Turkey Destination Guide

Bodrum

Bodrum (from Petronium; formerly Halicarnassus (Turkish: Halikarnas, Ancient Greek: Αλικαρνασσός)) is a Turkish port town in Muğla Province, in the southwestern Aegean Region of the country. It is located on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula, at a point that checks the entry into the Gulf of Gökova, and it faces the Greek island of Kos. Today, it is an international center of tourism and yachting. The city was called Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times. The Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was here. Bodrum Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century, overlooks the harbor and the International Marina. The castle grounds includes a Museum of Underwater Archeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year. The region includes the municipalities of Bodrum, Turgutreis, Ortakent, Türkbükü, Yalıkavak and Gümüşlük, and numerous recent tourist-oriented developments were built or are being built across the district area. The peninsula extends across an exceptionally dry belt contrasting even with its immediately neighboring regions, and poor rainfall results in a constant shortage of potable water, an issue that became more critical lately, with newcoming settlers and the visitors.

Halikarnas

The Mausoleum, known as one the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, is located in the town of Bodrum. the city was founded by Dorian colonists. The construction was started in 350 B.C. by Mausolos, the Carian satrap under the Persian rule, and was completed by his sister and wife, Artemisa after his death. The Maussolleion was rectangular in ground plan, and was designed to be situated in a walled temenos enclosure entered through a propylon in the east wall. The Mausoleum was a tall, square structure with relief sculptures arranged in different registers around the podium, a colonnade with free-standing sculptures between the columns and a pyramidal roof crowned by a four-horse chariot.

Bodrum Castle

Bodrum Castle (Bodrum Kalesi), located in southwest Turkey in the city of Bodrum , was built by the Knights Hospitaller starting in 1402 as the Castle of St. Peter or Petronium.Bodrum Castle (Bodrum Kalesi), located in southwest Turkey in the city of Bodrum , was built by the Knights Hospitaller starting in 1402 as the Castle of St. Peter or Petronium.

Orak Island

Orak Island is located a short distance from the south coast almost exactly halfway between Bodrum and Cokertme (around 1.5 hours boat ride from either). This point is in the Gulf of Gökova and is in a one and half hour sail from Bodurm. It is also the furthest point reached for daily diving. The point has an unbelievably beautiful underwater topography for those who like wall diving. You anchor in the small cove right in from the mooring point and can dive on both sides of the point. The diving at the point facing the Gulf of Gokova is very exciting. In this direction at the 32-34 metre level there a cave covered with purple sponges. It is the dream of all divers to go down at this spot from the Point onwards as it has such interesting underwater wall diving, firstly at 25 metres and then to 65-70 metres. Although there is a not high probability of seeing fish you can still see lobster, sea bass, and 2.5 to five metres long thornback rays. Though Bodrum has the most interesting and beautiful diving spots in Turkey, until 24 September 2001 the only areas where diving was permitted was Akyarlar Point and Orak Island. In the Official Gazette issued on this date, as was the case in many other coastal areas of Turkey, the Bodrum Peninsula (barring the area between Gumusluk and Yalikavak)was fully opened up to tourism and scuba diving.

Cokertme

Cokertme Bay is a sheltered place for spending the night. This small hamlet, mentioned in the local folk songs, is an important stopover before or after crossing the Gokova Gulf. Cokertme Bay takes its name from a small village. It is well known by the boatmen mainly because its secluded bays well protected from the wind. Cokertme has a long coastline with forests of pine and olive trees starting right from the coastline. Local restaurants with reasonable prices offer fine food to boat people. At night time, there are even belly dancers entertaining the visitors.

Seven Islands

One of the ideal stops during the Blue Voyage is Seven Islands. a secluded bay in the south of Tulsa. It is ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, sponge diving. Holiday maker harpoon fish and collect sponges there. You can visit natural harbor of Kufre or walk to the shore to have a promenade in the Gulluk Forest.

Karaca Sogut

Most suitable and logical place for anchorage after Cedreae is Sogut or Karaca Sogut or briefly Karaca. Karaca, which is 40 kms distance from Marmaris, is one of the spectacular places of south western Anatolian coastline. Sogut area already attracted land developers who built fancy summer villas around the bay.

Papuc Bay

This shoe shaped peninsula is 6 miles from Bodrum and offers great mooring possibilities for boats on the eastern side. Papuc Bay or Pabuc Burnu...

Sedir Island

Sedir Island (Kedrlal ancient city), that Is on the borders of the Ula district, in the Gokova Gulf, with its archaeological natural structure, is one of the parts of the region, where cultural tourism is very dense. Transportation to Sedir Island is provided with boats from Gokova - Akyaka Area or from Camlikoy. A great number of towers and walls made of smooth cut stone, the Apollo temple and the church that is made later in its place, the well - protected theatre that is still standing the agora and the ancient harbor ruins of Sedir Island are places that are worth seeing.

Tuzla Bay

Only 800m to the golf course, 500m to the lake, 18 minutes drive to Bodrum and 15 minutes to the airport. The complex is situated between Bodrum and Milas, close to all facilities. Tuzla is a charming fisherman s village, known for its restaurants en specialities with fresh sea products. In the area a lot of small farmers, tree nurseries, bee-keepers,... Tuzla Lake is a natural reserve with an unique biodiversity and various bird species : herons, flamingo s,... Spectacular sunsets. A magical place in a natural and rich environment. Lake Tuzla is at the upper end of Tuzla Bay, being separated from the sea by a narrow causeway. The shallow water attracts wading birds and other wildlife. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and players of the noble game of Golf will love this area as it has been chosen for the development of a number of Golf courses. It also benefits from close proximity to the airport. Whether its Golf, water sports, ancient history, beach life or the natural world you are after, this property lets you have it all. Just 20 minutes from the buzzing tourist centre of Bodrum and 10 minutes from the airport. Tuzla Lake is an extention of Guvercinlik,a new developing area.Again close to the airport a beautiful green area.Becoming very popular for investing in property due to construction of a Golf Course.