Bodrum

Bodrum is a town steeped in history that lies in the southwest corner of Turkey. Archaeological evidence in the site where the very attractive Castle of St Peter now stands allows us to officially date building in Bodrum back to 1100 BC, giving it the status of a truly ancient town. Since those days of antiquity Bodrum has developed both culturally and in size, its history dotted with many fascinating gems such as how it flourished during the time of the Ottoman Empire under the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent. In 1922 the Italians who had occupied Bodrum were driven out as part of the Turkish War of Independence and since then Bodrum has had a proud military history as a naval base. The energy of the city’s inhabitants can be attested by their reaction to being fired upon by the French battleship “Duplex” during the Second World War, as the feisty locals eventually managed to stop the ship landing and defend Bodrum successfully. Today, the energy of Bodrum and its people live on within its popular tourist destinations. The city hosts modern facilities for tourists whilst it also maintains its traditional old world Turkish charm

Attractions

The Castle of Saint Peter – The prominent feature of the city, a trip to Bodrum would not be complete without a visit to this castle, one of the best preserved from mediaeval times. The castle dates back to 1402 when the Knights of Saint John began construction of the site. Constructing some of the castle out of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that had been destroyed by an earthquake around 1400 AD, the castle is steeped in history. Today the castle lies in such a prominent position in the city that it can be seen from a distance from both land and sea as you make your final approach to the city. When you arrive at the castle itself there is a great choice of what to look at. It serves as a museum for the local underwater findings, but perhaps the most commonly overlooked aspect is its spectacular garden which includes nearly every plant and tree from the Mediterranean region.

Bodrum Amphitheatre – Originally accredited to the busy King Mausolus, although not finished until the Roman times, the Amphitheatre is situated on the outskirts of Bodrum. Perched on the top of a hill, this site now offers prime views as it overlooks the city and offers tourists a taste of what ancient culture was really about. In its heyday this grand venue accommodated over 13,000 Roman citizens but has now been restored and is used as part of the September Festival.

Scuba Diving – Bodrum is world famous for the quality of its scuba diving. Almost every corner of the peninsula offers an excellent standard of diving, with excellent weather and clear waters. One possible drawback is the slight lack of magnificent sea creatures in the local vicinity but for those happy to just enjoy the experience of diving in pleasant surroundings it is a fantastic opportunity. The nearby resort town of Gumbet offers some of the best diving in the area.

Shopping

Bodrum has it all regarding shopping and fortunately most of it is good. With plenty of classical narrow streets with friendly market sellers bartering over the price of their locally made copperware and textiles, tourists can expect to find charming items. Do not become lulled into too much of a false sense of security, however, as in the markets in the centre there are many fake goods such as watches and perfumes for sale. If you anger the hustlers selling these products they are liable to quickly lose patience and try to push their products on you in an aggressive manner. If you stick to the quality areas and remain respectful of the sellers at all times your shopping will be a success.

Nightlife and Eating Out

As in many Turkish tourist destinations, the variety of food on offer is excellent, from dirty kebabs to elegant seafood meals, but it is wise to be careful on what you chose to eat so as not to avoid picking up any unwanted stomach bugs. The Marmara restaurant comes with the highest recommendation, offering Mediterranean and international dishes that are likely to suffice for all the tastes of its patrons. For seafood connoisseurs Bodrum is a paradise, with an abundance of red mullet, red bass, shrimp and octopus among others.

Nightlife in Bodrum varies tremendously in order to cater for its wide audience. From the high class restaurants that provide local wines from the nearby Denizli area, diners will be happy to indulge themselves. For the more youthful and exuberant travellers, Bodrum has become well known as a pubbing and clubbing haven. Halikarnas is one of the biggest outdoor clubs in the world and the nearby Barstreet caters for as many binge drinkers as the narrow streets can accommodate. This area of Bodrum is more like the tackier stretches of Ibiza than a sophisticated clubbing Mecca but it is easy to avoid if you are turned off by the neon lights and cheesy music.

Tourist Information

Tourist Information CentreRuzgarli Sok.3TR-48400 Bitez-Bodrum

  • +90 (0) 533 457 7066
  • Website: [http://www.bodrum-info.org www.bodrum-info.org]

Airport

Flights now fly to and from Milas- Bodrum Airport from all the main cities in Europe. Built in the late 1990s it has good, modern facilities but its shops have built a reputation for being a little overpriced. The airport is 36km northeast of Bodrum, if you are not part of an organised tour being met by a bus or minibus you will have to get an expensive airport taxi. Finding other travellers with whom to split the cost can be a good option.