Bodrum Travel Guide: Much maligned as an over-developed Turkish resort, Bodrum is in fact a beautiful coastal town with a lot of character, writes Chloe Addo, you just have to know where to look. Read on to find out about how Bodrum has more to offer than beaches, bars and burnt Brits.

Turkey Travel Guide: About Bodrum

Bodrum is a beautiful coastal town with a lot of character- located on the west coast of Turkey within close proximity to the Greek islands of Kos and Kalymnos. In recent years it has become a popular holiday spot for sight seeing enthusiasts, clubbers and sun addicts.

Year on year Bodrum welcomes bright blue skies and temperatures above 30°C- perfect for those who enjoy a spot of sunbathing. Be warned however, during the peak of summer temperatures have been known to reach highs of 50°C.

Turkey Travel Information: When to Visit Bodrum

Bodrum can get extremely busy during the summer and as you make your way through the busy shopping district, pavements are packed with locals and tourists alike. Strolling through the streets, it is not unusual to come across an abundance of colourful flowers followed by artefacts of past heroes, kings and inhabitants of Turkey - such as Alexander the Great, historian Herodotus, King Mausolos and Saint John.

Turkey is famous for its Gulet cruises responsible for taking travellers to the hundreds of secluded bays and villages that dot the Turkish coast. Turkey is also great for jewellery shopping and wild nights of dancing.

Turkey Travel Information: The Attractions of Bodrum

Bodrum really is a fascinating location to explore and if you like sight seeing this large town has the ability to keep you amused for a very long time.

The tourist who likes to experience a little bit of everything however will be pleased to hear that Turkey also offers beautiful blue waters for swimming or water sports, hot temperatures to relax in and a range of shops to splash your cash.

The Attractions of Bodrum: St. Peter’s Castle

First on the list of must-see attractions is the picturesque castle of St.Peter’s - steeped in fascinating history and glorious views.

Dating back to the 1400’s the castle of St.Peter’s has been owned and modified by a number of significant historical figures, starting with the German knight-architect Heinrich Schlegelholt. In later years the castle became home to even more Knights, Sir’s and eventually became a hub for the military.

Throughout its time the castle has come under fire from attack - carving the shape of the castle in many different ways.

Visitors to the castle can expect to see ancient mosaics, marble columns, lavish gardens, peacocks, plus fourteen cisterns, religious figures and several coats of arms including one dedicated to our very own Henry IV.

The Attractions of Bodrum: Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Another of the Castles’ modifications occurred in 1962 when the Turkish Government decided to convert areas of the Castle into an Underwater Archaeology Museum. The museum would dedicate itself to the ancient artefacts found in the Aegean Sea, many of which can be examined today - although not on a Monday when most museums in Turkey are closed!

Nowadays the museum stores a vast collection of amphoras, ancient glass, bronze, jewellery and lots more.

The Attractions of Bodrum: Yalikavak

The village of Yalikavak is quaint, charming and makes for a lovely day visit. The town is famous for its natural sponge diving - recovering sponges from the sea bed which can then be used for bathing and scrubbing. These high quality sponges, if looked after well, can last up to 5 years and sometimes much longer.

The Attractions of Bodrum: Gulet Cruise

The coast of Bodrum boasts a large number of small coves, deserted bays and hidden fishing villages. The best and often the only way to explore these areas is by boat.

Along the harbour (as pictured below) there are dozens of sailing ships to take advantage of but the traditional way to explore the Aegean coast is on a Gulet. A Gulet is a traditional sail boat fitted with a two-masted wooden sailing vessel- associated closely with Turkish traditions.

Travelling the sea by Gulet is a wonderful experience and perfect for viewing the hidden treasures of the Turkish coastline. Read more: Sailing Holidays in Turkey: Historic Sights

Turkey Travel Information: The Beaches of Bodrum

The beaches of Bodrum are more than suitable for sunbathers and sea dippers. Facilities include sun loungers and umbrellas, which can be rented, and nearby snack shops and cafés.

However the truly spectacular waters and views lie within Turkey’s secluded bays - showing off beautiful shades of turquoise and warm waters great for diving.

Once you’ve reached one of these concealed bays it is likely that you’ll have to swim from the boat to shore if you wish to sunbathe on the secluded bays themselves, rather than the boat you’ve arrived in. While these bays are very beautiful, few come complete with soft sand - instead expect plenty of rocks.

Turkey Travel Information: Nightclubs of Bodrum

Bodrum has a wild nightlife ranging from upbeat and trendy bars to manic clubs. At night Bodrum is a buzzing hub of dancers, cocktail sippers and socialisers. Many of the big clubs are dotted near the harbour, in between lively bars that are free to enter all night.

While you can expect a pretty loud atmosphere and some popular cocktail hours, this isn’t your typical Boozy Brit holiday hotspot. There are still areas within town where you can have a more relaxed evening of fine food and more.

Turkey Travel Information: Travelling to Bodrum

Direct flights to Bodrum are regularly available with flight times of around 4 hours. A number of airlines fly to and from the UK and Bodrum including XL airlines, First Choice and flythomascook.com.

Turkey Travel Information: Cruise Holidays to Bodrum

Bodrum is also the newest stop to be integrated into a new cruise offered by easyCruise- sister company to low cost airline easyJet.

The cruise takes passengers on either a one or two week trip around the Greek islands with a day stop in Bodrum. The cruise is a lovely way to see many islands in a short space of time all a very reasonable price. easyCruise also allow their guests plenty of day and night time on shore to take full advantage of the islands one route. For more information visit: easyCruise Life

Turkey Travel Information: Holiday Deals to Bodrum

For holiday deals to Bodrum visit:

www.easycruise.com

www.lastminute.com

www.directline-holidays.co.uk

www.thomson.co.uk

www.firstchoice.co.uk