Turkey's southwest coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Mediterranean, and one of the least known to cyclists. Pine forest runs down to the water, ancient cities sit on headlands with no road access, and the bays between Bodrum and Fethiye are some of the clearest anywhere in the sea. The traditional way to explore them is by gulet, the wooden sailing boat built for centuries in the yards around Bodrum. Combine a gulet with a bike and you get one of the most distinctive cycling holidays in Europe: ride in the morning, swim in the afternoon, and wake up each day in a different cove.
This guide covers all five bike & gulet tours in our Turkey catalogue: the Gulf of Gökova, the Lycian coast in both directions, and two island-hopping routes that sail from Bodrum into the Greek Dodecanese. For a wider view of the format, read our complete guide to boat & bike holidays in Europe.
What Is a Bike & Gulet Holiday?
A gulet is a broad, wooden motor-sailer with a big shaded deck, a handful of cabins and a crew that sails, cooks and looks after you. On a bike & gulet tour the boat is your hotel for the week. Each morning you roll your bike down the gangway and ride with a guide to the next harbour, or the boat drops you at the start of the day's route and picks you up at the end. Afternoons are for swimming off the ladder, exploring a village or simply staying on deck. Meals are cooked on board and eaten together, often anchored in a bay.
All five of our Turkish tours are guided, so you never need to navigate, and riding is optional day to day: if you want a rest, you stay on board while the gulet moves on.
The Gulf of Gökova: Round Trip from Bodrum
Gökova Bays by Bike & Gulet is the classic introduction. Over eight days you sail the Gulf of Gökova, one of the least developed stretches of the Turkish Aegean, and ride around 206 km through pine forest, olive groves and quiet coastal roads. Highlights include swim stops in turquoise bays, a climb on the Datça Peninsula and the ancient city of Knidos at its tip, once one of the great ports of the Greek world. It starts and finishes in Bodrum, which makes flights simple.
The Lycian Coast: Bodrum to Fethiye
East of Bodrum the coast becomes wilder and more mountainous. The two Lycian Coast Plus tours sail between Bodrum and Fethiye, one in each direction, with around 224 km of guided riding over eight days. You ride pine-scented mountain roads to Knidos and past Kaunos, with its rock-cut tombs above the river, and swim straight off the deck in bays that no road reaches. The riding is hillier than on the Gökova route and suits riders with a good base of fitness, or anyone on an e-bike.
Across to the Greek Islands: The Dodecanese from Bodrum
The Dodecanese islands lie just off the Turkish coast, and two of our gulet tours sail from Bodrum across to Greece and back, combining both countries in a single week. They are a natural pair with our guide to cycling Greece by e-bike and boat.
Central Aegean Island Hopping (8 days)
Five islands in eight days: the Asclepion of Hippocrates on Kos, the knights' fortress on Leros, the white lanes of Patmos, sleepy Lipsi and the climbing cliffs of Kalymnos. Distances are short, around 145 km in total, and always finish near the water, so most days end with a swim and dinner on deck. It is the most relaxed of our gulet routes.
Southern Dodecanese (8 days)
Six islands and more real riding: around 186 km, with 22 to 41 km a day on hilly island roads and some proper climbs. You visit Kos with its Roman forum, the volcanic crater of Nisyros, quiet Tilos, tiny Chalki and Symi with its pastel houses stacked above the harbour. For riders who like their sea air with a bit of effort.
How to Choose Your Bike & Gulet Tour
First gulet trip, Turkey only: Gökova Bays, round trip from Bodrum. Wilder coast, more climbing: Lycian Coast Plus, one-way between Bodrum and Fethiye. Two countries, gentle riding: Central Aegean Island Hopping. Two countries, more challenge: Southern Dodecanese.
E-bikes are available on all five tours and are worth considering on the Lycian and Southern Dodecanese routes, where the climbs are real.
When to Go
The gulet season runs roughly from spring to autumn. May, June, September and early October are the sweet spot for cycling: warm sea, long days and comfortable temperatures on the climbs. July and August are hot, so rides start early and afternoons are spent in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?
No, but these are real rides on real hills. The Central Aegean and Gökova routes are the gentlest; the Lycian and Southern Dodecanese routes suit fitter riders or e-bike users. You can always skip a day and stay on board.
Is a gulet comfortable?
Gulets have private cabins, shared decks and a crew that cooks every day. They are cosy rather than spacious, with the real living space on deck, under the shade and by the water.
Do I need a passport for the Dodecanese tours?
Yes. The island-hopping routes cross between Turkey and Greece, so you need a valid passport and must meet the entry requirements of both countries. Check them for your nationality before booking.
Where do the tours start?
Four of the five tours start in Bodrum, which has an international airport. The Lycian Coast tours run between Bodrum and Fethiye, served by Dalaman airport.
What is included?
Cabin, most meals on board, the guide and the boat transfers between islands and bays. Bike and e-bike rental options vary by tour; check each tour page for details.
Ready to Set Sail?
Ancient cities, empty bays and a wooden boat waiting at the end of every ride: Turkey by bike & gulet is unlike any other cycling week in Europe. Browse all our Turkey cycling tours to compare dates, or explore the full tour catalogue.