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As one of the most visited countries in the world, Turkey clearly has plenty going for it. The capital of Istanbul is alluring for culture seekers while the rich history and ancient ruins appeal to history buffs. The hot summer temperatures and attractive coastline on the other hand, call out to the many beach lovers among us. If you are considering a trip to Turkey but can’t decide which area to visit, why not choose Bodrum? It’s a city that combines all of these elements in one perfect summer holiday package, so if you like culture, history, great beaches and outstanding natural scenery, Bodrum is well worth considering as the base for your Turkish holiday. Here’s a peek at the variety of things to see in this fascinating coastal city…
Visit the Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Sure, museums are found in all major cities, but the Museum of Underwater Archaeology deserves some special recognition and could easily be considered one of the best museums of its kind in the Mediterranean. It’s located within Bodrum Castle and contains an extremely well presented selection of exhibitions, taking you on a journey through time to meet historic sailors, uncover ship wrecks and so much more. Creative and thoroughly interesting, this is one museum you will definitely tell your friends back home about. Afterwards, explore the remaining portion of the Castle.
Explore Bodrum Peninsula
One of the main reasons that this area is so popular is related to the fabulous beaches found up and down the peninsula. Sleepy villages fringe this portion of the Aegean coastline, interspersed with one or two more lively resorts but the gleaming azure ocean is always within view. The north coast of the peninsula, where the gems of Torba, Golturkbuku and Gundogan can be found, is much lesser visited so consider venturing here instead of the more traditional stopping points for a slice of heaven that you won’t have to share. Your best bet is to organise car hire from Bodrum Airport as it’s simply the easiest way to get around and gives the freedom to pull over whenever you wish.
Relax in Bodrum Marina
The city itself has plenty to see and do but one of the most attractive areas is the harbour. There’s something about the sound of moored boats gently knocking against each other as they bob on the water that’s extremely soothing, so head to this area when you need to take the weight off and relax for a while. Pull up a pew at one of the many restaurants along the water’s edge and people watch as the yachts and boats mill in and out of the marina. There is no better setting to enjoy a fresh fish dinner – push the boat out and dine at the Marina Yacht Club Restaurant which boasts excellent views although may be considered a little pricey for some.
Venture to Rabbit Island
Rabbit Island is located on a tiny peninsula just off the coast near Gumusluk resort, around 13 miles from Bodrum itself. Archaeological ruins, wild rabbits, excellent diving and fabulous sunset views make the island a popular spot for visitors to the area, especially because you can walk right out the island via an ancient, albeit now sunken, causeway through knee deep water. If you would prefer a drier approach, there are a number of boat trips which stop at the island too. Further excavations are still on going, following the recent discovery of an ancient theatre which is thought to date back to 400 BC. Come and see it for yourself; it’s an enjoyable place to visit for all ages.
Experience the Nightlife
One of the best things about a holiday is being able to enjoy a night out without having to worry about waking up for work or your daily chores the following day. Pair it with the fresh sea air, unfaltering sunshine and gorgeous surroundings and you can’t get much better. That’s why you need to experience the nightlife in Bodrum. The city’s home to a fantastic, eclectic offering of bars and clubs so you can be sure you’ll have a night to remember! Halikarnas is an open air club, made to look like it’s enclosed within a Roman theatre and it has been dubbed one of the best clubs in the world so fit this into your schedule if you think you’re up to the challenge…
Rest assured that this is just a taste of the variety of things to see, do and enjoy in Bodrum; after all, half the pleasure of visiting a new place is uncovering exactly what it has to offer all on your own, so you can experience a memorable and unique holiday!
About the Author: This post comes from Kerri Ware from Economy Car Hire, a UK based holiday car hire broker. Kerri is a keen traveller who loves discovering beautiful places across Europe and around the world!
Photo by yilmaz ovunc on Flickr
