Bodrum is one of the most popular resorts on the Aegean coast of Turkey. With the benefits of a legendary sea, friendly locals and a host of first-class restaurants, Bodrum has everything one could wish for in a holiday destination.
Get there
Bodrum city center is only a 25-minute drive from Bodrum International Airport. During the summer, flights to Bodrum are quite frequent and prices are competitive. From Bodrum airport you can take a taxi to the city or take one of the buses that leave regularly from the airport terminal. If possible, book your transfer before your arrival, as it will be substantially cheaper than paying on the spot.
History
Originally known as Halicarnassus, Bodrum dates back surprisingly to 1300 BC. C., with numerous civilizations that settled or visited here over the centuries. The most notable period of the city was in the 3rd century BC. C., when Bodrum was the capital of Caria and was famous for its shipping and shipbuilding trades. The Roman and Byzantine empires ruled Bodrum for several years before finally moving in, leaving the city open for the Knights of Saint Peter who occupied the region around 1402 AD, erecting a castle that still stands proudly in the city. Possibly the most famous landmark in Bodrum.
Tourism
-St. Possibly the most prominent of Bodrum’s many attractions, Peter’s Castle began construction by the Knights of St John in 1402. In 1409, the construction of the castle became paramount to the Church, so the office Papal sent an army of capable. bodily Christians to work on site with the promise of a guaranteed place in Heaven.
In the 1960s the castle became the official storage site for underwater finds and now houses the Underwater Museum.
-The Mausoleum of Halikarnassus is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Originally with an estimated height of 60 meters, the tomb of King Mausolus was built for him by his sister and wife, Artemisia. It was customary, at that time, for men to marry their sisters to protect the family’s assets. When dying in 353 a. C., he left Artemisia devastated and, to pay her respects to him, she decided that she would spare no expense in building her tomb. The most famous artists of Greece were commissioned to decorate it. Life-size statues of ferocious lions and legendary warriors adorned the surrounding area, forming a fitting setting for the tomb. Unfortunately, only the foundations remain, as a devastating earthquake in 1308 AD. C. caused most of the magnificent creation to collapse and collapse.
-The Old Amphitheatre, situated just above the main road, has also been impressively restored and is used as a showcase for a number of events, including the music and arts festival in September. It originally had a capacity for 13,000 people, although its current capacity does not exceed 7,000. The amphitheater offers a fabulous view of the city, which alone is worth the trip.
-The Myndos gate is located right next to ‘Old Gumbet Road’. Formerly, it was the main entrance to Halicarnassus when the impressive city walls were still standing.
-The Ottoman Tower was built around 1794 AD. C., designed to protect the Ottoman naval shipyard from pirates who had an inconvenient habit of raiding the shipyard in search of money, gold and whatever else they could get their hands on. I was lucky enough to discover the remains of the baths from Roman times during the recent restoration of the tower; Archaeologists unearthed and restored the find that has become another of the many attractions that draw visitors to Bodrum.
Activities and Sports
Bodrum is famous for its excellent sailing facilities. The Bodrum Cup is a famous annual regatta for wooden boat yachts, locally known as gullets. The competition is unique in that it is not only the only regatta in the world for wooden boats only, but also because the boats can race with passengers on board, which means that inexperienced sailors can compete in the competition of world renown. The race takes place along the ‘Blue Voyage’ route with its abundance of picturesque coves and islands beautifying the way.
Shopping
it’s plentiful in Bodrum, where shops and boutiques stay open until the wee hours of the morning, perfect for doing some post-dinner shopping. The city is also known for its black market offering copies of brand name products that are so well made that they cannot be told apart from the genuine article. One of Bodrum’s most sought-after attractions is the ‘Oasis Shopping, Cultural and Entertainment Centre’, made up of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and a modern cinema. It is a vast complex, over 10,000 square meters, where you can easily spend an entire day just exploring and indulging in the delicious delicacies the center has to offer.
Health care
In Bodrum, the state hospital and two private hospitals have 24-hour ambulances and an emergency service. The pharmacies, known locally as ‘eczane’, are open from 9:00am to 7:00pm, Monday to Saturday. Pharmacies are closed on Sundays, although one remains open on a rotating basis. If you’re looking for a pharmacy that’s open on a Sunday, you’ll find the address of the one that’s open posted on the door of each closed pharmacy, or you can simply dial 118, directory assistance.
Food and drink
Bodrum offers a wide variety of restaurants, gathered around the bay in charming narrow streets. In them, you are likely to find traditional Turkish cuisine, classic European fare, Italian, Thai, Chinese and Indian dishes, as well as familiar favorites like fish and chips or meatloaf with peas.
Try Meyhaneler Caddesi Street for its affordable prices or Ataturk Caddesi street for the huge selection of different options to choose from. When it comes to drinking, head straight to Cumhuriyet Caddesi Street, “Don’t pass GO”. This is definitely the place to be. You’ll find local taverns selling raki and water at discount prices right next to high-class bars selling Russian vodka and red bull.
After drinking your share of beer, raki, or whatever your poison is, try going to Halikarnas, an open-air nightclub, and dance the night away, under the stars, with 5,000 other people.