If you're looking for a lively, bright, and vibrant resort which gives you more than enough fantastic sunny weather this summer, then Gumbet should certainly be on your visit list.
This purpose built resort sits pretty on the Turkish Aegean coast, in the Mugla region, and offers visitors plentiful sun, high temperatures, very little chance of rain, and a long summer to boot. Of course, this is also a wonderful resort to visit out of season too, with many nearby towns and cities to visit; the large city of Bodrum is very close by, and an authentic Turkish experience can be had when the usual flock of tourists have gone back home at the end of a busy summer season.
Located on the south-west coast of Turkey, the resort experiences a typical Mediterranean climate, meaning long, hot summers, lasting generally from May until the end of October, and mild winters, generally from November to February; spring and autumn are short-lived and are generally run-ups to either heat or mild weather in the off-season months. Weather can be changeable during the autumn and winter periods, so checking an up to date forecast is the best bet. For those who don't enjoy high temperatures, the beginning and end of the summer season are very popular times to visit, with lower cost holidays at this time too.
The peak months of July and August see large crowds, mainly flocking to the resort for its legendary night-life, which is really what it is best known for. There isn't a huge amount of history and culture actually in the town itself, and for that you would need to travel a few miles to Bodrum, but it certainly offers a fantastic base for exploring further, and for that loud and brash night-life we all know and love, mainly focused on the aptly named Bar Street; if partying is your thing, then be sure to pick a hotel or apartment which is within stumbling distance of this part of the town.
Spring
Spring in Gumbet can loosely be labelled as March and April, however most of the rainfall does come in the month of March, with around 130mm experienced throughout the month; once this is over however, there is little rainfall to be experienced until around November, and what you do experience will be short-lived, leaving behind clear skies.
This is a particularly pleasant time to visit the region for those who don't enjoy high temperatures and want to get out and about, as walking, exploring, and outdoor activities can easily be experienced at this time, provided you bear in mind that rain could be an issue for around 6 days of the month in March, to some degree or another.
April however is a different story, and this is a popular time to visit for those wanting to grab early season holiday deals. Many hotels and restaurants begin to open up in the middle of the month, and low cost holidays can be found. The temperatures at this time are certainly pleasant, with an average high of around 21°C to be expected, and a fantastic 9 hours of sunshine per day.
Summer
May to late October is when most tourists arrive in Gumbet, and the peak months of July and August see the highest volume of visitors. Late May is when the temperatures begin to really climb, however it isn't until July that the heat really begins to turn up. The hottest month of the year is typically July, with average high temperatures hitting 34°C, with 14 hours of sun per day on average, however during heatwaves the mercury can rise even further if you're not a fan of heat, then June is probably the best time to visit, when you can still grab a tan to take home with you, and you won't suffer too much from the high temperatures.
Despite all this, a constant sea breeze does tend to make it feel a little cooler than it is in reality, which can be a problem in terms of sunburn, so be sure to remember the tips concerning sun safety, especially for young children. One thing you won't be needing during the summer months however is an umbrella, as rain is practically unheard of, however air-conditioning in your hotel room is a must if you want a comfortable night's sleep.
Autumn
Autumn generally lasts for one month only, and that is November, when temperatures dip a little, evenings feel noticeably cooler, with an average low of around 12°C, and rain is more so than the summer season previously, averaging around 90mm throughout the month overall. Despite this, the sun certainly shines at this time of year, and just like spring, it is a great time to visit and explore, especially for those wanting a pre-Christmas break, and who want to avoid the high summer temperatures, compared to the previous few months. In fact, with sea temperatures of 21°C you might even want to brave a last swim of the year!
Winter
The word 'winter' springs up images of snow and icy cold weather, however the Mediterranean climate around this part of Turkey means there is very little chance of that happening! It is very rare to see temperatures dropping to zero, in fact it is rare to see temperatures dropping below the 12°C mark. The coldest month of the year overall is January, and even then you are likely to experience an evening low dipping to only 8°C, which is certainly mild compared to some surrounding European countries at this time of the year.
Typically, the most rain comes during the winter months, and even though March is the rainiest month of the year, there is a higher chance of prolonged rain at this time overall, compared to the summer months when rainfall was practically non-existent. Over the winter months of December to February, rainfall is around the 90-110mm mark, so simply remembering to pack an umbrella when you are out exploring the region in and around Gumbet is the best bet.
Despite the fact that this resort is known largely for its summer night-life and beach fun, there is still plenty to experience in terms of authentic Turkish life, history, architecture, and culture, especially in surrounding cities such as Bodrum and Izmir, which is a few hours' drive away. Visitors should certainly make sure they get out and explore the region a little, to get a thorough overview of Turkish life, especially out of season.