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Bodrum Information
Bodrum is a village on the Aegean coast of Turkey, popular with tourists from all over the world.
Bodrum is the site of the ancient city of Halikarnassus, the location of the famous Mausoleum of Halikarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum is a playground for rich Turks and a spectrum of foreign visitors. It is one of the centers of the Turkish Tourist industry and is the market town for the Bodrum Peninsula which consists of a number of towns and villages nestling on the edge of the Coast. Bodrum has grown as a sailing destination and thanks to it's warm and less humid climate, has become a top destination for visitors who enjoy the combination of it's historical past and the usual modern tourist amenities. There are large numbers of shops and restaurants covering the gamut from simple cafes to expensive gourmet eateries. Behind the beach are all the bars, restaurants, and night clubs. This Bars do not come alive until after 10pm when everybody goes out. There are some nice beach fronted bars but it also has some terrible ones, if you do not like the hard drinking culture that tourism generates. World famous Halikarnas is a huge club that can handle 4000 people. It is mostly outdoors and hosts foam parties on regular occasions.
Getting There
Bodrum-Milas airport is 35 kilometers away from Bodrum and many flight companies operate charter flights to Bodrum during season. There are also Dalaman and Izmir Airports which are 3 hours away from Bodrum. There are shuttle services scheduled with each planes' arrival at Bodrum Milas Airport. From the airport to Bodrum Center takes 40-45 minutes. There is also an airport taxi service which is more expensive than the shuttle service. You can find the price list in front of the taxi lane. Bodrum can be reached by sea from Cos and Rhodes which are Greek Islands. Daily ferryboat services from/to Cos and Rhodes to Bodrum are available during the summer season. Bus services to Bodrum from major cities of Turkey such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Bursa, Konya, and others. The bus from Istanbul to Bodrum takes 13 hours, from Izmir to Bodrum takes 4 hours, and from Ankara to Bodrum requires 10 hours.
Getting Around
A regular dolmus service that runs to neighbouring areas and surrounding villages. There are numerous car and motorbike rental agencies as well. In the high season, there is direct boat service to Kalymnos, Kos, Simi, and Rhodes which are all in Greece.
What To See
The Ballet Festival in August, and a wide range of pop concerts at the Castle or in the 2,000 year old Amphitheatre which has been restored. Bodrum Castle - the Castle of St Peter. The Castle is easily the most recognizable landmark in Bodrum. The castle now operates as a museum, with the focus on the Museum of Underwater Archaeology which was established in 1961. The museum has won numerous awards, and displays a large collection of finds from underwater excavations along the Turkish coast including the famous Uluburun Shipwreck, one of the earliest and richest wrecks yet discovered. The beach in Bodrum is not great, however, there is a better one nearby at Gumbet. The beach there is much better with sunbeds that are free of charge and good loud music. There are several pools with bars that do not charge an entrance fee whether or not you order anything. There are a variety of water sports and you can hire private boats for trips around the bay. At night world famous Halikarnas, a huge club that can handle 4000 people, is a definite must see. It is mostly outdoors and hosts foam parties on regular occasions.
Things To Do
The nightlife in Bodrum is world famous. If you like to party the night away, this is definitely the place to do it with clubs that include Halikarnas, the biggest open air club in Europe. Bodrum also has a great Hamam - Turkish Bath, located a few blocks inland from the harbour. Facilities are separated by gender with both sexes enjoying the same hours of operation. Ferry Boats allow you to go across to Kos or Rhodes for a day or two. There you can get a scooter which can be very dangerous but still is the best and easiest way to get around. There is good windsurfing at nearby Vass with lots of places to hire boards and sails. There's many diving clubs giving daily scuba diving tours all around the region and their rates generally include lunch and snacks prepared on the boat. Public boat tours can be booked from almost all the beaches. Boat tours are a good way to see the coastline and beaches surrounding Bodrum, as well as other area you can't reach by road. Everything from bareboat to luxury yacht rentals and charters are available along the Marina.
Food And Drink
Turkey is the land of some of the most wholesome and delicious food in the world, favoring fresh vegetables and steering away from too much red meat and relying extensively on pure olive oil and garlic, the Turkish cuisine is healthy and non-fattening, except if one indulges too much in good Turkish bread, borek pastries or rich sweet desserts. Like all resorts being directly on the sea front increases the prices. Along the beach promenade and down by the marina are many excellent restaurants offering both Turkish and International cuisines, but the closer to the water, the higher the price. Gumbet seems to be the second choice for Brits to go to eat and drink and there are good restaurants to be found there that are reasonable.
Dalyan Queens Hotel
Gay friendly British owned and operated Hotel minutes away from Sarigerme
Gay Turkey Travel Guide
Information for gays in the major cites and towns of Turkey
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