Bodrum is the South Aegean's prettiest resort, with a yacht harbour and a port for ferries to the Greek island of Kos. Palm-lined streets ring the bays, and white sugar-cube houses, now joined by ranks of villas, crowd the hillside. Boating, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are prime Bodrum activities. At night Bodrum's famous discos throb, boom and blare, keeping much of the town awake until dawn. Both Turkish and foreign visitors complain about the ear-splitting cacophany, but the local attitude seems to be, 'If you wanted peace and quiet, why did you come to Bodrum?'. If this sounds like your kind of town, you can grab a bus to Bodrum from just about anywhere - it's 4 hours to Izmir by road. There are frequent ferries to Kos in summer, and a hydrofoil to Rhodes between May and September.

I first went to Bodrum in the summer of 2003. I have gone back 5 times in 3 consecutive years. I like going to Bodrum in the late afternoon and some evenings but I prefer to stay elsewhere, in quieter bays that are not swarming with tourists. The local market is very interesting too.

Can i put my penny's worth in on this one?

I actually live in Bodrum (Bitez to be exact), but on the whole the name 'Bodrum' is the generic name for the whole peninsula, a land mass of eqivalent size to Istanbul city. Reports of the 'chaotic, wild, nightclub town' are wide-spread and about as unfounded as it gets. There are parts of the Bodrum Peninsula that are party places, Gumbet is well known for its bustling bar street that keeps tourists and Turks happy until the early hours and there are areas of Bodrum Town that have loud bars and clubs but for the most part Bodrum is a quiet, peacefull place that i love dearly. I have spoken to many people (mostly tourists) that frequently visit other resort areas of Turkey and refuse to go anywhere near Bodrum, for the simple reason that 'Its a loud busy party place, i prefer quieter places' and these are guys that frequent Alanya, Altinkum etc...... Please! Anyone that has been to Gumusluk will leave a changed person, beautiful sea, relaxed atmosphere, its the perfect place to unwind. This is a general appeal to be a little more responsible about describing places, as people do read and take note.

totally with you on this one simplesimon..I even avoided the area for a long time because of the rep it has as 'Bedroom'
Very unfair and I have now learnt my lesson, heading down to Gumusluk next weekend and staying for a month Hope we can all hook up for a sunset drink and you can fill us in on the area..

I have friends who invite to their summer home in Tukbuku so that's where I have been spending some time in the peninsula. I also stayed in Yalikavak in July 2004. I like both places but I'd like to visit other smaller, local areas and avoid the main town if I can help it.

Most people that live here avoid the main town during summer if they can, its just too damn hot! I drove from Yalikavak to Bodrum town centre a couple of weeks ago and my car showed 30 degrees in Yalikavak and went upto 46 in Bodrum! The best thing about the peninsula is the shear diversity of the area (not quite 'bul standards) you can party you can chill you can drink you can shop, and everything is no more than 30 minutes from anywhere else.

I can arrange a small tour of the area, good company need only apply!

Having just joined this Forum I am quite alarmed to see the Administrators comments about Bodrum. I agree with Simple Simon.The Bodrum peninsula covers a vast area of resorts from living & breathing towns and villages to the 'Summer tourist areas ' The Pensinsula is a beautiful,vibrant place not filled with the tower block type hotels that some resorts have. I strongly disagree with this opinion of 'BODRUM'

I know a song called that!!

I have to agree with Simon. I also have the pleasure of living in Bodrum itself and i sleep peacefully every night even though my house is on a main road. My husband is a local born and bred and he certainly would never tell a tourist that if "they didn't like the noise then they shouldn't have come here"! Tourism is our bread and butter and as we have two growing girls to look after, we make every effort within our power to ensure that anyone who comes on holiday here leaves happy.

Our customers come back to us year after year and any new ones that come our way always leave happy and with fond memories of Bodrum. Yes there are bad establishments here as there are anywhere but we are trying to minimise these and my husband spends a lot of his time on the Gumbet committee to try and rectify any grievances that our visitors may have. One example is that all bars in Gumbet have to close their soundproof doors at midnight or risk being closed down. There are still things that need imroving, we are aware of them and are trying our best to get things right but of course eveything takes time but we are determined to succeed.

The beauty of the Bodrum Peninsula is that you can sit at a seaside restaurant and hear nothing but the sea or you can party all night in one of the many bars and clubs. The choice is yours. Bodrum people are both hospitable and tolerant and you can enjoy this beautiful place, however you choose and to your hearts content.

The locals say that once you come over the hill and glimpse Bodrum for the first time it will capture your heart. True i say. I came here 17 years ago and i hope that i never have to leave this beautiful place. I love it!!!!

And so it came to be.

Amen

Sorry, I put that there. It was meant to be for Bodrum town itself and not surrounding areas. Gumbet is also a bit of a noisey place but I know places like Bitez, Torba, Gumusluk, Gulkoy etc are totally peaceful and the opposite of Bodrum.
I actually like the small streets of Bodrum at night and used to hang out at the Hard(ish) rock cafe back when I was living there and also the Ora bar and sokak bar. I always avoided the main drag of Gumbet like the plague unless I was feeling lonely then I would go to the queen Vic and see my mate Ismail there and see what the market had to offer.
Great place and found memories although havent been there for 10 months or so.

Sorry Starman....The Queen Vic has been gone for at least 9 years and as you said you were here 10 months or so ago i am confuzed. Not that it takes much mind....
Just thought i would share that little snippet with you.....

I think he could have meant 10 years but he's easily confused!

I spent my last holiday in Akyarlar, a small place close to Turgutreis ... I loved it! I am planning to go there at the beginning of September ... if there are any expats of the forum around this area (karaincir, gümüşlük etc ..) or Bodrum town ... I would love to meet them!

Well, in case you hadn't worked it our already, I'm down here pretty much all the time. Akyarlar is lovely, albeit a bit of a treck from where I live (closer to Bodrum town). Let me know when you've got dates.

I will let you know see ya around