Gundogan

A dazzling cove saluting the sun: Gundogan

Farilya, which we still see on some road signs, is the old name of Gundogan. Farilya, an ancient Greek word, means "sunrise" and Gundogan in modern Turkish means the same.  

The local people, who once lived on the beach and were fishing and sponge diving, were frightened by British warships during the First World War and fled to the inner lands, causing the coastal area to be desolate. But today, Gundogan is one of the villages that have had the highest share of population growth due to the rising power of the Bodrum tourism.

Numerous five-star hotels, restaurants and supermarkets opened in the region over time. This makes Gundogan a preferred destination for domestic and foreign tourists as well.

In Gundogan, where every street feels the sea breeze, you can taste the freshest seafood caught by the fishermen at the fish restaurants on the beach.
The municipal cafeteria on the beach and the wide stretching public beach offer peaceful and enjoyable moments at any time of the day. Having a wonderful day at sea with daily boat tours on the tour boats in the small harbor, which also functions as a fishermen's shelter, is one of the most enjoyable activities that can be done in Gundogan.

The Little Rabbit Island located across the bay, St. Apostol Church, Cheese Flower Cave, 52 Staircase Church and rock tombs are among the places you should definitely see. You can see the Ottoman Tower a little ahead of the Yalikavak-Torba main road, through the Gumrah Pine Forest.

The blue flag beach, which you can watch from the Gundogan hills , also offers surfing opportunities to enthusiasts when the weather is windy. You can swim in the nearby bays such as Kucukbuk, snorkel or scuba dive and discover the beauties hidden under the turquoise waters of Gundogan.

When the night falls in Gundogan, many restaurants along the coast offer delicious options, especially with seafood menus. You can find authentic places for breakfast in the surrounding area too.

One of the cutest features of Bodrum is the small mosques on the beach. The Gundogan Mosque, by the sea, is one of these wonders, and you come across it on the coastal path.

Little Rabbit Island

It is also known as Apostol Island. There are cisterns on the flat part and on the hill, there is a church known as St. Apostol among the people. You can reach Little Rabbit Island by a 15-minute journey by chartering a private boat from Gundogan, and after walking for half an hour on a steep and challenging path, you can visit this beautiful church. We recommend that you have a guide with you. Also, when you book the daily boat tours to Rabbit Island do not forget to ask beforehand whether you will see the church.

Cheese Flower Cave

The Cheese Flower Cave, dating to the Chalcolithic age, is one of the must-see places in Gundogan. The presence of a polished ax from the Early Bronze Age, whetstones and pottery around this cave is seen as important evidence that Bodrum's oldest settlement dates back to 5500 BC.

This cave, which attracts the attention of travelers with its natural structure, is currently closed to visitors since it was found dangerous due to the dent formed at the entrance in recent years.

Nar Tugan Festival

Nar Tugan is the "rebirth" celebrations according to the tradition of the Turks living in the Altays. It is celebrated on December 21st every year. Since the sun is very important in ancient Turkish tribes, celebrations and festivities take place on this day when the sun begins to be seen more. Just as Christians do at Christmas, gifts are left under the tree on this day. However, in the Turkish tradition, this tree was known as the tree of life and the gifts were offerings for the god.

Based on this tradition, Cheese Flower Volunteers Association organizes Nar Tugan Festival on December 21st every year in Gundogan. Wishes are attached to the tree of life statue, which symbolizes the sunrise, people dance around the fires, and everybody have great time.

Although the name Nar Tugan reminds something about pomegranate in modern Turkish, it has a different meaning here. Nar, in old Turkish mean the sun and Tugan means being born. It literally means 'the rising sun'.

The local people of Gundogan embraced this Altai tradition because the name Gundogan also literally means “the rising sun” in modern Turkish. So Gundogan, celebrated Nar Tugan for the 12th time in 2021.

The small celebrations that started in 2010 were transformed into a larger activity for the first time in 2015 through the association, and today it was transformed into the "Nar Tugan Festival", which is celebrated for 5 days with various of entertainments.

If you visit Gundogan in December, you can join the festivities and spend a unique and exciting day at the Nar Tugan festival.

The Church of 52 Stairs

This old church is thought to have been given this name because it is climbed by 52 stairs. The
church, built on a hill on the left of the road between Gundogan and Torba, can be reached by climbing 600 meters from the road. There is no information that can be used as a source about this church, which is 228 meters above sea level.


Rock Tombs

These rock tombs in Gundogan, which show the same characteristics as the Panormus Rock Tombs in Yalikavak, probably belong to the Lycian period. These tombs, which are located on the hills in Gundogan Village at the Yukari Mahalle of the Old Village settlement area, can be reached by climbing 600 meters.

Places To See:
Cheese Flower Cave.

St. Apostol Church on the Little Rabbit Island.

The Church of 52 Stairs.

Rock tombs and historical cisterns.

Things To Do:
Watching sunrise

Nature trekking.

Boat tours.

Places to Swim
You can swim wherever you want on the coast of Gundogan.

Events:
Gundogan Tourism Festival.

Nar Tugan Festival