Things to Do in Bodrum: The Castle, the Mausoleum Site & the Aegean Coast
Bodrum sits on the Aegean coast on the site of ancient Halicarnassus, birthplace of the historian Herodotus. It is Turkey's best-known sailing and nightlife resort, but the historic core is substantial.
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Quick answer
The Castle of St Peter, built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 15th century, dominates the harbour and houses the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology — one of the most important collections of its kind anywhere.
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, stood here; the site remains, though the structure itself was destroyed by earthquakes and its stone reused in the castle.
What to see in Bodrum — top sights
- The Castle of St Peter — a 15th-century Knights Hospitaller fortress guarding the harbour.
- Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology — inside the castle, holding shipwreck finds including Bronze Age cargo recovered off the Turkish coast.
- The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus site — the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- The ancient theatre — a Hellenistic theatre cut into the hillside above the town, still in use for performances.
- Bodrum Marina and the harbour — the base for gulet cruises along the Aegean coast.
- The Bodrum Peninsula beaches — Gümüşlük, Türkbükü and Bitez, each a short drive from town.
Why visit Bodrum
Bodrum is the Aegean resort that also happens to sit on a Wonder of the Ancient World, with a Crusader castle over the harbour housing world-class shipwreck archaeology. The beach and the history are five minutes apart.
FAQ
- Is the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus still standing?
- No. The Mausoleum was destroyed by a series of earthquakes and much of its stone was reused in the Castle of St Peter. The site can be visited, and surviving sculpture from it is held in museum collections.
- What is Bodrum known for?
- Sailing and gulet cruises, its Aegean beaches and nightlife, the Castle of St Peter with its underwater archaeology museum, and the ancient site of Halicarnassus on which the town stands.
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