Bodrum (Aegean Coast, Turkey)

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The popular resort of Bodrum, called Halicarnassos in ancient times, is the South Aegean's most attractive resort, described by Homer as 'The land of eternal blue'.

The hillside is covered in painted villas adorned with bougainvillea. Narrow streets wind their way down to the sea, and the peaceful setting of its twin harbours offer shelter for yachts.

Bodrum is a mustering point for local boats offering tailor-made daytrips to nearby islands or the pristine beaches and seaside restaurants along the magnificent coastline.

From its position between the two harbours, the 15th-century crusader Castle of St Peter dominates every part of the town, now home to the fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The other attraction in town is the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the crumbling remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

As Turkey's leading seaside resort destination, Bodrum is packed with foreign visitors in summer, yet it remains unspoilt and retains its charming Turkish character, perfecting the balance between exotic bazaars, the wailing cry of the muezzin and ancient history, with water sports, sunbathing and a nightlife that is notorious throughout Turkey.

Locality:

Bodrum is located on Turkey's SW coast, at the point where the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea meet (150 mls S of Izmir, 30 mls SW of Bodrum airport, 135 mls NW of Dalaman airport).

Despite its seaside position, Bodrum is not a beach resort and entertainment here is mainly centred around sightseeing. The town itself is a worthy sight; principal others are the castle and its archaeological museum; a stone amphitheatre; the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). The Hall of the Carian Princess (an ancient tomb).

By night the area is very popular with many music bars in the centre and waterfront areas and some impressive discos.

Local excursions consist of Greek Island ferries to Kos and Rhodes, coastal cruises to Ephesus, Pamukkale** (with its fantastic limestone formations). Villages and bays of the peninsula.

**Pamukkale: Calcium-rich mineral springs surging over the edge of a mountain plateau for thousands of years has resulted in an intriguing natural masterpiece. The rock formations of Pamukkale ('Cotton Castle') are a series of natural shelves and ridges, terraces that have been turned white from the solidified chalky calcium deposits left behind as the thermal waters tumble into further basins clinging to the cliff edge below. From a distance it appears to be a dazzling white fairytale castle, with a formation of tiers rising from the ground containing warm water pools. The hot springs have been used since Roman times to cure certain ailments. On the plateau is the Pamukkale Thermal enclosing the bubbling 'sacred pool of the ancients', the main source of the springs creating the white terraces, and its mineral waters are open for public bathing. Pamukkale is also the site of the ancient Roman spa-city of Hierapolis, and there are several ruins scattered about the area, including an impressive Roman theatre. It was considered a sacred site for its magic healing waters and was the weekend destination of kings and emperors of the Pergamum and Roman Empires.

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Population: 69.660.600
Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli, Azeri, Kabardi
Currency:
Local Times:

Country Dialling Code: +90
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Often described as the 'crossroads of Europe and Asia', Turkey is one an extremely popular holiday destination. It is a place of interwoven cultures, where eastern and western sensibilities happily co-exist. Turkey is a paradise where one can experience the four seasons simultaneously... Whether be fond of art, history, archeology or nature, you will feel the happiness beyond desires and hopes during your stay in Turkey. Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of a shinning sea at four directions, Turkey generously offers its 8000km long shores before your eyes.

Turkey is at the northeast end of the Mediterranean Sea in southeast Europe and southwest Asia. To the north is the Black Sea and to the west is the Aegean Sea. Its neighbours are Greece and Bulgaria to the west, Russia and Ukraine to the north (through the Black Sea), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, and Syria and Iraq to the south. The Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosporus divide the country.

Although Turkey is situated in large Mediterranean geographical location where climatic conditions are quite temperate, diverse nature of the landscape, and the existence in particular of the mountains that run parallel to the coasts, result in significant differences in climatic conditions from one region to the other. While the coastal areas enjoy milder climates, the inland Anatolian plateau experiences extremes of hot summers and cold winters with limited rainfall.

The driest regions are the Karaman, Igdir and Sanliurfa, where annual rainfall frequently is less than 300 millimeters. The wettest regions are the Black Sea coastal region where annual rainfall can reach 2,200 millimeters annually, and the region receives rainfall throughout the year.

For those who travel to engage in culinary pursuits, the Turkish cuisine is worthy of exploration. The variety of dishes that make up the cuisine, the ways they all come together in feast-like meals, and the evident intricacy of each technique involved offer enough material for life-long study and enjoyment.

It is not easy to discern a basic element or a single dominant feature, like the Italian pasta or the French sauce. Whether in a humble home, at a famous restaurant, or at dinner in a Bey's mansion, familiar patterns of this rich and diverse cuisine are always present. It is a rare art which satisfies the senses while reconfirming the higher order of society, community and culture.

The skiing area of Uludag is 1750 2543 m high and covered with forests. The duration of skiing is 120 days a year. The most suitable skiing conditions are between 20 December and 20 March. The average snow fall is 3 m in winter. At the beginning of the season the type of snow is "powdery snow" and at the end of the season the snow characteristic is slightly "slushy."

With over 8,333 km of coastline along the four seas, Turkey is a treasure chest of coves, inlets, bays and beaches at which yachtsmen can choose a different, private anchorage each night. The sailing paradise of Turkey is also home to the Blue Voyage. This idyllic cruise means sailing with the winds, into coves and over the seas and becoming one with nature.

It is also an experience of the history of man from the perspective of the sea rather than from the land, a journey which carries you to the private beach of Cleopatra, the eternal fires of remains of ancient civilizations. For lovers of the active life, sailing in clear waters provides great opportunities for swimming, fishing, skiing, surfing and diving.

Bodrum (Aegean Coast, Turkey)

Bodrum Suitability Profile