Bodrum, Ancient coastal town in Muğla Province, Turkey
Bodrum is a coastal town in Muğla Province, Turkey, spread across several bays and peninsulas along the Aegean Sea. The settlement includes a central harbor area surrounded by low white buildings with flat roofs and multiple surrounding districts with residential homes, hotels, and small beaches connected by winding roads.
The ancient Greek settlement of Halicarnassus was founded in the 7th century BC and grew into a major trading center under Persian and then Hellenistic rule. Ottoman conquerors renamed the place Bodrum in the 15th century, and it remained a small fishing village until the 20th century when tourism began to develop.
Life in town revolves around the marina and beaches, where families gather to swim and fishermen cast their nets in the early morning. Evenings bring people together in meyhane restaurants along the shore, where they drink rakı and share meze plates while traditional folk music drifts from open doorways.
Beaches and main streets get crowded during summer, especially in the afternoons and evenings, so early mornings offer a quieter time to explore. Most shops and restaurants in the center are easy to reach on foot, while remote coves require a minibus or car.
The windmills on the hills above the harbor date back to the 18th century and once ground flour from local grain. Many of these round stone structures have been converted into cafes and small galleries that offer wide views over the bay.
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