Bodrum (Turkey) is a paradise for lovers of night fun. 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, British and Scandinavians. The windy weather of the Aegean Sea makes this resort a great place for surfing and other water sports.
Bodrum (Turkey). Map, geographical location
The city in question is located on the peninsula of the same name. It is washed by the Aegean Sea. Bodrum is 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 in this color. Thirty-one thousand people live permanently in Bodrum.
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 joined it. All of them were united by a wall. After the death of this ruler, a mausoleum was erected, which became one of the miracleslight.
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
Sixty kilometers from Bodrum is an international airport. The Havas bus runs regularly to 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 (Turkey) - the most popular resort, providing the opportunity to soak up the gentle sun. Most of the beaches are owned by hotels. These are usually small areas covered with pebbles, or artificially created concrete platforms with fine loose sand.
The surroundings of Bodrum are famous for the presence of many bays, the most popular of them are Gumbet and Bitez. Above the clear waters of the latter, the Blue Flag proudly flies. As for Bitez, this is a great place for parties and dancing until the morning. In the places of Gumusluk and Ortakent, there are many fish restaurants stretching along the coast in an endless chain.
Because the shores are quite steep, ledges down to the sea, in some expensive hotels there are 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 only an hour from the city center.
Climatic features
Bodrum (Turkey) is a resort that boasts not such exhaustingly hot summers as in Alanya or Antalya. Even in July and August - traditionally the hottest months - the thermometer rises no higher than thirty degrees Celsius.
When is the best time to travel to a country like Turkey? 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 May water with a temperature of 15˚С.
The coldest months are January and February. During the day, on average +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 (Turkey). Accommodation prices range from very affordable to astronomical. Most of the hotels were built 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 are much better than 5 in Antalya. As a rule, hotels have playgrounds and clubs with qualified tutors.
An interesting feature: inexpensive hotels in the city of Bodrum (Turkey) are concentrated in the city center, while fashionable hotels are located on the outskirts.
One of the most fashionable and expensive hotels is The Marmara Bodrum. The price for a room in it starts from10 700 rubles per day. One of the most affordable accommodation options offers Dolce Bodrum Hotel. For a night in one of his rooms, you will be charged from 1,100 rubles.
Let's consider some more VIP-class hotels. First of all, we note the 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. An extensive range of services is offered by the local SPA center. Its specialists do various types of massage, apply rejuvenating masks and perform many other procedures. Little guests are also not deprived of attention. They can frolic in the playgrounds, in the pool, on the water slides and in the mini club.
Shopping Features
Most of the shopping streets are on the side of Ataturk Avenue and the castle. The range of goods is decent, but the prices are sometimes just off scale. Tip from experienced tourists: in Bodrum you can buy wonderful inexpensive souvenirs - natural sea sponges, which will serve as environmentally friendly washcloths.
Connoisseurs of everything unusual rush to the village of Chomkadang, which is 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 silk thread manufacturing and weaving of amazingly beautiful carpets. Particularly liked products can be purchased.
There are three large shopping centers on the Bodrum peninsula with a full range of modern services, amongwhere 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 the production located in the suburbs. Among them are factories of leather and jewelry, carpets and onyx products. At the same time, you will be given a unique opportunity to make an individual order.
Interesting places
The main attraction of Bodrum is St. Peter's Castle. He divides the city in half. The Western Territories epitomize the modern world with nightclubs, luxury hotels, yachts and discos. There are many restaurants and authentic bazaars in the eastern old part of Bodrum.
The Museum of Underwater Archeology has been established in the aforementioned castle. There you can admire the Uluburn, the world's oldest sunken ship. 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 lire. 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 has been opened in its place, located four hundred meters west of the city center. You will be charged four lira for entry.
The partially restored Hellenistic theater with a capacity of thirteen thousand spectators is located on a hill in the northernparts of Bodrum. From here it is recommended to watch the sunset - the spectacle is amazing.
Entertainment
Is it possible to do without a variety of pleasures, going on vacation? Bodrum (Turkey) is a place that will appeal to lovers of fun and active pastime. 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 water park in Turkey was built in 1993. It has a lot of various water slides, a river with artificial waves, several lakes, waterfalls and grottoes. The most extreme attraction is Kamikaze. Its angle of inclination is 80 degrees, thanks to which you can feel the beauty of the state of free flight.
There are three restaurants, one bar and several food courts on the territory of the water park. On comfortable sunbeds you can relax after the descents or a hearty lunch. Animators are happy to entertain young visitors.
Tours
Bodrum is often compared to a real architectural museum. Every vacationer, when visiting local attractions, will be able to find something interesting for themselves. The main thing is to be patient and take your camera with you.
What is it that attracts connoisseurs of antiquity to Bodrum? Tours of the ancient city of Ephesus are very popular. Tourists consider Mariemana 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 by the tomb of St. John. Not lessa visit to the large amphitheater, the temple of Hestia, the fountain of Troyan and the monument to Memmius will bring impressions.
Another popular excursion destination - Pamukkale - a real miracle of nature. There are many hot springs on its territory. Their waters are rich in various mineral s alts. Falling, the latter form petrified cascades, incredibly beautifully shining in the sun.
Another local attraction is the Dalyan River. Tourists move along it on a boat, examining the river and coastal exotics. Stops are made periodically so that tourists have the opportunity to see the agora, the church, the Roman baths and the amphitheater. Everyone can swim in 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 surely rejoice at the opportunity to go fishing. Organized excursions to the shore of the 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:
- Mild climate of the city of Bodrum (Turkey). The sea brings a refreshing breeze.
- Big and interesting nightlife.
- The service of the resort is at the European level.
- Having a huge water park.
- Close proximity to the main attractions - Ephesus and Halicarnassus.
Negative points:
- The sea is not very warm at the beginning of summer.
- - Missing a wide selection of hotels.
- - Air travel will cost more than to Antalya.
- Not the cheapest holiday destination is Bodrum (Turkey). Tours to this resort cost a little more than in the whole country. 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 immersed in greenery.
Conclusion
The world of pleasure, entertainment and enjoyment is the city of Bodrum (Turkey). Map, climatic features, attractions and hotels are described in the article. The considered resort provides an opportunity not only to have fun from the heart, but also to improve your he alth. You won't regret if Turkey is your next vacation destination. Bodrum, the photo of which is presented above, is a worthy vacation option.
