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Bodrum
Overview
Bodrum (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈbodɾum]) is a town and district of Muğla Province in Turkey. It is a port town at the entrance to the Gulf of Gökova. Known in ancient times as Halicarnassus, the town was once home to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, also known as the tomb of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The town was founded by Dorian Greeks. It later fell under Persian rule and became the capital of the satrapy of Caria. Mausolus ruled Caria from here, and after his death in 353 BC, his wife Artemisia built a tomb, called the Mausoleum, for him. Macedonian forces laid siege to the city and captured it in 334 BC. After Alexander's death, the city passed to successive Hellenistic rulers and was briefly an independent kingdom until 129 BC, when it came under Roman rule. A series of natural disasters and repeated pirate attacks wreaked havoc on the area, and the city lost its importance by the time of the Byzantine era. The Knights Hospitaller arrived in 1402 and used the remains of the Mausoleum as a quarry to build Bodrum Castle. After the conquest of Rhodes by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522, the town fell under Ottoman control as the Knights Hospitaller relocated to Europe.
By the 20th century, the town's economy was mainly based on fishing and sponge diving, but tourism has become the main industry in Bodrum since the late 20th century. The abundance of visitors has also contributed to Bodrum's retail and service industry. Milas–Bodrum Airport and Kos International Airport are the main airports that serve the town. The port has ferries to other nearby Turkish and Greek ports and islands, Kos being the most important. Most of the public transportation in the town is based on local share taxis and buses.
Facts
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Source
WBP almanac
External sources
Media
From Wikipedia3,688 words
WBP editorial3
Navigating the waterfront beyond the marina
While most visitors linger in the bustling harbour, a short walk north along the coastal promenade reveals quieter coves where the sea is calmer and the crowds thinner. Here, the old stone galley sheds have been repurposed as artisanal coffee stalls serving strong Turkish brew with a view of the hidden inlet. Early morning light reflects off the turquoise water, making it an ideal spot for sketchers or photographers seeking soft shadows. Renting a modest rowboat from a family‑run dock allows you to glide beneath the low cliffs and explore sea caves that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Pack a light picnic of local olives and feta; the secluded benches tucked into these niches provide an unexpected pause from the town's rhythmic buzz.
Seasonal rhythms for the discerning traveller
Bodrum's calendar is punctuated by subtle shifts that shape the visitor experience. In late autumn, the harbour lights dim earlier, encouraging locals to gather in tavernas for late‑night meze sessions that stretch into midnight. This period also sees the traditional olive harvest, when nearby groves open for guided walks that explain ancient pressing techniques. Conversely, the spring months bring a surge of migratory birds to the surrounding wetlands, a draw for birdwatchers who can access concealed observation platforms on the outskirts. Planning a trip around these natural cycles lets you witness a side of the town that summer tourism seldom reveals: quieter streets, authentic communal rituals, and a landscape attuned to the seasons.