If you’re planning your holiday and looking for a beautiful seaside resort in Turkey, Bodrum is a popular great place to go.
This magical town, offers brilliant hotels, great selection of restaurants, that where you can try amazing Turkish cuisine or selection of world food and activities from beach sports to diving, best beach parties to relaxing boat trips. Endless things to do in Bodrum!
As you may know, I spent 5 years at the heart of Bodrum not just as a holidaymaker but as a restaurant owner, a very busy and successful one at that! I may be one of the right people to share inside info!
HOW TO GET TO BODRUM
Getting to Bodrum is quite simple via its local airport, which has domestic and international terminals. After you land into Bodrum airport, you can reach to centre with a 35 km short drive, which is about half an hour. You can get a taxi from the airport if your travel agent has not organised your pick-up, or you can use the airport buses that takes you right into the bus station in central Bodrum.
WHAT TO DO IN BODRUM
When you are in Bodrum you need to have a must-to-do list!
Always start your day with a traditional Turkish breakfast of salty cheese and olives, comes with fresh tasty tomatoes and baby cucumber served with homemade jam and freshly baked bread!
Tuesday is the local market day right in the town centre, walking distance to most places around. If you like to get good quality clothing at an affordable rate, the local market is an excellent choice to spend your time and do the gift hunting for your family & friends. You also can have the farmers’ market on Fridays to try different Turkish cheese, my favourite olives, best quality homemade Turkish dishes, fresh fruit and vegetables. Make sure you try the Doner kebab too.
If you like to spend the day in town you can walk up to Carsi Street where you can find everything you need. I’d also recommend it to spend the afternoon at any bar or coffee shop where you can have a sunbed and enjoy the sun with your cold Turkish beer, Efes!
MUST-EAT
When you are in town you cannot leave without having the experience of eating at Arka Restaurant & Pizzeria http://www.arkapizzeria.com/Tr/anasayfa
I would strongly suggest you to try their menu, it is an experience, trust me. Make sure you find out where the location of it, so that you can come back and enjoy the night with amazing dishes.
Say hi to owners Huseyin and Huseyin from me too! Two amazing people who started this restaurant who will show you great hospitality and make you feel like a family.
SEAFOOD and MEZE PLACES
If you want to experience Turkish seafood and mezes Memedof restaurant and Gemi Basi restaurants are the best places to eat in the Bodrum Marina. Make sure you book your table in advance as they are usually fully booked.
BEACHES TO VISIT
You can stop by Gumbet to spend the day on the beach. If you do that make a sure to stop at Sami beach to have an afternoon drink. Sami Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Gumbet Bodrum. Owners are still running day to day business. My second mum Ayse (mother of the family) will be around inviting, smiling and welcoming everyone comes in.
Bitez’s long beach is full of good restaurants and bars. You can stop by Okaliptus Hotel and spend hours without been bothered and maybe you can try the beach activities.
FAMOUS BOAT TRIPS
When you are in Bodrum, a boat trip is a must. If you are after a day trip, my best friend Lyn will be the person to talk to. The friendly family-run boat trips will be the star of the day. The idea of a perfect day out. Great food, good company relaxing day, what more you can ask? If you like to book your trip you can walk down to Bodrum marina in the morning and talk to my lovely lady Lyn to give you more of an idea and book the day out for you or you can go on Facebook to Adorya Priv Boat Trips and send a message or email them. Have fun and enjoy!
If you have more time you may want to go on a cruise.
Privilege to meet my friend Captain Nedim Danaci and his two sons looking after the family business for many years. Just visit their pages and get the latest info about their trips which had to be altered a bit due to Covid-19 but they are still offering the best service available out there.
HISTORICAL SIDE OF BODRUM
The Castle of St. Peter is at the top of every visitor’s to do list in Bodrum.
The Mausoleum: When it was built (376-353 BC), the towering structure was measured 46 meters high.
Amphitheatre: The 4th century Bodrum is being used for a program of events and concerts.
If you get a chance to rent a car, a nearby historical site, Ephesus is an outstanding example of a Roman Port city, and still in amazing shape, so I strongly recommend everyone to visit.
When it comes to Bodrum I have so much to write. We barely scratched he surface. If you like any more information, don’t hesitate to contact me and if you have been to Bodrum please share your experience with us.
Love the street animals for me and do not forget to share your Doner kebab with them!
Stay safe