Knidos was a Hellenic city. Along with Halicarnassus (present day Bodrum, Turkey), Kos, and the Rhodian cities of Lindos, Kamiros and Ialyssos it formed the Dorian Hexapolis. The agora, the theatre, an odium, a temple of Dionysus, a temple of the Muses, a temple of Aphrodite and a great number of minor buildings has been identified. Today, the general plan of the city has been very clearly made out. The most famous statue by Praxiteles, the Aphrodite of Knidos, was made for Cnidus. It has perished, but late copies exist, of which the most faithful is in the Vatican Museums.


Standing majestically beside the main road between Milas and Lake Bafa is one of the best-preserved temples in Asia Minor. This is the Temple of Euromos (meaning strong in Greek). The temple was built in the 2nd century AD, and sixteen of its original seventeen Corinthian order columns are still standing, complete with their architraves. It is believed that the temple was never completed, as evidenced by three columns on the south and southwest sides, which have no fluting, but an archaeological survey in 1969 found an inscription from Hellenistic times, which proved that the present temple was built on the site of an even earlier one. The city of Euromos stood a short walk from the temple, to the north. There you will find the remains of a round tower, dating from 300 BC, which was once part of the city wall and from which it is possible to trace the wall, which it is possible to trace the wall, which once enclosed a very large area. On the hillside above the plain are the remains of a badly deteriorated west-facing theatre, best preserved in its northern corner.

From the extent of the ruins it appears that Euromos was a city of considerable wealth. Contemporary writings show that the citizens lived in some disharmony, although in apparent union with their more powerful neighbors at Mylasa. This union did not last, for when Mylasa demanded recompense for some infringement by Euromos, the citizens turned to the Rhodian and Romans for atonement and hence regained their independence.


Renowned for its secluded and untouched feel, the little-known village of Yaliciftik, (meaning 'a mansion by the sea), lies among fragrant forests of pine trees, which cover the hilly landscape to provide beautiful hiking opportunities. Although only 20 minutes drive from the vibrant and exciting Bodrum, Yaliciftik makes you feel like being in another world.

The small village in Yaliciftlik is a fantastic starting point for a special hiking experience; where you will walk along old and winding paths through the Aegean scenery before hiking up the Yali Mountain. From the mountain summit, you will be able to watch an incredible sunrise with a fabulous view over the Aegean coast along with surprising landscapes and natural beauties.


The peninsula between Halicarnassus and Myndus was in early times occupied by the Lelegians, who as we learn from Strabo founded there, eight cities. Lately, two of the eight towns died out and Mausolus incorporated the last ones to his new capital of Halicarnassus and the ancient city of Pedasa is one of them. It is situated in Konacık village and lies some ninety minutes' walk to the North of Bodrum, at the head of a pass overgrown by pine-trees. The locals call this area Gökçeler or Gökçeler Castle. Like the other six cities' remains, Pedasa is identifiable by its hilltop position, its general layout, and the characteristic Lelegian masonry. The site is in a remote area and can be reached with great efforts on foot. Thus, a fantastic place for the hiker lovers. We know about the origin of Pedasa thanks to Homer, who places the Lelegians far from Miletus in the southern part of the Troad, where their King, Altes held the city of Pedasus on the Satnioeis. From here, after the Trojan War, they moved southward, till they settled finally in the Carian country around Halicarnassus and founded eight cities, which one of them bears the name Pedasa, an obvious echo of the city of King Altes.

In history Pedasa is known to be a small but very strong and resistant town against the invasions. Actually, Pedasa in the ancient time was apparently of more account than their neighborhood Halicarnassus. In this respect, it is recorded that when the Persian King Harpagus advanced into Caria in the 6th BC, he met opposition from the little Lelegian town of Pedasa, whereas the Greek cities gave no trouble. The ruins today are quite considerable and show a characteristic Lelegian town. The main citadel is some 170 yards (155 m) long with a high wall of irregular masonry; at its upper (east) end is an inner enclosure or keep approached by a ramp and gateway, with a staircase in one corner.

The main entrance, 8 feet (2,40m) wide, is at the west end. In the interior are many traces of buildings, especially close up against the inner face of the town wall. Below this citadel on the south and east is a larger outer enclosure with a wall of dry rubble masonry strengthened with towers. On the ridges to the south and southeast are a number of the remarkable "chamber-tumuli" which are characteristic of the Lelegian country. These consist of a vaulted circular chamber approached by a passage and enclosed by a ring wall heaped over with loose stones. Some at least of these tombs, from the pottery found in them, must date back to 700 B.C. or even earlier. The best preserved of these tumuli is at a site known as Gebe Kilise, northeast of Gökçeler.


This peaceful village is one of the oldest settlements on the peninsula. Most of the village is designated an official archeological sites so that no landscaping alterations or new groundbreakings are allowed. The classical city of Myndus is located with complete certainty at Gümüşlük. The silver-mines have given the name to the village today, but are not mentioned in any ancient source. Indeed the only Myndian product of which we hear is the wine.

In the 4th century BC King Mausolus decided to build a new Myndos and transplanted the entire population. A hundred years ago there were ruins worth seeing (including a theatre and a stadium), but now these have disappeared, being gradually dismantled for the foundations and walls of new buildings. If you walk for ten minutes to the bay north east of Gumusluk you will see a buried wall jutting from a hillside into the sea. While the area'' archaeological status forbids diving with tanks, snorklers will find more walls under water here, as well as an ancient breakwater in the harbor, Those visiting by boat will want to stay close to the island on the eastern side of the entrance to avoid hitting underwater structures.

The island, known as Rabbit Island by the locals, separates the two well-sheltered bays of Gumusluk. If you sit in a shoreside restaurant and watch for a while you will see rabbits on the island. A villager who sells them in markets elsewhere raises them there. It is possible to wade to the island through knee-deep water and sunbathe and dive from the many rock formations. Several restaurants have terraced roof, perfect for enjoying the tranquil scene or for watching the sunset. The restaurants supply food of surprisingly good quality in an un-crowded environment, and their rush woven umbrellas typify the ones by the harbor.