Bodrum Turkey is home to both beautiful beaches and an ancient wonder of the world. Things to do in Bodrum Turkey;
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus – Ancient Wonder of the World
- Amphitheater of Bodrum
- Bodrum Castle
- Beach and Harbor
- Zeki Muren Arts Museum
- Mosques and Windmills
- Nightlife at Gumbet
Bodrum city center is a popular choice as it’s full of good value hotels and resorts. Alternatively, for those in search of nightlife you must stay in nearby Gumbet.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus – Bodrum Turkey
Also known as the Tomb of Mausolus, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. It was the tomb of King Mausolus of Halicarnassus. Halicarnassus is modern day Bodrum Turkey. King Mausolus and his wife Artemisia ruled the land for 24 years in the 4th century. As a matter of fact, Artemisia contracted highly talented artists to build this wonder in honor of her late husband. Did you know there’s another wonder of the ancient world in nearby Izmir.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus Facts
Halicarnassus was what is now modern day Bodrum. Mausolus was married to his sister, Artemisia and together they ruled Halicarnassus. It’s believed the word mausoleum derived from Mausolus. Who was the architect? Greek architects, Pytheos and Satyros. However, it was artists from Greece, Egypt as well as Lycia who created the interior design. The building was made of marble. Both Alexander the Great and later pirates took over the city but did not damage this beautiful structure. An earthquake seriously damaged the building in the 13th century. Afterwards, new buildings in the surrounding area were built using marble from the ruin. Finally, it’s believed the design of the Los Angeles City Hall was influenced by the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
Amphitheater of Bodrum
King Mausolus built Bodrum Antique Amphitheater during his reign. However, during the Roman era the structure was vastly improved to what you see today. The capacity is 13,000, as a result it’s half the size of the Great Theater of Ephesus. Entrance is free and the theater offers panoramic views of Bodrum. Finally, not many people visit therefore it’s likely you’ll have this huge theater all to yourself.
Bodrum Beach
Adjacent to the Bodrum promenade walk is Bodrum beach. For this reason, if you’re staying in the city center you never have far to walk to the beach.
Bodrum Castle
Built in the 14th century, Bodrum Castle is a major landmark of the city. It features 5 towers, the English, Italian, German, French as well as Snakes Tower. In addition, it’s covers a huge 3000 square meters. An interesting fact about the castle is that parts of it were built with the remains from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. For this reason, could it technically qualify as an ancient wonder of the world?
Bodrum Harbor
Several cafes and bars line Bodrum Harbor. As a result, this is a top sunset location. Lastly, adjacent to the harbor is the international ferry port. From here, ferries leave regularly to the Greek Island of Kos.
Bazaar – Bodrum Turkey
The bazaar is perfect for those visiting Turkey for shopping. Remember, bargain hard as the first price they give will be way more than the final price. Bodrum is a tourist town therefore prices tend to be inflated.
Zeki Muren Arts Museum
Zeki Muren is to Turkey what Elvis Presley is to the USA. You can visit his former home and learn all about him at Zeki Muren Arts Museum.
Kumbahce Mosque
As you walk the streets of Bodrum you’ll regularly hear the call to prayer. One such place the call to prayer comes from is the Kumbahce Mosque. If you wish to visit the interior, you must wear trousers as well as take off your shoes. Additionally, women must cover their head with a scarf.
Merkez Adliye Mosque
Adjacent to the main square of Bodrum is the Adliye mosque. Again, you’re welcome to visit the interior but respect the dress code. Lastly, this part of Bodrum is a top Instagram spot due to the number of Turkish flags as a backdrop.
Windmills
In between Bodrum and Gumbet is a small hill with several windmills. Today, ruins, these windmills were built in the 18th century. I recommend you visit the windmills in the evening. Not only will it be cooler but you’ll also witness a beautiful sunset. Finally, from the windmills hillside are excellent aerial views of Bodrum Castle and surrounding coastline.
Nightlife at Gumbet
Gumbet is the nightlife capital of Bodrum. Of course, there are lots of restaurants and shops and even a beach. But it’s the nightlife people stay here for. In addition, hotels in Gumbet are excellent value.
How to travel from Bodrum to Gumbet
For a few lira you can take a bus from Bodrum Otogar. These leave every half hour or so. Alternatively, you can take an inexpensive taxi but remember, you must also haggle the price.
How to Travel from Bodrum to Antalya
The journey time from Bodrum to Antalya is around 8 hours. Check the latest schedule and buy your tickets from Bodrum Otogar. Bus services in Turkey are excellent and often include free snacks and drinks.
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