Bodrum Travel Guide, Turkey

Overview of Bodrum

Bodrum is that the web site of the traditional town of Halikarnassus, the placement of the famous Mausoleum of Halikarnassus (built when 353 BCE) - one in every of the Seven Wonders of the traditional World. sadly, the traditional monument was destroyed by earthquakes within the Middle Ages - a number of the remnants are often seen in London's British Museum.



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Bodrum could be a fascinating place because it contains a pleasing distinction between the traditional town - where there are discernable fragments everywhere within the city -and a playground for wealthy Turks and an array of foreign guests. it's one in every of the centres of the Turkish Tourist business and is that the market city for the Bodrum Peninsula that consists of variety of cities and villages nestling on the sting of the Coast. till the 1960's the city was a fishing village that modified when variety of Turkish intellectuals gathered and wrote concerning Bodrum. Most notable of the these was Cevat Sekir 'The Fisherman of Hallikarnassus', an Oxford Educated Turk who devoted his time to writing and planting various plants and trees that still dot the landscape of the city. His book the 'Blue Voyage' describing gullet visits round the Turkish coast, and his descriptions of the astoundingly clear Blue Seas of the Aegean and therefore the delights of a visit round the coasts adjacent to Bodrum galvanized an entire generation who have return to emulate his visits. Bodrum has thus grown as a sailing destination and due to its heat however not humid climate has become a prime destination for guests who relish the mixture of the traditional past at the side of all the same old tourist paraphernalia. There are giant numbers of retailers and restaurants - from humble cafes to exquisite Turkish cuisine served by an array of waiting workers.

Modern Bodrum unusually looks to own 2 contrasting sides to it.

The east half the city contains a long skinny however affordable beach, that has been added within the previous couple of years, with the authorities making an attempt and largely succeeding in making an honest beach. Behind the beach lay all the bars, restaurants, and night clubs that are typical of Mediterranean resort cities. this suggests open fronted bars that don't return alive till 10pm when everyone goes out. still as some nice beach fronted bars (e.g. restaurant del mar being a fairly chilled out and engaging bar, with engaging workers in order that helps) it conjointly has some terrible ones, if you are doing not just like the laborious drinking culture of some tourists. It will have some affordable clubs. Halikarnas being the apparent one because it is big (4000 people). It is also principally outdoors and hosts foam parties on regular occasions.

The other half the city is that the west aspect. This mainly revolves round the Marina and Yacht Club. Here life could be a very little additional sedate with retailers catering mainly to those that have stepped off their boats. Expensive supermarkets with correct wine and olive oil still because the obligatory Helley Hanson to be able to purchase your new jacket. There are variety of nice restaurants if you look laborious enough and a few sensible garments retailers. Like all resorts being directly on the ocean front will increase the costs. throughout the evenings there's a beautiful atmosphere because the locals and tourists all appear to promenade along the ocean front.

There are several cultural events - notably the Ballet pageant in August, a good vary of pop concerts at the Castle or within the Amphitheatre that has been restored within the previous couple of years, having been engineered some two,000 years ago.

History

According to Herodotus, born B.C. 484 in Halikarnassus (ancient name for Bodrum), town was founded by the Dorians. Megarans enlarged town B.C. 650 and adjusted its name to Halikarnassus, and then Persians began to rule town from B.C. 386

Halikarnassus had its superb days, when it absolutely was the capital of the Karia B.C. 353. one in every of the Seven Wonders of the traditional World, the Mausoleum, was designed there by Artemisia for the memory of King Mausolos.

After the Roman and Byzantium rule for ages, Ottomans have conqured town in 1522, throughout the time of Suleyman, The Magnificent. town was named "Bodrum" when the Turkish Republic was declared.

Mausoleum

Known as one in all the Seven Wonders of the traditional World, The Mauseloum was engineered by Artemisia, the sister and therefore the wife of King Mausolos, B.C. 355.

This work of art, stood on a twenty one stepped pyramid that was forty six metres high and automotiveried a horse car symbolising victory on it, had thirty six marble columns in Ionian vogue.

The mauseloum was destroyed in an earthquake; and therefore the ruins were utilized in building of the Halikarnassus Castle. several statues and reliefs from the mauseloum were carried to The British Museum by archeologist C. Newton, in 1856 and currently lies there for public viewing.

Climate

During winters and is derived, November through April, the weather in Bodrum is usually superb with a number of serious shower periods, typically going down in November, and therefore then your time once new year and the last one in March/April. February is very pleasant with not too cold nights and therefore the almond blossoming and therefore the abundance of untamed ruccola everywhere the place.

Summers, arriving once April, are as hot because it will get (expect temperatures on top of forty C) and sunny with no rain.

Getting to Bodrum

By plane

Bodrum-Milas airport is thirty five km faraway from Bodrum and lots of flight corporations operate charter flights to Bodrum in Summer season. There are Dalaman and Izmir Airports that are three hours distant from Bodrum.

From the Airport: There are Havas www.havas.com.tr Shuttle services in accordance with every planes' arriving to the domestic lines of Bodrum Milas Airport. price tag Fee from airport to Bodrum Center is seventeen.00 TL, journey takes 40-45 minutes.

Food and drink prices at the airport are astronomical. for instance, a will of soda prices concerning five Euros whereas it'd be a fraction of that within the town. Take this under consideration before arriving at the airport.

By bus

There are several intercity bus firms that operate bus services to Bodrum from major cities of Turkey like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Bursa, Konya, etc... when arriving at any of those cities, Bodrum is reached by bus. By bus: from Istanbul to Bodrum thirteen hours; Izmir to Bodrum four hours; Ankara to Bodrum ten hours.

Sometimes, if you're returning from a awfully distant destination (such as Cappadocia), the bus won't arrive on to Bodrum (inquire regarding this once you purchase your price ticket as they do not continuously hassle to allow you to understand and a few buses are direct whereas alternative are not) however rather arrive at a close-by city (usually Mugla) where you may modification to a smaller bus which is able to take you on to the central bus station in Bodrum. the initial bus {ticket|price tag|price {ticket|price tag|price price ticket}} you bought to Bodrum can sometimes embrace this leg of the trip within the value therefore confirm you are doing not pay once more when the ticket seller comes by to gather the ticket fee on the smaller bus.

Bodrum Sights

Landmarks

• Bodrum Castle/Castle of St Peter (Bodrum Kalesi), www.bodrum-museum.com. Tu-Su. designed from 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller, the Castle is well the foremost distinguished landmark within the town. The castle currently operates as a museum, with the main focus on the Museum of Underwater Archaeology (see below). it's one among the world's best preserved monuments dating back to medieval times. The supervision of the development of the castle was assigned to the German architect Heinrich Schlegelholt, in order that the most recent developments in castle style were included. The castle is sort of pretty and therefore the views are spectacular.

• The Bodrum Amphitheatre www.bodrumturkeytravel.com/history-culture/bodrum-amphitheatre is another ancient structure accredited to the reign of King Mausolus, though it wasn’t completed till the Roman era. The theatre is another witness to the good past of Bodrum, and it's one among the simplest preserved structures of ancient Halikarnassus. you'll be able to realize this web site on the road to Gumbet

• Windmills in Bodrum www.bodrumturkeytravel.com/history-culture/bodrum-windmills - one in all the various sights within the Bodrum peninsula are the white windmills, that were made from stone and lined with picket planks. These windmills were used from the mid eighteenth century till the 70s as a method to grind flour. Seven windmills are often found on a hill between Bodrum and Gumbet, at the road to Turgutreis and plenty of windmills are often found round the former fishing port Yalikavak. These historical mills on the Bodrum Peninsula are currently being restored to draw in native and foreign tourists. (12/2008)

• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM (off-season, seemingly open until evening in summer). simply a brief walk uphill from the marina, the foundations of the Mausoleum (see above) are often seen. 8 TL.

• Myndos Gate - The recent town gates, engineered underneath the reign of King Mausolus. it had been the scene for one in all the best bloodiest battles throughout the siege of town by Alexander the good.

Museums and Galleries

Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, inside Bodrum Castle, tel +90 252 316 25 16 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +90 252 316 25 16 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, fax +90 252 313 76 46, www.bodrum-museum.com. Tu-Su 9AM-12PM, 2PM-7PM, closed Mondays. established in 1961, this great museum has won numerous awards, and displays amazing finds from underwater excavations along the Turkish coast. Includes the famous Uluburun Shipwreck, one of the earliest and richest wrecks yet discovered. Not to be missed.

Bodrum Activities

During the height season, the beach that stretches between the castle and Halikarnas is extremely sensible for swimming; The water is roped off to stop boats coming back in, and also the beach and water is cleaned daily by the restaurants and by the town authorities. Sunbeds and beanbags on the beach are freed from charge, though the restaurants that own them can bring you menus or give you drinks each [*fr1] hour. another choice is to travel to the nearby beaches of Gumbet or Bitez: Grab a Taxi (15/25 Lira) or move to the bus station and hop on a Dolmus (2/3 Lira). These beaches are rather more fitted to sunbathing and have actual sand (Bodrum's beach is usually pebbles, whereas the water at Gumbet & Bitez is extremely shallow), sunbeds are freed from charge and loud music is additionally there to entertain you. There are many pools with bars that don't charge an entrance fee even though you're not ordering something. a range of water sports is obtainable.

You can additionally rent a non-public boat for your own trip round the bay. make certain all passengers have and wear lifejackets which there's an emergency oar and kit on board. Taking a movable in a very plastic bag is advisable. attempt snorkeling (go for sensible quality glass primarily based goggles and kit obtainable in most outlets at around twenty Lira).

• Hamam — Bodrum includes a fine hamam, additionally called a Turkish bathtub, located many blocks inland from the harbour. Facilities are separated by gender with each sexes enjoying constant hours of operation.


• any afield there are the mud baths to go to. You go down the river on a rickety of chug-chug jump in bit baths of mud and roll around (The fun bit) and then clean off and go home. It’s additionally straightforward to travel across to Kos or Rhodes for daily or 2. When arriving there get a scooter (very dangerous however the simplest and simplest way to induce around). there's in fact various recent design to go to around if you prefer that sort of factor.


• Windsurfing — There are some sensible prospects for windsurfing at nearby Vass. it's somewhat of a hippy air to it with millions of rent stands for boards and sails. Some could notice there are simply tooooo many of us around in high season for it to be abundant fun, particularly when there are competitions running.

Pure Windsurfing Centre puretourism.co.uk/windsurfing is another choice within the peninsula. there's a good vary of windsurfing boards and sails for rent. The bay is good, quite and safe, therefore you do not got to worry regarding an overcrowded location. The bay has cross shore conditions and you'll be able to be designing straight from the beach. good for beginners within the mornings and within the afternoons for the gone through windsurfer.

• Diving - There are several diving clubs doing daily scuba diving tours all round the region, fees sometimes embrace lunch and snacks ready on boat. Bodrum dive sites


• Boat Tours - Public boat tours are organized from most the beaches. Alternatively, you'll be able to create early reservation with the tour operator of your selection, several tour operators are located within the Bodrum Marina. Boat tours are a decent thanks to explore varied beaches surrounding Bodrum, in addition as some should see island strands you cannot reach by road.


• Yacht charter within the Aegean ocean www.windward-islands.net Windward Islands, one among the worlds largest yacht charter corporations, will watch out of all charter needs, from bareboat to luxury yacht within the Aegean ocean. Operating from completely different offices worldwide (USA, Spain, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Honk Kong and Dubai).


• Rent a automobile and explore the wonder of Bodrum www.bodrumrentacar.com


• Take a dolmus from the central bus station(otogar) to the Tropical Camel Beach. It takes approx. 30min. from the bus station to the Camel Beach. you'll be able to ride a camel at the camel beach for ten TL. the ocean and also the beach is one among the best within the Bodrum Peninsula.


• Tour within the marina and Bodrum Castle, photos with maps www.trekinu.com/viewtrek.aspx?trkid=on25i9bs77ti30y.


• Flaka Cruising, Bodrum, www.flaka.nl. Bodrum is understand for its recent ancient picket sailing boats, therefore referred to as gulets. Mainly, there's sailed within the gulf of Gokova and Hirasonu, the Blue Cruise or Blue Voyage because the trip is referd to, is finished by motor/engine but there are many charter corporations who sail by windpower, one among them is Flaka Cruising and will supply this service by sailing by wind. Gulets may be charterd for your family gathering or by cabin. within the last case you share the gulet with alternative guests type round the world.

During winters and is derived, November through April, the weather in Bodrum is usually superb with a number of serious shower periods, typically going down in November, and therefore then your time once new year and the last one in March/April. February is very pleasant with not too cold nights and therefore the almond blossoming and therefore the abundance of untamed ruccola everywhere the place.

Summers, arriving once April, are as hot because it will get (expect temperatures on top of forty C) and sunny with no rain.