With its haunting ruins and timeless character, the Aegean coastal city of Bodrum, Turkey, is a fascinating destination for lovers of ancient history, natural beauty, and local culture. Situated where the early city of Halicarnassus of Caria once stood, Bodrum today is a beautiful hillside town featuring quaint, whitewashed stucco houses draped in bougainvillea and blue trim that gaze out over the glittering bays of Torba and Türkbükü.
Halicarnassus was home to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. The ruins of this site used to house the remains of Mausolus, ruler of Caria. The term "mausoleum," which is now commonly used to refer to any grand tomb, comes from this once impressive structure. Halicarnassus was also a city on which Alexander the Great laid siege in 334 BC, and where in the 1400s the Knights Hospitaller built Bodrum Castle with rocks from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. While a quiet beach resort town by day, Bodrum transforms into one of Turkey’s most popular party towns when the sun goes down. Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs throw parties without limits in a race to outpace each other until dawn.
Whether you’ve come to explore, relax, or let loose in the evening, Bodrum has something for every visitor. When planning your stay, our staff will be happy to recommend the most popular attractions and places to go in Bodrum.