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Bodrum Nightlife
For action at night, head to Yalikavak on the northwestern coast of the peninsula, where the Billionaire Club is located, or to GölTürkbüku in the North where the day party at Maçakizi moves over to nearby club Ship’s Ahoy. The younger crowd usually head towards the largest – and slightly démodé – of all the clubs, Halikarnas, located on Cumhuriyet Cadessi, nicknamed “Bar Street”, the boardwalk in Bodrum town that is lined with bars and clubs pumping Beyoncé and Tiesto until sunrise.
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus, whose Temple of Artemis was one of the ancient world’s seven wonders, lies just 100 miles north of Bodrum and makes a wonderful cultural addition to a sun and sea vacation. The site includes marble-paved streets, frescoes, decorative reliefs, mosaic floors and a 25,000-seat theater.
Gümüşlük
The quaint seaside village of Gümüşlük (pronounced ga-moosh-luk) sits on the west coast of the peninsula and is a hidden gem. Not yet discovered by the jet-setting crowd, it evokes the more bohemian lifestyle of Bodrum in the ‘70s. Spend an afternoon exploring and stay for dinner at Mimoza.
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
Travelers come to Bodrum for the sun and sea, not the history. That said, if you’re just a couple of blocks from the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it might be worth a stop. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, built by King Mausollos in the fourth century BC, was reduced to little more than a pile of rocks by earthquakes, robbers and a group of 16th-century knights who used its stones to fortify the harbor castle. You can still see the basic layout of the burial chamber, and drawings in a covered gallery next to the ruins show how the structure would have appeared. No one seems to show much interest in the site, so you’ll likely have it to yourself.
Palmarina Bodrum
Located in the town of Yalikavak, the glitzy Palmarina Bodrum development is one of the most popular addresses for mega yachts in the Mediterranean and is a must-visit for window shopping and people watching. Outposts of Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, and Versace can be found alongside high-end Turkish designer shops, all of which are open until midnight during high season. The Palmarina is home to high-end restaurants like Cipriani and Nobu, but it also boasts some wonderful Turkish spots, like the excellent Nusr Et Steakhouse.
Sailing
These days, the best way to experience the Bodrum peninsula is on the water, and a day or more on the Aegean sea shouldn’t be missed. Arrange a day or overnight “blue voyage” on a traditional Anatolian wooden gulet.
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