Discover Bodrum Turkey
Around the Peninsula
We have a number of special arrangements to ensure that you have a high quality experience whilst you are staying with us. We try our hardest to ensure that the standards of the people that we recommend are as good as the Su itself. Please let us know if any recommendations are not to your liking.
There are a wide range of trips around the Peninsula which you will find interesting and exciting. The combination of the beautiful blue Aegean and the rocky coastline provides beautiful views and fine walks.
Beaches
The best beaches are Ortakent (20 minutes), Gümüslük (35 minutes) Yalikavak (35 minutes), and Bagla (25 minutes). The nearest beaches are Bardakçi 5 minutes away and Gümbet 10 minutes. All are easily accessible using either our bus or alternatively the Dolmus leaves from the bus station which is 10 minutes walk away.
Aqua Parks
There is a local water park which is perfect for small children 10 minutes away and there is a further water park where a greater sense of adventure is required some 10 minutes away.
Birding
We have a professional bird watcher that will accompany you on a tour of the main bird watching sites in the Peninsula and have full details in the hotel or on our web site.
Trekking
The flora and fauna are particularly magnificent in Spring and Autumn, when the majority of our guests want to see a little more of the delightful countryside. We can either recommend walks through deserted villages and ancient cities or we can arrange for a guide to accompany you on your explorations. There is a wonderful world just outside the Hotel for you to explore!
Boat trips
One of the true delights of Bodrum are the "Blue Cruises" which tour the Aegean , many being on the distinctive Gullets for which Bodrum is renowned. Full details available from reception.
Carpets
Turkey is proud of its centuries old tradition of carpet weaving and a trip that many of our guests have enjoyed is seeing some of the fine carpets being made in a local tradition, coupled with a traditional village meal. There is no obligation to buy but??..
Kos
The Greek island of Kos is a mere 8 miles away and the ferries run all day long. The island is well worth a short visit.
Restaurants
Bodrum has one of the finest ranges of cuisine to suit every taste within a short distance walk from the Hotel. Whether it is the finest Turkish cuisine or other cultures you desire Bodrum has everything from McDonalds to Chinese.
Restaurants change all the time however our current recommendations are:
Fish Market Area
This is an area just off one of the main streets and is a paved, pedestrianised and full of small fish and meat restaurants. The street has several fresh fish and meat shops and you can choose from them your fish and meat and then the restaurant will cook it for you. It is not very touristy and has a great local atmosphere.
Denizhan Restaurant
This is, in our opinion, the finest Turkish cuisine in the town. Situated on the outskirts of the town you will need a taxi or our minibus to get there. It is worth the effort.
It combines modern standards of decoration and facilities with a traditional Turkish cuisine. The lamb is to die for. Pricing is medium to upper by Bodrum standards.
Sünger Pizza
Cheap and cheerful. It is always crowded with lots of local Turkish people and the sailing crowd.
If you venture on to the roof there are tremendous views across the Harbour towards the castle. The personality of the place reflects the local well-known owner.
Marina Yacht Club
This venue has rapidly become one of our favourite Bodrum night spots. Beautifully fitted out it boast’s three restaurants. The Marina Yacht Club restaurant serves an international cuisine, where it would be hard to find something you did not like. An Italian Bistro is a welcome addition to the Bodrum scene. Upstairs is the best of the lot. Outstanding views of the harbour coupled with superb presentation of the food. Overall 5 star location but the service whilst good does not quite (but it is improving) match up to the location and food. After 10.30 there is good to excellent music ranging from Jazz to Cuban dancing and lounge lizard music. We love it – but don’t forget to ask us to book at peak season!
Kocadon Restaurant
This is a beautiful walled courtyard where the atmosphere is so very romantic and the service second to none. It is owned by the chef and his wife, he being Turkish and she being Dutch. The waiters are very smartly turned out in all white, bow ties included. The menu is expensive, but excellent. The set menu is very good value and the meze starter by far the best value for money. The wine is pricey, but if you are looking for that perfect romantic dinner then this is the place to go.
Booking is essential
Orfos
Great fish restaurant in lively part of the town (beside Halicarnassus disco). Choose your fish and meze downstairs and eat upstairs. The service is truly outstanding. One of the waiters really should be on the stage – he is truly funny whatever language you speak!!! Don’t be put off by the poor furniture and scruffy surroundings. The food is just great (if you like fish). Book before you go because we are not the only ones to have discovered them.
Gümüslük
A sunken city and harbour from ancient times, coupled with a fishing village, interesting walk across the sunken city wall to Rabbit island provides a superb back drop for the restaurants that line the harbour.
A true delight is watching the Sun slowly sinking into the Aegean on a warm summers evening. The restaurants serve traditional food with particular emphasis on Fish freshly caught. Our favorite is restaurant. Our minibus can take you there.
Türkbükü
The quieter resorts much favoured by the wealthy from Istanbul include this lovely village where the restaurants nestle along
the side of the Aegean , and the experience is enhanced by the restaurants actually spilling out onto the water. Our favorite restaurant specializes in Fish and is called Tiyatrom.
Shopping
Shopping is a delight in BODRUM! Shopping amongst the narrow streets of Bodrum between the white walls of the local buildings is such a great pleasure.
Shops usually sell everything at reasonable prices although bartering with the shop assistant to get an even better price is part of the fun.
Turkish crafts make it impossible to resist buying. Holiday makers buy a wide range of goods including carpets, varied leather, copper and bronze wares, silver and gold, handicrafts, embroidery, and the famous Turkish meerschaum and onyx are on many peoples' lists.
If you’re really looking for a bargain head towards the markets where you can pick up an excellent buy. On market day, Bodrum is taken over by a warren of stalls and shops, selling everything from jewelry to CD's, Rolex watches and 'real' name branded clothing. Look out for the best genuine fake watch store in Bodrum! You can spend hours wandering the narrow streets looking at the goods. It’s an experience not to be missed.
If sophistication is more your style then the better up-market retailers are based at Milta Karaada Marina or at the Oasis Centre, designer labels such as Gant, LaCoste, Paul Shark, Diesel, Polo Garage and many more well known shops are around. Many foreigners will be intrigued by the merchandise at Mudo one of the most famous Turkish Stores.
Market Days for Bodrum Peninsula ;
Monday; Turkbuku open market by the see front.
Tuesday ; Bodrum Fabric Bazaar / Golkoy Market / Milas town big market
Wednesday ; Gumusluk and Gundogan Market
Thursday; Yalikavak Market ( big one )
Friday ; Bodrum Food market
Saturday; Turgutreis market ( big one )
At these markets; you can find a huge variety of goods : Fresh fruits and vegetables, textile products, flowers, birds and etc. Merchants offer very attractive prices for their products. You can taste the fruits, nuts and other produce before you buy!
You can also try Milas town market on Tuesday (45 min. by dolmus).
If you interested in buying a Turkish carpet, let us to know and we will send you ( organize a local transfer ) to carpet villages nearby Bodrum. ( much better prices ). You will also see the village women making carpets.
Nightlife
One of the greatest advantages of our hotel is that we just far enough away from the buzz of Bodrum centre to allow you to rest but near enough to walk everywhere. Whether it is a humble bar or a raucous disco Bodrum has it all. Halikarnossus the disco is renowned throughout the Eastern Mediterranean . There are a host of bars playing anything from Jazz to Garage.
Bodrum by foot
Bodrum is best viewed slowly as you can take in the sounds, views and atmosphere of a town that was laid out over 2000 years ago. Was that stone in the wall from an ancient Greek temple or ....Although much has changed the narrow streets and intimate walled lanes take you back in time and when you have walked far enough then you are never far from a restaurant where you can stop for a refreshing cay (tea) or simply watch the world go by...
Within a short walk from the hotel there are some amazing sights. ( walking map )
Street signs are generally not very good but we can provide you with a map and if you do get lost there is little hardship as either a cafe beckons or if you are really stuck a friendly cab driver will take you back to the Hotel.
If you look at the cottages closely when wandering in the narrow streets, you would see decorated stones, pieces and columns from the times of the Mausoleum which have been extensively used in local buildings.
Su Otel is right in the middle of many survived great historical sites built by Karians, Greeks, Romans and Crusaders.
Its central position gives you a great opportunity to visit to explore even on hot summer days. We have prepared a map to help you wander around by foot and it’s available at our front desk, for free.
Many civilizations left their mark on Bodrum. The glorious part for us is that we live amongst the historical texture and pattern of the ancient city of Bodrum. The town is one of the rare places that you can imagine being in an ancient city, which has changed but much still remains:
You even can see some of them in our courtyard. We have a wide range of archaeological artifacts - in some ways we are almost a museum ourselves. We are proud custodians of these remnants and we will happily give you a tour of them if you wish.
Herodotus, known as the Father of History was born here, Bodrum was then known as Halicarnassus, and he wrote his Histories here. He coined the phrase History - you can read his stories on the internet. Many of the places he referred to are in modern Turkey -you can read the stories that redo late through History such as the story of Darıus the famous Persian and how Croesus became so rich.
The Castle
Pride of Bodrum, the Castle was completed by the Crusaders with heavy additions in the 15th Century and survives in good condition today. Overlooking modern Bodrum, the castle now includes the first underwater archeology museum of the world and some wonderful cafes. The best views of Bodrum are from the top of the castle. The annual Ballet festival in late August and early September is a cultural highlight.
Antique Theatre
Overlooking Bodrum, the Antique Roman Theatre is just a few hundred meters away from the hotel. At sunsets you’ll find a great view of Bodrum from there. Summer sees various arts, music and dance performances in the theatre.
The Myndos Gate
Alexander the Great conquered Bodrum after destroying seven mile long walls of the town. Named as Myndos Gate out of its western position and being on he road to Myndos (modern day Gumusluk), its excavation and restoration were completed fairly recently. The tombs, mosaics and other ruins are now interesting exhibitions.
A Bit Further:
The World famous antique cities of Ephesus, Pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Kaunos, Iasos, Labranda:
We can arrange special tours for individuals or groups with special vehicles (car or minivan) and driver, if you wish to visit them.
Bodrum in winter
Very many people adore Bodrum in the winter time. The winter is particularly beautiful with a mild climate. Frosts are unknown and for much of the winter people sit outside and on the beach. It is a very peaceful time - laid back and cheerful as the people who have spent all summer entertaining others can let their hair down and enjoy each others company.
These are some things to do in winter:-
Camel wrestling is unique to Turkey and is simply an amazing site between December and early March. From the sound of the Turkish horns to the smell of the kebab salesmen and the villagers urging their beast to ever greater feats it is a unique experience.
Christmas is a time for celebration when there are street markets and local people sell their handcrafts. In the New Year there are parties, celebrations and fireworks to greet the change of year. Every day there are different markets in the villages and they are colourful and vibrant to which the locals flock. People really like to promenade along the seafront admiring each other and then adjourning for a restorative beer.
Exploring ancient cities is much more pleasant at this time of year in the mild climate with lots of wild flowers and lush vegetation - rather than the arid heat of summer. This is the time when the professional archaeologists are really busy and you might stumble on your own finds if you are really lucky!!
Fish in winter is particularly delicious. The very best fish is available and lots of locals use the restaurants. You really discover which are the best places to go because the ones that are busy in the winter are the very best restaurants frequented by people who really like to be there. During December to February Bodrum is famous for some tremendous sole fish - each one being more than a kilo, they are perfect for that romantic meal we all love to eat!
On the first weekend of every month there are ocean going yacht races organized by BAYK. This means that there are lots of Yacht owners in town who love to party!!!
The sea temperature only drops by 5C during the winter time, which means that scuba diving and water sports are still very enjoyable. The lower temperatures mean that the crystal clear waters are particularly conducive to seeing the development of the coral reefs and the wide variety of fish in the Aegean.
Denizciler Cafe is renown as a meeting place in the winter where all the locals assemble to swap stories - the more risque the better.
Or you can simply join us to pick up the mandarins, lemon and grapefruit from the gardens.