Where is the best place to relax in Bodrum? Relaxation in Bodrum. As a conclusion

The region in the province of Mugla, which includes both the resort and the lands in the north of the Gulf of Gökova in the Aegean Sea, also bears the same name. Near the resort, nestled in the sea is the Greek island of Kos.

Holidays in Bodrum

The town we are talking about is small in itself, the population is approximately 30 thousand people, but the government’s constant work on infrastructure turns Bodrum into a full-fledged international resort. Its main “highlights” are picturesque coastal places, convenient anchorages for yachts, and vibrant nightlife. As a joke, Europeans call the resort of Bodrum “the bed of Europe”, because of the consonance in English of the words Bodrum and bedroom.

Weather in Bodrum

The weather in Bodrum is conducive to a beach holiday from May to October. The climate of the resort is Mediterranean, but the air temperature in summer is not as high as in Alanya or Antalya. Bodrum is more reminiscent of a comfortable Mediterranean city in Croatia or northern Italy due to the fairly windy weather in these places. The temperature in summer is between +28 +32 C, the sea water temperature at this time is +23 +25 C. The peak of the beach season in Bodrum occurs in July - mid-September.

For those who just like to enjoy the fresh sea air, you can go to Bodrum as early as mid-March, when the almond blossoms begin.

Bodrum attractions and interesting places

  1. In ancient times, on the site of today's city stood the rich city of Halicarnassus, the capital of the state of Caria, its remains can still be seen today. The Halicarnassus Mausoleum (Tomb of Mausolus) was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today this place is home to an interesting museum. It is located 400 m west of the center of Bodum, Turgutreis Caddesi street. The roof of the mausoleum was once decorated with a chariot, but it was taken away for storage at the British Museum in London. Museum opening hours: Thu-Sun 8.30-12.00 and 13.00-17.30, entrance price - 4 rounds. lira ($2).
  2. A partially restored Hellenistic theater, it is worth coming here in the evening to admire the sunset, listen to a concert and admire the dancing, because such spectacles are often held on this ancient site.
  3. Castle of St. Peter (Petronium), it houses the Uluburun treasure, recovered from a sunken ship.
  4. The ancient city of Myndos, which you can get to know by diving underwater in the vicinity of Bodrum. To the west from the intersection of Turgutreis Caddesi and Cafer Pasha Caddesi streets there are the preserved gates of this ancient city.
  5. The Museum of Underwater Archeology, which houses historical Byzantine rarities raised from the bottom of the sea. Here you can see the ancient sunken ship Uluburun, a special rarity - the golden seal of Queen Nefertiti. Museum opening hours: Thu-Sun 8.30-12.00 and 13.00-17.30, entrance price - 10 tur.liras (4.5 US dollars).
  6. One-day excursion to the Turkish islands (14), located near the resort, with magnificent panoramas of natural beauty.
  7. The Greek islands of Rhodes and Kos, which do not require a visa during the period from June 7 to September 30 (see Greece Visa Application Center allows entry without a visa).
  8. A cruise along the entire coast of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas of Turkey is the so-called azure journey.
  9. A trip to the beach of Bardakchi Bay, a place associated with the legend of Hermaphrodite, which says that all men who drink water from the Salmakis spring gain femininity.
  10. Black Island (Kara Ada), famous for the thermal springs gushing in the grotto, can only be reached by sea.
  11. Ortakent beach.
  12. Aquarium Bay is a secluded place with clear and clean water.

Bodrum video

How to get from Bodrum to Kos island, Greece

By the way, we’ll tell you right away how to get from Bodrum to the island of Kos: a ferry departs from the city’s port on Saturdays at 9:00, and back from the island at 17:00. From the pier in the vicinity of Bodrum - Turgutreis the ferry departs at 9:25 from Monday to Friday, from the island of Kos the ferry returns at 18:25. Ticket price: from Bodrum - 22 euros (32 euros - round trip), from Turgutreis - 20 euros (25 euros - round trip).

Resorts around Bodrum

Gumusluk

Gumusluk- the village was built on the top of the ancient city of Myndos, fragrant with the smells of orchards and olive groves, its quiet streets are decorated with rich snow-white villas, and the best fish restaurants in Turkey are located on the embankment.

Yalikavak

The village is known for its panoramic views, tea gardens, unusual windmills, water activities (surfing, yachting), here on the coast you can come face to face with Mediterranean seals! This is where the local wealthy Turkish elite vacation.

Ortakent

The village is famous for its cleanest beach, which received the Blue Flag for its clear coastal waters. Rarities were recovered from the bottom near Ortakent, now stored in the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology. In the village there is a monument of ancient Greek architecture - the town of Arpranga (ancient two-story Greek houses, which are under the protection of the state of Turkey).

Turgutreis

An urban village in the vicinity of Bodrum is probably the most beautiful place on the Bodrum peninsula. It is famous for its huge bazaar, where you can buy almost everything, from groceries to local handicrafts. It is especially interesting to fly over Turgutreis, explore the local islands, and admire the coastline, indented by bays and surrounded by steep mountains.

Beaches of Bodrum

The best beaches in Bodrum are usually pebble, hidden in the surrounding bays:

  • Gumbet - the main place for parties and dances
  • Bitez - has a Blue Flag, windsurfing and kitesurfing are practiced here
  • Ortakent - the best beach holiday
  • Akyarlar
  • Turgutreis
  • Yalıkavak
  • Göltürkbükü - vacation spot of the local elite
  • Torba bay - miniature beach
  • Kaynar (Beach Kynar)

You can get here from the center of Bodrum by minibus, the fare is approximately $0.5, and the trip will take from 10 minutes to half an hour. The bays closest to the city are Bitez, Gumbet, Kainar and miniature Torba.

Transport in Bodrum

Minibus taxis (dolmush) run regularly around the city and in the suburban area where the resort hotels are located.

You can also rent a car in Bodrum; car rental offices are located on Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi Street. Also at the resort there is Avis car rental, price from 30 euros per 1 day (tel. 316 2333) and Thrifty (tel. 313 1802).

3. The best fish restaurants are located in the suburbs of Bodrum, in Gumusluk Bay.

Bodrum Hotels

They are mainly aimed at all-inclusive resort holidays and are located around the city, at a distance of 10-40 minutes drive from the center, in the surrounding resort villages of Akyarlar, Gümbet, Bitez and Ortakent, around Turgutreis beach, in Yalikavak, in the best place for holiday of the Turkish elite - Gelturkbuku, in the miniature Torba Bay and in the village of Gumusluk, famous for the best fish restaurants.

Book a hotel in Bodrum

Moscow Bodrum: air ticket price calendar

How to get to Bodrum

By plane

The nearest international airport to Bodrum is 36 km away, in the city of Milas. Buses from the transport company Havaş (Havaş, tel. 523 0040, price 10 euros) run regularly from this airport. You can also get there by taxi, the price is 40-50 euros, travel time is 40 minutes.

There is another airport in Dalaman, from here the transfer will take 4 hours.

Book flights to Bodrum

Book a transfer in Bodrum

Conclusion

When you go on holiday to Bodrum, be sure to take time to see the equally interesting sights of Turkey located not far from this resort. Particularly noteworthy are: the ancient city of Ephesus (see "Excursion to Pamukkale"), the thermal waters of Pamukkale and Cleopatra's pool, the legendary Troy, the temple of Apollo in Didyma, the ancient theater in Miletus, the Lycian tombs and near Dalyan, the cave monasteries of Cappadocia, ancient and eternal young Istanbul.


Well, if you are planning to relax at the resorts of Turkey, then you should take a closer look at Marmaris, Sarigerme, Icmeler, and Turunc - resorts that are also located on the Aegean Sea of ​​Turkey.

Buy ferry ticket Bodrum Kos

Below is an online ferry ticket booking form that you can use to buy tickets for the Bodrum - Kos ferry.

Bodrum (Türkiye) is a paradise for nightlife lovers. The city has a great variety of clubs, restaurants, bars and discos. Hotels and villages are located in fourteen bays of the peninsula, and the city is located in its very center. These places attract mainly active French, English and Scandinavian people. The windy weather of the Aegean Sea makes this resort an excellent place for surfing and other water sports.

Bodrum (Türkiye). Map, geographical location

The city in question is located on the peninsula of the same name. It is washed by Bodrum, located in the northwestern part of Turkey. The distance to Antalya is 300 kilometers. The unofficial name is “White City”, since all the houses are painted this color. Thirty-one thousand people live permanently in Bodrum.

A look into the past

The location of modern Bodrum is the territory of ancient Halicarnassus, which was founded in the ninth century BC. In the fourth century, by decree of the satrap Mausolus, the city became the capital of Caria, in addition, six more settlements were annexed to it. They were all united by a wall. After the death of this ruler, a mausoleum was erected, which became one of the wonders of the world.

The city was destroyed in 334 BC by the troops of Alexander the Great. In the Middle Ages, a fishing village appeared in its place. In 1402, the construction of St. Peter's Castle began there. For the construction, stones were taken from the Halicarnassus tomb.

How to get there

There is an international airport sixty kilometers from Bodrum. The Havas bus runs regularly into the city. The trip will cost eight euros. If you use a taxi, you will have to spend five to six times more.

Beaches

Bodrum (Türkiye) is a popular resort that provides the opportunity to soak up the gentle sun. Most of the beaches are owned by hotels. These are, as a rule, small areas covered with pebbles, or artificially created concrete platforms with fine bulk sand.

The surroundings of Bodrum are famous for the presence of many bays, the most popular of which are Gümbet and Bitez. The Blue Flag proudly flies over the clear waters of the latter. As for Bitez, it is a great place to party and dance until the morning. In the towns of Gumusluk and Ortakent there are many fish restaurants, stretching along the coast in an endless chain.

Since the shores are quite steep, sloping down to the sea, some expensive hotels have special elevators that take vacationers to the beach.

Connoisseurs of solitude and romance go to Bitez, Turtugates or Torba. The beaches in these places are not as crowded as in Bodrum itself. Moreover, the most remote of them is located just an hour’s drive from the city center.

Climatic features

Bodrum (Turkey) is a resort that boasts not such swelteringly hot summers as in Alanya or Antalya. Even in July and August - traditionally the hottest months - the thermometer does not rise above thirty degrees Celsius.

When is the best time to travel to a country like Türkiye? Bodrum, where the weather is windy, is recommended to visit in June, July or August. The sea during this period warms up to 23-25 ​​degrees. As some tourists note, not everyone will like the May water with a temperature of 15˚C.

The coldest months are January and February. During the day the average is +13, and at night - +8.

Where to stay?

All hotels on the peninsula are located a maximum of twenty-five kilometers from the city center of Bodrum (Türkiye). Accommodation prices range from very affordable to astronomical. Most of the hotels were built back in the 70s of the last century. All of them are periodically updated - cosmetic repairs are made, communications are replaced, etc. The difference between four- and five-star hotels is minimal. In addition, often 4 stars in Bodrum is much better than 5 in Antalya. As a rule, hotels have playgrounds and clubs with qualified teachers.

An interesting feature: inexpensive hotels in the city of Bodrum (Turkey) are concentrated in the city center, while luxury hotels are located on the outskirts.

The Marmara Bodrum is considered one of the most fashionable and expensive hotels. The price for a room starts at 10,700 rubles per day. One of the most affordable accommodation options is offered by Dolce Bodrum Hotel. For a day's stay in one of its rooms you will be charged from 1,100 rubles.

Let's look at some more VIP hotels. First of all, we would like to mention Rixos Hotel Bodrum. It was built on the very seashore and boasts not only its own beach, but also an island where various events are held for hotel guests. The Baia Bodrum hotel also has a private beach. The local spa center offers a wide range of services. Its specialists perform various types of massage, apply and carry out many other procedures. Little guests are also not deprived of attention. They can frolic in the playgrounds, swimming pool, water slides and mini club.

Shopping Features

Most of the shopping streets are located towards Ataturk Avenue and the castle. The range of goods is decent, but sometimes the prices are just off the charts. Advice from experienced tourists: in Bodrum you can buy wonderful inexpensive natural souvenirs that will serve as environmentally friendly washcloths.

Connoisseurs of everything unusual flock to the village of Chomkadang, in the suburbs of Bodrum. In this place you can not only study the centuries-old way of life of the Turks, but also get acquainted with the technology of making silk threads and weaving carpets of amazing beauty. Products that you especially like can be purchased.

On the Bodrum Peninsula there are three large shopping centers with a full range of modern services, including parking, car wash, restaurants, billiards, cinemas, bowling, not counting the shops themselves where you can buy clothes, shoes, jewelry, watches.

It is recommended to inspect production facilities located in the suburbs. Among them are factories of leather goods, jewelry, carpets and onyx products. At the same time, you will be given a unique opportunity to make an individual order.

The main attraction of Bodrum is considered to be It divides the city in half. The western territories represent the modern world with nightclubs, luxury hotels, yachts and discos. In the eastern old part of Bodrum there are many restaurants and authentic bazaars.

The Museum of Underwater Archeology has been created in the above-mentioned castle. There you can admire the “Uluburn” - the oldest in the world. Among the exhibits are a priceless gold seal that belonged to the legendary Queen Nefertiti, ancient manuscripts and many other interesting things. The entrance ticket costs ten liras. By purchasing it, tourists get the right to visit all the halls of the museum and walk along the walls with loopholes built many centuries ago.

The tomb of Mausolus was considered one of the 7 wonders of the world. Currently, a museum is opened in its place, located four hundred meters west of the city center. You will be charged four liras for entry.

The partially restored Hellenistic theater with a capacity of thirteen thousand spectators is located on a hill in the northern part of Bodrum. From here it is recommended to watch the sunset - the spectacle is stunning.

Entertainment

Is it possible to do without a variety of pleasures when going on vacation? Bodrum (Türkiye) is a place that will appeal to lovers of a fun and active pastime. Let's consider the most popular way to have fun.

"Dademan" - city water park

A paradise for lovers of water attractions is located on the outskirts of Bodrum. This first one was built in 1993. It has a lot of different water slides, a river with artificial waves, several lakes, waterfalls and grottoes. The most extreme attraction is “Kamikaze”. Its tilt angle is 80 degrees, thanks to which you can feel the beauty of free flight.

There are three restaurants, one bar and several food courts on the territory of the water park. You can relax on comfortable sun loungers after the descents or a hearty lunch. Animators are happy to entertain little visitors.

Excursions

Bodrum is often compared to a real architectural museum. Each vacationer will be able to find something interesting when exploring local attractions. The main thing is to be patient and take your camera with you.

Why is Bodrum so attractive to connoisseurs of antiquity? Excursions to antiquity are especially popular. Tourists consider Maryemana one of the most interesting places. According to legend, it was there that the Virgin Mary spent her last years on the sinful earth. Many pilgrims are attracted to the tomb of St. John. No less impressive will be a visit to the large amphitheater, the Temple of Hestia, the Trojan Fountain and the monument to Memmius.

Another popular excursion destination is Pamukkale - a real miracle of nature. There are many hot springs on its territory. Their waters are rich in various mineral salts. Falling, the latter form petrified cascades, incredibly beautifully shining in the sun's rays.

Another local attraction is the Dalyan River. Sightseers move along it on a boat, exploring the river and coastal exotics. Stops are made periodically so that tourists have the opportunity to explore the agora, church, Roman baths and amphitheater. Everyone can swim in the healing springs and take a mud bath.

Lovers of the beauty of the deep sea will appreciate diving excursions. Special centers offer all the equipment necessary for diving, and, if necessary, the services of a qualified trainer.

Russian men will certainly rejoice at the opportunity to go fishing. Organized excursions to the shore of a local lake will allow you not to worry about where to get a fishing rod, live bait, etc.

Pros and cons of holidays

Let's list the positive aspects:

Negative points:

  • At the beginning of summer the sea is not very warm.
  • - There is no wide choice of hotels.
  • - Air travel will cost more than to Antalya.
  • Bodrum (Türkiye) is not the cheapest holiday destination. Tours to this resort cost a little more than in the country as a whole. For example, for eleven nights in mid-August you will be charged $1,600 for two.
  • The beaches of many hotels are narrow.
  • The resort cannot be called surrounded by greenery.

Conclusion

The world of pleasure, entertainment and enjoyment is the city of Bodrum (Türkiye). The map, climatic features, attractions and hotels are described in the article. The resort in question provides an opportunity not only to have fun from the heart, but also to improve your health. You will not regret if Türkiye becomes your next vacation destination. Bodrum, the photos of which are presented above, is a worthy holiday option.

Bodrum the largest resort city on the Aegean coast. The main audience that comes here on vacation: Europeans, Greeks and the Turks themselves, Russians as a percentage of the total mass of tourists are few, at most 20%. To get to Bodrum, you can fly to either Milas or Dalaman and then take a bus.

The place is very beautiful from a nature point of view, there are many mountains and steep cliffs, coniferous trees, flowers and gardens. The architecture of the city is strictly observed, all houses do not exceed 2 floors. This gives you the feeling that you are somewhere in Greece.

The climate of Bodrum is moderately hot, there is no such sweltering stuffiness as on the Antalya coast. And due to its favorable location, even in the hottest month of summer - August, there is a light cool breeze. Therefore, if you don’t like the heat and are looking for more comfortable conditions in the summer, welcome to Bodrum.

Pros of holidays in Bodrum.

1. Climate, no sweltering heat.

2. Active nightlife, this is a paradise for party-loving youth. The best discos in Bodrum are Catamaran and Halicarnassus.

3. Very good location for visiting such excursion places as Ephesus, Pammukale

4. Bodrum is a truly European city; it is a completely different Turkey, not the one that Russian tourists are used to.

5. Bodrum has the largest water park in Turkey.

6. The Aegean Sea - it is always a little cool, due to which, on the hottest days, it will help you quickly recover.

Disadvantages of holidays in Bodrum.

1. Bodrum is not so rich... read more

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Weather in Bodrum by month:

Month Temperature Cloudiness Rainy days /
Precipitation
Water temperature
in the sea
Number of solar
hours per day
During the day At night
January 13.7°C 11.2°C 38.0% 10 days (176.4 mm.) 17.4°C 9 o'clock 57m.
February 14.9°C 12.2°C 33.6% 7 days (91.8 mm.) 16.7°C 10 o'clock 50m.
March 16.5°C 13.3°C 26.5% 4 days (67.4 mm.) 16.6°C 11 o'clock 58m.
April 19.5°C 15.5°C 17.5% 3 days (33.3 mm.) 17.5°C 13:00 10m.
May 23.4°C 18.9°C 13.9% 1 day (13.5 mm.) 20.3°C 14h. 9m.
June 27.9°C 22.5°C 6.5% 1 day (8.6 mm.) 23.4°C 14h. 40m.
July 30.9°C 24.6°C 1.9% - 24.9°C 14h. 25m.
August 31.4°C 25.2°C 2.3% - 26.0°C 13:00 33m.
September 28.6°C 23.4°C 5.2% 1 day (12.1 mm.) 25.2°C 12h. 25m.
October 24.1°C 19.9°C 12.4% 3 days (42.5 mm.) 22.9°C 11 o'clock 14m.
November 19.9°C 16.6°C 20.8% 4 days (93.7 mm.) 20.8°C 10 o'clock 12m.
December 15.6°C 12.9°C 28.4% 7 days (103.0 mm.) 18.8°C 9 o'clock 40m.

*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years

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How much does a holiday in Bodrum cost? September 2018.

tour cost

Last year I went to Turkey for a week. Departure from Zhulyany airport, Kyiv. Arrived at Bodrum airport. I paid $400 for an all-inclusive trip to a five-star hotel.

As for excursions, I only took a ride on a pirate ship for the whole day. The excursion included lunch, dinner and drinks on board. Animators dressed as pirates entertained the audience, and in the evening there was a disco and foam party. The tour was a lot of fun and the staff were very nice. The cost of the walk was $30.

Food and products

The hotel was all inclusive, so there was no need to buy additional food and drinks. But when I was walking around the city I bought ice cream for $2. A bottle of sparkling water in the store cost $1.5.

Souvenirs and other goods

As for souvenirs, I bought a set of spices for $8, a box of oriental sweets for $5, two magnets for $2, a leather bracelet for $3, a toy water gun for a child for $3. In duty free I bought liquor for $11 and cologne for $65.

Cost of services and entertainment

I also took 5 massages that were offered on the beach. Cost $25, but negotiated for $20.

Total money spent on vacation

Helpful information?

Recreation for the elderly

For older people, this resort is perfect due to its climate. There is no intense heat and humidity here, especially if you go in June and closer to September, it is pleasant to walk, lie on the beach, and go on excursions. As for nature and the sea, everything is at its best, but the sea is cooling, it basically doesn’t warm up much, but this is not a problem, on the contrary, a plus!

Where is the best place to stay?

Bodrum is one of the elite regions of Turkey, celebrities vacation here and, they say, even Tarkan has a summer house here.

A sufficient number of high-class hotels, especially in the regions of Guvercinlik, Torba and Tukrbuku (the coolest area of ​​​​Bodrum)

But this does not mean that you cannot find hotels of a lower class here. There are very nice options in the Bitez area, the hotels are small and cozy, the sea is close and the entrance is good.

If you come to hang out and have fun, choose Gumbet and you won’t go wrong, all the main party places are concentrated there.

If you don’t want to travel or walk anywhere from the hotel, I highly recommend Akyarlar. The name is complicated, but it’s stunningly beautiful, a very atmospheric area, my favorite in Bodrum, you won’t regret it!

What to do at the resort?

Bodrum itself is rich in history - the city stands on the site of ancient Halicarnassus and the center breathes history. Be sure to go there and have a look. Of course, everything is already in ruins - both the Mausoleum and the gates of Myndos, but on the shore there is still an incredibly beautiful Fortress - the main symbol of this city, and inside there is a museum of underwater archeology, where artifacts raised from the bottom are collected. In the city itself, there is nothing more to see from history - except perhaps to walk along the streets, since Bodrum is very atmospheric - all its houses are white and with the addition of bright pink flowers everything looks lush and truly beautiful! Many people compare it with Greece, but for me there is a difference.

Tours around the city itself are offered only by tour operators; there are no Russian-speaking street agencies here, so don’t look for them.

Besides the city, we also went to Pamukkale, the drive was about 4 hours, quite bearable. And to Dalyan. I highly recommend it! Both history and the beauty of nature - here the Mediterranean and Aegean seas merge into one. We caught crabs and saw turtles. We were very pleased. In addition, we took a boat trip - not to say that the format is somehow different from traditional trips, but the Aegean Sea amazes with its beauty and purity. All kinds of colors of the bay - from clear turquoise water to dark blue. We also swam to a thermal spring.

As for the beaches, everything is fine at the hotel ones. Wild beaches are not easy to find here - there is a small patch in Akyarlar, there are in Gümbet and Bitez, but in the center it is traditionally dirtier, so lovers are better off going to the edge of the peninsula and watching the sunset there! The beauty is incredible!

What can you buy?

The largest shopping center in Midtown. I can’t say that the assortment surprised or pleased me, all the same chain stores as ours, and the prices are no different. If you go and just buy something for show, then of course you can, but you shouldn’t expect anything supernatural.

There is the golden center of Galata - worthy of attention, there are interesting models at reasonable prices, and the leather was looked at in Best, in general it is very respectable, there are Russian consultants.

About product prices

There is talk about clothes and shoes, the prices are the same as ours. Shoes from 30 to 200 liras on average. Good sandals can be purchased for 30-50 liras. I bought myself autumn boots for 90 lire, I’m very pleased, they don’t get wet at all, even though they’re leatherette.

Where can I eat?

You should definitely go to one of the fish restaurants in the city of Bodrum itself, there are a large number of them along the embankment, you won’t go wrong!

Tasty and atmospheric! And you can’t help but drink Turkish coffee and tea! Don't refuse!

If you love traditional Turkish cuisine, go to Eski Kay. There are always a lot of people here, but it’s incredibly delicious!

About the quality of food and service

The service is excellent, sometimes it seems that the Turks have it in their blood.

Everything is always tasty and of the highest standard, even in an ordinary street eatery; they treat their guests very carefully.

How much does it cost to eat? About food prices.

About prices - of course it depends on where to eat and how much. For example, regular shawarma and ayran can be bought for 3-5 liras. The soup will cost the same price. Turkish pide 10-15 liras, depending on filling. Chicken wings with a side dish 12-15 liras, kebabs and kebabs on average 15-20 liras.

Pros of holidays in Bodrum

Our brother is not enough. Whatever one may say, this is a plus - higher quality of services and a completely different attitude towards tourists.

Climate and sea - no complaints at all!

Disadvantages of holidays in Bodrum

The region is very extensive; from remote areas you need to travel to the center either by public transport or by taxi. A taxi will be expensive, and transport will take a long time. So it's up to you.

Is it worth a holiday in Bodrum?

I would really like to come back here and relax in Akyarlar, it’s so beautiful!

Have a nice summer holiday and the brightest emotions!

The Aegean Sea gives not only the opportunity to explore the beautiful underwater world, but also a mild, pleasant climate, which makes it possible to fully enjoy your stay on the Turkish coast.

Geographical data

The resort of Bodrum is located on the shores of the Aegean Sea, which is connected to the Mediterranean Sea from the south, and is separated from the Sea of ​​Marmara by the Dardanelles Strait from the north. The entire surface area of ​​the Aegean Sea is about 179,000 km². There are approximately 2,000 islands in its waters. Among them the largest are Crete, Rhodes, Euboea, Lesbos, Samos. All these islands are pieces of land that remained from its immersion in water at the end of the Neogene period.

origin of name

There are several versions of the origin of the name of the Aegean Sea. One of them is associated with ancient Greek myths. It is assumed that the Aegean Sea received its name in honor of the Athenian king Aegeus, who committed suicide by throwing himself into the sea (he decided that his son Theseus was killed by the Minotaur on the island of Crete and committed suicide). According to another, less mystical version, the sea was named from the ancient Greek “eg” - water or “ayges” wave. There is also an assumption that the Aegean Sea was named after the city of Aigeus (Aigai), located on the island of Euboea.

Historical value

The Aegean Sea is a kind of cradle of ancient civilizations. It was on its coast and in its waters that most of the events of ancient Greek myths took place. Its waters also witnessed the triumph and fall of the ancient Greek and Byzantine civilizations.

All the cities on the Aegean coast in Turkey are ancient settlements whose history dates back several millennia. Therefore, holidays on the Aegean coast are very popular among history buffs. It is here that you can find the Temple of Apollo, the house where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life, the ruins of ancient Ephesus, where the Temple of Artemis of Ephesus stood, as well as many other historical monuments of Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Bodrum is no exception: in its place around the 8th century. BC e. The ancient city of Halicarnassus was founded.

Water temperature

The Aegean Sea has given the south-eastern coast of Turkey, and Bodrum in particular, not only many historically attractive places, but also a wonderful climate. The Bodrum Peninsula is blown by both hot southern and cooler eastern winds, bringing a pleasant cooling breeze from the sea in the evenings. This makes the climate on the southeast coast milder and suitable for those who do not like the subtropical summer heat. The average sea water temperature in summer is from + 22°C to +25°C; in August it can rise above +26. In winter, the water temperature ranges from + 11°C to + 15°C. Recently, there has been a trend of gradual increase in water temperature in the Aegean Sea, associated with global warming and the greenhouse effect.

Undersea world

The Aegean sea gives vacationers not only a pleasant climate, but also a picturesque underwater world. Close to Bodrum there are numerous caves and dive sites suitable for both beginners and professional divers. Here you can find a large number of starfish, colorful sponges and fish, as well as moray eel, octopus and even rare orphos. With a lot of luck, in some dive sites (for example, Poyraz Koyu) you can find fragments of antique amphorae.

In the Aegean Sea you may also be lucky enough to meet dolphins. The most numerous species here are common dolphins or common dolphins (Delphinus delphis).

Economic activity

Thanks to the diverse and rich underwater world, fishing, octopus fishing and sponge mining have been well developed in the Aegean Sea since ancient times. Today, fishing has become private in nature with a focus on the tourism industry. Most fish restaurants are run by private fishermen and fishing cooperatives, who go out to sea in small groups and deliver fresh fish to customers daily. On an industrial scale, seafood production and fish farms on the territory of Bodrum are owned by the large international holding company Kilic.

The position of the Aegean Sea in shipping has only strengthened over time. The main ports of Greece (Piraeus and Thessaloniki) and Turkey (Izmir) are located on its coast. The Aegean Sea is also part of the route of oil tankers that arrive from the Black Sea.

Beach holiday at sea

Holidays on the Aegean Sea mean crystal clear waves, picturesque beaches, a rich underwater world and a warm, calm sea. All this gives a unique experience to lovers of both beach and active recreation.

Despite the fact that the Aegean Sea is framed by a mostly rocky coastline, in Turkey, and in Bodrum in particular, you can find not only pebble beaches, but also wonderful sandy beaches, accessible by steps or even elevators. All Bodrum beaches are concentrated mainly in the western part - Gumbet Bay. The entry into the water is gentle and sometimes you can literally walk to the buoys. Thanks to this, the water warms up quickly, making bathing even more comfortable. To diversify their stay on the beach, vacationers are offered all possible entertainment: from banana boats to parasailing. After sunset, the sun loungers on the beaches give way to cafe tables for a romantic dinner or just a pleasant evening by the sea. The beach season usually lasts from late May to October.

For those who do not like beach holidays and who do not have enough beach activities, a favorable north wind creates ideal conditions for surfing, and the rich underwater world of the Aegean Sea - for diving.

The Aegean Sea is very salty (it is 37% - 40% saltier than, for example, the Black Sea), so it is recommended to take a fresh shower after swimming in the sea.

Come to see for yourself what the sea is like in Bodrum! The amazing Aegean Sea and the unique resort town of Bodrum will help make your holiday in Turkey unforgettable!


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The main attraction in the central part of the Aegean coast is the world famous Bodrum. The resort of Bodrum is the calling card of the entire southwestern coast of Turkey and a world-famous seaside resort, famous for its picturesque low-rise buildings, subtropical gardens, the longest beach in the region and bustling nightlife.

However, few people know that this popular recreation center was founded back in the 11th century BC. e. and was considered the second most important city in Caria. First, a Greek outpost of the same name was founded on the small island of Zephyria (now a peninsula) in the Gulf of Keramika, and in the 8th century BC. e. settlers move to the mainland and found a city, which later became the famous Halicarnassus. Satrap Mausolus in the 4th century BC. e. moves the capital of Caria here from Milas and annexes six small settlements to the city, surrounding them with a wall with a total length of more than 6 km. After the death of Mausolus, his wife Artemisia II erected a luxurious tomb for him, which became one of the wonders of the world (this is where the familiar word “mausoleum” comes from). Alexander the Great in 334 BC. e. destroys the city in retaliation for the fierce resistance shown by its defenders, which becomes the end of this settlement, the former homeland of the “father of history” Herodotus. The Johannite Knights from Rhodes in 1402-1437 built a powerful castle-fortress of St. Peter on the island of Zephyria - the only Christian citadel in Anatolia, using stones from the Mausoleum. After the capture of Rhodes by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1523, the knights left the region, but the impressive dungeons and catacombs of the fortress seem to have been preserved in the name of the city ("Bodrum" in Turkish - "basement", "dungeon").

Attractions

Lock, being the main architectural element of the city, neatly divides it into two quite distinct halves. To the west lie the modern quarters with many hotels and nightclubs surrounding the marina, while to the east lies the old part of the city with a huge number of traditional bars and restaurants. To the north of the castle is a bazaar and a small area of ​​old stone buildings with picturesque courtyards, which gives some idea of ​​what Bodrum was like before the tourism boom.


About 400 meters west of the city center along Turgutreis Caddesi there are ruins Mausoleum(open from Thursday to Sunday from 8.30 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 17.30, entrance - 4 TRY). Designed by Piteos (architect of the Temple of Athena in Priene), it once measured 39 by 33 meters at its base and was 60 meters in height. The colonnade of the burial chamber supported a stepped pyramidal roof, surmounted by a sculpture of a chariot (now kept in the British Museum) with images of Mausolus and his wife Artemisia, and all vertical surfaces were decorated with borders and statues made by the best sculptors of the time (fragments of which can now be seen in the castle of St. Peter, and part of it is still in the same British Museum). Unfortunately, even despite the meticulous work of Danish archaeologists, most of the elements of this amazing structure are lost forever (the John Knights, for example, burned marble columns to obtain lime for the construction of their castle).


But ancient theater(IV century BC), located above the main highway bordering Bodrum to the north, has been almost completely restored and is now regularly used for concerts and festivals. And the so-called Myndos gate, lying to the west of the intersection of Turgutreis Caddesi and Cafer Pasa Caddesi, is the best preserved section of the ancient city wall.


Sitting on the promontory separating the inner and outer harbors of the city, St. Peter's Castle is the main landmark of the city and the location of an excellent Museum of Underwater Archeology Bodrum(open from Thursday to Sunday from 8.30 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 17.30, individual rooms have their own opening hours, entrance - 10 TRY), which allows you not only to get acquainted with the amazing finds found at the bottom of the sea, but also just wander around the old walls , courtyards, dungeons and towers of the fortress.

Entertainment

In Bodrum, tourists can be offered only two entertainments - but what kind! Firstly, this is the sea. Secondly, discos and other joys of nightlife. The sea in Bodrum and its surroundings is magnificent, Aegean. Sunbathing and swimming are a pleasure. However, if the company is large and has enough money, you definitely need to rent a yacht and go out to the open sea. Sailing on the waves, admiring the shores, feeling almost like an ancient Greek navigator is great in itself. But the most amazing thing is to stop in some quiet bay and jump from a yacht into the sea.


The flagship of Bodrum's nightlife is the Halikarnas discotheque. What kind of laudatory epithets are awarded to her? In fact, all that is valuable about it is the scope of the action and the majestic appearance. Visitors can expect stage performances and a foam or water show every night. However, the disco itself is of no interest: the music is boring, the sound quality is quite mediocre, and instead of juices, the cocktails use drinks made from dilute powders, popular in Turkey. Entrance to the disco costs 35 Turkish lira (approximately $30) and includes a free drink.


In general, if you want to hang out in a pretentious place with a large crowd of people, then welcome to Halikarnas. But if you are looking for catchy music, naturalness and fun, then you have a direct route to any bar on the seashore or to the town of Gumbet (a five-minute drive from the center of Bodrum), where nightlife is vibrant right on the streets.

Beach holidays around the city

The coast adjacent to the city is in most cases much more interesting than the clearly tourist-oriented Bodrum. Dry valleys and green pine forests, dilapidated Greek churches, windmills and old stone mansions, castles and vast oases along the river banks - these are the main elements of the peninsula, which has the same name as the city. A bit of exoticism is added by the ubiquitous white domes of "gumbet" (water storage tanks) and caravans of camels - not at all a backdrop for tourist photographs, but ordinary working animals of the region.

Here you can also find many clean beaches, often much more pleasant than the beaches of Bodrum itself, which are always crowded with tourists. The best of them include holders of the Blue Flag for environmental cleanliness Bites(Bitez) - the most convenient place in Turkey for windsurfing and kitesurfing, Ortakent(Ortakent) and Gumusluk(Gumusluk, ancient Myndos), where a chain of fish restaurants stretches along the sandy shore.


The closest resort village to the city Gumbet(Gumbet) is the center of nightlife in this region. There are several coastal and city hotels, shops are open until late, and parties take place in bars and on the streets until the early hours.

Tourists are also attracted by the two-kilometer peninsula Yakhshi-Yaly(Yahsi Yali, closed to wheeled vehicles), Hags(“Camel Beach”), picturesque bays Bagla(Bagla) and Karaincir(Karaincir), the coolest resort in the region - village Akyarlar(Akyarlar), as well as the once main fishing port of the region - the town Yalikavak(Yalikavak), in the center of which stands a large mosque, painted white, like all other buildings in the region. The city of Turgutreis is one of the largest settlements and is especially interesting for shopping lovers.

The rocky and windy shores of the western part of the peninsula are popular with yachtsmen and windsurfers, while the northern bays, surrounded by pine forests, are very good for diving and snorkeling.

For tourists who are interested in the traditional life of the Turks, guidebooks suggest visiting the village Chokmakdag. It's a bit far from Bodrum. But here you can see with your own eyes the technology of making silk thread and weaving carpets, visit authentic houses and get acquainted with folk art.