Bodrum
The most glamorous hangout in the Mediterranean, A fascinating paradise in the traces of history…
“Fragments of islands too small to name and little-known lagoons to swim in – the Turkish Riviera has become one of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous hangouts.” Says LAURA FOWLER in her article in Traveller magazine.
Bodrum is a beautiful coastal city located in the southwestern region of Turkey. It is a popular tourist destination known for it’s lace-like bays, stunning beaches, historical and cultural heritage, luxury accommodation options, unique eating and drinking culture and vibrant nightlife.
Bodrum was built on the ruins of ancient Halicarnassus by the Hospitallers, a Crusading order, who occupied the site in 1402. Their spectacular castle, Castle of St. Peter, remained a Christian stronghold until the Ottoman sultan Süleyman I the Magnificent captured it in 1522. The castle continues to be the town’s major landmark. The ruins of the Mausoleum of Mausolus, ruler of Caria (4th century BCE), at Halicarnassus are also notable. The town was briefly occupied by Italy between 1919 and 1921.
A yacth marina in the Bodrum’s historic town center -which is adorned by the majestic Castle of St. Peter-, with a capacity of approximately 2000 berths graces the coastline, welcoming both seasoned sailors and those yearning for waterfront lifestyle.
Since the late 20th century, tourism has become the main industry in Bodrum. The abundance of visitors has also contributed to Bodrum’s retail and service industry.
In 2019, Bodrum booming like never before, all aflutter with sleek openings which manicured great swathes of the peninsula into next-level hotels. Old favourites have been revived; Nicolas Sarkozy was among those holing up in the sexy and secluded Amanruya. The enlarged Yalikavak Marina is deep and glitzy enough to accommodate superyachts with Monets and Rothkos on board.
In summary, apart from sea, sun and it’s natural beauties, Bodrum offers modern amenities, including shopping malls, diverse dining options, a thriving nightlife, creating a dynamic and yet laid-back athmosphere. Bodrum works for everyone, the ones who need a slow relaxing life-style and the ones who want to have both.
It is easy to see how, despite all Bodrum’s newfound glossiness, you can fall in love with the simple life here. Just as long as there is good food to eat and good wine to drink, and someone has a boat.
WHEN TO GO
Bodrum enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate, with hot and humid summers followed by average autumn temperatures of 20+°C, short winters with lows of 10°C and an early spring.
If you’re a sunseeker the best time to visit Bodrum is between June and September. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 36 C and an average low of 20 C.
April- May & September- October is perfect for the ones who seek for a quite life, yet enjoy the sweet summer breeze and the sun.
Spring/Summer
From March the weather starts to heat up in Bodrum, with average temperatures in April of between 20-21 degrees. Summers in Bodrum tend to be hot, dry and sunny with minimal (if any) rainfall through July, August and September. August is the driest and hottest month of the year for Bodrum. The daily average temperature rarely drops below 30°C, with highs of 36°C and above.
Autumn/Winter
Early autumn is often a great time to visit Bodrum, as in October Bodrum still sees a fair amount of sunshine, and even the sea temperature is still a comfortable average of 23°C. The winter months do see higher rainfall and dropping temperatures. Across the winter months, the average low is around 7°C.
HOW TO GET THERE
Bodrum is well served by air. The main income airport is Bodrum (BJV), located 19 miles away from the city. However, Kos, Rhodes and Dalaman are still within easy reach, meaning that it is a destination accessible from a wealth of countries directly.
Ferries link Bodrum to the nearby Greek Islands of Rhodes, Kalymnos, Symi and Kos. Kos is the closest with the hovercraft journey short enough that it is hardly worth sitting down. More people arrive by charter yacht from points to the north and east.
SIGHTSEEING
Bodrum Castle (St Peter’s Castle)
This magnificent castle, which stands guard over Bodrum Cove, is featured on every gift-shop postcard. It was built in the early 15th century by the Knights of St. John and has since functioned as a military post, jail, and even public baths — but the most recent repetition was restored from ruins in 1962 in an original style. The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is located within.
The Ancient Theater
Windmills of Bodrum
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The monument was the tomb of Mausolus, ruler of Caria, in southwestern Asia Minor. It was built in his capital city, Halicarnassus, between about 353 and 351 BCE by his sister and widow, Artemisia II.
The Ancient Theater
This remarkable archaeological site offers a glimpse into the rich heritage of the region. With its breathtaking views, intriguing discoveries, and a calendar filled with cultural events, the Bodrum Antique Theatre is a must-visit destination in Gumbet, Bodrum. It is one of the best preserved structures of the ancient Halikarnassus. The Antique Theatre has become an open air museum after 1973 and nowadays is being used at the concerts, festivals and cultural activities that are held in Bodrum, which are eagerly awaited every year, starting on July 1 and continue throughout August.
Windmills of Bodrum
Among many landmarks of Bodrum, the windmills stand out as unique structures that have become an iconic part of the Bodrum Peninsula’s landscape. These windmills, dating back to the 18th century, were used to grind grains and are now popular tourist attractions.
There are seven windmills in the region. They were used from the 18th century till 1970s. The conditions of the windmills are not well but it worth a visit and see the panoramic views of the peninsula, and take pictures.
ART & CULTURE
Apart from Bodrum’s natural beauty and beaches, the city also hosts many cultural events especially during it’s long summer.Zai Bodrum
Zai Bodrum is a living and socializing space that appeals to the 5 senses; Gastronomy, film, music, theater, literature and art are all together here in one location. The quiet space of Zai Yaşam is also a new generation library which has reading areas where you can get lost among the books, as well as the opportunity to buy the books you choose.
Many events and concerts take place in it’s large garden full of famous painters paintings and sculptures. The building has a modern and stylish design. Düsseldorf based famous art gallery Anna Laudel is also inside Zai.
Zai is also a very interesting place as a cafe/restaurant. The atmossphere is amazing and calm, foods are excellent.
Dibeklihan Art & Culture Village
In the days of the Silk Road, it was vital that travelers had places to rest along the long route from China to Istanbul. As the sun began to set, the traders would bring their animals loaded with precious goods to a caravansary or han. There they would find a roof, a bed, and hot food. As importantly they would be able to share stories of the road with other traders. Coming to the 21st century, Dibeklihan Culture and Art Village is reviving the artistic side of these caravansaries for travelers in Bodrum.
Pilevneli Art Gallery , Yalıkavak
PILEVNELI is an international contemporary art gallery located in Istanbul and Bodrum where you can also enjoy the amazing view, watch the sunset and dine…
Art Hill Ender Güzey Museum
Ever since writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı—better known as “the fisherman of Halicarnassus”—made his home in Bodrum back in the 1920s, the area has been a favorite haunt for writers and artists. A recent contribution to that culture arrived in the form of Ender Güzey’s ARTHill Museum, which opened in 2016.
More than just a gallery, ARTHill takes a holistic approach to its exhibits and environment. It sits on a hill opposite the ancient settlement of Syangela, which in the native Lelege language means “Road to the Mother Goddess”. The building’s form incorporates the bull horns that are a recurring motif in museum founder Güzey’s work. Its energy is sourced entirely from solar panels and wind turbines, making it a low-impact mark on the landscape. Art flows from the rooms inside into an outdoor sculpture garden framed by the forested hills.
CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Turkish cuisine is famous for its world-renowned flavors. Turks, like Italians, can talk about tomatoes for hours. If you catch the weekly local bazaars, you can buy directly from the villagers.
Bodrum has great potential in terms of gastronomic tourism with it’s various restaurants and fish restaurants famous for seafood. Along with local tastes, you can also enjoy world cuisine at world-wide known restaurants like Zuma (Contemporary Japanese Cuisine), Fenix, famous Russian Restaurant chains like Novikov, White-Rabbit and many more…
Gümüşlük, Bodrum
Until the 20th century the fishing villages dotted around the Bodrum Peninsula were only accessible from the water, and still today the best way to get around is by boat. Of all these fishing villages, the most charming one is Gümüşlük. Ramshackle restaurants, simple driftwood-style shacks line the water’s edge, some literally set in the shallows, where you can eat meze and just-caught & grilled fish with your feet in the water.
NATURE & SPORT ACTIVITIES
Scuba diving and boat trips
Bodrum dubbed the Turkish ‘Saint Trop’, sees it’s population increase over the summer months: the city that never sleeps during high season reaches half a million inhabitants. Ideal for pleasure boaters who wish to discover the Aegean Sea, Bodrum is a must-see destination.
Bodrum is one of the best diving destinations in the country. The blue waters of the Aegean Sea host numerous spots that are ideal for underwater exploration. From plane wrecks to ship wrecks, Bodrum is home to top snorkeling and diving sites.
With the Mediterranean waters offering high visibility, warm temperatures, and a variety of underwater environments, the Bodrum Peninsula is among Turkey’s top snorkeling and diving destinations.
Bodrum Orak Island-also known as Turkish Maldives- is one of the most charming islands close to Bodrum and swim into the turquoise waters.
Daily boat trips allow you to venture beyond the shores and explore the hidden gems of the Aegean Sea. Discover secluded coves, pristine beaches, and breathtaking cliffs that are only accessible by boat. We would advice you to visit the most popular ones: Orak Island, Camel beach, Bagla Bay, Aquarium Bay, Cennet Bay…
Dive into the crystal-clear waters for a refreshing swim or grab a snorkel to explore the vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life.
Bodrum Cennet (Paradise) bay Bodrum Orak Island (Turkish Maldives)
Windsurfing in Bodrum
Windsurfing is one of most popular water sports activities in Bodrum. The Bodrum peninsula is home to several bays and coves that are open to strong winds which allows windsurfing lovers to enjoy and experience windsurfing. Bitez can be considered as the best windsurfing destination among those resorts.
Yoga Clubs and Detox Clinics
There are many detox and spa hotels in Bodrum as well. The LifeCoWellbeing Bodrum is a unique destination for healing and detoxification in Europe. Located in an oversize garden with botanically maintained areas, among orange, palm and mandarine trees, and only a few minutes from the blue waters of the Mediterranean sea in Göltürkbükü, Bodrum, the facility has 30 guestrooms, various therapy rooms, terraces, yoga rooms, large swimming pool and more.