Regional Overview
Bodrum, the ancient homeland of Herodotus, is one of the most important tourism regions in Turkey, and is the Aegean Coast’s premiere tourism hub. Bodrum attracts nearly a third of all visitors of the Aegean Coast region, welcoming millions each year. With its incomparable natural beauty, man-made wonders, ancient ruins, and amazingly warm and hospitable local residents, every type of vacationer finds something of interest here. Shining stars from all forms of arts find overwhelming inspiration here and are often spotted in or around the peninsula's many venues.
In ancient times, Homer described Bodrum as "the land of eternal blue". During the 20th century, a famous Turkish writer Cevat Sakir (Fisherman of Halicarnassus) said this about Bodrum, "the heavenly bliss of life in Bodrum is better than any eternal bliss that may await us". Even after thousands of years, we can see that perception of Bodrum continues in the hearts and minds of all who visit here.
The page you visited provides Regional Overview of Bodrum Destination. For more details of each of the major regions of Bodrum, please also visit Bodrum All Regions.
Tourists -from all income groups- can meet their expectations in Bodrum, as it offers many fabulous facilities that exceed the checklist requirements of most all coming here.
Bodrum’s climate is a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and rainy and mild winters. Despite it’s seaside location, the weather is non-humid, which minimizes the effect of heat during hot summer days. The easiest access is from Bodrum(Milas) Airport, an international airport 30km from Bodrum,. The trip costs around €30 by taxi, unless other transfer alternatives are considered.
Bodrum peninsula hosts the town of Bodrum (central Bodrum), and the pretty villages lying around the beaches surrounding the Bodrum peninsula. Bodrum’s history extends back 3000 years. According to Bodrum’s historian Herodotus, Bodrum was founded by Dorians around 1000 B.C. at the place where the Bodrum Castle is today. Afterwards, Bodrum was seized by Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Menteshes, and the Ottomans.
Once you’re in Bodrum, you will not need to search any further. The lace like coastal line surrounding the peninsula offers extraordinary sailing experiences in addition to other water sporting activities like diving, surfing, snorkelling, as well as swimming in the turquoise waters of Aegean Sea. Non-stop attractive, appealing lively nights await you in Bodrum. So please relax and refresh yourself, and throw all the tiredness of the previous night’s hangovers away while lying by the sea and enjoying the beautiful peaceful Bodrum atmosphere during the day time.
Bodrum is also called "The White City" as all the buildings are white, and some traditional Bodrum houses are subject to conservation rules. Many of these old Bodrum houses are owned by artists and writers, giving Bodrum a bohemian atmosphere.
Places of interest in Bodrum
Bodrum (peninsula) and it’s town center:
A fabulous holiday spot, Bodrum fulfils all the needs and expectations of a visitor by offering its history, nature, entertainment , shopping , restaurants and accommodation possibilities. Bodrum also has many fishing, sporting and yachting options and has all social requirements you can think of including sophisticated health services.
With it’s easy transfer options including international pier/ port for large cruise ships, ferry port serving the Greek islands, 3 international marinas, international airport, and convenient connections to other cities in the region, Bodrum is surely the hub of the Aegean Coast.
The main historic spots in Bodrum Peninsula include Bodrum Castle, Mausoleum, Ancient Theatre, and the ancient cities of Myndos (Gumusluk), Termena (Akcaalan), Telmisos (Gurece), Kadiyanda (Asagigol) and Theangela (Etrin).
Bodrum Castle (Saint Petrum):
Bodrum Castle was built by Rhodes Knights in the 15th.century and was dedicated to St. Peter. During it’s construction, stones and reliefs of Mausoleum of King Mausolos were used, and the construction lasted more than 90 years, covering around 30.000 sq.meters. The castle was built on the Zephyrion island (now it is no longer an island). It has 5 towers.
Myndos Gate:
Myndos Gate consisted of an inner courtyard and two monumental towers that lead to the city of Halicarnassus. The remains still exist in the region.
Antique Theatre:
Even after thousands of years, Bodrum’s Ancient Theatre is still used for performances today. It has capacity for 13,000 people seated.
Rock tombs:
The Rock Tombs belong to the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and are situated above the theatre.
Cisterns:
Built by the Ottomans for reserving rain water, the cisterns can be seen all around the peninsula.
Underwater Archaeological Museum of Bodrum:
The museum is not under water, but is housed by the Castle of St. John. The underwater archaeological museum of Bodrum exhibits several collections of ancient artefacts including relics and treasures retrieved from historic shipwrecks along the Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
You can also see the remains of the oldest known sunken ship in the world. The museum is one of the biggest of its kind, and received the "Best Museum" award in 1995.
Mausoleum Open Air Museum:
The tomb of Caria King Mausolos is located here, and this is also where its name comes from. Mausolos’ wife and sister were famous architects and they designed the structure. The mausoleum was one of the seven wonders of the ancient periods. It was nearly completely destroyed in the great Anatolian earthquake.
Bodrum’s beaches and little villages (continuous, comfortable and cheap transport possibilities available between Bodrum town center and the beaches/ villages)
It is nearly in Bodrum town center. The cove is famous for its beautiful sea and springs.
Walking distance to Bodrum, about 3km away. One can enjoy the silent peaceful daytime while relaxing at the beautiful beaches and enjoying the lovely sea and sun, while at night time, with its hundreds of bars and restaurants, it offers very attractive and entertaining nightlife.
Adabogazi (Aquarium):
It is located at the west end of Gumbet’s peninsula, also called Aquarium due to it’s literally crystal clear waters. You can see the seafloor at a depth of 30m with the naked eye. This is a popular stop for the day boats from Bitez.
It is 10km from Bodrum, and is one of the best coves on the Bodrum peninsula. It has long sandy beaches where you can relax between the harmony of green and blue. Taking a walk in the very narrow roads (locally called Irme) between the tangerine orchards and olive groves will leave unforgettable memories for you. Bitez, together with Alacati in , is one of the best wind surfing areas in the world. You can experience all kinds of sports in the Bitez cove.
A very charming and lovely place, located 10km from Bodrum. You can take boats from Torba to Didim , and to the ancient sites Miletos and Priene .
It is at the west side of Bodrum peninsula, 14km from Bodrum, and is famous for it’s citrus orchards. Through a narrow road from the village center, you can reach Ortakent’s seaside and long beach.
It is 15km from Bodrum. Akyarlar cove has lovely beaches and clear waters.
Bagla:
Situated 15km from Bodrum, it has a perfect beach and a very convenient camping site.
Situated approximately 14km from Bodrum, Golturkbuku consists of two wonderful coves, namely Golkoy and Turkbuku. Golkoy is a relatively quieter cove reflecting the green of olive, tangerine and pine trees on the turquoise sea. However, the cove of Turkbuku is much busier with elegant beach clubs, restaurants, and hotels. It also has very attractive nightlife options.
Karaincir:
It is 16km from Bodrum, and has a 500m long sandy beach.
Aspat (Cift Kale):
Aspat, originally Aspartos, is situated at the southwest of the peninsula, founded close to Bagla cove on a barren rock. The remains of several civilizations can be seen in Aspat.
Located 18km from Bodrum, it has a beautiful location for watching marvellous sunsets while eating your fresh fish at the famous fish restaurants by the sea. With it’s windmills, colourful sunsets, and oleanders, refreshing breezes, and unspoilt nature, Yalikavak offers anything and everything that a tourist can ask for. For yachtsmen it has a splendid international marina with capacity for 450 boats.
Located 18km from Bodrum, Gundogan has a nicely preserved cove, covered with tangerine trees and orchards.
After Bodrum town center, Turgutreis is the most populated area on the Bodrum peninsula. It has an excellent international marina with capacity for 550 yachts at sea and 100 yachts at the coast, where the sailing lovers are provided with all the service they require. It takes its name from the famous Turkish admiral, Turgut Reis, and is 20km from Bodrum.
Takes it’s name from a castle during the Helenistic period. Situated 23km from Bodrum, it is a small village with sandy beaches.
One of the oldest settlements, where you can still see the underwater remains. The old harbour wall connects Tavsan adasi (Rabbit island) to the mainland. The colourful sunset in Gumusluk reflects silver (as is the village’s name in Turkish) like colours from the calm silent surface of the cove. Gumusluk is also famous for its delicious fish, and the variety of fish restaurants by the sea shore.
Guvercinlik:
Located 25km from Bodrum’s town center, Guvercinlik is a beautiful, silent cove where the blue meets the green. Make sure to not leave without visiting and dining at the small seaside fish restaurants.
Yaliciftlik:
Although Yaliciftlik is located 15km from Bodrum, it is not on the Bodrum peninsula but rather lies on the coastline of the Gokova Gulf. Its glittering turquoise sea and long beaches invite you to the stunning swimming experience in the area.
Karaada:
An island 6km away from Bodrum. As well as its wonderful clear and silent coves, it is mainly famous for its healing mineral springs coming out of the cave. At the entrance of the cave the accumulated mud is known to be good for the skin.
