Bodrum, Bodrum, a little sleep that I wanted all!

That's the lyrics of a very famous Turkish song about Bodrum...
Since "the Fisherman of Halikarnassos", Cevat Sakir, who was a poet and writer, Bodrum changed dramatically.
My first visit to Bodrum was in 1985, I was an adventurer looking for fun and nature. Bodrum was famous at that time for being the most popular resort town of Turkey. It hasn't changed much. Years added Antalya, Kusadasi, Marmaris to top ten, but still Bodrum is the dream town of night crawlers! It is famous for long, sleepless nights...
You will face here the famous three "S" philosophy: sun, sea and s.x!Lots of single women and men from all over the world that came to conquer this nice resort town of Turkey!
You will see hundreds of youngsters from Great Britain. They love to party and drink till dawn in Bodrum! Bodrum is perfect for them because accommodation, food and alcoholic beverages are fairly inexpensive there. (compared with England)

I have to admit that Bodrum is located on one of the prettiest peninsulas of southwestern Turkey. Bodrum has numerous bays and coves and hundreds of tiny cute villages.
Downtown of Bodrum is famous but I recommend you to visit cute towns next to Bodrum, like Turkbuku, Yalikavak, Gumusluk.
Turkbuku became the center of new jet-set of Turkey, providing them the prettiest cove and a dozen restaurants including, "Ship Ahoy", "Ada Hotel Restaurant".
If you like sea food go to Gumusluk, a pretty quiet village ca.18 miles from Bodrum. Don't go during weekends, place is packed. Prefer weekday's nights.
Yalikavak public market is a lively event and I recommend you to go there. It is once a week, but I don't remember now which day it was! Ask a local when you reach Bodrum. You can buy beautiful handicrafts, fresh produce and visit the famous patisserie of Yalikavak along the beach!
I am sure you will love Bodrum, both during the day and night!

By day, Bodrum is a myriad of many things; tourists, restaurants, streetsellers, markets, sun, sea, sand, excuse the pun , pebbles, and relaxation.
By night, all this is exaggerated 10-fold. However, with the setting of the sun comes the moon and with the moon comes what Bodrum is famous throughout the world for - a very noisy and vibrant nightlife! If you dont experience the nights in Bodrum, theres absolutely no way you can say youve been

One would think that after holidaying in Bodrum year after year that I would be a little tired of it. On the contrary! Every year I go with the same excitement and at the end of my stay, long for the quick arrival of next year.

At the moment Im stuck for words because Bodrum offers so much, I dont think its possible to do it any justice. And why is it that I have visions of sleepy dogs who block doorways and tourists in thongs when I think of Bodrum?!

I know that I must start with Halikarnas, an old epithet, but one that still rings true as the young and old dance away inside the white stucco and palm trees of Halikarnas Disco perched on the edge of the bay. Am I being unkind when I say that Halikarnas reminds me of the 70s? Everytime I go there, I feel like John Travolta is going to jump out in his flares and do a »Saturday Night Fever«. He doesnt. Instead, the beautiful slim dancers take the floor and strut their stuff. This is not to say that Halikarnas is not the place to be. In fact, as well as being the most famous, its also probably the most popular and drags big crowds in night after night.

Now that thats over and done with, lets hit the streets. While walking along Dr. Alim Bey Caddesi, better known as »bar street«, youll have a colorful time people watching. For example, youll come across people trying to haggle silver, and others yelling out, »Name in rice, name in rice«, and »Kahraman Maras being the ice-cream which is chewed, not licked.

When I was in Bodrum last, I fell prey to the new temporary tattooing frenzy. Having always been curious and a little excited by them, I stopped to have a chat with one of the many young men-come-artists on the street. My first question was naturally, »How long will it last?« and »Can I choose my own design?« I was told that as the ink was a form of henna, used traditionally in make-up, it would last about 15 days and yes, I could choose my own design.

After having a look at the examples I was given, I chose what looked like barbed wire (very Pamela Anderson, I look know). Then, in the middle of the street, I pulled my trouser pants up and let the master begin. In no more than five minutes, I had a black tattoo around my ankle. I was very happy and couldn't wait to hit the beach the next day to show it off!

Tattooing is just one of the many things you can find on the streets of Bodrum. Music is another. In fact, theres so much music that youll feel as if your ears are about to burst. And no wonder, when the street is lined with pubs and clubs, its the perfect place for a pub crawl - Im assuming this is the very reason why so many English tourists come year after year; their most favorite sport alongside football being drinking beer.

The most popular bars/clubs are undoubtedly anywhere that serves alcohol - but here are my personal favorites:

M&M is probably the most favorite with the »trendy« set. After youve managed to get past one of the many doormen, youll pay a cover charge which usually comes with one drink and walk into what seems another world. It is very similar to Halikarnas in that it is an open-air nightclub with fantastic laser shows and the latest music. In fact, M&M is well known for hosting performances by international djs.

If for some reason you cant get by the doormen at M&M, go and join the boisterous fun at the Greenhouse next door. Irish decor, international music, very loud and popular. If you dont like crowds, avoid it.
To the right and slightly opposite of M&M and Greenhouse is Hadigari. This venue is relatively small compared to the bars/clubs on the other side of the street. The crowd is quite bohemian and hip, while the music is very contemporary and loud.

Next door to Hadigari is Yedigari. The crowds generally made up very young, mainly Turkish university students who are out for a blasting good time. It's worth the cover charge if youre into Turkish pop or if you just want sit out on what resembles a balcony on the second floor which looks out onto the street.

While on »bar street«, check out Sokak Bar which is a combination of smoke and »Star Wars«. The music is very upbeat. If you want some action but want to get away from the crowds, check out the side streets where youll be sure to find somewhere to suit your style. For example, if you like jazz, venture into Küba where it sways all night.

If salsa is your thing, youll be doing your Latin American inspired moves as soon as you walk through the red door at Picante. While you there, taste the tapas and dont forget the frozen margaritas and teqiula shots!

Having tried to describe Bodrums nightlife, I feel I have not done it justice, and now I resign myself to the fact that justice cannot be done. It is all about enthusiasm, energy and excitement, and the fact that people are there to have a good time. If you dont believe me, go and experience it for yourself - then youll know exactly what I mean.

Lets start our bar and disco walk right underneath the impressive walls of the castle - on Iskele Meydani, the place just on the harbor side where are many cafes, just next to the tourism office. Here starts Dr. Alim Bey street, later it leads to Cumhuriyet street, but both together are all over Bodrum known as Barstreet. This one mile long street runs parallel with the sea, so all the bars and restaurants on your right side offer a sitting area on the beach with the scenic view of the castle. McDonalds fast food will be the first on the left side. Then next to it is VELI BAR, with frequently live music. This one is probably the oldest bar in town. Nestled among boutiques with good quality textiles you'll see YETTIGARI and then a bit further on HADIGARI BAR & RESTAURANT Before you come to an open place, known as PIDE Place you will pass M&M DANCING, this is a very recommendable disco of high quality standard in sound system and decoration