Bodrum

Bodrum

The history of Bodrum, known as Halicarnassus or Halicarnassos goes back to the 13th century BC. Excavaties reveal the 5000 year old history of this town. The Mausoleum is Bodrums oldest antiquity and was built by Artemisia II in honour of her husband King Mausolos. It became one of the wonders of the ancient world, Mausoleum still is the general term for a large tomb.

Today Bodrum is a holiday resort is that has active recreational opportunities available by day and an unequaled Bodrum nightlife, in addition to the many tranquil bays, beaches. No other area on the Turkish Aegean coast provides the visitor with the opportunity to experience traditional Turkish life only a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of a modern tourist center.

Where is it?

Bodrum Peninsula is situated on the southwest coast of Turkey, in the eastern Aegean. The Peninsula extends 42 km in the E-W direction and 6 km - 23.8 km in the N-S direction between the bays of Güllük and Gökova. Covering an area of 649 km2, its highest elevation is measured as 690m. The Bodrum Peninsula is surrounded by 32 islands and islets and forms a 174 km long coastline.

What to do and see:

There are several ways to explore the peninsula, the most enjoyable of which are to visit several of the bays and seaside villages mentioned via one of the daily boat trips available from Bodrum harbor or from any of the local beaches or harbors. The other is to take the Dolmus, the local mini busses. Dolmus await the passenger for every destination at the bus station on the main road out of town. Destinations are clearly displayed on each vehicle and all one does is go and take a seat and wait for the bus to fill.

On shore you can enjoy quiet walks through the orange and tangerine groves bordering the beach. Ortakent has one of the longest stretches of sandy beach in the area and offers an ideal place for relaxing in solitude. One of the most beautiful beaches on the Bodrum peninsula, Karaincir, is ideal for lively active days by the sea and relaxed, leisurely evenings with local villagers. Finally, Akyarlar enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the fine, powdery sand of its beach.