Bodrum or ancient Halicarnassus which is the hometown of Heredotus, known as the "Father of History", is a typical Aegean sea-side town with white-washed houses and narrow, winding streets lined with cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants.

As developers paid increasingly steep prices for land, the hillsides and bays around the town became covered with holiday houses for vacationing residents of Istanbul and Ankara. The graceful wooden hulls of gullets sway in the Bodrum harbor, beckoning holiday makers to forsake the heat and noise of the town for the calm of the blue waters of the Aegean. The Eski Bankasi street, a pedestrian lane off the main shopping street, leads to a row of bars and restaurants in picturesque stone houses. Tables sprawl across the lane and a convivial bohemian atmosphere prevails. Several piano bars and bistros in the same area cater to visitors who crave subdued entertainment.

The Halicarnassus Fisherman wrote, " When the moon comes up, the universe turns into a fairytale." Bodrum's nocturnal setting is magical; nightlife is invigorating and often continues until dawn.

Many visitors opt to stay in one of the villages on the peninsula, now easily accessible since a paved highway was constructed recently. Gumbet; is about one and-a-half miles (2 km) from Bodrum and its long sandy beach is dotted with motels and pensions. Bitez; a bay a few miles west of Gumbet.

Turgutreis; named after a 16th century admiral who died during the siege of Malta, as it was his birthplace. Gumusluk; is more popular for its secluded setting and relaxed pace rather than for its beach. Ortakent; just off the main highway west of Bodrum. This village is worth a visit to see its unique tower houses. The oldest is the Mustafa Pasa house, built in 1601, and given a stately appearance by its rampart-size walls and its peaked roof formed by cannon embrasures. Yalikavak, Turkbuku, Golkoy and Torba are the other recommended places to visit.

It is easy to find minibuses to these places on every hour of the day. Day trips by boat can be made from Bodrum to surrounding beaches and islands; the most popular of these is Karaada, or Black Island, about a half hour by launch across Bodrum's bay.

Shopping

Shopping through the narrow streets of Bodrum between the white walls is one of the pleasures you must try here. The Turkish crafts make it impossible to resist buying something. The most popular objects for the holiday maker are of course carpets; but the varied leather, copper and bronze wares, silver and gold, handicrafts and embroidery, and the famous Turkish meerschaum and onyx are on many peoples' lists.

Bodrum & Turkish carpets

First in general, what is it we call a carpet? In Turkey we differentiate between the knotted carpet, which is called HALI, and the woven carpet, the KILIM. Carpets are are the most well-known souvenirs you can bring home from Turkey. And even if you have had just the bad luck of being cheated, they are still a lot cheaper than in your own country.

A serious seller tells you and informs you about some basic values in carpet making. The closer together and tighter the knotting, the finer, stronger and more precious the carpets beomes. The number of knots varies from 150,000 per sq. mt. to 1,000,000 per sq. mt. in the finest silk carpets.Thus, a 1,5 to 2 mt. carpets can take from 3 months to one year to complete. In the villages around Bodrum, Milas and Mumcular, rugs are still woven by hand in the traditional way.

A well made carpet can last for well over a hundred of years but it should be cherished correctly as a piece of art.

Copperware

In Turkey there are still hand-made copper goods, of the type, which long ago was made by the workman at the corner. You can still watch this being done in the environment of the closed Bazars in Istanbul. In addition, in near Bodrum there is such a copper village (or Bakirkoy - as one says here). The village is called Kavaklidere, and is approximately about 100 km to the East of Bodrum near the city of Yatagan.

Textiles and Leather

Products of the natural raw materials leather and cotton are traditionally sold in the shops of Turkey. Cotton is cultivated everywhere in Turkey, so that Turkey is in fact third biggest producer of cotton in the world. Travelling inland and passing Ephesus or Kaunos you will see many cotton fields. Pamuk is the Turkish word for cotton. The harvest is in September - October. Everything related can also be seen in the Bodrum Video.

Meerschaum Pipes

Carving pipes out of the natural material meerschaum has a long tradition in Turkey. Already in Ottoman times these pipes were well known all over the world. Originally this special skill is based in the town of Eskisehir.

In Gumusluk you can also watch the art of pipe making here using the material "meerschaum" which being porous absorbs nicotine very well.
Good to be seen in the Bodrum Video.

Hand made sandals

Skilled artisans can make you a pair of snugly fitting leather sandals in the traditional Aegean style. You will find craftsmen in the center of Bodrum - like Ali Usta and others. You can either order or try one of the pairs they have in stock.

Sandal making has an old tradition in Bodrum. More then thirty years ago out of a native interest in Roman sandals some "shoe-makers" started the craft. Today these sandals, which can be considered as pieces of art, carrying old time history to modern people's feet.

Waterpipe - Nargile

Its a ceremony to smoke from the Nargile, the Turkish water pipe. Tobacco, or better only the best leaves of tobacco are laid on the pipe and then topped with a piece of hot charcoal. The water in the pipe cools it down and absorbs the nicotine.

The Boncuk

There is one typical item, an equity of this region you should take home as a souvenier, it's called the Boncuk, the Little Magic Stone that protects one from the *Evil Eye* (pronounced 'bon-dschuk'), you will see this blue glass piece everywhere here in this area. But read the BONCUK Story first.

Ceramics from Kutahya

This wonderful blue on plates and tiles you'll find mainly on the ceramic articles from the central Turkish city Kutahya. Very often you will see samples that show the tulip motif, which dates from the time when this flower originating in Persia became known around the world.

Market day in Bodrum

Every Tuesday there is a cloth market and every Friday, here is a market with fruit and vegetables. Traders and farmers come to Bodrum to sell their produce. This ranges from all kinds of fruits and vegetables to imitation Rolex watches and items of clothing. good to watch as well in the video.
It is well worth a visit and you should try to bargain before buying anything.

The Castle of St. Peter

The most prominent feature of Bodrum is the castle of St. Peter: The castle's origins date back to the knights of St. John. This group of expatriates began in the 11th century with a church and hospital in Jerusalem. Although belonging to he Catholic religion care was denied to no-one. When the knights arrived they instructed their builders to remove all usable materials from the tomb of King Mausolos as the castle construction began in the 1400's.

The knights referred to the town as Messy not knowing that they where in the ancient Halicarnassus. The fortress became known as the Castle of St. Peter, the Liberator, it served as the sole place of refugee for all Christians on the West Coast of Asia during the time of the crusades. For over a century the castle served as a stronghold in the knights community. Under Turkish care the castle has undergone several uses including being a military base, a prison and a public bath. But now it is one of the finest museums in this region.

The Castle of the Knights of St. Peter, located on a promontory by the harbor. The castle has an interesting underwater archeological museum and also houses the oldest ship wreck in the world on display and the mummy of Ada, a Karia Princess. The importance of this castle can be seen from a papal edict of 1409, that anyone involved in the construction of this castle will gain remission of sins. There is an Italian Tower, a French Tower, an English Tower and the Snake Tower.

The Mausoleum of King Mausolos and the Antique Theater

It was built by Queen Artemis in the 4th century B.C. The Mausoleum was renown as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Bites

Past Gumbet will be bitez. It is a very long beach in the shape of a crescent. East part of the bay towards Adaburnu is not so clean, therefore not suitable for swimming. Towards the west side, the beach gets more beautiful. The wind surf boards, umbrellas, water-paddles and canoes.

Ortakent

Ortakent has the longest beach after bitez in Bodrum. Its waters are a little bit colder. From the land, it is 12 km to town center. A little further on, at Kargi, you can find a beach which has very fine sand.

Karaincir

This is a touristic center which has been developing in the recent years for its 500 m long beach which is being protected from the winds by the hills flanking it from both sides.

Akyarlar

Akyarlar is in the southern promontory of the peninsula and 22 km from Bodrum center. In the old days, it used to be a village where fishermen and sponge-divers used to live. Today, it has become one of the well-developed tourism centers of the region. It does not have sandy beaches but, it is a popular spot for the masters of wind surfing.

Kargi Bay

Continuing on past Ortakent Beach, one arrives at Kargi Bay. It is now possible to get to Kargi by land as Dolmus service now server the southern coast road but Kargi still remains most conveniently accessible by sea, via the daily excursion boats. Kargi features one of the nicer sand beaches on the peninsula, less crowded with good swimming. In addition a couple of seaside taverns offer menus a little different from standard beach fare. Kargi's main attraction however are several gentle camels who have earned their keep for many years taking visitors up and down the beach.

Bagla Bay

Past Kargi, around a small headland by sea or over on of the fingerlike ridges if travelling by land is the small bay called Bagla Koyu. Like Kargi Koyu Bagla also offers one of the most pristine bottoms extending far from the shore. with some of the best swimming to be found in the area. Bagla is popular with the daily tour boats who stop there regularly.

Gumbet

As we head towards Gumbet, our first stop will be the Gate of Myndos, locals call it "Dikduru" (meaning standing upright), probably because the gate is still standing. Bardakci Koyu (Salmakis) is known for its good quality drinking water springs: It is located right near Bodrum. Its name is derived from "bardak" (glass/cup). This is where most of the Gumbet hotels are located. It is immediately by the town center. Gumbet which is located between Inceburun and Adaburun is also appropriate for water sports.

Gumusluk

One of the most picturesque and peaceful places on the Bodrum Peninsula, Gumusluk is renowded for its silver sunset, fish restaurant and the partially sunken remands of ancient myndus. Walkers will find many invigorating treks around Gumusluk, enhanced in spring and early summer by riotous displays of wild lovers. "Rabbit Island", in the center of the bay, is reached over an oldstone causeway and is indeed populated by rabbits.

Turgut Reis

The largest settlement on the peninsula. Turgutreis has developed quite rapidly and is now recognized as a municipality. Named after a famous sea captain. Turgutreis, his commemorative bust is placed on a high point where he can keep an eternal vigil over his place of birth. It is said that there is no better place than Turgutreis to watch the sun slip down over the horizon, and its true, the sunset here are spectular. There is no better day to see. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the market place, the long beach is an ideal place to relax and soak up the sun.