BODRUM
Bodrum is a paradise for its climate, sea, natural beauty, magnificent coves and history, as well as for its modern nightlife where it’s continued on until sunrise. From the past up until today, Bodrum always had a specific type of tourism. With its white houses, its narrow streets down to the sea, and its pits, the reputation of Bodrum has spread all over the world.
HISTORY
Known as Halicarnassus in antiquity, Bodrum became influential from the 5th century BCE onward under the rule of the Persian Empire. Halicarnassus thrived under the rule of Mausolus and his wife Artemisia II (also his sister)as they dedicated energy to develop it, paving the streets, erecting houses and building a large fortified palace by the harbour.
When Mausolus died in 353 BCE, his widow ordered the construction of a magnificent hilltop tomb to honour her late husband. Known as the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus it became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the word was adopted to describe monumental tombs built above ground.
When Alexander the Great arrived to conquer the area, Ada made a move to adopt him as her son, a strategic move that secured her position as queen until her death. The dynasty of Hekatomnid came to an end with the death of Ada, but the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus remained the symbol of the city for centuries.
Early in the 15th century, the Knights of Rhodes constructed the Castle of Saint Peter, known now as Bodrum castle.
The castle came under attack in the 15th century by the Ottomans, once in 1453, and again in 1480 lead by Sultan Mehmet the conqueror until 1522 when the knights were finally defeated
As part of the Ottoman empire, Bodrum castle was used for a number of different uses through the centuries, initially as a mosque and later as a prison, military base, and as the current Museum of Underwater Archaeology
TOWNS & VILLAGES
Bodrum offers great sights and points of interest for the holidaymakers. You’ll find plenty of lovely places to visit and see in Bodrum. Enchanting villages, with guest houses and small hotels on quite bays, dot the peninsula.
On the southern coast, Bardakci, Gumbet, Bitez, Aktur, Ortakent, Karaincir, Gumusluk, Bagla and Akyarlar have are the popular holiday resorts with beautiful sandy beaches. Campers and windsurfers enjoy Gumbet, and at Bitez colorful sailboards weave skillfully among the masts of the yachts in the bay.
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Turgutreis, Gumusluk and Yalikavak, all with good environment, lie on the western side of the peninsula and those regions are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Torba, Gundogan, Turkbuku and Golturkbuku are the popular resorts on the northern part of the Bodrum peninsula, all are situated in stunning bays, pine forests and beautiful beaches.
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If you love exploring the culture and want to see something more ancient than the Bodrum Castle, head to the remains of the Bodrum Mausoleum which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
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The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology at the Bodrum Castle is a collection of fascinating relics from the lives of ancient shipwrecked mariners, with glassware, copper ware and gold items from the ship on display. Other ancient and cultural places to explore include the recently restored Myndos Gate and the Ottoman Shipyard Tower.
CUISINE
Bodrum cuisine is well known with its traditional Mediterranean flavors. Dishes cooked or prepared with olive oil is served cold and all they are only appetizers.
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Eating out in Bodrum offers countless possibilities. In addition to small restaurants you will also find many chic and fancy restaurants serving many different and unique dishes.
It is not possible to think of a vacation in Bodrum without tasting fresh fish accompanied by a glass of Raki.
It will be great experience to taste dishes and drinks you’ve never had before. Beside fish, Bodrum’s special main dish is a steak or chicken with potato, garlic and special yogurt sauce.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was built in what is now the modern resort of Bodrum on the Aegean Sea.
In Medieval times marble and polished stone from that vast monument were reused for a castle by the Knights Hospitaller, and a lot of the masterful sculpture eventually found its way to the British Museum.
There are clues from the city of Halicarnassus all over town, at the theatre, Myndos Gate and the site of that mausoleum.
Bodrum is on a craggy peninsula where bays with clear, glistening waters are sheltered between headlands.
Here you can divide your time between thrilling archaeology and a sun lounger by a shimmering cove.
CLIMATE
The climate in Bodrum is typical of the southern Mediterranean; the summers are long and hot, followed by average autumn temperatures of 20+°C, short winters with lows of 10°C and an early spring.
Many Yachtsmen prefer the more consistent weather conditions in the period May to October, although the weather can be (and often is) warm and sunny right through to early December. From October the likelihood of storms and rain increases during the winter months.​
INFRASTRUCTURE
Famed for its sparkling seas, warm climate, bustling marinas, blue voyage cruises, upmarket tourism and many other unique features, the touristic hotspot of Bodrum on the Turkish Riviera has continued to attract international investments despite the pandemic.
The value of ongoing projects including infrastructure in Bodrum has so far topped $5 billion as the district continues to attract international investment amid the outbreak