Most of our guests choose a weekly gulet cruise from Bodrum, running from Saturday to Saturday, and there is a good reason for this. Seven nights is the perfect length of time to unwind completely, to settle into the gentle rhythm of life on board, to get to know the crew and to explore a real variety of bays, villages and historic sites without ever feeling rushed. By the third day, most guests have forgotten what day of the week it is, and by the end they are already asking the captain about next year. In this article we walk you through what a typical week actually feels like, so you can picture yourself on board before you book.
A weekly charter also offers the best value. Because gulets are priced per week for the whole boat, including the crew and normal cruising fuel, a seven-night charter gives you the most time on the water for your money, and it allows the captain to plan a well-balanced itinerary that combines longer cruising days with lazy days spent swimming in a single beautiful cove. Shorter charters are sometimes possible outside the peak season, but for a first gulet holiday we always recommend a full week.
Weekly gulet cruises from Bodrum
Saturday: Embarkation in Bodrum
Your week begins on Saturday afternoon, usually from around four o’clock, when your private transfer drops you at the marina in Bodrum or Turgutreis. The captain and crew welcome you aboard with a cold drink, show you to your cabins and give a short safety briefing. While you unpack and explore the yacht, the chef prepares the first dinner, often served on deck with views of the illuminated Castle of St Peter. This is also the moment to sit down with the captain to talk about your wishes for the week – whether you want more swimming, more sightseeing, quiet anchorages or lively harbour evenings – and the plan is shaped around your answers.
Sunday to Friday: The Rhythm of Life on Board
Each day follows an easy and wonderfully relaxing pattern. You wake to the sound of water lapping against the hull, perhaps take an early swim in the glassy morning sea, then enjoy a generous breakfast on the shaded aft deck. During the morning the gulet usually cruises for one to three hours to the next anchorage, while you read on the sun deck, chat with the crew or watch the coastline drift by. By lunchtime you are anchored in a new bay, often with a line tied to the shore and nothing around but pine trees and turquoise water. The afternoon is free for swimming, paddleboarding, snorkelling, kayaking, exploring ashore or a siesta in the shade, followed by tea and cake. As the sun sets, the crew serves drinks, and dinner is either a candlelit meal on deck or a visit to a village restaurant.
Over the course of a week from Bodrum, a typical route might include the turquoise waters of Orak Island, the fishing village of Çökertme, the golden sand of Cleopatra Island, the hidden inlet of English Harbour, the tranquil Seven Islands and the bays of Değirmen Bükü and Karacasöğüt in the Gulf of Gökova. Alternatively, the captain can head west to the bays of Akyarlar and Aspat, or south past Knidos towards the Datça peninsula and D-Maris Bay. Our 7-day Bodrum to Gökova cruise describes the most popular week in detail.
Food on a Weekly Gulet Cruise
Food is one of the highlights of a gulet week. On a full-board package, the chef prepares breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and a three-course dinner every day, using fresh local produce bought in the markets along the way. Expect Turkish breakfasts with eggs, cheeses, olives, honey and warm bread, light lunches of salads, mezze and grilled vegetables, and dinners of fresh fish, lamb, chicken and slow-cooked Aegean dishes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and children’s menus are all easily arranged. See our sample weekly gulet menu for inspiration.
Saturday: Farewell
On the final Friday evening the gulet returns towards Bodrum, and many groups enjoy a farewell dinner on deck or ashore in the old town. On Saturday morning, after a last breakfast, you disembark around nine or ten o’clock and your transfer takes you to the airport or to your hotel if you are extending your holiday. It is a moment that often comes with a few tears – and, very often, with plans to return. Prices for a weekly gulet cruise in Bodrum start from around €6,000 per week for a classic gulet in the shoulder season and range up to €175,000 for the most luxurious motorsailers; see our 2027 price guide for details.
More gulets for your Bodrum week
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does a weekly gulet charter start and finish?
Usually embarkation is on Saturday afternoon around 16:00 and disembarkation the following Saturday around 10:00.
How long do we cruise each day?
Typically one to three hours, normally in the morning, so most of the day is spent at anchor.
Can we change the route during the week?
Yes – the route is flexible and adapted daily to the weather and your wishes.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Most gulets offer Wi-Fi or a 4G router, although signal can be limited in remote bays.
Planning your own week at sea? Discover our luxury yacht charter in Turkey – private gulets, motor yachts and superyachts from Bodrum, Göcek, Marmaris and Fethiye, arranged by our team since 2001.