Everyone in Bodrum has their own "sunset spot": the castle walls for some, the hills behind Gümbet for others. But if you have spent the day at sea, the evening is planned a little differently — the day boat trip is back at Gümbet Harbour at 17:00, and in summer the sun still has about three hours to go. That is not bad news: it means you have time to plan the evening properly.
What time does the sun set in Bodrum?
Roughly: around 20:30 in June and July, closer to 20:00 in August, about 19:20 in September and near 18:30 in October. So between the tour's return and sundown you have almost three hours in summer, and only about ninety minutes in October. In early October the light on the way back already approaches golden hour — that is when the last photos on deck look their best.
The best spots after the tour
- The Gümbet ridges: the closest option to the jetty. Walk up from the beach and the whole bay plus the setting sun fit into one frame.
- Around Bodrum Castle: the classic Bodrum postcard, with the walls and the marina in silhouette.
- The windmills (on the hill between Bodrum and Gümbet): the best-known viewpoint in town, overlooking both bays at once.
- Bitez beach: quieter, shaded by trees, for anyone who wants a flat, uninterrupted horizon.
How to shape the evening
When you step off at 17:00, the practical plan is simple: head back to the hotel, shower, rest after a day in the sun, and go out again around 19:00. If you are staying in Gümbet you do not need to go anywhere — the bar street and the beach are within walking distance. A calm early evening after a full day at sea, then the night in Gümbet, is the rhythm most of our guests settle into.
A day at sea and a sunset on land fit comfortably into the same day. Send us your date on WhatsApp for the Bodrum boat trip — we will leave the evening to you.
We cover where this sits in the day in the piece covering the timings, and the official version of the programme is on our programme page.