Combining ancient and modern Turkish history, Bodrum boasts a glittering harbour, high end shops, an historic castle and a 2,000 year old amphitheatre. One of the most elegant cities on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast, it is home to an excellent choice of pavement cafes, restaurants, shops and nightclubs as well as some of the most important ancient sites in Turkey. Visitors to the city can enjoy the attractions of modern Bodrum, relax on one of its picturesque beaches or spend their days exploring the fascinating past of this charming seaside resort.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Bodrum
Eastern Bay – Also known as Kumbahce, the eastern part of Bodrum stretches out behind the castle and offers a thin strip of sandy beach, a great choice of shops and restaurants and some of the most famous night spots in the city.
Western Bay – Hugging the town’s upmarket marina, the Western Bay, or Salmakis, is full of fashionable restaurants, high end boutiques and characterful backstreets. Perfect for exploring on foot, this pretty area offers great food, shopping and sightseeing.
Karakaya Village – One of the oldest settlements on the Bodrum Peninsula, Karakaya Village dates back over 300 years. Though half of the village is abandoned, the other half has been beautifully restored and is a great place to learn about the area’s traditional architecture and way of life.
Gumbet – Located just over a mile from Bodrum, the seaside settlement of Gumbet is home to a beautiful beach, lively nightlife and a wide choice of watersports, making it a great destination for visitors who want to have fun in the sun and party the night away.
Things to See in Bodrum
The most famous sight in the city is Bodrum Castle, built in the 15th century by the Knights of St John, the castle towers over the city and marina to this day. Built into the castle are remnants of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World before it was destroyed by successive earthquakes in the 14th and 15th centuries. One of Bodrum’s oldest remaining buildings is its impressive amphitheatre which dates back over 2,000 years and is one of the best preserved sites from the ancient city of Halicarnassus, the first incarnation of Bodrum.
Things to Do in Bodrum
Whether visitors are looking for culture, shopping or relaxation, Bodrum has it all. The extensive coastline gives visitors a great choice of resorts and beaches, while a number of watersports are available at centres along the peninsula. Bodrum Town is a great destination for nightlife, with the clubs and bars of the Eastern Bay busy from late at night until well into the wee hours. The centre of Bodrum is also the best place on the peninsula for shopping with a great choice of markets and a number of independent and high end boutiques found in the area around the marina.
