BODRUM
Bodrum
Bodrum occupies a special place in many people's hearts. A popular home and resort for Turkish artists and intellectuals, Bodrum's first remembered literary character was known as the "Halicarnassus Fisherman". After the formation of the Turkish Republic in 1923 Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli was exiled to Bodrum due to his unpopular political expressions. His subsequent books and stories about life in Bodrum attracted like minded romantics to the town and were largely responsible for creating the Bohemian atmosphere Bodrum enjoys today. In fact although mostly unknown outside Turkey, Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli ranks with King Mausolus as one of Bodrum's most famous residents.
You are never far from the sea anywhere on the Bodrum peninsula, making Bodrum itself an ideal starting point from which to visit the many peaceful havens along its beautiful coastline.
It is difficult to find cleaner, clearer water than that on the Turkish coast. No matter where you go, visibility is always excellent. This combined with an absence of heavy seas or strong tides and currents make the Bodrum area a swimmer's and snorkeler's paradise.
As a major boat building and yachting center it is only fitting that you can enjoy boating from almost anywhere on the peninsula. From canoes and pedaloes to luxury motorsailers, all types of craft are available.
If you prefer to spend your holiday ashore, there's plenty to do for the landlubber as well.
Turkey is the proud possessor of more recognized historical and archaeological sites than any other country in the world. Bodrum's Aegean location offers the opportunity to see some of the best. From the spectacular ancient city of Ephesus or the unique Temple of Apollo at Didyma to quaint and secluded Iasus, a two thousand-year trip into the past is only a few hours away. Travelling by organized tour, rent-a-car or public bus, numerous spectacular sites are close enough to be visited easily in a day. Bodrum's own history is second to none. Birth place of Heredotus (the "Father of History"); home of Mausolus, entombed in one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; and visited by Alexander The Great (who enjoyed a lengthy stay), Bodrum is a unique combination of ancient and modern. Sites not to be missed in Bodrum itself include the Mausoleum, the amphitheater on the hill above town and the early fifteenth century Castle of St. Peter. Spectacular in its own right with its lush gardens, massive stone works and diverse towers, the Castle also houses a world famous museum of underwater archaeology.
If you like to shop then Bodrum is for you. Leather is abundant, in the latest fashions and at excellent prices. Turkey is one of the world's largest carpet producers and traditional hand made carpets are priced considerably less than abroad. Hand made jewelry, brass, copper, woodcrafts and gifts are plentiful and sales are usually conducted over a friendly glass of tea and a serious discussion about price.
Bodrum is definitely growing, with Turks and foreigners alike attracted to its warm, relaxing atmosphere. Growth inevitably brings change, but fortunately some things will always stay the same. In Bodrum you can always count on the sunny weather, the warm hospitality of its residents, the sight of a fully laden camel wending its way through the back streets and from the top of the minarets, the wailing cry of the muezzin, calling the faithful to prayer.
Gümbet
Recently become almost a resort unto itself, the sheltered bay of Gumbet is only two-KM west of Bodrum. So called from the numerous white-domed rain cisterns in the area, Gumbet features one of the longest and most popular beaches on the peninsula, the water is warm and the shallows gradually slope from the shore. A cool breeze blows in from the mouth of the bay even on the hottest days. As a result Gumbet is also one of the most popular watersports centers, with dinghyhire, water-skiing, windsurfing and parasailing available of the broad, sandy beach.
The popularity of Gumbet has also generated serious nightlife and the streets of Gumbet vibrate 'til dawn with the music from numerous bars and streetside cafes.
Bitez
This broad beach is easily accessible by one of the many dolmuses in Bodrum, which will usually stop in Bitez village before running along the beachfront past a number of hotels and restaurants. Numerous jetties run out from the shore for swimming and sunbathing. Beyond the beach, reached by dry riverbeds, lie hundreds of acres of private mandarin groves tended by the citrus farmers of the area. The other name for Bitez is Agaçli ('Full of Trees'), and together with Ortakent it is the main citrus growing area on the peninsula. The beach is most popular with watersport enthusiasts and sunworshippers a like.
Ortakent and Yahsi
Like Bitez, the village of Ortakent is inland of the beach. This is one of the oldest settlements on the peninsula, a major mandarin producer and generous supplier of water to Bodrum. Located to the west of Bodrum on the main road, Ortakent houses one of the thirteen remaining original tower houses in the area. The Mustafa Pasa tower house, built in 1601, has cannon embrasures along the roof and walls 60-cm thick, indicating that it was built with defense in mind.
Further on from Ortakent, Yahsi offers spectacular views back towards Bodrum, and a road descends to the wide sandy beach where a couple of boatyards mingle with small hotels and restaurants along the shoreline.
Turgutreis
The second largest town on the Bodrum peninsula, Turgutreis provides the visitor with a glimpse of real Turkish life combined with sufficient recreational amenities for everyone.
Turgutreis is named after the great Turkish Admiral of the same name who was born here in the 16th century. Known in the west as Dragut, Turgutreis is primarily known for his participation in the Ottoman siege of Malta. A few kilometers outside of town a waterfront memorial marks the place where he first set sail.
Gündogan
A few minutes drive east of Yalikavak, past magnificent roadside rock formations and towering mountain peaks covered in pine forests, brings you to the secluded village of Gundogan. The old Greek name 'Farilya' means 'Sunrise' and is still visible on some signposts. At one time most of the inhabitants lived by the seashore supporting the main local industries of fishing and sponge diving, but fear of British gun boats during the First World War caused the villagers to move inland, leaving the waterfront spacious and uncrowded.
Gümüslük
This peaceful village is one of the oldest settlements on the peninsula. It has modest restaurants and several pensions and motels, but it retains a small-scale atmosphere for the simple reason that most of the village is designated an official archaeological site so that no landscaping alterations or new groundbreakings are allowed.
The island, known as Rabbit Island by the locals, separates the two well-sheltered bays of Gumusluk. If you sit in a shoreside restaurant and watch for a while you will see rabbits on the island. A villager who sells them in markets elsewhere raises them there. It is possible to wade to the island through knee-deep water and sunbathe and dive from the many rock formations. Several restaurants have terraced roof, perfect for enjoying the tranquil scene or for watching the sunset. The restaurants supply food of surprisingly good quality in an uncrowded environment, and the ones by the harbor are typified by their rushwoven umbrellas.
Yalikavak
For many years Yalikavak has been one of the most important fishing centers on the Turkish Aegean, home to fleets of fishermen and sponge divers. Today, the majority of the local men still fork the sea. Yalikavak remains the same combining the ambiance of a hard working fishing town and the recent influence of tourism: cafes, restaurant and bars; the harbor in Yalikavak, with its fishing boats unloading their catch and the presence of sleek yachts unloading passengers, has a unique atmosphere, industrious and relaxed, foreign and friendly.
Akyarlar
At one time Akyarlar was a popular Greek summer resort as several of the old houses that line the shore attest. Until recently the main occupation of Akyarlar was fishing and the small harbor would fill with the local fleet. Today the Greeks have retreated to the nearby island of Istankoy just 5 km. across the straight and the fishing fleets have been replaced by daily tour boats but Akyarlar still retains its small intimate atmosphere. The bay consists of the small harbor at one end and a curving beach flows off in the opposite direction. Small pensions and restaurants line the shore featuring the catch of the remaining local fishermen.
Torba
Torba tucks into a protected bay at the extreme north east corner of the peninsula. A popular residential area for those looking for peace and quiet yet easily accessible to Bodrum, Torba features a long coastline dotted with small pensions and bars and isolated stretches for private sunbathing and swimming.
Göltürkbükü
Midway along the peninsula's north shore, nestled in a huge bay are the two quaint villages of Turkbuku and Golkoy.
Safely tucked in the surrounding hillsides on the west side of the bay and sheltered by two islands the village of Turkbuku is a natural haven for area fishermen, who still operate from the many wooden jetties along the beachfront. Just outside the bay are popular fishing grounds for dil baligi, or sole.
Further on, at the foot of the bay, the village of Golkoy occupies a verdant green valley fronted by a long sandy beach with small pensions and restaurants. The delights of Golkoy are many, but perhaps foremost among them is the ability, to enjoy the quiet native atmosphere of fishermen, farmers and tradesmen going about their daily tasks with little concern for the noise and hustle and bustle of modern life.
