Selimiye, one of the most popular villages on the Bozburun Peninsula, awaits those who want to take the day slowly, with its tranquil bay, the stone buildings lining its shore and its tables right by the sea.
On boat routes around the peninsula, Selimiye is often just a short stop: you pull up at the jetty, wander along the waterfront for a while, have a coffee and move on. Yet this village more than deserves a whole day of its own. In this guide, we describe Selimiye for those who want to explore it by land, at their own pace: the walk along the waterfront road, why the lunch break here is so beloved, the place of the jetties in village life, the surrounding bays and how you can plan this day setting out from Turunç.
The Feel of Selimiye: An Elegant Village on a Tranquil Bay
The first thing to greet you when you arrive in the village is the calm. Sailing yachts sway at anchor on the still water of the sheltered bay; along the shore, stone buildings and restaurants stand side by side. Despite being such a popular stop, the village has managed to hold on to its authentic atmosphere.
Perhaps the phrase “bohemian chic” best describes Selimiye's character. The elegance here is felt together with the village's calm and its harmony with nature. Bozburun has more of a working, seafaring town feel, whereas Selimiye feels more refined, more like a boutique village. This is also the most striking difference between these two settlements on the same peninsula.
A Walk Along the Waterfront Road: Getting to Know the Village Step by Step
Start the day with an unhurried walk along the road that runs beside the shore. On one side lies the bay; on the other, a row of seafront restaurants, stylish cafés and small boutiques selling original products. This walk doesn't need a destination; stopping now and then to look in a shop window or to watch the boats in the bay is a natural part of the outing.
- Boutiques: Shops where you can find one-of-a-kind designs, from ceramics to jewellery and from textiles to local artworks, offer a good opportunity to choose a meaningful souvenir of your holiday.
- Coffee break: Sitting down at one of the waterfront cafés and watching the world go by for a while helps you warm to the village's atmosphere.
- Photo light: Early morning and late afternoon offer softer light for photographing the stone buildings and the boats at anchor.
For those looking for a longer and more challenging hike, the Bozburun Peninsula section of the Carian Trail also passes through Selimiye. Comfortable shoes are enough for the waterfront road, but this trail calls for quite different preparation: before you try it, wear sturdy footwear, take plenty of water with you and choose the cooler hours of the day.
Seafood and Long Lunch Breaks
One of the things that make the village stand out is its charming fish restaurants overlooking the clear water of the bay. Lingering over lunch at one of these waterside spots is almost a tradition here. These tables, laden with fresh seafood, often turn into the longest and most enjoyable part of the day.
Two small suggestions for this break:
- Make the meal the centrepiece of your day: Don't rush lunch; plan your schedule so that there is still time to sit back and relax after the meal.
- Your table and the catch of the day: If you'd like a particular table by the water, let the restaurant know in advance; and don't forget to ask what's fresh that day.
Jetties, Sailing Yachts and a Small Harbour
In Selimiye, life flows towards the sea. Boats arriving by sea pull up at the village's small harbour or at the restaurants' jetties; some drop anchor in the bay and bring their passengers ashore by dinghy. For these guests, a restaurant's jetty is often their first step into the village. Sitting on the shore watching a sailing yacht enter the bay and drop anchor, or a dinghy come alongside the jetty, you naturally sense the village's slow pace. Even if you arrive by land, you'll notice that you spend a good part of the day looking out to sea.
A short stop is enough to see Selimiye; but to get to know it, you need to stroll along the waterfront road without hurrying, take in the view of the bay over a coffee and linger over lunch.
Around Selimiye: Nearby Bays and Neighbouring Villages
If you'd like to extend your day or get to know the peninsula a little better, there are other stops in the area too:
- Dirsekbükü and hidden coves: Around Selimiye and Bozburun there are sheltered bays loved by yachtsmen, such as Dirsekbükü, as well as tiny spots that can only be reached from the sea; these can be added to the route as swimming stops, especially on private boat trips.
- Bozburun: Known for its shipyards and traditional wooden gulet building, Bozburun is another important centre on the peninsula; its harbour is a little larger than Selimiye's.
- Söğüt: Söğüt, an authentic fishing village on the Bozburun Peninsula, stands out for its sunset views. If you'd like to set aside a separate late afternoon for it, take a look at our guide to sunset in Söğüt.
From Turunç to Selimiye: By Car or by Boat?
By car: You can reach Selimiye from Turunç comfortably by road. This option is practical for those who want to spend time in the village at their own pace: you can save the waterfront walk for whenever you like, linger over lunch and decide on your return time yourself. Setting off early gives you more time in the village.
By boat: Arriving from the sea has a charm all its own. However, because the standard day boat trips from Turunç usually focus on the nearby bays, Selimiye is often not included in their programmes, so it's worth asking about your tour's itinerary in advance. The most common option for this journey is to charter a boat with a skipper from Turunç or Marmaris: you choose the route and the stops yourself, but it takes a longer day, advance planning and a noticeably higher budget than standard tours. We describe what you'll see along the way and the options in detail in our article on boat tours from Turunç to Bozburun and Selimiye.
When to Go? Practical Tips
Summer is a natural choice for a day that includes a swim; but if your plan centres on the waterfront walk and exploring the village, spring and autumn, when the weather is milder, offer a far more comfortable experience. If you come in summer, spend the hottest hours of the day at a shaded table by the sea and save your walk for the morning or late afternoon. If you're travelling by boat, also bear in mind that the route may change depending on the weather.
- Sun protection: Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are essential, especially in the summer months; take a bottle of water with you too.
- If you're going by boat: Bring a change of clothes and a towel; remember that if the boat anchors in the bay, you may need to go ashore by dinghy.
- Leave room for shopping: Leave a little space in your bag for the ceramics or textiles you buy in the boutiques.
With its calm and elegance, Selimiye is a village that shows the refined side of the Bozburun Peninsula. When you return to Turunç in the evening and head to your room at Turunç Premium or Turunç Resort, you'll have brought back not only, perhaps, a piece of ceramics bought as a souvenir, but also the serenity of an Aegean day lived slowly.
