Bodrum On a Budget
Sights
Bodrum Castle, a magnificent structure on the waterfront, is over 600 years old and is a superb example of a gothic style stronghold, where you can walk around the twisting passageways and towers designed to make the castle as difficult as possible for invaders to take. 40 years ago this castle was in ruins, but today it's fully renovated and stands proudly in the center of Bodrum Bay. As well as housing the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, it's elevated vantage point allows for great views of the surrounding area.The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was the tomb of Mausolus, ruler of Caria, in southwestern Asia Minor. It was built in his capital city, Halicarnassus, between about 353 and 351 BCE by his sister and widow, Artemisia II. The building was designed by the Greek architects Pythius and Satyros. The sculptures that adorned it were the work of four leading Greek artists-Scopas, Bryaxis, Leochares, and Timotheus-each of whom was responsible for a single side.
It was bounded by 36 columns, and the top formed a 24-step pyramid surmounted by a four-horse marble chariot. The Mausoleum was probably destroyed by an earthquake between the 11th and the 15th century CE, and the stones were reused in local buildings.
Turgutreis Beach is beautiful, clean, and typically void of people. There are also restaurants, bars, and a crowded flea market on Saturdays along the marina.
Neighborhoods
Bodrum TownSome visitors are drawn to the activity and vibrancy of Bodrum town, where you're spoilt for choice with its ancient sights, it's shopping, as well as its restaurants, bars and clubs. Here you can just walk down any of its cobbled back-streets, and find small restaurants that cater to the local Turkish crowd. You'll get more for your money as well as a relaxing and authentic dining experience.
Gundogan
An active fishing town, also known for sponge diving and for the array of olive and citrus groves. It's a lot more peaceful and laid back than the bigger towns, and even though it has a thriving tourist trade, it still exists as one of the unspoilt corners of the peninsula. The hillsides in this area of the peninsula are shrouded in pine trees, and give Gundogan a different vibe than some of the more barren looking parts of the peninsula. These hillsides are perfect for hiking and to explore the area for Leleg ruins. There are many different trails to choose from, depending on how adventurous you are.
Akyarlar
Located in the often overlooked south-western corner of the Bodrum Peninsula, Akyarlar is due south of Turgutreis. It's a little off the beaten track, and if you fancy a day away from the mass of tourists that converge in Bodrum and Turgutreis, head to this corner of the Peninsula to get a slice of Turkish market-town life.
Activities
Take a day boat trip on the Bodrum Peninsula. Every coastal destination on the Bodrum Peninsula offers a selection of day boat trips. There's an experience to match your needs; you just have to find the right one. Head down to your local boat harbor (before 10am or after 6pm) and find one of the smaller, independently run boats that take a maximum of 10-12 passengers, and offer a relaxing excursion via wind and sails to propel you through the Aegean. You're sure to have a relaxing and exciting time and get a much better experience than on more crowded tours.Day trips are touted in all of the tourist hubs. One of the most popular is a day trip to Ephesus. It's a 3 hour journey in each direction, and there's an excursions that will get you there and back in a day, giving you 1/2 day to tour this ancient Greek site. If you'd prefer to tour ancient ruins a little bit closer to the Bodrum Peninsula, on the other side of the Milas-Bodrum airport is the ancient city of Iassos, and in the hills above Bodrum, is the ancient city of Pedesa. While neither of these are in the same league as Ephesus, they do make great options ancient-site viewing a little closer to Bodrum. You can hike up to Pedesa from Bodrum, but you'll need a car for Iassos - and that trip will take you about 90 minutes from Bodrum.
Enjoy a Turkish Bath (Hamam). Most of the bigger hotels have Turkish Bath facilities, offered as part of their spa services. There's also a couple of independent Turkish Bath's Bodrum Hamam and Rayola Hamam, Ortaken. You'll find the Bardakcl Hamam situated down one of the back streets of Bodrum. It dates back to the mid-1700's, and is the oldest Hamam in the area. Just look past the unassuming exterior and step inside for a memorable Turkish Bath experience.