 Bodrum
Province: Muğla
Region: Aegean
Airport: Bodrum Milas
BODRUM BARDAKCI KARAKAYA TURGUTREIS KADIKALESI BODRUM MUMCULAR TORBA TURKBUKU AND GOLKOY GOLKOY GUMUSLUK GUNDOGAN GUMBET BODRUM YALIKAVAK ORTAKENT KARGI VILLAGE AND YAHSI BEACH KARABAG BITEZ AKYARLAR BODRUM BODRUM PENINSULA
Transfer Time: 30-45 minutes (Depending on resort)
The Aegean town and yachting port of Bodrum is one of Turkey's longest established resorts. It boasts world-class facilities including it's own airport, and a wealth of history, most notably the Mausoleum of Halicarnassos, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The main resort itself has long been a favourite holiday destination of the Turkish elite and as such, there is a vibrant nightlife scene. The close-by resort of Gümbet is also famed for its discos and bars. In contrast, the Bodrum peninsula offers a calmer alternative: a shore line characterised by charming fishing villages with whitewashed houses, crystal clear water and a welcoming breeze.
A sizeable resort in it's own right despite being only 2km from Bodrum, Gümbet is known for it's lively nightlife and long sandy beach. As well as an abundance of tourist accommodation, Gümbet has plenty of restaurants, cafes, and a selection of bars and discos in line with the resort's increasing popularity. During the day, the resort's main point of focus is the beach, where you can relax and soak up the sun, or take advantage of the water sports on offer.
A little further along the coast, Bitez is an altogether more laidback alternative. The resort lies 7 km west of Bodrum, and has become a firm favourite with water sports enthusiasts on account of it's favourable weather conditions. In particular, windsurfing and dinghy sailing are popular activities. The village centre is located inland and remains largely untouched by tourism. The surrounding area is therefore perfect for a pleasant stroll through fragrant mandarin groves. Bitez is within easy reach of Bodrum, with minibuses departing for the resort from the main bus station every 20 to 30 minutes.
Continuing westwards along the peninsula, Ortakent and Yahşı occupy the next bay. Ortakent lays claim to the Peninsula's longest beach and so perhaps unsurprisingly, the beach has become popular with families and locals. In spite of it's popularity, Ortakent retains it's relaxed atmosphere. The majority of accommodation is positioned slightly inland and consists primarily of small hotels, whilst there is also an assortment of shops, cafes and restaurants handy. As well as it's lengthy beach, the area is known for the fertility of it's soil and the ensuing abundance of olive, fig and mandarin trees. In terms of history, Ortakent is home to some seventeenth century "Arpranga" house. These two storey structures were built by the Greeks for defence purposes and are today safeguarded by a heritage protection order.
 Turgutreis, a small town on the western tip of the peninsula, is named after the famous Ottoman admiral Turgut Reis, a statue of whom occupies a prime spot in the town-centre. As with it's neighbours Gümbet and Bitez, Turgutreis is a haven for windsurfers and there is a small stretch of beach for those wishing to enjoy the uninterrupted sunshine and clear blue sea at a more leisurely pace. The town is popular with Turkish holiday makers and second home owners and as a result, Turgutreis has its own dedicated bus station with connections not only to Bodrum but also to places as far a field as Istanbul and Ankara. There are numerous hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as the town's weekly market which takes place on a Saturday.
Torba is situated north of Bodrum, on the northern shores on the peninsula. This quiet little enclave benefits from milder winds and as a result, the surrounding area is somewhat greener than it's southern neighbours. Although there are little in the way of beaches in Torba, the sea is shallow, clean and excellent for swimming. Torba's historic past is evident from the ruins of a Byzantine Monestary dating back to the 4th or 5th century situated on the east side of the bay. A regular ferry service departs from here to the resort of Didim, with it's famed Temple of Apollo, further along the Aegean coast.
The laid-back fishing village of Türkbükü and the adjacent village of Gölköy have recently been merged into a single municipality and are often referred to now as Göltürkbükü. Situated in the greenest part of the Peninsula, the villages nestle on a sheltered bay east of Yalıkavak, 20 km from Bodrum. Göltürkbükü is like many of the villages along the Peninsula, a favoured holiday spot of the Turkish rich and famous. There are several shore-side restaurants, many of which have their own jetties for sunbathing during the day, and atmospheric dining by moon and candle light come the evening. Accommodation here ranges from modest pensions to luxury boutique hotels.
Gündoğan was formerly known as Farilya and the various Bronze Age ceramics, milling stones and stone axes found in a nearby cave are testament to the fact that here lay one of the earliest human settlements on the Peninsula. Although the beach here is narrow, it is fairly long, sandy and there is space aplenty for the sun loungers that nestle alongside the cool, clear water. Facilities for tourists include a choice of hotels, shops, restaurants and bars.
The landscape of the small but bustling town of Yalıkavak, formerly the area's main sponge fishing port, is nowadays identifiable by the windmills that have become symbolic of the Bodrum area. Although the beach here is of little significance compared to those of neighbouring resorts, Yalıkavak is within easy reach of several coves more suited to bathing. There is an attractive, bustling harbour, brought to life by local fishermen and passing yachts, as well as a sizeable selection of hotels, bars and eateries in the town centre. The town successfully manages to combine rustic charm with high quality tourist facilities.
Gümüşlük is a sleepy seaside village, which partly occupies the site of the ancient harbour city of Myndos. The semi-submerged remains of the settlement can be seen to the north west of the village. Because of it's links with antiquity, Gümüşlük has benefited immensely from strictly enforced building regulations and has thus far managed to retain it's original charm. The village is said to boast the best fish restaurants of the Bodrum Peninsula and the laidback evenings here revolve around these pretty waterside eateries. There is a small island which separates Gümüşlük's two sheltered bays, known locally as Tavşan Adası or "Rabbit" Island on account of it's sizeable rabbit population.
Akyarlar, the Peninsula's southernmost resort is just 5 kilometres from the Greek island of Kos. The resort's most notable attraction is the sandy, crescent-shaped beach which is popular with bathers and windsurfers alike. Since tourist accommodation is limited to camping and small hotels, Akyarlar maintains a tranquil air.
Things to Do In and Around Bodrum:
Halicarnassos Mausoleum is Bodrum's oldest and most significant antiquity, given it's status as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Mausoleum was built by Artemisia II in honour of her husband King Mausolos and it is indeed this name from which the word "mausoleum" is derived . In it's entirety, the structure stood at over 50 metres in height. Reliefs from the Mausoleum, including frescos, were brought to the British Museum in London in 1846.
 The Castle of St. Peter is without a doubt the most prominent feature of the Bodrum landscape. This impressive structure dates back to the medieval knights of St. John, a catholic order which later became a military alliance that acted as defenders of the Christian faith. Construction of the castle began in the 1400s, and the Knights made use of materials from the tomb of King Mausolus. Interestingly, the exact stones taken from the site can today be identified by their greenish tinge. A detailed description of the history of the Castle can be found on the Bodrum Bodrum website. Today the Castle is home to the Underwater Museum, exhibits include an ancient shipwreck and various other antiquities found in the area.
Bodrum Amphitheatre is another structure accredited to the reign of King Mausolus, although it wasn't fully completed until the Roman era. Situated on the hillside over looking the resort, the theatre had a capacity in the region of 13,000. The theatre has been diligently restored and today houses the September Festival.
Myndos Gate, a further relic from King Mausolus's time, is the most significant remaining part of the original city wall. Located on the west side of the resort, this was one of two entrances to ancient Halicarnassus. The gate is named after the town which it faced, Myndos (now Gümüslük).
Milas/Mylasa was in it's day and important trade centre. Today evidence of it's ancient history include a Roman tomb, a temple and a section of city wall. Situated north of Milas, Labranda was a site dedicated to Zeus and connected to Mylasa by a 12km scared road. It occupies a prime hill-top location and the remains of the temple itself, an acropolis, a 4th century tomb, some Roman baths and a Byzantine Church have been identified.
Shopping lovers are spoilt for choice with Bodrum's many weekly markets. In the main resort, there is a fabric and clothing market on Tuesdays and food markets on both Thursdays and Fridays. Gümüşlük and Ortakent both hold markets on a Wednesday, Yalıkavak on a Thursday, Bitez on a Friday and Gümbet on Sundays. Turgutreis also has a Saturday market. As if this wasn't enough, Bitez now hosts it's own flea market on the first Sunday of every month.
Why not take advantage of Bodrum's alluring coast line, crystal clear water and cooling breeze by going on a daily boat trip, stopping off at secluded coves for a spot of sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling. Alternatively, in the area's maritime tradition, charter a yacht from one of the many locally-based agencies.
Take in stunning coastal scenery, lush woodlands and historic ruins that otherwise would be missed, by Exploring the Bodrum Peninsula on foot using one of the established Walking Trails. For further information, please visit the Muğla Touism site for further information.
The Greek island of Kos is within easy reach of Bodrum by boat and is a popular day-trip with visitors to the resort. Services run daily throughout the summer months, departing at around 9am and returning in the late afternoon/early evening. The journey lasts approximately 50 minutes.
Bodrum's prime position along the Aegean coast is ideal for Diving. There are numerous dive sites in the vicinity of the resort and the Peninsula. You can hope to see lobster, crayfish, barracuda, octopus, sea bass and shoals of sea bream to name but a few.
Iassos is thought to have been founded by the Peloponnesians in the 9th century B.C. The most significant structure remaining today is the city wall, built by King Mausolus. In addition, the remains of a roman villa, a Byzantine castle and a theatre have also been uncovered at the site. Web Links Bodrum-Bodrum On Bodrum Telephone Numbers
Bodrum Tourist Office: +90 (0)252 316 1091
Bodrum Castle & Underwater Museum: +90 (0)252 316 2516
Bodrum Otogar (Bus Station): +90 (0)252 316 2637 |
