Holiday in Bodrum

What makes Bodrum special as a destination?

Bodrum, the ancient Halicarnassus on the Turkish Aegean coast, combines millennia-old history with Mediterranean lifestyle and a legendary nightlife. The Castle of St. Peter, an imposing 15th-century Crusader fortress, overlooks the harbor and houses one of the most significant underwater archaeology museums in the world — featuring finds from Bronze Age shipwrecks. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood at the site where today only foundations and a few column remnants can be seen. However, the history of this tomb for King Mausolus (from which the word "mausoleum" is derived) comes alive in the adjacent museum. The ancient theater overlooking the bay once accommodated 13,000 spectators and still serves as a venue today. The whitewashed, cube-shaped houses with bougainvillea-covered facades shape the cityscape and remind one of the Greek Cyclades. Bodrum Marina is the starting point for the famous "Blue Voyages" (Gulet tours) along the Turkish coast — multi-day sailing trips on traditional wooden boats to secluded bays and ancient ruins. Gümüsluk, a sleepy fishing village west of Bodrum, has developed into a culinary insider tip: freshly caught fish in simple beach restaurants, along with a view of the sunken ancient city of Myndos beneath the water's surface. The Bodrum Peninsula offers quieter alternatives to the lively city center with Bitez, Ortakent, and Türkbükü. The nightlife focuses on Bar Street and the legendary Halikarnas Club, which is located outdoors directly by the sea. Bodrum is the most elegant and historically rich corner of the Turkish Riviera.