Bodrum is the Turkish gates into the world tourism, a truly unique place. From time immemorial, different races with different cultures, religious and languages lived here – sometimes, their places of living were next to each other. The saying “Live and let the others live" is typical for the citizens of Bodrum with their tolerance, a wider look on life and warm hospitality.

In ancient times Bodrum was known as the Halicarnassus that was turned into the capital of Caria by the king Maussollos. When he died, his wife Artemisia II hired Greek architects to build her husband’s mausoleum here. Created in 4th century BC, it was one of the Ancient World’s seven wonders – unfortunately, it wasn’t preserved till our days. The city was Herodotus’ motherland, known all over the world as “the father of history". The Rhodes Knights built the Castle of St Peter here in 1402 – the castle and the city became known as “Petronium" since then. Then, in 1522, sultan Suleiman the Magnificent made the city a part of the Ottomans’ empire and it was since those times that the city got its present-day name. Starting from the middle 1980-s, Bodrum has been an important Turkish tourist resort.

The city’s charm is well known all around the earth and thanks to it Bodrum attracts a great number of travelers, divers and nature lovers. An impressing medieval castle built by the Rhodes’ knights guards the entrance to the breath-taking blue Bodrum gulf where the Mediterranean sea meets the Aegean sea. The Bodrum’s castle, or the Medieval Castle of St Peter is a good example of the 15th century crusader’s architecture – in our days, it is the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Not far from the city you can swim in absolutely clean, calm and warm seawaters. Divers will find the research of the numerous reefs and Bodrum’s caves especially interesting. Bodrum’s reputation as the centre for sailing sports goes back to ancient times and nowadays craftsmen build traditional yachts that are used for excursions and take part in annual yacht regattas.

Bodrum has also won the reputation of the centre for Turkish arts with its lively, friendly and bohemian atmosphere as well as a great amount of small galleries. Local artistic Bohemia leads an informal way of life at daytime and gets lots of entertainment in the evening. Bodrum evenings are suitable for a rest in restaurants, a supper consisting of delicious seafood, while the city itself is full of excellent nightclubs, some cabarets and wonderful discos.

The magnificent Bodrum peninsula with its charming villages and small hotels located in silent bays attracts those who prefer calm and relaxing atmosphere. For instance, marvellous sandy beaches can be found in the southern coast. Bodrum is also a good starting point to begin your trip over the Carian coastline with its sandy beaches, rocky bays and small fiords.