Bodrum

It is the undisputed "hot-spot" of the Aegean Coast, with its bohemian atmosphere bringing together Turkey's artists, intellectuals and lovers of the good life. Known in ancient times as Halicarnassus, Bodrum is the birthplace of Heredotus and the site of King Mausolus' tomb (4th century BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

The yearly throng of visitors has encouraged small entrepreneurs who have made shopping in Bodrum a delight, and on certain streets local artists gather to sell their works that come in all forms. 

Despite the significant influx of tourists in recent years, Bodrum has managed to retain its special atmosphere with its pretty whitewashed houses and abundant flowers, its wonderful harbour and marina, full of expensive international yachts and elegant wooden Turkish gulets, and its impressive Crusader castle which houses an excellent underwater museum. Built by the Knights of St John in 1402 to dominate the harbour, this castle is one of the last and finest examples of Crusader architecture in the east.

Sights to see in the Bodrum area

• Located north of Bodrum en route to Kusadasi (or vice versa) stop on the way to visit the well preserved Apollo Temple with its awesome gigantic pillars & head of Medusa at Didyma, and Priene - the first planned city in the ancient world.

• A day-trip over to the Greek island of Kos. 

• A must is a drive around the Bodrum Peninsula with its charming little whitewashed fishing villages still not too spoilt by tourism. This area is what you imagine Greece would have been like about 60 years ago.