Local is The New Luxury Discover Culinary Traditions, Local Crafts and Mediterranean Culture Discover Cuisine, Crafts & Stories Bodrum Like a Local Discover Street Food, Shop Towards Traditions & Stories in Bodrum Curious about Bodrum’s food culture? Would you like to experience local, hidden design stores, visit local neighbourhoods and interact with friendly Bodrum artisans? Duration 2.5 hours | Vegetarian Options available | Private Bookings available BOOK NOW About Us Authentic Experiences Escape Turkey's tourist trail and see the authentic side of Bodrum Discover the Stunning Turkish Coast Community-driven experiences with an expert local guide Quality Memories Enjoy the finest quality shopping, food and cultural experiences See Our Trusted Reviews Tripavisor Airbnb Viator Follow Our Adventures! Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of the Aegean Sea, Bodrum is a jewel in the crown of coastal Turkey. With a heady blend of colourful culture, mouthwatering cuisine, and breathtaking seaside scenery, our enchanting hometown invites you to discover its Mediterranean charms. Join Local S tory B odrum as we wander through the Old Town’s narrow, cobbled streets, where skilled artisan makers have been producing the finest quality arts and crafts for generations. Soak up the Mediterranean sunshine on nearby Kumbahçe Beach, Bitez Beach, or Ortakent Beach. Sample Bodrum’s seafood and delicious home-made dishes among our busy street food stalls and welcoming waterside restaurants, and explore secluded coves where life ticks by at a relaxing pace. And dominating the town’s skyline, Bodrum Castle – or the Castle of St. Peter – boasts unrivalled views over the rooftops to the harbour and the shimmering Aegean Sea. Escape the tourist trail with Local Story Bodrum and experience the authentic side of this elegant and traditional Mediterranean town. Along the way, we’ll be happy to share insight into the top things to do in Bodrum, our local cuisine, Bodrum nightlife and entertainment, and more.

Our Story Our story began years ago, when company founder Melis Selçuk began hosting friends visiting Bodrum from abroad. With each new visit, the value of sharing unique local experiences in Bodrum became clearer and clearer – and it was always a pleasure to see the happiness on guests’ faces. When Melis decided to start the business on a professional basis, she had two key sources of motivation in mind: convey Bodrum’s rich culture to visitors from across the world, and enable guests to enjoy authentic local experiences with the warm Aegean people. About the Founder Melis Selçuk received her undergraduate ‘Management of Performing Arts’ diploma at Istanbul Bilgi University (Laureate Universities), her Master’s degree in ‘Fashion Direction: Retail & Brand Experience Management’ at Italia Politecnico Di Milano (with scholarship award), her 'Image Consultancy' education at the Istituto Marangoni, her ‘NLP Training Certificate’ at Yeditepe University, and her ‘Academic Training Certificate’ at the University of Toronto, Canada. Aside from her academic pursuits, Melis has attended various courses and training sessions throughout her life, owing to her curious personality. After working as style editor and gaining corporate experience in sales and marketing, Melis carried out Experiential and Sustainable Marketing & Styling projects in Italy with the forerunners of the field in Milan and Turkey. Her projects have been featured in both national and international press. She is also the project curator of a social enterprise ‘Slow Story Co Sustainable Store’. Her sustainable life articles can be seen at yesilist.com - Turkey’s first sustainable life platform, located in London. In addition, she is also a co-founder and general manager of VAO Bodrum – the International Academy of Opera and Musical Arts Festival, located in California, USA. Melis is founder and experience curator of Local Story Bodrum.

Frequently Asked Questions For the answers to our f requently asked questions, please check the queries below. If there’s anything else more specific you’d like to know, please reach out via our Contact Us page. We’re always happy to help. How long does the 'Discover Cuisine, Crafts & Stories: Bodrum Like a Local' experience typically last? This experience lasts approximately 2.5 hours. What can I expect to see and do during the experience? You'll stroll through the charming streets of Bodrum Old Town, admire the blooming bougainvillea, visit the workshop of a master rug-maker (only by reservation), discover lesser-known local art galleries, and indulge in delicious Turkish street food. How many people are typically in a group? Our public and private experiences are limited to a maximum of 10 people. Can I purchase items from the shops and other venues we visit? Absolutely! The shops and boutiques we visit offer a wide range of traditional arts, crafts, textiles, and locally designed jewelry that you can purchase as souvenirs. Is transportation provided for the experience? Transportation to the meeting point in the heart of Bodrum is not included. However, our meeting point is easily accessible within the town. Are there vegetarian or dietary restriction-friendly options for the food tastings? Yes, we can accommodate certain dietary restrictions. We will do our best to tailor the tastings to your preferences! Private Experiences: Please e-mail us in advance, and we will tailor the tastings to your preferences. Public Experiences: Pescatarians and Vegetarians: You are welcome to sample our local cuisine, if you are flexible on where we stop for tastings. Vegans: You are welcome to sample our local cuisine, if you are flexible on tasting only local drinks and only at selected stops. Please tell us of your dietary restrictions when ordering, at the stops on our tour. * It’s your responsibility to know of any allergies you may have, and to check the ingredients of the food with the vendors on the experience if you have any concerns. Is there a specific dress code for the experience? No, but we recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking, and dressing in layers for the Mediterranean climate. Will we have opportunities to interact with local residents and artisans? Absolutely! You'll have the chance to visit local neighborhoods and interact with friendly Bodrum shopkeepers. Additionally, you'll explore venues where you can meet Turkish artists and artisans. What languages are spoken in this experience? Our experiences are conducted in English. Is there a minimum age requirement for participants? There's no age limit for our experiences.