Bodrum Holiday Guide, Turkey.

Bodrum is the most well known of the resorts on the Bodrum peninsular. Fabulous views of the castle from all around the harbour. The narrow winding streets are full of shops bars and restaurants, the place to stroll during the balmy warm evenings. Wander down to the harbour and admire the gaily painted wooden gulets which can take you on trips to the nearby Greek islands. There is much to do and see in Bodrum, from historic sights to it’s abundance of water sports. Those looking for a more active holiday in Turkey won’t be disappointed. Go walking, cycling, swimming, diving, fishing, or sailing, charter a yacht for a day and explore the Bodrum peninsula with its many islands, beaches, towns and fishing villages. Take a ferry trip from Bodrum to the islands of Rhodes and Kos. If beachgoing is the main event, Bodrum is surrounded by fantastic bays and seaside villages, Yalikavak, Turgutreis, Ortakent, and Akyarlar to name but a few. On the northern end of the peninsular and only 8km (5 miles) from Bodrum is Torba, where fishermen haul in their nets and you can amble along the beach to the remains of an old Byzantine monastery. The simple hillside village and serene bay of Golturkbuku have attracted the jet set of Turkey. The new marinas at Yalikavak and Turgutreis are meant to fill the gap for yachters traveling between Kusadasi and Bodrum, where beaches and sheltered waterfront promenades lined with restaurants and souvenir shops make for an easy and enjoyable day out.

Bodrum nightlife.

Nightlife in Bodrum is famous for having some of the best nightclubs to be found anywhere in Turkey. Located by the marina you will find the Yacht Club, housing two restaurants and four bars. Live jazz and Latin music are played throughout the summer. There is also a cocktail bar and rooftop bar that provides a fantastic view over the castle and Bodrum marina. The biggest open-air disco-club in Europe is the Halikarnas, alongside Bodrum castle, and the loudest! Club Catamaran is also by the castle and has a glass dance-floor enabling you to see the water below.

Food and Drink in Bodrum. There are very many restaurants in Bodrum serving delicious locally caught fish and traditional Turkish food. You will also find Chinese, Indian and fast food takeaways. A lovely area is Restaurant Ally with several traditional Turkish restaurants, you will often find local musicians playing here. Food is generally very reasonably priced in Bodrum and good value for money. In many places you can relax after your meal with a Nargile [Hookah] with many different flavoured tobaccos available. Turkish coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love." Turkish Proverb". Turkish coffee is served from a coffee pot called a "cezve". Traditionally, after the coffee is drunk, the cup is turned upside down on the saucer and your fortune read from the coffee grounds. The most popular beer in Bodrum is Efes, the national beer of Turkey, excellent quality. For something stronger try a Raki, an aniseed flavoured drink that is generally mixed with water which turns it milky, very similar to Ouzo but be careful and treat it with respect, it can go down too easily!

Shopping in Bodrum.

As everywhere in Turkey, shopping in Bodrum is an adventurous experience, dozens of shops offering leatherwear, gold and silver items, designer clothing, which is mostly fake but acceptable quality for the price and many types of souvenir. Haggling in Bodrum is a must and expected, look toward paying around half of the asking price. Also look out for carpets and kilims. Bodrum offers An excellent fruit and vegetable market on Fridays and a craft market on Tuesdays.

Dedenham Aquapark Bodrum, the largest water and amusement park of it's kind in Turkey, is located at Ortakent on the outskirts of Bodrum. The local travel agents run excursions there, but you can easily catch a dolmus.

Some historical sites of Bodrum.

· Halicarnassos Mausoleum is Bodrum's oldest and most significant archaeological site, and was once one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Mausoleum was built by Artemisia II in honour of her husband King Mausolos from which the word "mausoleum" is derived . 

· The Castle of St. Peter is the most well-known and prominent landmark of the Bodrum landscape. The castle dates back to the knights of St. John. Construction of the castle began in the 1400s. Today, the Castle is home to the Underwater Museum, whose exhibits include an ancient shipwreck and various other antiquities found in the area.

· Bodrum Amphitheatre, accredited to the reign of King Mausolus, is to be found on the hillside overlooking Bodrum. The theatre had a seating of about 13,000. 

· Myndos Gate, once again from King Mausolus's time, is the remaining part of the original city wall. Found on the west side of the resort, was one of two entrances to ancient Halicarnassus. The gate is named after the town which it faced, Myndos (now Gümüslük).