Things to do in Bodrum
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Nazik Ana
This simple back-alley place offers prepared dishes hot and cold (viewable at the front counter), letting you sample different Turkish traditional dishes at knock-down prices.
reviewed
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Castle of St Peter
Tamerlane's Mongol invasion of Anatolia (1402) not only gave Byzantine Constantinople a reprieve from Turkish besiegers, it also allowed the Knights Hospitaller, based in Rhodes, to build a castle at ancient Halicarnassus, using marble and stones from the famed mausoleum. They named the city Petronium (hence the Turkicised 'Bodrum').
By 1437 they had finished the Castle of St Peter, adding new defensive features (moats, walls, cisterns etc) right up until 1522, when Süleyman the Magnificent captured Rhodes. The Knights were forced to cede St Peter's castle, and the victorious Muslim sultan promptly built a mosque in it. For centuries, the castle was never tested, but…
reviewed
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Mausoleum
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum was the greatest achievement of Carian King Mausolus (r 376–353 BC). Although Caria had existed for at least 700 years, with a capital in Mylasa (Milas), Mausolus moved it to Halicarnassus. Before his death, the king had planned his own tomb, to be designed by Pythius (architect of Priene's Temple of Athena). When Mausolus finally died, his wife (and sister), Artemisia, oversaw the completion of this enormous, white-marble tomb topped by stepped pyramids.
Incredibly, the Mausoleum stood relatively intact until the Knights Hospitallers needed building material for the Castle of St Peter; between 1406 and 1522,…
reviewed
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Museum of Underwater Archaeology
The space in the Castle of St Peter that was once used to store booty collected during underwater archaeology missions, now houses Bodrum's Museum of Underwater Archaeology. It is arguably the most important museum of its type in the world, a veritable lesson in how to bring ancient exhibits to life. Items are creatively displayed and well lit, and information panels, maps, models, drawings, murals, dioramas and videos all help to animate them.
It's undoubtedly one of the best museums in Turkey, not to mention the Mediterranean (and could teach some of the cupboard-like Victorian museums in the West a thing or two!).
The views from the battalions are spectacular and worth…
reviewed
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French Tower
Inside the Castle of St Peter is the French Tower where lie the remains of a great and powerful woman. Though popularly said to belong to Queen Ada (a Carian princess who died sometime between 360 BC and 325 BC aged 29, and whose tomb was discovered by Turkish archaeologists in 1989), there is no concrete evidence for this. Buried with a gold crown, necklace, bracelets, rings and an exquisite wreath of gold myrtle leaves, her identity doesn't lessen the incredible value of the find.
Using modern reconstruction techniques, experts at Manchester University have modelled what she might have looked like; a video in Turkish explains their work.
reviewed
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Shipyard
The recently restored Ottoman shipyard stands just beyond the marina. In 1770, Russia destroyed the entire Ottoman fleet at Çeşme; rebuilding it occurred in boatyards like this. It was fortified when pirates menaced in the 19th century. Although the shipyard's tower occasionally hosts art exhibitions, it's essentially a children's playground. Old tombstones, dating from the period when the Latin alphabet was replacing Arabic, are kept above. There are good views from here, too.
reviewed
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Halıkarnas
Since the 1970s, the Halıkarnas has been a clubbers' institution. With top-quality sound and light equipment (including two Class IV lasers you can see in Greece), it's an extraordinary experience, particularly when at capacity (5000 people). Internationally known DJs are billed as well as world-touring shows. On Monday to Wednesday, there's free alcohol from 22:00 to 01:00. Note that it doesn't get going much before 01:00.
reviewed
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Kocadon Restaurant
Set back from Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi in the cobbled courtyard of a very attractive 200-year-old stone house, is this highly civilised and atmospheric place that specialises in old Ottoman cuisine. The excellent three-course set menu (for lunch or dinner), which includes an open buffet of 12 meze and a fish dish, is fab for a splurge. The à la carte menu is select and enticing. This claims to be Bodrum's best; it may well be.
reviewed
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Yağhane
Housed in an old olive mill built in 1894, this is an attractive and atmospheric place, with the walls hung with the works of local artists. The menu, which specialises in old Ottoman and Mediterranean dishes, is select and imaginative. Try the delicious regional speciality et çökertme - sliced beef with garlic yogurt, grated potatoes and butter. The wine list is also impressive.
reviewed
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Snorkel & Dive Center
The Snorkel & Dive Center is an excellent source of current information and also sells good-quality snorkelling and diving equipment, as well as organising dives. The company also runs PADI, NAUI and CMAS courses. A PADI Open Water course costs around €350 per person (including all equipment, tuition and books). It normally takes four days, though three days is possible at a push.
reviewed
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Tranca
Jutting out into the bay, the family-run Tranca probably boasts about the best views of anywhere. Its specialities are tuzda balik (fish baked in salt) and testi kebabı (casserole served in a clay pot that's broken at your table), both cost around €25 to around €30 with a minimum of two people. Reserve a seafront table if you can.
reviewed
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Marine Club Catamaran
Bodrum's party boat, this floating nightclub sails at 1.30am, keeping the licentiousness offshore for a good three hours. Its transparent dance floor can pack in 1500 clubbers plus attendant DJs. A free shuttle operates every 15 minutes to the eastern bay.
reviewed
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Myndos Gate
The remains of the Myndos Gate (Myndos Kapısı) are newly restored. This is the only surviving gate in what were originally 7km-long walls probably built by King Mausolus in the 4th century BC. In front of the twin-towered gate are the remains of a moat in which many of Alexander the Great's soldiers drowned in 334 BC.
reviewed
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Kırmızı
Serving Mediterranean food made from the freshest local ingredients, the Kırmızı is a small but characterful place spread over three floors. The walls are used to exhibit the works of local artists, and Duygu, the charming owner, will accord you a warm welcome. The three-course fixed lunch is astonishing value.
reviewed
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Liman Köftecisi
Famous nationally, the trendy Liman has a lovely position on the seafront, yet serves delicious food at very decent prices. Köfte (grilled meatballs) are the speciality. Of the six types, try the Liman köfte - served with yoghurt, tomato sauce and butter. The service is also exemplary.
reviewed
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Glass-Shipwreck Exhibit
Inside the Castle of St Peter is the Glass-Shipwreck exhibit. Discovered by a sponge diver in 1973 and excavated by Professor George Bass and a team of marine archaeologists, the 16m-long, 5m-wide ship sank in AD 1025 while carrying three tonnes of mainly broken glass between Fatimid Syria and the Black Sea.
reviewed
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Kef Bar
A new, multipurpose place with tables right on the beach, you could pass the whole day here if you so fancied. From 09:00 to 20:00, it behaves as both café and beach club (with its own shower and changing rooms); from 20:00 to 23:00, it's a bar (with happy hour); and from 23:00 it's a club-cum-bar.
reviewed
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Berk Balık Restaurant
A lively seafood spot, Berk Balık is refreshingly untouristy, which has kept prices down. Young locals liven up the bright upstairs terrace. An imposter shop with a similar name has opened nearby, so look for the orginal.
reviewed
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Marina Yacht Club
Although Marina also does meals (Italian and Turkish flavours, average TL22 per person), its primary identity is as a big, breezy waterfront nightspot. Merrymakers congregrate around the extended, wrap-around bar or at the scattered tiny tables dotting the way to the water-facing deck, where cover bands liven things up nightly in summer. Domestic beer prices (TL4 to TL5) are unexpectedly good, and there's a wide cocktail selection.
reviewed
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Özsüt
Brand-new on the scene, this ever-popular and award-winning İzmiri chain does the usual delicious traditional Turkish puds and cakes and ice cream. Try the delectable Özsüt'un Aynası (mirror of Özsüt).
reviewed
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Kortan Restaurant
Worth a visit just to see the interior of this lovely, 350-year-old former tavern, it also boasts five tables on a pretty terrace (phone to reserve one). The speciality is grilled fish. Try the delectable barbun (red mullet).
reviewed
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Ancient Theatre
On the Gümbet road, ancient Halicarnassus' restored theatre (capacity 13,000) lies in the hillside rock, and still functions for summer concerts.
reviewed
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Sünger
Excellent pizzas and fast-food fare are cooked at this popular joint.
reviewed
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Atmaca Döner Salonu
Very popular locally for its delicious döner kebaps at dirt-cheap prices, this place also has a secret, shaded garden behind the stall front. It's clean and cool and the food's delicious.
reviewed
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Covered Market
The large covered market is a great place for picnic-hunting, selling very fresh fruit and veg as well as Turkish sweets, dried fruit and nuts at great prices (though you may have to bargain a bit).
reviewed