Welcome to Bodrum
Bodrum,
is one of the most attractive cities in Turkey. A town of white houses hung
with flowers rising tier on tier against a green hill overlooking a dazzling
blue bay guarded by an impressive medieval castle. Bodrum, where the Aegean
and the Mediterranean Seas meet, is Turkey’s famous gateway to world tourism,
and is a unique place.
Bodrum itself is a good starting point for a journey along the Carian coast offering a panorama of mythology and history, and spectacular scenery outlined by sandy beaches, rocky coves and inlets resembling small fjords. The town’s charm is well known, attracting a diverse population of holiday makers who stroll along its long palm-lined waterfront, while elegant yachts crowd its marina.
Not far from town, you can swim in absolutely clear, calm and warm seas. Underwater divers, especially, will want to explore the numerous reefs, caves and majestic rock formations. The waters offer multicoloured sponges of all shapes and sizes, octopi and a wide variety of other aquatic life.
The
reputation of Bodrum’s boatyards dates back to ancient times, and today
craftsmen still build the traditional yachts: the Tirhandil, with a pointed
bow and stern, and the Gullets, with a broad beam and rounded stern. The
latter, especially, are used on excursions and pleasure trips, and in the
annual October Cup Race. Bodrum has also gained the reputation as the centre
of the Turkish art community, with its lively, friendly and Bohemian atmosphere
and many small galleries. This community has encouraged an informal daytime
lifestyle and a night-time of excitement.
The beautiful Bodrum Peninsula suits holiday makers interested in a relaxing atmosphere. Enchanting villages, with guest houses and small hotels on quiet bays, dot the peninsula. On the southern coast, Bardakci, Gumbet, Bitez, Ortakent, Karaincir, Bagla and Akyarlar have fine, sandy beaches. Campers and windsurfers enjoy Gumbet, and at Bitez colourful sailboards weave skillfully among the masts of yachts in the bay. 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; it’s also considered one of the best beaches in the world.
Turgutreis, Gumusluk and Yalikavak, all with excellent beaches, lie on the western side of the peninsula and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. In Turgutreis, the birthplace of a great Turkish Ottoman admiral of the same name, you will find a monument honouring him. In the ancient port of Myndos, Gumusluk, you can easily make many friends with the hospitable and outgoing local population. In Yalikavak, whitewashed houses with cascading Bougainvillea line narrow streets. Small cafés and the occasional windmill create a picturesque setting.
See
the north coast of the peninsula - Torba, Türkbükü, Golkoy and Gundogan
- by road or, even better, hire a boat and crew to explore the quiet coves,
citrus groves and wooded islands. Little windmills which still provide the
energy to grind grain, crown hills covered with olive trees. Torba, a modern
village with holiday villas and a nice marina, is located eight km north
of Bodrum. Turkbuku, crowded with celebrities, is said to be taking the
place of St. Tropez and becoming the first choice for the European jet set.
After a boat trip to Karaada, half an hour from Bodrum, you can bathe in the grotto where the warm mineral waters flowing out of the rocks are believed to beautify the complexion. Staying in Bodrum, visitors also have the opportunity to reach nearby ancient sites such as Ephesus. They can join the daily boat tours around Bodrum or go on the world famous ‘Blue Voyage’ to discover the most beautiful coastline in the south western region of Turkey. Iskele Meydani or Pier Square, is the heart of Bodrum.
It is an important meeting point and good starting point for shopping,
or eating and dining. If you plan to do some sightseeing in Bodrum, it is
also an excellent point to start. Next to Pier Square is the main entrance
to an immense castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. If you like
to hire boats for daily excursions around the Bodrum peninsula, it’s the
right place. Planning to have a good meal or to have some fun after eating,
there is a great selection of 
good
restaurants and night clubs in Bodrum. If you have time, walk along the
two major streets of Bodrum. This gives you a great chance to shop, as the
shopping is really wonderful in Bodrum: there is an incredible choice of
shops everywhere. Most of all do not miss the local open markets where you
can find anything you can think of: fresh fruits and vegetables, textile
products, flowers, birds etc. Merchants offer very attractive prices for
their products.
Various races with their different cultures, religions and languages have lived here, often together, since time immemorial. The inclination to ‘live and let live’ has evolved into strong attitudes of tolerance, broad-mindedness and warm hospitality which have now been bred into the people of Bodrum. Turkey welcomes you to Bodrum with the warmest hospitality.
Mehmet Bulent DOGU
(For more info:www.guidebodrum.com, www.bodrumpages.com, turkuaz-guide.net/bodrum)