Fun things to do in Bodrum

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One place of Bodrum that no visitor to this great city should miss is the famous Bodrum Castle, which overlooks the harbor and the international marina.

U can shoot great photos w superb view of the whole Bodrum area ... :)

This castle was constructed by the Knights of Rhodes in the 15th century during the crusades of the middle ages and it was given the name The Castle of St. Petrus, or Petronium.

The Bodrum Castle is open to the public and it houses Bodrum’s remarkable Museum of Underwater Archaeology and also hosts several Turkish cultural festivals throughout the year.

The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which received a special commendation in 1995 as a European Museum of the Year, was established in the Bodrum Castle in 1964.

Initially, the restoration of the castle was the priority; later, exhibition halls were created in the available space

There are most of the time Art Festivals, Jazz Concerts, Classical Music Performances etc in and around the castle area ...

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As u r in Bodrum, its a "must" to make a Boat Trip ...

Either it can be an organised daily tour for Island Hopping to dive, snorkel, swim and relax or u can rent the boat for a longer time of period for ur own and sail around the peninsula of Bodrum, also to other cities as Marmaris etc ... The boats come w their crew as u gonna need an official international license to sail the boat ...

U shall be familiar also w the term "Blue Voyage" which means a chartered boat which u share w other people 10 - 15 pax and make a trip of a week to sail and enjoy ... :)

The boat sails day time mostly and anchores as about afternoon each night on a different harbour, perfect beaches w clear water, sandy beaches, amazing for underwater photography, fishing and all kinds of water sports .... In most of the boats gears for diving and snorkeling etc r free for the use of the guests ...

As said above, strongly adviced tip as u r in Bodrum to make a "Boat Trip" ... :)

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Named after the Ottoman Admiral Turgut Reis, this municipality in the Bodrum peninsula is a quiter one compared to Bodrum city. About 25 kms from Bodrum and has a good stretch of clean beach which is less congested than Bodrum.

Few nice restaurants and bars beside the main square near the small marina and beachfront. There's also the popular Saturday flea market.

Boats for tours around the Bodrum peninsula and going to the greek island of Kos.

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There's a long platform jutting on the beach in Turgutreis where local kids jump off to the water. Nice place to swim and try catching fish. It's just beside the marina and overlooking the big mosque.

I spent so much time admiring these boats during the week that I almost missed out actually sailing on one. Lady Luck stepped in on Thursday evening and we happened to bump into someone who'd just got a really good deal and recommended it to us. So 10.30 on Friday morning we're finally sitting on the prow of the most gorgeous Gulet called 'The Outback'. It's berthed in Gumbet Harbour but just about ready to take off. The anchor is raised slowly and we're off. From my seat at the front I take in the shining blue sea and the passing coastline and secretly despise the other people who've immediately prostrated themselves on the luxuriously cushioned deck to work on their suntans. Five minutes later I realise that I'm missing out big time and hit the cushions. The word bliss takes on a whole new meaning as my creaking bones soak in the sun and revel in a breeze that brushes the skin like silk. After an Irish winter, Denis and I seriously felt like we'd died and gone to heaven.

There were three stops . First one for swimming, second one for swinmming and lunch and third one at Camel Beach for an hour ashore. We got back to Gumbet around 5 and next time I'm in Turkey, I'll be doing this on the first day, not the last.

We booked ths trip with Otan Tours in Bitez and for 15 Euro each, we had the whole day on the boat, lunch, plus transport to and from Gumbet. The boat was immaculate with toilets and shower facilities onboard and we had long conversations with the owner. A wonderful trip!

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if it's an attraction at all, but the bodrum marina is a place to spend your time strolling along the pavements and watch the yachts and boats sail in and away. yachts in small and big sizes, people coming in and out, strollers, wanderers, joggers, people watching while dining at one of the alfresco restaurants especially at the far end juz near the entrance of the st. peter's castle. nice parks with benches - refreshing juz to sit down and watch the world go by. ...and of course the turquoise water of the ocean and the smell of the breeze.

the marina is a nice place to spend the morning and late afternoons.

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the antique ampitheater of bodrum is located along the main highway of turgut treis, so take caution is crossing the highway to get to the theater. the mobile giants - ericcsson and turkcell - are renovating the theater. the theater is in good shape though i find it strange that it is located along the main thoroughfare.

the theater is one of mausolus ambitious projects during his governorship of halicarnassus. sitting at the stairs of the theater you can watch the marina down below, nice view of the whole town. the theater include a stone altar once used before plays for sacrifices to Dionyus, and several holes cut through some of the seats. the theater could seat 13,000 spectators. climb up further to Goktepe to see several rock-cut tombs. dating from the Roman and Hellenistic period, these excavated tombs once carried several sarcophagi, as well as mementos buried with the dead.

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nuthin' much was left of the great mausoleum of mausolus - a seven wonder of the ancient world - but worth to visit if you're in the area. scattered pieces of marble in an encarpment, there's a small museum where some of relics are with marble carving from the original edifice. entrance fee is i think 5TL.

the original mausoleum is about 45 meters in height, and each of the four sides was adorned with sculptural reliefs created by each one of four Greek sculptors — Leochares, Bryaxis, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus. the finished structure was considered to be such an aesthetic triumph that Antipater of Sidon identified it as one of his Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

it's the origin of the word mausoleum - from Mausolus - the eldest son of Hecatomnus, a native Carian who became the satrap of Caria when Tissaphernes died, around 395 BC.