Bodrum's town center is separated into Western and Eastern Bays by a lively bazaar and brooding castle. Beyond the town itself lies the resort-filled Bodrum Peninsula.
Eastern (Kumbahce) Bay
Straggling out from behind the Castle of St Peter, this thin strip of sand is backed by plentiful shops, restaurants, pensions, and the infamously loud Halikarnas Disco.
Western (Salmakis) Bay
On Bodrum’s upmarket side, a cluster of fashionable restaurants hug the waterside around the Karada Marina. Inland, bougainvillea-draped back streets surround the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
Gumusluk
Bodrum’s prettiest resort town hugs the remains of ancient Myndos on the western side of the peninsula. Here, small hotels, pensions and fish restaurants overlook a lovely swathe of sand.
Yalikavak
Yalikavak, on the northwest side of the peninsula, boasts a fishing harbor and, naturally, seafood restaurants. Exquisite boutique hotels can be found in the hills and north along the narrow beach.
Golturkbuku
One of Turkey’s most brazenly upscale resorts hides on the Bodrum Peninsula’s northern side. Decks for sunbathing and swimming jut out into the sea in front of glitzy hotels and restaurants.
Bitez
Families prefer this small beach-club-packed strip of sand just west of town on the peninsula. The area is also favored by package-holiday companies.
