Bodrum travel guide Bodrum Trips and tours


Bodrum tours, discover greats Turkey sites in Aegean district, ephesus, kos, pamukkale Gumbet, and more.

Bodrum Trips and tours

Ephesus
The old city Ephesus (also called Efes, in Turkish) is situated at a distance of 220 k' north of Bodrum, next to the village Selçuk next to the city of Izmir. The site dug by Austrian archaeologist, offers varied historical places. In the site, there is a will preserved Greek city from 11 b.c. It is in excellent conservation. The city held in the past around 250,000 residents. The city's harbor is situated nowadays in the distance of several kilometers from the sea. This is an evidence to the fact that the sea level was higher in the past. Among the dug places in the city, there is a brothel that served not just the inhabitants, and also the seamen that came to the city. If you really want to see the place, you need to dedicate at least half a today. It will let you experience the size, scope and splendor of the place. If you explore the city in the summer, it is advised to take a hat, water, sun block cream, comfortable hiking shows, and of course camera.

The kos island
The island of kos is located in a distance of few hundred meters (Turgut Reice) to few kilometers, from the shores of Bodrum. Throughout history, mutual commerce existed between Bodrum and the island of kos, sometimes, under the same rule. Visiting the island will enable you to experience not only the Greek food and the drinks such as : Uzo, Metaxa brandy. It will also give you a chance to see a wide range of objects of art, and the local handicraft. The architecture in the island combines many styles. It is possible to see the Italian influence, reminder of the Italian rule of the island, between the two world wars. Remnants from the Hellenistic and Roman periods and more. It is told that the great Dr. Hippocrates, that introduced to humanity the “Doctors' Hippocrates oath, taught medicine on the island of kos. If you plan to go to Kos in the tourism season (July August), it is recommended to make reservations the night before you go.

Mini blue cruise
The cruise starts in Bodrum in the Gökova bay , and usually lasts between a week to two weeks. The cruise goes around the southern coasts of Turkey. If you go on a cruise like that, it is better to go with a group of friends. This cruise became famous thanks to a group of Turkish, painters, writers and artists, who went on it, thus making it a hit. It is possible to rent a yachts, with or with out crew. This enables you to access ancient places, unspoiled beaches that were not ruined by everyday tourists. The most important thing is, enjoy life. This type of cruise enables you to find those places, in an efficient and focused way, even if you have a busy schedule, to experience all these. As for the direction of the cruise, you can to turn towards the city of Izmir and tour all the beaches along the way. You can also sail toward the city of Marmaris. Information on Marmaris and its surroundings, can be found in The “Marmaris guide".

Pamukkale and Hierapolis
Pamukkale, or as it is also known “The Cotton Castle”, is about 3.5 hours drive from Bodrum. It is one of the most visited attractions in the world. Coming from Bodrum, gives you a chance to see many antiquities along the way. Many civilizations controlled this area. Among them are the Greeks, Romans Selçuk, and more on the way. The area around Pamukkale is rich in mineral deposits, that have created the “Onyx” stone. This stone, comes in many colors, because of the different minerals. It is used to make jewelry, art artifacts and more. On the way from Denizli, the county's capital, to Pamukkale, there are some work shops and galleries, with Onyx items for sell. Just before Pamukkale, there is a big outlet for textile.

Just before Pamukkale, you can see the white terrace, shimmering ahead. The terrace are made by the accumulation of calcium, from the hot spring water. The temperature is 35c°. thanks to the topographical structure of the place, the water accumulate, and stay in natural pools. Scientists dated the site's age, at over 14 million years. Pamukkale was always popular with people, thanks to its medicinal water. Because of that, Pamukkale became the center of a pagan cult, where the ruins are today.

The springs water are believed to be good for many illnesses, such as heart problems, nerves, arthritis, high blood pressure, rheumatism, skin problems, eye diseases and more. If you drink the water while it is still hot, it can help in stomach cramps. In a nut shell, a natural medical center. At list that is the theory.

The place that was used by rich Romans, as health center has a Roman “Spa”, on one side, while on the other side is the “Necropolis” (the city of the dead). The amphitheater on site, was part of the entertainment, that was provided to the guests in Pamukkale. If you want to stay for more that a day, you can stay in one of the hotels/motels around the site. Some of these hotels/motels, were build on part of the hot water springs. Walking around this site, revile ruins of old Roman medicinal bath houses and pools, as well. The differences between the pools can be found in the form of size, water temperature, and location on site. The site is active in winter even when it snows. To learn more about the place, you can visit the museum, where artifacts that were dug out here, can be found.
It is advised to bring along bathing suet, hat, water and good mood, as well. In the summer, the best time to come to Pamukkale is in the early hours of morning, to avoid the heat and sun. in June-August, try to get there, until 10:32, since it gets hot and dry quickly!!!

Aphrodisias
This old city has a very long history. In the 1st century b.c, a very important part was built in the city. Digs that were made in the city, had reviled a part in the city, that was dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility, discovered many items. The houses are decorated with marble, that was decorated by artist's hands. This explains the temples, monuments, the theater and the public baths. The fame that the local marble artists had, for their refined marble work, speared rapidly to the known world then. Thanks to this fact, the city became the central school for the studious of marble. Without a doubt the high point of the tour, is the wonderful sculptures that is situated nowadays in the museum.

Euromos
The site is situated next to the highway that leads to Milas. In it there is one of the best preserved temples from this area of Turkey that was formerly called "Little Asia". It still stands upwards on its 16 marble decorated columns. This place became known to the archaeological community in 1969 . it is thought that this place place was connected to the city ”Mylasa“, that is known as the modern city of ”Milas“.

Iassos and the Milas market
The remains of the Roman city ”Iassos“ is situated on the other side of the ”Guelluek“ gulf. On the site, there is a newly excavated fish market. This market mentioned throughout history. Once a week there is a colorful local market, that is worth to visiting. It is considered to be one of the biggest and cheapest in this area. The city of "Milas" is about 50 kilometers away from Bodrum (about forty minutes from Bodrum).

Priene, Didyma, Miletos
it is possible to visit the 3 places in one day.

Priene:
Once this place had one of the great harbors in the Ionian kingdom. This place was designed in an interesting and particular. The builders used geometric planning, that was firstly used in the 4th century b.c, by Hippodamos from Miletos. The city's spectacular location on a cliff that over looks the Minder river, gives an eye catching view.

Didyma:
Even though this place has just one monument, it is still spectacular. In this site, you can see the temple of Apollo. This used to be one of the most hallowed places, of the ancient times. This place was robbed and burned, but in spite of that, the still place stands. The huge temple was surround by two rows of columns.

Miletos:
Miletos, just like Priene, was a big and lively Ionian harbor. It was also a city of several philosophers and fortune tellers. The theater, that is situated in the site justifies by itself, a visit. In this site you can see the Faustina antiquities, that are well preserved, and also the archaeological museum.

Gulluk
The harbor and the bay, with the same name, are located north of Bodrum, by the Aegean coast. According to the mythology, the "dolphin child was born in this area, not far from Kiyikislacik. South to Gulluk, the ancient site of Bargilya, is located in a valley, that is surrounded by olive trees. Inland, and away from Gulluk, is the city of Milas, that was known in the past, by the beauty of its carpets. This tradition is still practiced nowadays, and sometimes, you can see carpets waiving, in living colors.

Village tour
Only few kilometers from Bodrum, you can see a different Turkey. Here you can see the quiet, natural and calm life, of the village. These are just part of the things you will discover in this trip. You will discover a new world, a not so touristy and polluted. Instead, a pretty, simpler and less hi-tech world. The villagers' life, as showed in the course of the trip, expose a traditional way of living, some will even say, “The good old times”. You will be able to see carpet weaving, as it was done during many generations. You will receive an explanation on the types of the different carpets and more.

Gumbet:
Even though Gumbet is considered a suburb of Bodrum, it grow into a holiday town of its own. It has personality, charm and character of itself. Many of the most popular hotels in this area, are situated next to gulf of Gumbet. The long and sandy beach of Gumbet, is longer than the one in Bodrum. If you add to it the sun and the sea make this place a very popular amongst the tourists. There are varied activities in which one can participate, regardless if it is on land or in sea. You can partake in one the many trips are offered in the around this area. More information can be found in the “Bodrum directory". Gumbet also offers activities to families, not just the beach, today, but also different activities in the hotels themselves.
The night life of Gumbet - At tonight fall, the city center becomes lively and vivid, with lights, and busy with activity. Almost on all house, restaurants, bars, pubs, discos and hotels, you can see the shimmering lights, that gives the place a dynamic feeling. Walking along side the bars street, enables you to choose the place you want to visit. The big selection of places, will, most likely, help you find the place you want. You can visit one of the following places:
Queen Vic, Memories, the Shamrock, Mystery Bar, Victoria Bar, Beach Club and Heart Beat Disco (This list is just a reference list, NOT a recommendation list!!!)

The city also offers different styles of restaurants and cocking. You can find here restaurants that have the Turkish traditional cocking, European restaurants, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Thai and even Mexican. The bars are open until late at night. They offer varied rang of music and dances. In these area, there are also many pubs, that are also open until the hour 3:00 -4:00.

Bitez:
This place is located at a distance of 45 minutes from the Bodrum airport. This pleasant little town, dwells in a gulf, that has a good and sheltered beach. It also has a variety of sports facilities, that serve the tourists. Thanks to the local good conditions, one can windsurf, safely. There is a small number of restaurants and some bars and pubs. But, no need to worry. Gumbet and Bodrum are just at a 20 minutes drive from Bitez.

Gümüşlük:
It is build on the old city of Myndos. It is of the most pleasant places in the Bodrum Peninsula. This place is not just nice and pleasant, but it also kept its village like look, with all the fish restaurants, that offer their special fish and octopus dishes. You can ware your shorts, and to go through the sea, to the island of “Tavşan”. In the island it is possible to find rabbits, that gave the place, its name. On the way to Gümüşlük, stop your car at Peksimet next to the flour mill. Firstly, look at Gümüşlük from top to bottom. Then step out of your car, walk few m' to the “Vista” Point, and then look down towards the sea, and there you will be able to see the city of Myndos. The divers will be able to see the rest of the city, by diving. In the sunken city it is possible to see the stadium, the theater, the mosaic covered walls, along the road and more. Out side, there is a church from the Roman time, that is being used now as an art house. This area has many antiquities, and thus, it is a protected area. It is recommended to eat at one of the places that over looks the the sea underneath.

While there, you can go to the island of “Tavşan”, and or, go to the “Karakaya” village, to look at the beautiful scenery. In this village, you get to see the renovated houses, that until few years ago, were abandoned. The village, that once looked abandoned, is now thriving with life and activity.

The inner harbor that reminds a little lake, protects in a way, that even on restless days, the crevice still protective and thus, very favorite on the “blue cruise" tourists. The swimming in Gümüşlük is pleasant, so is the beach and the open sea. This is one of the reasons that this area won the "Blue Flag " prize.

The coastal area of an islands' group by the name ”Sporta“, offers a wide range of swimming places. You will be able to swim from “Koyunbaba” crevice that is situated in the side of “Yalıkavak”. The green rocks that seem as if they were cut by knife, shelter's the swimmers from the sea. An interesting thing about those stones is, they were used to in the building of the "Mausoleum” in Bodrum. The “ Mausoleum” was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Gümüşlük's night life starts at dusk, when the gulf water changes its color from red, to gold. You will find here most of Bodrum's area fish restaurants. You can sit at a table next to the sea, on the beach, if you want. You can start the meal with one of the aperitifs, such as a tasty fish with Raki glass. It is worthwhile to try the local foods, such as stuffed zucchini leafs. It is called “kabakçiçeği dolması”. On Wednesday's market, it is possible to find fresh fruits, vegetables and many other good things, on display.

Altinkum
This resort is situated about 75 minutes from the Bodrum's airport. This quiet resort is situated next to the Aegean coast. Nearby the village, temple of the god Apollo is situated, in ”Didyma“ ( About 6 kilometers from the resort). From the village, you can go to the Roman city "Efes", and also to go to the wonderful site of "Pamukkale". Additionally, you will be able to enjoy the nature around to the village. Night life, however, are not developed as in Bodrum, a thing that make it suitable to families and couples that want peace and quit.

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