About the bodrum
Bodrum, one of the 13 districts of Muğla province, is a heavenly holiday destination with its sea and nature. It attracts the attention of tourists with its white lime-covered stone houses, deep blue doors and windows, bays and peaceful atmosphere in all seasons. The history of Bodrum, a place preferred especially by foreign tourists, dates back to ancient times. B.C. The 650s are a period when Bodrum was called Halicarnassus. To come to this wonderful region, you can buy a Bodrum ferry ticket and enjoy the sea journey.
When the city was dedicated to St. Peter, its name was changed to Petrium. The word Petrium has also changed over time to Petrum, Potrum and Bodrum. After the declaration of the Republic, its name was officialized as Bodrum.
Bodrum, which is famous for its entertainment life as well as its sea, nature, historical and cultural features, is flooded with local and foreign tourists every season of the year.
Where is Bodrum?
Bodrum, one of the most popular holiday resorts of the Aegean Region, is a district located in the western region of Muğla province. Milas is surrounded by the Aegean Sea in the north, east and south, and in the east. It is on a peninsula jutting out into the sea from Milas and is the place preferred by millions of people for holidays every year.
Its population
According to 2018 data, it is the most populous district of Muğla with a population of 171,850 people. During the summer season, this population reaches 1.5-2 million, including holidaymakers. Bodrum, the pearl of the Aegean, is very lively in the summer as a district full of beaches and pools.
Geographical Features
Bodrum, which is a peninsula between Güllük in the north and Gökova Gulf in the south, attracts attention with its rugged lands and uneven coasts. Yaran Mountain, lying in the northeast and southwest, is in the eastern and central part of the district. There are valleys extending to the sea on the 86 nautical mile long coastline. Its surface area is 557 km² and it is in the Mediterranean climate zone.
Touristic Places to Visit
Bodrum has many places to visit and see with its bays, historical and cultural assets. Especially during the summer season, local and foreign tourists enjoy visiting historical and cultural riches as well as enjoying the sea and nature. Its beaches, festival areas and streets are flooded with local and foreign tourists. There are many places you can explore during a few-day Bodrum holiday. Bodrum Castle, Rabbit Island, Bodrum Rocks, Underwater Archeology Museum, Myndos Gate and Halicarnassus Mausoleum are just a few of them.
Bodrum castle
Bodrum Castle, one of the strongest castles from past to present, is a magnificent structure located in the district center. Separating the two ports, the castle is surrounded by sea on three sides. Each part of the castle, which has a different structure than the usual castle style, has its own atmosphere. The castle, which was built by the Knights of Saint Jean between 1406 and 1522 and was first converted into a church, then a mosque, and then a Turkish bath, was also used as a prison for a while. You should enjoy the magnificent sea view and city view from the castle, which operates as a museum today.
Museum of Underwater Archeology
The Underwater Archeology Museum, located inside the Bodrum Castle, is the only underwater archeology museum in our country and one of the few underwater archeology museums in the world. More than 10 thousand works are exhibited in 14 exhibition halls. It was deemed worthy of the "Special Praise" award in the "Museum of the Year" competition held in Europe in 1995.
In the museum, where especially the works found as a result of underwater excavations and research are exhibited, the works found as a result of the excavations and research carried out in Bodrum and its surroundings are also exhibited. You should definitely visit the Underwater Archeology Museum to see the world's richest Islamic Glass Collection, the Uluburun Shipwreck, an Amphora with a handled jug, the English Tower, the German Tower, the Turkish Bath Exhibition, the jewelry hall, the Commander's Tower, Bodrum Underwater Archeology Museum and many more.
Halicarnassus Mausoleum
The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the 7 wonders of the world, is a mausoleum built with Greek and Egyptian architecture. B.C. In 353, Queen Artemisia had it built for her deceased husband, King Mausolos of Caria. Influences of Greek architecture can be seen in the columns of the gigantic mausoleum. It also reveals Egyptian architecture with its pyramid roof. It was destroyed in the great earthquake in 1034, and its stones were used to build Bodrum Castle. The relief works and many of their pieces were moved to the British Museum. Although the Halicarnassus Mausoleum, which is used as an open-air museum today, is seen as a simple mausoleum, it is remarkable with both its external appearance and internal structure. There are also interesting tunnels in the building, which consists of 4 sections.
ancient theater
The Ancient Theatre, which has survived from the classical age to the present day and is located at the foot of Göktepe Mountain, is one of the oldest theaters in Anatolia and has a horseshoe shape. B.C. It was built in 337. The work, which was restored by the Turks in the 1960s, is used as a venue for many festivals today. It is remarkable with its capacity of 13 thousand people, distance between seats and holes between the seats. It is an open-air museum open 24/7 and can be visited free of charge.
Bitez
Bitez, the most popular beach of Muğla, is the most preferred beach by tourists with its green and blue colors. The 200 meter long beach is shaped like a half moon. As a blue flag beach, it is preferred for its waveless and calm sea and its suitability for water sports and surfing. You can reach the beach, which is 10 km away from the center, by minibuses departing from the center, and have a quiet, peaceful and enjoyable seaside experience.
Accommodation Opportunities
There are many accommodation options in Bodrum, which is a tourist paradise. According to expectations, there are hotels, motels, hostels and rental houses to suit every budget. As one of the most tourist-attracting holiday resorts in the Aegean, it offers many alternatives in terms of accommodation. We recommend that you make a reservation a few months in advance for accommodation in Bodrum, which is flooded with local and foreign tourists during the summer season.
Bodrum center is among the first preferred regions for accommodation. You can reach the market by walking in the center and use minibuses to the beaches. Torba, Türkbükü, Gümbet, Gündoğan, Yalıkavak, Ortakent, Bardakçı Bay, Yalıçiftlik and Turgutreis are among the other preferred towns for accommodation.
Economical Bodrum Hotels;
Eskici Hotel Bodrum
Şahin Apart Hotel Gumbet Bodrum
Serhan Hotel
Recommended Bodrum Hotels;
Myndos Residence
Agar Apart
Hadi Apart Hotel Bodrum
Festivals Special Events
Bodrum makes a name for itself with the festivals and events held in summer and winter. Among the festivals where music, dance and entertainment are intense, festivals where local flavors are also offered are held. Bodrum atmosphere appeals to every audience with its endless festival atmosphere. In addition to the festivals and events held every year, new festivals also attract great attention. Bodrum hosts colorful moments every season with local events, international events, music and dance shows and award-winning festivals.
Bodrum Tangerine Festival
Bodrum Tangerine Festival, held every year in January, hosts different tastes, from many foods made with tangerine to stuffed tangerine and cheese. Don't miss this festival to taste tangerine cake, cake, tangerine jam and many specialties.
Gündoğan Sausage and Wine Festival
This festival, which makes people water when they hear it, is held on the beach on the last Saturday of February. Local and foreign tourists fully enjoy Bodrum with its sea, sun, sand, sausage and wine.
Bodrum Cheese Festival Slow Cheese
Slow Cheese is a festival held every two years, where different cheeses are tasted and reminded of forgotten cheeses. You can visit the For the Love of Cheese exhibition and taste delicious cheese varieties in cafes and restaurants.
International Bodrum Dance Festival
The International Bodrum Dance Festival, which was held for the 19th time in 2018, is known as the largest and most famous dance festival in Europe. The festival, which has a very colorful atmosphere with participants from European countries, takes place in Bodrum Castle.
Bodrum Pedasa Festival, Bodrum Kite Awareness Festival, Summer Tango Fest Bodrum, Chill-Out, The Bodrum Cup, Bodrum Global Run and Ortakent Yahşi Bahar Festivals are among the other festivals.
Food culture
Bodrum, which has a very colorful cuisine with dishes containing olive oil, seafood and plenty of vegetables, appeals to every palate with its wide range of food. It is possible to find local flavors in every place, from the most luxurious restaurants to the smallest restaurants. You can find every place you are looking for in Bodrum, from restaurants where you can have your meal and enjoy the sea in between, to taverns that enliven the atmosphere with the sounds of folk music. The most delicious dishes of Bodrum cuisine are waiting for you in cafes serving village breakfast, artisan restaurants serving olive oil dishes, and luxury restaurants.
In Yalıkavak, you should definitely visit Asmalı Çardak and Havva Ana, which are famous for their breakfast. Lokmacı Ana in Gümüşlük is famous for its tangerine jam and Turkish delight. We should not forget the tea gardens in every bay where you can enjoy tea and coffee.
You will love the taste of stuffed zucchini flowers, sea beans, artichoke salad, hadalotu salad and herb bun pastry. When it comes to raw pastry, puff pastry, roasted hair and pita, do not forget to go to Hocanın Yeri, which has maintained the same quality for years, and taste the local delicacies.
Shopping
You can find many things you want to take with you as souvenirs when you return from your Bodrum holiday in Bodrum Bazaar. Offering many options when it comes to shopping, Bodrum is a place where you will find everything you are looking for, with the Bodrum Bazaar extending from Bar Street to Halicarnassus. Hundreds of products, from specially woven carpets to jewelry, from evil eye beads to pottery and needle lace, attract the attention of tourists. Bodrum sandals, handcrafted products, wooden items and Milas fabrics attract attention.
During the spring and summer season, Bodrum Bazaar is open until 03.00 at night. In Bodrum local markets, you can find fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as handmade jams and flavors, and buy herbs and spices. Türkbükü, Gümbet, Turgutreis, Yalıkavak and Ortakent are places where you can find neighborhood markets for shopping.
Transportation Alternatives
You can go to Bodrum by plane, bus or your own car. The distance from Milas-Bodrum Airport to Bodrum center is 32 km. You can reach the center from the airport in 35 minutes by taxi and airport shuttles.
You can pass from Bodrum to the Greek islands by purchasing a Bodrum Ferry Ticket . With Bodrum Kos ferry services, Yeşil Marmaris Lines offers quality and reliable service as a tourism company with the largest fleet in the Aegean. You can have a safe journey with the Bodrum Yeşil Marmaris Lines Ferry Ticket , and you can make the ferry journey at much more economical prices by purchasing a round-trip ticket.
As another option for Bodrum Kos, you can purchase a Catalines Ferry Ticket and obtain a ferry ticket online by entering the return date, number of passengers and vehicle status. Bodrum Kos ferries depart at 09.15 and arrive in Kos at 10.00.
If you want to visit the Greek islands while you are in Bodrum, you can visit Kos, which is among the most popular holiday routes. Catalines, which organizes trips to the Greek islands from different points, is a reliable company where you can purchase ferry tickets to the tourism paradise of Kos.
It is important to purchase your ticket a few days in advance to ensure that your holiday plan goes as you wish. It is especially recommended for those traveling by car to purchase their tickets early to avoid having trouble finding a ferry ticket.