Less than ten nautical miles from the shores of the island of Kos lies the gateway to the Magical East. We are talking about the cosmopolitan town of Bodrum, the nerve center of the Mugla province in historic and controversial Turkey.
This tourist destination, a gathering place for the Turkish jet set with its luxury yachts, trendy venues, and shops for all tastes, is considered one of the most beautiful cities on the Turkish coast and remains lively even in the winter season.
Bodrum, now a Turkish city, is the ancient Halicarnassus, the birthplace of the famous Greek historian Herodotus. Homer called it the paradise of eternal blue for the splendid color of its waters. Once, it was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the first monumental tomb in history, of which only a few relics remain today.
Its beauty is already apparent upon arriving from the sea, with its gleaming white houses climbing the hill and the magnificent castle dominating the scenery.
Port of Kos Town Averof Street
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Remember that in Turkey during daylight saving time, we are one hour ahead.
An excursion with different faces, some come for the frenzied shopping as Bodrum is the queen of knock-offs, some to discover new flavors with its countless spices to try, and some to relive the history of this part of the world that has had strong influences on everyone.
Departure from Kos Town from the port on Via Averof at 9:30 AM. A note: since Bodrum is in Turkey, it is not part of the European Community, so you will have to go through customs both when leaving Kos and entering Bodrum, and again on the way back. During high season, there are at least three boats departing for Bodrum daily, moving between 700 and 1000 people. As a result, you might spend almost an hour at customs. Don’t be discouraged by this; it may be annoying and boring, but Bodrum is worth it.
With about a 40-minute sail, you arrive at the old port of Bodrum, where, as described above, you will go through customs. Finally free to set foot on Turkish soil, your day begins. From the port, follow the seafront where you can admire beautiful gulets, the typical Turkish boats, or elegant yachts until you reach the majestic Castle of the Knights of St. John, also called the Castle of St. Peter, from which the current name Bodrum derives (Latin: Petreum or Petronium). The fortress, which dominates the citadel from above, was built in the 15th century over the ruins of the ancient city of Zephyra by the Knights Hospitaller. Until the victory of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, it was the property of the Knights of Rhodes, who had to cede all their possessions in the Dodecanese to the Ottomans. It covers an area of 2800 square meters and houses an interesting Museum of Underwater Archaeology. From 1895 to 1915, it was a terrible prison before being severely damaged by bombing in World War I, but in modern times, it has been restored and now appears in all its splendor. Besides the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, you can see artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age. Do not miss the Gallery of the Princess of Caria Artemisia, the only woman with the rank of commander in Xerxes’ fleet, who preferred navigation and war to court life.
In front of the entrance are statues of the town’s authorities: King Mausolus, his consort and sister Artemisia, Herodotus the father of history, and the statue of the writer Cevat Şakir, who was exiled to Bodrum in 1925 for an article criticizing the death penalty. He fell in love with the place and stayed there until his last days, earning the nickname “The Fisherman of Halicarnassus” for his writings about sailors and heroes.
Continuing along the seafront, you reach Baris Square, where you can spend some time at the oldest mosque in the city, dating back to 1720. Going further, you will come across Old Bodrum, made up of labyrinthine alleys full of shops selling everything from counterfeit brands to local products.
Continuing towards Cevat Şakir Street, right behind the taxi station, you will arrive at the Covered Market, where on Tuesdays, it’s dedicated to clothing, and you can find great deals. On Fridays, it’s dedicated to spices, and for cooking enthusiasts, it’s a real paradise.
