising nearly 40 kilometres of coastline, Turgutreis offers ample space to relax and sunbathe on free sunbeds, as well as an abundance of waterfront restaurants and bars.

As Turgutreis is a military town there is hardly any petty crime in the area; in fact there’s an overall feeling of safety and security.

As with most places in Turkey, the scenery in Turgutreis is beautiful, the people friendly and the food fantastic. The square comes alive at night, with the sea on one side, and boats willing to take people out in the evening. A mosque and several restaurants grace the other side of the square, creating a lively atmosphere.

Turgutreis' interesting facts include that it is host to the third largest marina in Europe, and that it is (without the status of a district) the largest town in Turkey! Due to it's popularity amongst holiday makers and holiday home owners Turgutreis has really good transport connections, with Bodrum, of course, but with places as far flung as Ankara and Istanbul.

August 2007 in Turgutreis meant the arrival of the boat show - scroll down for some pictures of the event. The KIA International Boat Show was held at D-Marin; Turgutreis's marina. The five-day-long show exhibited everything from sailboats to yachts to catamarans, and a range of boat accessories were on display to try to tempt the boat owners.

Activities in Turgutreis

Visit the Marina
The 'D-Marin Turgutreis' is one of the most elegant marinas on the peninsula, and it houses a customs entry point. In the marina is a shopping and entertainment centre, with restaurants, bars, a cash point, car hire, and lots of shopping!

Boat Trips
Boat trips to Rhodes, Kalymos, Kos and other destinations leave from the marina. Ask at the tourist information point for more information, and don't forget your passport!

Local boat trips, which visit various bays and islands, leave from the harbour which is almost next to the marina. These trips last around 6-7 hours, and usually lunch and drinks are included in the price - around £10 per person.

Light House
Also worth a visit in Turgutreis is the Huseyin Burnu Lighthouse, which was built in 1931 by the French.

Watch the Sunset
Many visitors to Turgutreis enjoy watching the sun set on the sea - a stunning sight.

Water Sports
Water skiing and wind surfing are both available in Turgutreis - they're both popular due to the extensive coastline and quite strong breezes. Parasailing is also available - and it's a great way to get a fantastic view of the region!

Shopping in Turgutreis

Shopaholics will want to know Turgutreis’ local market is held on a Saturday. This market is one of the largest and most popular markets on the peninsula; offering lots of variety, including fabrics, clothing, food, and carpets. You'll find huge stalls of spices from all around the world; providing the most amazing aroma to complement your shopping! This is one of the best markets from which you can get excellent bargains, so get haggling! It's probably best to go to the market in the morning - between 8:30am and 10:00am, or after 4:00pm to avoid the crowds.

Transport in and Around Turgutreis

Turgutreis is just a 60 minute drive from Bodrum International Airport.

Dolmus
Literally meaning "stuffed", a dolmus is a minibus of a sort, which runs along set routes picking people up and dropping them off as they wish. They are great for convenience, and for your wallet too, as they cost very little.

To stop a dolmus, just signal as you would a taxi, and jump on. When at your destination, you can literally just yell stop, or 'inecek var' (meaning 'someone’s getting off here') and stop the dolmus will. If in doubt just do as the locals do and you’ll be laughing.

To pay, just tell the driver your destination and pass forward a few low denomination bills and your change will be passed back to you. If you sit near the front of the dolmus you’ll be responsible for relaying money and destinations from more rear passengers to the dolmus driver, and returning their change. Not the easiest task in the world so those after an easy life look for a seat near to the back of the dolmus.

Taxi
Turkish taxis are yellow, and therefore instantly recognisable. The standard fee for a taxi starts really quite low, but that's not to say the occasional taxi driver won’t try his luck with foreigners, clues include driving round and round in a circle and the meter saying ‘night’ when’s it’s actually 3 o’clock in the afternoon! And it goes without saying be sure that it is a real, genuine taxi; that there is an ID number and so on, just as you would at home.

Walking
Naturally, walking is a great way to get around the town, it's free, and easy!

Useful Numbers

D-Marin
Dolmuş
Medical Centre
Pharmacies
Taxi
Tourist Information