TURKEY
Bodrum

Bodrum

Bodrum Harbor_{Photo: Mansevikobora CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

Bodrum is a city in the south of Turkey on the Aegean coast. In winter, the city has about 50,000 residents, but in summer this number rises to 200,000. As a seaside resort, Bodrum is a popular holiday destination for many tourists. The available hotels and apartments ensure that thousands of holidaymakers find a pleasant accommodation every season.

Location

Bodrum is a city on the southwest coast of Turkey on the Gulf of Gokova. Bodrum is located opposite the Greek island of Kos. The region includes the municipalities of Bodrum, Turgutreis, Ortakent, Turkbuku, Yalikavak, Gumusluk, Bitez, Konacik, Yali and Mumcular.

Weather

Bodrum generally has a mild climate in winter and a very warm climate in summer. The months of July and August are the hottest months when the temperature often reaches between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. The ideal travel time for Bodrum depends on the exact holiday plans. Active holidays are best celebrated in March, April and May as the temperatures are then relatively cool. The months of June, September and October are very suitable for a beach holiday because it is wonderful beach weather, but it is not yet too hot. In the summer months of July and August, the mercury rises on average to 30-40 degrees Celsius. In these periods, tourists are really dependent on the beach and the sea to be able to cool off from time to time.

Gulets off the coast of Bodrum_{Photo: Georges Jansoone CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

History

According to Herodotus, who was born in Halikarnassus (That is the old name for Bodrum) in 484 BC, the city was founded by the Dorians. The Persians conquered the city in 386 BC. Halikarnassus had its heyday when it was the capital of Caria around 353 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum was built by Artemisia in memory of King Mausolos. After centuries of rule by the Romans and Byzantines, the Ottomans conquered the city in 1522, during the reign of Suleyman the Great. The crusaders also controlled the city. The city was named Bodrum after the establishment of the Turkish Republic. For a complete overview of the history of Turkey see the history page of Landenweb.

Sights

Bodrum has several attractions that are worth a visit. One of the tourist attractions is the museum of underwater archeology. The oldest shipwreck in the world is exhibited in this museum. This museum is located in Bodrum Castle. That is a castle built by the order of St. John. The castle dates from the 15th century and is one of Bodrum's greatest attractions.

In addition, it is possible to visit the mausoleum of Halicarnassus. There are also several mosques where people are welcome to come and have a look and there are several hammams (bath houses) in the city where wonderful relaxation can be found. Finally, the Greek island of Kos is a stone's throw away. A nice destination for a day trip by boat.

Tips

For a number of years, Bodrum has grown from a quiet town to a bustling holiday town where there is something to do 24 hours a day. The city is mainly known for its beautiful marina.

Bodrum Castle_{Photo: Ad Meskens CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

In addition, the city center has a very charming character in the evening when the narrow streets are filled with a pleasant holiday crowd and the large castle of the city is illuminated in the background. Yet most people come to Bodrum for the wonderful climate, clear blue bays and beautiful beaches. In addition to the busier beaches, you can still find quiet little bays with a romantic atmosphere.

One of the unique features of the Bodrum area is that real Turkish life is already taking place in all its glory just outside the busy seaside town. From Bodrum it is easy to explore the area outside the resort. First of all, several minibuses (Dolmus) drive inland. The destination is clearly indicated on the vans. A second option is to take a day trip to nearby villages with a traditional wooden boat. The boats leave from the harbor and various beaches.

Beach Bodrum_{Photo: Tanya Dedyukhina CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

There are several ways to get to Bodrum. The most obvious way to travel is by plane. Bodrum has its own airport: Bodrum Milas. A direct flight to Bodrum takes about 3.5 hours from the Netherlands and is operated by various charter companies in the summer. It is also possible to fly to Bodrum with a transfer in Istanbul. In that case, the total travel time will be approximately 6 hours.

It is also possible to visit Bodrum by boat, as the town is known for its large modern marina.