Bodrum Guide
"If you come to the top of this hill, you will see Bodrum. Do not think that you'll leave as the person you arrived."
Halicarnassus, the capital of antique Caria, is an ancient city of 5 thousand years that blends many civilizations and communities in its soil and sun including Lelegians, Carians, Dorians, armies of Alexander the Great, legions of the Romans, landlords of the Byzantine, Knights of Saint Jean and Turkish sovereignty of many centuries.
It is today’s Bodrum and the favourite destination for history, sea and entertainment tourism with its bays blessed with blue waters and blue flag beaches.
These mysterious lands with the white houses carrying a smell of bougainvillea in daytime and jasmine at night, where celebrities choose to live in, and its narrow streets, where the Zephyros Winds dance in, are the heritage of Herodotus, the father of history and Cevat Şakir, the Fisherman of Halicarnassus.
It is an international brand for tourism and entertainment.
It is Bodrum, which will set you free even from yourselves.
One day you will definitely visit Bodrum, the city of dreams. You will see this city and maybe you will return, albeit difficult.
Nevertheless as mentioned by the Fisherman of Halicarnassus “you will leave your mind behind in Bodrum” and collect unforgettable memories in this city.
Ahmet Aras
Mayor of Bodrum
The Land of Eternal Blues
HOMER
Bodrum, the favourite city of tourism, is a heaven on earth with its blue sea, lace-like bays, slate stone streets, colourful bougainvillea symbolizing peace and love, ancient corners of historical and cultural heritage, touristic facilities, entertainment centres, handcrafts, authentic cuisine, seafood, fascinating sunrise and sunsets, healthy climate, international festivals and universal art culture.
Pedasa Ancient City
It was founded by the Lelegians. It is the most sheltered ancient city in terms of architecture. It is named as “Gökçeler Castle” by the local people.
Pedasa Ancient City, which attracts attention with its platform tombs, is still home to archaeological excavations. “The Lelegian Ancient Way”, which is approximately 185 km long, has today been used as a biking and hiking trail.
Myndos Ancient City
Myndos, dating back to 2000 B.C, was established at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean and means “Worship to the Goddess” in the Luwian language.
Myndos resisted and did not surrender to Alexander the Great who invaded Anatolia in 334 BC. Myndos was also the hiding place of Brutus, the adopted son of the Roman Empire Ceasar, who had to flee Rome in 44BC due to this role in the assassination of Ceasar.
Mausoleum Open Air Museum
Mausoleum was built by Artemisia II, the Queen of Caria, for her husband and brother Mausolos, and considered as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Considerable parts of this 36 column monument was brought to England and is currently exhibited in the British Museum.
Today in world languages the word “Mausoleum” has still been used to define memorial tombs.
Peynir Cicegi Cave
Peynir Cicegi Cave, which is estimated to have a history of at least 5 thousand years from the finds of Chalcolithic and Old Bronze Age, is also the centre of attention with its stalactites formed in thousands of years.
Telmissos Ancient City
Telmissos Ancient City is within the borders of Gürece Village and as per the statements of Herodotus, the father of history, this city was home to the Temple of Apollo, which was famous for its prophesies. Nevertheless there are no traces of the temple to the present day. On the hill above the village it is possible to see the remains of the Hellenistic bastion.
Temple of Aphrodite and Hermes,
Salmakis Fountain
Due to the sea level rising in the last two thousand years, both temples have been inundated and no extensive excavation has yet been conducted. The remains of the Salmakis Fountain can still be seen in Gümbet Military Beach today.
30 Column Stoa and Gymnasium
Only the column bases of the Stoa and Halikarnassos Gymnasium still remain today.
Late Roman Villa
The Late Roman Villa, located in the area between Eskiçeşme and Yeniköy within an area of 1500 m2 is estimated to date back to 450 years A.D. Some of its mosaics are today exhibited in the British Museum.
Salmakis (Bardakçı) Bay
This is the bay where nymph Salmacis and Hermaphroditos, legendary beautiful son of God Hermes and Goddess Aphrodit, joined together as half man and half woman. In medical literature, the concept of “Hermaphrodite” is used to define androgynousness.
Salmakis Inscription
This inscription was discovered by Danish and Turkish archaeologists during a military construction in Bardakci Bay and named as Salmakis Inscription.
“Reputable writers and poets born in Halicarnassus, Artemisia is proud of” were narrated in an epigraph discovered among ruins of Roman walls and mosaics.
“Tell me Aphrodite, tell me
You sacred balm-smelling, myrrh-breathed
Aphrodite
What makes Halicarnassus so proud?
I have not heard for myself, why this proud boast?”
Temple of Mars (Ares)
The Temple is named after Ares, the God of War. Today, only 105 meters wide terrace ruins of the temple remains. The column with floral motifs exhibited in the British Museum is believed to belong to this temple.
Aspat Castle and Termera Ancient City
Aspat Castle is located on the conical hill overlooking Aspat Bay in Akyarlar. Termera Antique City, which is a Lelegian settlement, is located on the Asarlık Hill above Mandıra Village; however, the
remains that have survived are quite few.
Ancient Tombs
The two ancient cemeteries of Halicarnassus are located near the gates of Myndos and Mylasa. However, it is possible to see many ancient tombs throughout the peninsula. One of them is the tomb of Carian Princess Ada, which is exhibited in Bodrum Underwater
Archaeology Museum.
Myndos Gate
Myndos Gate, one of the gates of Halicarnassus, was built in the 4th century BC.
Bodrum Ancient Theatre
The Ancient Theatre, located in Göktepe on the Bodrum-Turgutreis road, is one of the first theatres in Anatolia and most important historical monuments from Halicarnassus to the present day. In ancient times, the theatre is thought to have a capacity of approximately 10,000 people.
Bodrum Castle
The Castle of Saint Peter was built from 1402 onwards and
completed in 1522 by using the stones of Mausoleum, looted by knights.
The castle has French, Italian, English, German and Spanish towers. During the construction of the castle, the Papacy issued a “Papal Decree” and reserved a place for the workers in the heaven.
Churches, Chapels
Halicarnassus is the episcopal centre of the Christian period with six chapels and four churches scattered all over the peninsula, such as Aya Nikola Church, Kadıkalesi Chapel, dedicated to the Patron Saint of Fishermen.
Ottoman Shipyard
Built in 1775, the Ottoman Shipyard is located on the northwest side of Bodrum Marina. The recently restored shipyard and its tower are among the most noteworthy historical places of Bodrum.
Kızılhisarlı Mustafa Paşa
Mosque (Old Mosque)
The mosque,built in 1724, was damaged by the earthquake in 1927 and the lightning strike in 1957, but it survived as a result of the restorations.
Tepecik Mosque (Hasan Hoca Mosque)
Located in the middle of the Bodrum inner harbour, the mosque was built between 1740 and 1741 as a “Yali style mosque”, which is rarely seen in Ottoman architecture. The mosque was damaged after the fire opened by the French cruiser in 1915 and later restored.
Türkkuyusu Mosque
It was built between 1767 and 1768 by people of Bodrum using cut stone. The historical cistern and fountain, integrated with the mosque, are one among the important examples of Ottoman architecture.
Bodrum… THE CITY of PACESETTERS
Bodrum, illuminated by the Carian sun, has been the land where the traces of history have been born or preferred to live.
Herodotus
Herodotus, who had started his journey 2400 years ago with his love and curiosity towards life and the world, wrote about the traditions and lifestyles of the tribes from India to Egypt. He was born in Halicarnassus in the 5th century BC.
The concept of Historia, which he named as the name of his book, is used in the meaning of history in world languages today.
Herodotus was given the title of “Pater Historiae” (Father of History) by the Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero.
Fisherman of Halikarnasos (Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı)
He is one of the latest representatives of the philosophers rooting from Anatolia. He is a writer, historian and painter who narrates the human perception of the past and the search for the future from a historical and mythological perspective and via using the metaphor of the sea.
“Ask the Fisherman to Halicarnassus and ask Halicarnassus to the Fisherman.”
Saying from Anatolia
Artemisia I of Caria
Artemisia I, the Queen of Halicarnassus, was the first woman admiral in history and has been portrayed in Hollywood films.
The Conqueror of the Mediterranean
Turgut Reis
Turgut Reis was born in the district of Turgutreis (Karatoprak), which is known by his name today. The great Turkish sailor Turgut Reis,aka Dragut for the Europeans was the Mediterranean
Governor of the Ottoman Empire.
As stated by King Carlos I of Spain “There is no peace in the Mediterranean for us unless “Dragut” is captured.”
King Mausolos and Queen Artemisia II
King Mausolos and Queen Artemisia II, who rendered Halicarnassus the city of power and glory and made it the capital of Caria, created Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the ancient World with their legendary love.
Professor Avram Galanti Bodrumlu
He is a historian, linguist, journalist, writer and political person who is known for his history studies covering a wide period starting from
Sumerians.
Neyzen Tevfik (Kolaylı)
Neyzen Tevfik, the openhearted and barefoot ruler of ney, is from Bodrum.
“He is not only blowing, but also composing.”
Kurt Schtringler
Opera Manager of Dresden
CULTURE and ART
Bodrum Dance Festival (May)
International Bodrum Ballet Festival (August)
Gümüşlük International Classical Music Festival (July – August)
Bodrum Music Festival (August)
Karsanat Baroque Music Festival (September)
Bodrum Turkish Films Week (September)
Bodrum International Jazz Festival (September)
Bodrum is a city of culture and art…
Bodrum offers you a life of full of international activities where plenty of festivals, exhibitions and concerts take part in its culture and art calendar throughout the year.
Culture and art centres and galleries play an important role in city life:
Şevket Sabancı Culture and Art Centre,
Hakan Aykan Culture and Art Centre (Trafo),
Herodot Culture Centre,
Nurol Culture Centre,
Bodrum Castle Haluk Elbe Art Gallery,
Ottoman Shipyard Art Gallery,
Dibeklihan,
ARThill,
Zai,
Zefirya
and more than 40 other privately held art galleries exist in Bodrum.
Cuisine in Bodrum: Gastronomy
Bodrum cuisine, which has carried its traditional heritage to the present day, is an important cultural cuisine created by the people coming to Bodrum from the islands of Crete, Rhodes and Kos, as well as the local people of Bodrum.
Inspried from the Aegean and the Mediterranean Cuisine, Bodrum Cuisine is an important and appetizing spot with its original dishes such as gambilya broad bean, Bodrum peksimet, noodle with nettles, lokum pilav, rice with octopus, stuffed kenker and specific local herb and vegetable dishes.
Bodrum Peksimet
Bodrum peksimet is a kind of a rusk, which are baked with a dough slightly harder than bread dough, for 10-12 hours and obtained by fully absorbing the water. It preserves its first day flavour even after six to seven months.
Bodrum peksimet became the food of the spongers who stayed in the seas for a long time and preferred by plenty of sailors through Cesme to Chios.
Bodrum Tangerine
Bodrum Tangerine, also known as “fragrant tangerine”, has been considered as a quality species due to its high water content and unique aroma and registered with geographical sign. It is also an important raw material of the pastry and cosmetics sector with the end-products such as confectionary, Turkish delight, oil, vinegar, cologne, jam, marmalade, Turkish delight with biscuits, soda water,
chocolate and soap.
Herb Culture and Festivals in Bodrum
Bodrum is famous for its abundancy of the green vegetables in its bazaars in every season. In the Bodrum region, 143 species of 136 natural plants and 7 mushrooms are used as food. In the district bazaars set up every day of the week it is possible to find freshly cut vegetables and fruits from branch.
Bodrum bazaars are feast for shopping. Bodrum markets are the tables of the world and a feast for shopping.
Distribution of traditional Bodrum bazaars by day:
Monday– Türkbükü, Kumbahçe, Güvercinlik Bazaars
Tuesday – Bodrum Merkez (Clothing), Yalıkavak (Vegetables), Gölköy Bazaars
Wednesday – Gündoğan, Ortakent, Gümüşlük, Akçaalan, Bodrum Natural Products Bazaars
Thursday – Yalıkavak (Clothing), Akyarlar and Bitez Bazaars
Friday – Bodrum Center (Vegetables), Konacık, Mazı and Yalı Bazaars
Saturday – Turgutreis Bazaar
Sunday – Gümbet, Kızılağaç, Karaova (Mumcular) Bazaars
Carpet Business
Carpet and rug weaving reflecting the unique examples of Anatolian weaving culture with its color and models, presents examples of root dyeing and hand-woven on carpet looms passed from father to son.
Carpet business in Bodrum, deriving its name from Queen of Caria Ada, provides atelier and training opportunities to its guests.
Olives and Vineyards
When we pass through the pine-covered hills of Çamlık and Pınarlıbelen towards the northeast of the peninsula, we reach the green figs and olive groves and the vineyards of Karaova.
With the advantage of micro-climate where Mediterranean and Aegean climate are seen together, Bodrum Peninsula generously presents the opportunities of the heaven not only in the moments when the sun shines, but also by the rain.
Bodrum Style in Architecture
The two-storey Bodrum houses, which attract attention with their white paint, bougainvillea surrounding, blue painted doors and windows, are unique examples of traditional stone house architecture.
These centuries-old houses with the smell of lime, which defy years are classified into three types: house with tower, house with mezzanine and sakız type houses.
The Bodrum architecture, with its windmills, cisterns spread over
the peninsula, narrow streets and houses, takes care to preserve the
natural texture of the city.
MARITIME
Blue Voyage
“It is a blue green path starting from Mediterranean at sunrise and reaching the violet Aegean Sea at the sunset.”
It is a journey to Gökova where the wind carries the smell of sea, moss and pine, with its irresistible beauty, the taste of fish, the variety of trees and the mysterious past of ancient ruins.
Bodrum is an important spot for Cruise Tourism
Daily Ferries connect Datça, Kalimnos, Leros and Kos Islands with Bodrum.
Yacht Construction in Bodrum
Bodrum is the pioneer and driving force of the yacht industry with its
gulet, mega yacht manufacturing, shipyards, maintenance and yacht subindustry…
Daily Yacht Tours
Daily yacht tours offer an opportunity to visit the marvellous bays that has no land access and a joyful journey in the taste of either private tour or party entertainment.
Bodrum Marina
Bodrum Marina is the most preferred and notable marina of the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea with its unique location, modern infrastructure, equipment and facilities.
Yalıkavak Marina
It was built as a mega yacht marina with a mooring capacity of 620 yachts. The marina offers its guests exclusive and privileged facilities with its gourmet restaurants and world-famous brands.
Turgutreis Marina
Built as a marina campus with an elegant atmosphere, the marina was established as an integrated tourism facility to provide high standards of service to yacht owners.
Unlimited Depth of Blue: Diving
Diving, which is an important source of livelihood in Bodrum’s sponge hunting and fishing history, has combined the diving tradition with diving sports and created a touristic attraction for
Bodrum.
Bodrum is an important address for depth enthusiasts with its rich underwater life, geological features, reefs, underwater walls, caves and the blue depth that fascinates.
Bodrum is an important brand for regattas…
Sailing is the miracle of the sailcloth, the magic of ropes, the struggle of human discipline in the adventure of being creative
and original, with gulets, tirhandils, ketches, schooners, and other local craft. It is the international brand of the wind and sea festival in Bodrum.
All abroad! Laçka skuta! Orsa alabandaaa!
Bodrum International Optimist Regetta (BIOR)
BIO, which carry the distinction of being the first optimist international competition of Turkey, is the dream of hundreds of
sporters from different countries of the World where they can
glide in the blue waters…
The Bodrum Cup Nautical Festival & Regatta
The Bodrum Cup is the love of those who love the sea and maritime with passion.It is the blue dream and breathless race of sea enthusiasts from all over the world.
This race is the biggest sea festival of the Mediterranean with its enthusiasm approaching half a century, the passion of those who challenge the wind with its keel, rudder and mast, where the winged
nymphs of the sea compete in blue waters.
MUSEUM
Bodrum is the city of museums
As a member of the Union of Historical Cities, City of Bodrum exhibits its cultural and historical accumulation created by thousands of years of history in museums.
Bodrum Castle Underwater Archaeological Museum
The museum, which exhibits the oldest wreck of the world (Uluburun Wreck), features the Eastern Mediterranean Amphoras and the world’s largest Islamic Glass Collection. The museum, which has 14 exhibition halls, received the European Special Praise Award.
Bodrum Maritime Museum
The museum exhibits examples of Bodrum type of boats that served as fishing boats, sponge boats, trawlers, gangava and passenger boats, and has a collection of 6 thousand seashells
collected from various seas of the world.
Bodrum Municipality City Memory Museum
The museum, which was converted from the former district house, is being prepared to exhibit important examples of Bodrum’s life and the periodic transitions of urban history.
Zeki Müren Art Museum
“I have a loving world
All the people around me
Wealth makes no sense for me
What makes sense is the friendship…”
The house where the artist Zeki Müren had lived, was arranged
after his death and turned into a museum.
LIFE in BODRUM
Bodrum is a 24/7 living city…
Bodrum is a famous entertainment centre and 24/7 living city where famous artists perform live music in authentic venues converted from Bodrum houses and the bars beach and night clubs carry music to the streets later in the night.
Most of the people have a reminiscence of Bodrum.
Sea, Sand, Sun…
Bodrum which has 60 Blue flag beaches amounting to 13.2 % of the whole blue flag beaches of the entire Turkey, is visited by 1.5 million tourists each year.
Bodrum, described by Homer as “the land of blues”, is an important spot for sea and sand tourism, capital for tourism and an international holiday paradise.
Cafe, Restaurant, Beaches
Bodrum Municipality, with its 16 elegant restaurants, beaches and cafes opened throughout the peninsula, serves for the future of Bodrum, respond to current customer demands, and provide easily
accessible, sustainable, healthy, reliable products and services that have direct impact on the social life of Bodrum.
All restaurant, beaches and cafés of the Bodrum Municipality is certified by BIX with FSP Food Safety Points Certificate of Achievement hence the municipality has a goal to keep its high standards of service continuously.
Shopping in Bodrum is enjoyable…
Bodrum offers its visitors exclusive shopping opportunities with its local bazaars, traditional artisan ateliers throughout the peninsula and shopping malls with world-famous brands.
Bodrum’s traditional handicrafts, special woven fabrics, carpets, wood carvings, jewellery, needle laces, pottery, evil eye beads, ornamental gourds, assorted sponges, sea shells and Bodrum sandals offer a rich variety to shoppers.
Social Life
Bodrum, the favourite city of tourism, is a heaven on earth with its blue sea, lace-like bays, colourful bougainvillea symbolizing peace and love, ancient corners of historical and cultural heritage, touristic facilities, entertainment centres, authentic cuisine, international festivals and universal art culture.
Bodrum’s air is a natural health resource with it’s sea, wind and low humidity. Bodrum provides it’s habitants and guests modern health facilities, medical guest houses, medical SPA and geriatric facilities in addition to suitable areas for handicapped people and elderly tourists.
Bodrum also hosts renowned primary and secondary schools in its’ area thus provides every opportunity to live in four seasons.
Bodrum Faculty of Fine Arts and and Bodrum Maritime Vocational School of Mugla Sıtkı Kocman University are located in Bodrum.
Bodrum offers regular course programs and training opportunities for sea activities such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving and provides generous offers with activity packages including accommodation and tour packages.
Bodrum provides you with the opportunities to take golf and tennis courses in the unique facilities with international standards. You may also join tournaments and discover different biking routes in the unique setting of Bodrum.
Bodrum Lelegian Way
If you want to observe Bodrum from the perspective of the Lelegians, you may experience the “Bodrum Lelegian Way” with your backpack and camera.
Pedasa Ancient City is the rising star of the culture tourism with the marvellous Bodrum panorama.
Bodrum Touristic Maps
Mylasa (Milas)
Mylasa had been the capital of
Caria since 368 BC. Its history
dates back to at least 5 thousand years with the Gümüşkesen Tomb Monument, ruins of the 27 ancient cities and the King’s Road.
Stratonikeia (Yatağan)
The Stratonikeia Ancient City, also known as the city of Gladiators, is in the Temporary List of World Heritage.
Lagina
Lagina Ancient City, named
after the mysterious Goddess Lekate holding key to the Hades the God and the King of the dead, has an important place in Anatolian mythology.
Iassos (Kıyıkışlacık)
Iasos, antic port city of Karia, is speculated to be established by Mycenaean. It means “Mother Earth’s Settlement” in Luvi language.
Didyma (Didim)
Didyma is one of 12 cities of Antic Ionia. Didyma is reputed with its Temple built in the name of Apollo, twin of Artemisia who also has another famous temple built in her name in Ephesus.
Latmos-Herakleia
Named after the wellknown
mythological hero Herakles, it had been the hiding place
of the Christian monks
since 1st century BC.
Knidos (Datça)
City of commerce, art and culture Knidos, where one of the first example of democracy arranged, was established
where Aegean and Mediterranean sea met.
Miletos
Miletos, the philosophers
city, is home city of
Thales, pioneer of
philosophy and science,
who calculated solar
eclipse on 528 BC.
Kos (İstanköy)
Hippocrates, founder of medical science and person, who gave its name to oath of medical doctors, lived and was educated in Kos.
Think of a city like Bodrum…
Winter is so beautiful, summer is even more beautiful
Every season is special in Bodrum.
“The same happened to those before you.. As they departed, they all left their minds behind in Bodrum.”
Fisherman of Halicarnassus