BODRUM
Bodrum - Turkey's St. Tropez on the Aegean Sea
Bodrum is located on the peninsula of the same name in the Mugla province on the Turkish Aegean Sea. The landmark of the city is the mighty crusader castle St. Peter. Bodrum is primarily known to holidaymakers for its nightlife. Many citizens from Istanbul have a holiday home here and not only the Turkish but also the international crowd like to vacation here. It is not for nothing that Bodrum is also called the Saint Tropez of Turkey. The numerous islands (more than 3000) and bays are characteristic of the coast around Bodrum. Therefore, this area is also a paradise for sailors.
Yacht charter in Bodrum
The beautiful city of Bodrum is a decided sailing center in the southern Aegean. The base is located on the peninsula of the same name in the southwest of Turkey and invites you to go on trips around the Greek islands. The area around the large marina in the center of the city is geared towards the needs of sailors. Especially in the evenings, other tourists enjoy the maritime Bodrum holiday atmosphere near the marina. However, the picturesque views of the typical white houses and the crusader fortress are reserved for those who set off from Bodrum by water to the islands of the Aegean Sea - for example to the nearby island of Kos. The ancient Halicarnassus, as the city was called earlier, was already an important center of boat building and sea trade. Evidence of this era can be found in the underwater museum that is absolutely worth seeing, which is housed in the St. Peter's Castle, so variety is guaranteed during your Yacht Charter Bodrum vacation.
Arrival by plane: Bodrum Airport / Milas-Bodrum Airport (IATA: BJV, ICAO: LTFE)
History of Bodrum - wonder of the world, fishing village, popular vacation spot
Bodrum has a long and eventful history. The first settlements date back to the 7th century BC. Bodrum was still called Halicarnassus in ancient times. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was also erected there, the mausoleum, the tomb of the Persian king Mausolos.
The term mausoleum was also derived from his name. Unfortunately, this temple-like structure no longer exists today. Remnants of it were processed in the St. Peter's Fortress, today's landmark of the city, during the times of the Crusaders. After these eventful times, Bodrum developed into a quiet and insignificant fishing village.
That changed in the middle of the 20th century. The Turkish painter and writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı was exiled to Bodrum. There he was the nucleus of a colorful artistic scene that shapes the city to this day. He also revived the tradition of blue journeys. Since the waters around Bodrum are almost ideal for sailing, diving and all kinds of water sports, many Turkish city dwellers built their holiday homes on the Bodrum peninsula. From Bodrum you can, for example, take a day trip by ship to the Greek island of Kos. This region is very popular with tourists from other countries such as Germany, Great Britain, Holland and Eastern Europe. Despite this boom, the originality has been preserved in some places. The city center around the harbor still consists of many small, winding streets and villas with beautiful gardens. This is partly due to the local building regulations, which prohibit buildings with more than three storeys. This prevents the classic high-rise buildings that are otherwise often found in classic holiday resorts on the Mediterranean.
Sightseeing - Sightseeing in and around Bodrum
The landmark of Bodrum, the Castle of St. Peter (Bodrum Castle) is also one of the most interesting sights of the city. Construction began in 1402 under the German crusader and master builder Heinrich Schlegelholt. The castle is very well preserved to this day. It is particularly worth seeing that in the course of the long construction period several knights and master builders from different nations (England, France, Spain, Germany etc.) participated in the construction, which resulted in a unique mix of styles.
Bodrum Museums
In the fort there is the Bodrum Underwater Museum, which is one of the best museums in Turkey. Finds of underwater archeology can be seen there, including a sunken wreck from the Bronze Age.
The Myndostor, parts of the old city wall and a theater have been preserved from antiquity. These finds are just as spectacular as the ancient finds in Greece, which you can discover e.g. on a trip to Delphi.
The large bazaar below the castle is also worth a visit. There you can buy classic products such as sponges, clothing, pottery and carpets until late in the evening.
Bodrum Kos excursion
If you are looking for a change, you can easily take the ferry from Bodrum to the Greek island of Kos, which takes approx. half an hour. It also lives mainly from tourism and offers not only beautiful, long sandy beaches but also original village life away from the main towns. Other small islands in the area are also approached from the port in Bodrum.
Accommodation and hotels in Bodrum - how do I find a good hotel?
We recommend you to make online bookings. It's convenient, quick and, above all, you usually get the best price. There are countless hotel sites, booking portals, etc., so that choosing the right one is not necessarily easy.
Party and nightlife in Bodrum
Bodrum and its neighboring town Milas vie for who has the better nightlife to offer. In Bodrum, the artist scene and the festive tourists created a nightlife that doesn't have to hide. From clubs, discos and pubs to stylish bars, everything can be found. In addition, the mild, warm climate in the summer nights - a perfect prerequisite for a party scene, which, unlike Northern Europe, also has a lot of open-air venues to offer.
When going out, you should note that in Bodrum you will not find many people in the nightclubs before 1am. Before that, you meet in one of the countless pubs, e.g. on Cumhuriyet Street.