Bodrum Entertainment

The former sleepy fishing village of Bodrum has transformed into one of Turkeys prime entertainment destinations. Fine restaurants, theme bars, world-class discos and plenty of daytime outdoor activities are available.

Eating out

Bodrum is home to hundreds of restaurants, from McDonalds and pizzerias to traditional Turkish fare. Menus cater to an international clientele, and prices are matched accordingly. ZetaOcakba on Atatrk Cad is a good budget option which offers good meat dishes. Opposite the yacht harbour, on the corner of Firkayten Sok and Neyzen Tevfik, Gembasi is good for a no-nonsense meat meal and it also serves fish.

If a modest meal is what youre looking for, head to the streets around the PTT (post office) near Cevat Sakir Street, a lively local quarter with good fast-food options as well as pleasant little lokantas, serving regional Turkish food with large dishes of fresh bread on the table. According to locals, the best brek in town can be found at Tatlici, hidden in the maze of streets near Meyhane Sokak.

Local cuisine

Making good use of fresh vegetables while avoiding too much red meat and relying extensively on pure olive oil and garlic, the Turkish cuisine is healthy and non-fattening. Some local specialities include gzleme (a type of crepe cooked on a convex iron pot and served with fillings), brek (meat or cheese stuffed pastry), dolma (vine leaves, cabbage leaves and green peppers stuffed with spiced rice) and patlican salatasi (eggplant salad).

Theatre and music

The Bodrum Antique Theatre, built during Greek and Roman times, is known as one of the oldest antique theatres in Anatolia. It occasionally hosts international and local performances.

A number of clubs put on live music, either traditional Turkish folk music or jazz. Many hotels and taverns feature Turkish Nights, where local musicians play the saz, a guitar-like instrument, and the zurna, a type of flute accompanied by belly dancers swaying between the tables.

Shopping

Every Friday, the Bodrum Market and Bazaar boasts local farmers fresh produce, and on Tuesdays, it offers handicrafts, clothing and fabrics. Located at the Bodrum Bus Station, there are plenty of bargains to be found here.

The most popular things to buy for home are the carpets; but the various leather, copper and bronze ware, silver and gold, handicrafts and embroidery, and the famous Turkish meerschaum and onyx are also favourites.