Gumbet Holidays – Vibrant nightlife and a fantastic beach

Once a small, peaceful fishing village on Turkey’s sunny south-western coast, today Gumbet has grown into one of the liveliest and most popular beach holiday destinations in the area. Despite its comparatively smaller size, Gumbet can easily give the larger neighbouring resort of Bodrum a run for its money in the nightlife stakes. There are literally hundreds of bars, tavernas and clubs here, creating a boisterous and at times wild nightlife scene. As such, the resort is primarily favoured by young couples, groups of friends and families who are looking for beach relaxation during the day and the chance to let their hair down at night.

The long golden sandy beach is another big draw to the resort, with a comprehensive array of watersports including jet skiing, banana boating, windsurfing, parasailing. In fact, this area is considered one of the best in the country for sail-based watersports, due to the constant winds coming in from the Aegean.

As a purpose built beach resort, there’s little in the way of history or culture in Gumbet itself, but with the various historical sites at nearby Bodrum just 10 minutes away by dolmus, you can still get to experience some authentic Turkish culture on a break here. Families will appreciate the huge Aquapark Dedeman at nearby Ortakent or taking a boat trip along the coast to explore the hidden coves and bays.

When to go

Gumbet is one of the most popular destinations in the Bodrum Region, and as such the peak summer months of June-August will see huge crowds. This period is both the hottest and most expensive time to visit. Those who prefer cooler temperatures will be better off visiting in spring or autumn, when the heat is less fierce. Prices are also cheaper during these seasons. If you want to try your hand at windsurfing, the best time to visit is between June-September when the winds are strongest. Beginners should windsurf in the morning when the wind is less gusty.

While there are not many cultural events in Gumbet itself, nearby Bodrum has a packed calendar of festivals throughout the year. Some of these include the Bodrum Bicycle Festival in May, the International Bodrum Film Festival in June, the Aegean Festival in July/August and the Bodrum Cup Wooden Yacht Festival in October.

The weather in Gumbet

While the varied terrain and weather systems coming off the different seas that surround Turkey can make some parts of the country’s weather somewhat erratic, Gumbet benefits from a relatively stable Mediterranean climate. April-May see between 9-11 hours of sunshine’s a day and temperatures between 21-26C on average. June-August heats up to 31-34C and 13-14 hours of sunshine a day. September-October is autumn with temperatures averaging between 25-30C. And November-March is the winter season, seeing an increase in rainfall and chillier nights, with temperatures between 15-20C.

Getting the best deal

To get the best deals on Gumbet holidays for the peak season, it’s important to book as early as possible. The resort is heaving over the summer, with the best-priced rooms in the most popular hotels selling out months in advance. You have to get in there quick to get the best bargains. Travelling during the off-peak seasons of spring and autumn will see lower prices and the chance to pick up some great last minute offers. If you have the flexibility, you should avoid expensive times such as Easter, summer and half term school holidays.

Booking an all-inclusive holiday to Gumbet can be a good way of keeping a tight rein on your holiday spending, with all meals and drinks accounted for upfront. Find the best prices we have to offer by looking at the deals below or alternatively by visiting our late deals offers here.

Airport and transport need to know

Gumbet benefits from its relatively close position to Bodrum, and therefore to the large Milas-Bodrum Airport (BJV). It takes around 45 minutes to reach the resort from the airport by road. Bodrum Airport is a clean, modern hub with an international and a domestic terminal, as well as a second international terminal under construction (due to be completed by the end of 2012). You’ll find an array of bars, restaurants and chops servicing the Arrivals, Departure and lounge areas here, as well as cash machines, care hire and currency exchange facilities.

The flight from the UK to Bodrum Airport takes between 4 and 5 hours, depending on your departure airport. Flights operate from most UK airports, including London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh as well as smaller regional hubs such as Bristol and Newcastle.

Taxis wait outside the Arrivals hall at the international terminal. A large sign indicates the price of a fare to the various resorts in the region. You should expect to pay around £40 for a single fare to Gumbet. You can pre-book taxis from reputable companies such as Bodrum Transfers. A cheaper option is to book a shared shuttle taxi from companies such as A-T-S.net. This can costs at little as £4 per person, but the journey can take a lot longer than a private taxi, depending on how many other passengers there are and where they need to be dropped off.

You can also catch a public bus relatively inexpensively to Gumbet. The fare should cost under £10, but the journey can take a long time at around an hour and a half. Catch a HAVAS bus (see here for time tables and prices) to the main bus depot in Bodrum. From there, you can pick up a connecting bus to Gumbet.

The best beaches in Gumbet

The beaches in the Bodrum Region are incredibly diverse. You can find bustling tourist beaches lined with beach bars, bays that are ideal for watersports and sailing, or secluded, peaceful coves perfect for relaxing and reading a book – all within a few miles of each other. Here is a selection of some of them.

Gumbet beach

Named after the Kumbet (white-domed cisterns) that dot the area, Gumbet beach is a curved, sandy bay lined with bars and restaurants and with an abundance of watersports on offer, from parasailing to banana boating. The warm shallow waters make this a popular spot for families with children.

Bitez beach

Found along the same stretch of coast as Gumbet, Bitez beach is located a few miles west and is famed in Turkey as one of the best destinations for windsurfing in the country. People travel here from all around the world to experience the windsurfing and sailing at Bitez. There are a number of excellent windsurfing schools that can teach beginners the ropes, as well as great selection of beach bars and restaurants. The beach has been awarded the EU Blue Flag for cleanliness and is a mix of sand and shingle.

Turgutreis beach

Located on the far western coast of the peninsula, Turgutreis beach is a lovely golden sandy beach lapped by the aquamarine Aegean Sea. This beach rarely gets overly busy, making it a great option for those who dislike the heaving crowds of the more touristy beaches. There is an attractive promenade lined with cafes and restaurants behind the beach. It takes around 15 minutes to get here by car from Gumbet.