“Do not think that you will leave like you arrived,
The ones before you were the same,
They all left with their minds in Bodrum.”
Fisherman of Halikarnassos (Famous Turkish poet Cevat Åžakir KabaaÄŸaçlı)

Gumusluk – Myndos (Goomooshlook)

Myndos was one of the most important towns for the Carians. Myndos was famous for both its military and trade harbours, and especially their wine mixed with sea water. Myndos was later named GümüÅŸlük and today has the best and most popular fish restaurants, the best views and the most spectacular sunsets in Bodrum.

GümüÅŸlük is a typical Turkish fishing town, with its own municipality with all the related establishments, with a registered population of just over 3000, resided by international intellectual and highly educated people. Most of the shops and restaurants are open all year through. GümüÅŸlük has a natural harbour that sailors can rely on even during the worst weather.

The city of Myndos sunk after a cataclysmic event and you can see the remains of the old city when you dive in the sea. The beaches in GümüÅŸlük all have a Blue Flag. On the south side of the bay is the Rabbit Island on which many rabbits live. You can reach this Island by following the shallow walk-way, formed from the stones of the sunken city. In Koyunbaba are the remains of the quarries from which the stones were cut and used for building the castle in Bodrum. An old Greek Orthodox chapel has been renovated and is used as an art gallery and for various cultural events.

GümüÅŸlük is unspoilt and has kept its charm because of the strict building regulations due to the area being a historical conservation area.

Bodrum, with its 4000 years of historical inheritance, beauty of nature, unique bays, traditional white houses, bougainvilleas, citrus groves and wooden yachts is a year round, lively and popular holiday resort on the olive and Aegean Sea, on the south western coast of Turkey with a large international community.

Bodrum is one of the most important touristic centres of the world and is an ideal place for holidaying, retirement and investing. During the high season the population is around 1.000.000 spread on the peninsula. Bodrum has a great rental and resale potential. The increase in property prices at the moment is about 20-40% per year in the Bodrum area. It is widely believed that within 7-8 years Turkey will be part of the EU which means the prices will rise dramatically.

Bodrum has aspects that appeal to a broad range of interests.

If you are interested in sightseeing you should first see Bodrum Castle built by the Knights of St. John of Rhodes in the 15th century. In the castle there is an Underwater Archaeology Museum exhibiting the world’s oldest known shipwreck. The Amphitheatre has a view of the whole city and has recently been excavated and restored and in the summer it is used for concerts.The Mausoleum of Halikarnassos was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

If you are interested in yachting, the Bodrum Cup Traditional Wooden Yacht Regatta is held annually. You can go on a Blue Cruise, a yacht voyage of 1 or 2 weeks to enjoy and explore the southern coast of Turkey. You can explore the unspoilt caves, ancient cities accessible by sea and Cleopatra’s Island. There are also many daily yacht tours. From Bodrum you can also take a trip to the Greek Islands of Kos and Rhodes.

There are three marinas on the Bodrum Peninsula: Bodrum, Yalıkavak and Turgutreis. A new International Cruise Line Marina is being constructed in Bodrum. If you are interested in water sports there is sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, jet skiing, parasailing, diving and river rafting. Or you can just lie on a sun bed on one of the many beaches to enjoy the blue sea and bright sun.

If you are interested in sports, golfing, horse-riding, cycling, hiking and tennis are available. Golf courses are under construction for golf lovers. You can also go on Jeep Safaris. For young people and the young at heart there are many famous night clubs, discos and bars. There are many restaurants with traditional and international cuisine, and many fish distinguished restaurants.

If you are addicted to shopping, there are Bazaars in Bodrum, Yalıkavak, GümüÅŸlük and Turgutreis. There are many shops in the city centre and a big shopping centre called Oasis with shops, restaurants and cafes. Intercity minibuses work every hour of the day and night.

Briefly, Bodrum has it all.

Bodrum’s ancient name is Halikarnassos, the capital of Karia. The restored Myndos Gate, with its four towers, is the western city gate built by Mausolus (the ruler of Karia) in 364 B.C. to stand against Alexander the Great and his Macedonian troops. The Ottoman Tower was built in 1794 to protect the Ottoman naval shipyard from pirate raids. Roman Baths were found around the tower during restoration. In 1927 Bodrum was a small town with a population of 4902, living on fishing, sponge diving and agriculture.

Today Bodrum is one of Turkey’s most famous holiday resorts with a population of 60.000 known for its tourism, traditional architecture, sightseeing, water and land sports, yachting, nightlife, restaurants and shopping. It is also famous for its crystal clear sea sparkling around its coastline and stunning sunsets. Homeros (8th century B.C. legendary Greek poet) described Halikarnassos as ‘’the land of blueness’’.