Myndos Gate (Myndos Kapisi)
The basics
History buffs can enjoy exploring the ruins of Myndos Gate, which now lie abandoned on the edge of town. Bodrum sightseeing tours often include a stop at the site and visiting with a guide provides historic context. Hear how the gate was built in the 4th century BC and served as one of two entrances to the ancient city, linked by more than four miles (seven kilometers) of city walls. As you clamber over the ruins, see the remains of its watchtowers and 49-foot (15-meter) wide moat, and hear how it was breached in 333 BC when Alexander the Great besieged the city.
Things to know before you go
- There is no admission fee to visit the ruins.
- There are no visitor facilities at the site, but a number of cafés and restaurants lie just to the west of the gate.
- The road that runs through the gate is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, although exploring the ruins more thoroughly means scrambling along the grassy verges.
How to get there
The Myndos Gate is located about a mile (two kilometers) from downtown Bodrum. It’s about a 25-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride. To arrive using public transport, hop on any westbound dolmus and get off along Turgutreis Caddesi—you’ll see the ruins of the gate from the road.
Trip ideas
When to get there
It’s possible to visit the Myndos Gate at any time. It’s busiest in July and August, although it’s unlikely to get over-crowded. It’s worth making an early start in summer to avoid the midday sun—there is little shade at the site.
The Ruins of Ancient Halicarnassus
The Myndos Gate isn’t the only reminder of Bodrum’s ancient roots. Closer to town, the hillside ruins of Bodrum Amphitheater date back to the 4th century BC and afford an impressive view over the modern city. Most significant are the ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus—built in 351 BC to house the tomb of King Mausolus, it was once a glorious feat of architecture and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Bodrum Amphitheater
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Tomb of Mausolus)
- Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology (Bodrum Sualti Arkeoloji Muzesi)
- Castle of St. Peter (Bodrum Castle)
- Bodrum Peninsula (Bodrum Yarimada)
- Yaliciftlik
- Bodrum Windmills
- Bodrum Marina
- Gümüslük
- Lambi Beach
- Mumcular
- Mazi
- Limnionas Beach
- Miletus (Miletos)
- Priene