tourist attractions bodrum turkey

12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Bodrum

Written by Jess Lee Updated Feb 22, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Bodrum is Turkey's Turquoise Coast at its most vibrant. This unabashed summer vacation destination is known for its marina full of bobbing yachts ready to whisk you out onto the Aegean for a lazy day of coastal sightseeing between swimming stops; a handful of historic tourist attractions, if you're looking for more things to do off the beach; and a town filled with photogenic, old whitewashed houses.

Once the ancient city of Halicarnassus , Bodrum had turned into a simple fishing village by the late-Ottoman era, but all that changed in the mid-20th century, when tourism entered the fold.

Now during summer, this town is one of the best places to visit in Turkey for sun-and-sea vacations , and it buzzes with energy as tourists come from all over the world to soak up Bodrum's charm.

If you happen to visit out of season, though, you can still catch a hint of the old village atmosphere. Plan your time in Turkey's premier resort town with our list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Bodrum.

See also: Where to Stay in Bodrum

1. Soak Up the Scenery on a Boat Trip

2. visit the castle of st. peter, 3. explore history at the museum of underwater archaeology, 4. sunbathe on the bodrum peninsula beaches, 5. see the scant remains of one of the ancient seven wonders, 6. enjoy water sports on the aegean, 7. explore bodrum old town, 8. shop at the bazaar, 9. take in the best sunset view from bodrum's historic windmills site, 10. day trip to stratonikeia, 11. visit bodrum theater, 12. see bodrum's myndos gate, where to stay in bodrum for sightseeing.

Bodrum is all about the sea. The vast amount of visitors that arrive are here for a lazy holiday of sun, sea, and sand, but when you feel the need for a change of scenery, the most popular way to sightsee is by boat.

Hundreds of boat tours are on offer during the summer months , ranging from a day trip sailing around the Bodrum Peninsula, stopping off at tiny inlets only accessible by boat for swimming, to multi-day yacht trips down the coast or across to the Greek Islands .

Bodrum's marina is where public and private yacht trip outfitters tout for business , though most visitors looking for a day-long or half-day boat trip prefer to book a recommended operator through their hotels.

Even on the short day and half-day trips, you'll be able to experience a good chunk of the Aegean's famed rocky coastline scenery and have hours of sunbathing on board, broken up by swimming stops.

When booking, check where your swimming stops will be . If possible you want to anchor off Orak Island , east off the coast of Bodrum Town, where the water is so clear, shallow, and shaded light turquoise that people nickname it the Turkish Maldives.

If you're on a private boat trip, so can curate your own itinerary, get to Orak Island before 10am or after 4pm to enjoy the bay at its quietest.

Lording over the seafront, the Castle of St. Peter is at the top of every visitor's things to do in Bodrum list.

The Knights Hospitallers of St. John built the structure between 1402 and 1437 , and knights of the various nationalities of the order were entrusted with the defense of particular sections of the walls.

Among the various towers are the French Tower; the English Tower, with a sculpted lion on its west wall; and the Gatineau Tower, which leads to the dungeons.

During the reign of the Ottoman sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, the castle passed into Turkish hands and a mosque was built inside.

Today, many of the vast halls inside the castle display the exhibits of Bodrum's Museum of Underwater Archaeology .

Address: Kale Caddesi, Bodrum Town

The absolutely brilliant Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum inside the Castle of St. Peter is a must-see attraction, even if you don't have an interest in underwater archaeology. It has been recently reorganized and renovated, with the exhibits displayed in various halls of the castle's upper level.

The artifact displays, which hail both from underwater discoveries off the coast here and excavations on the Bodrum Peninsula , are complemented by slick multimedia displays.

The museum's highlight is the Serçe Limanı Glass Wreck room, which displays a 16-meter Byzantine ship that sunk in 1026 CE . Some of its cargo, including amphorae and glass artifacts, is displayed artfully in the surrounding exhibit cases.

Other halls display finds recovered from several Bronze Age shipwrecks, a large collection of amphorae, and intricately decorated ceramic pieces uncovered from a Mycenaean-era necropolis near Ortakent on the peninsula.

Address: Castle of St. Peter, Kale Caddesi, Bodrum Town

Outside Bodrum town, the Bodrum Peninsula's beaches are the main drawcard for visitors during summer, and from June through August, the shorefront is crammed full of sunbathers soaking up the heat.

The peninsula towns of Ortakent, Bitez, Gümbet, and Turgetreis have the most popular beaches , with free public beaches as well as private beach clubs that you can access for an entrance fee.

Bodrum Town itself also has two strips of beach right in the center of town for those that don't want to travel far for swimming and sunbathing.

The private beach clubs come with oodles of facilities on tap. If you're staying in town, or at any accommodation on the peninsula without its own beach, and want to check one of the beach clubs out, get up-to-date recommendations from your hotel. They should also be able to book a day pass for you, saving you the hassle.

Bodrum Peninsula's towns are connected to Bodrum Town by a regular dolmuş (local minibus) public transport network, so it's easy to hop between town and the main public beaches.

The entire peninsula is popular with both domestic and European tourists, so don't expect to find an isolated patch of sand. During the height of summer, this is one of Turkey's most popular places to visit, and going to the beach is the top thing to do.

It doesn't look like much these days – you may need to put your imagination hat on – but this pile of ancient marble and rubble was once one of the seven wonders of the ancient world .

The Mausoleum of Mausolus, now known as Bodrum Mausoleum Museum , was built in Halicarnassus (Bodrum's ancient name) by the architect Pytheos as the final resting place of King Mausolus (376-353 BC).

When finished, the impressive, towering structure measured 46 meters high and was decorated with magnificent friezes by the most celebrated Greek sculptors of the day.

Despite damage by earthquakes over the centuries, it was only finally destroyed by the Knights Hospitallers, who used its stones to build the Castle of St. Peter.

The modern day site, in a peaceful garden setting, is worthy of a look if only just to say you've seen one of the seven ancient wonders. There's also a helpful scale model of the original mausoleum on site .

Address: Turgutreis Caddesi, Bodrum Town

Boat trips may be the favored way to get out onto the water in Bodrum, but more active visitors can choose from a range of water sports offered at the different beaches of the peninsula.

Kayak hire is popular at beaches such as Bitez, Ortakent, and Gümbet, while those looking for more thrills can opt to go parasailing at these three beaches as well. Paddleboarding has recently been gaining in popularity and is now offered at various beaches along the peninsula, including at Turgutreis and at Camel Beach in Ortakent.

There are also options for more specialist water sports, such as kiteboarding , with a couple of operators who work in the Bodrum area.

One of the most professional outfits is Kiteboard Bodrum which is based on Celebi Island , offshore from Ortakent. They offer kiteboarding lessons from beginner to advanced levels as well as equipment rental, with transfers to the island included in their prices.

The narrow lanes that back the beach, bazaar, and marina area are Bodrum's most interesting area. The alleyways here are lined with bougainvillea-draped and vine-clad whitewashed cottages that give Bodrum its particular Aegean ambience and charm and make it stand out amid other coastal tourist centers, such as Fethiye , that have a more modern look.

For photographers, these rambling, winding lanes are the most interesting part of Bodrum to photograph, and you can still get a real feel for the fishing village it once was.

The best way to explore is to simply duck up the skinny lanes that lead off the waterfront and go for an aimless wander. The more central lanes are scattered with cafés and restaurants that make for great pit stops while you're strolling.

The cobblestone street of Saray Sokak , which runs from the waterfront harbor up to the Mausoleum of Mausolus is an easy stroll that gives you a taster of old Bodrum's ambience. If you're feeling energetic, you could continue on foot, up Kelerlik Sokak, all the way up the hill to Bodrum Theater.

If you're looking for some retail therapy, Bodrum has it all. The modern bazaar area spreads out behind St. Peter's Castle in a series of shaded lanes. It's at its busiest after dark when restaurant-goers head here for an after-dinner stroll.

Bodrum's bazaar is an upmarket take on a typical Turkish market , with proper shops rather than stalls. It offers little room for bargaining, but what it loses in authenticity, it makes up for in choice.

There's everything here, from Turkish and Central Asian textiles, colorful local pottery, and hand-crafted woodwork to a bling-fest of gold shops, snazzy beachwear, and fashion.

Meandering between the shops after a day of sunbathing is what Bodrum is all about.

Head to the Tarihi Han (a restored historic caravanserai) in the bazaar area for coffee or tea in the shaded internal courtyard before browsing the local artisan stores that have set up shop on the han's upper level.

The sparse ruin site, with two remaining chunks of wall, you pass by on the eastern section of the bazaar district, is the remains of the 18th century Greek Orthodox Aya Nikola church.

The bazaar district is one of Bodrum Town's most buzzing areas for café life and dining , and you'll find plenty of restaurants, as well as ice cream and dessert shops scattered throughout the area.

The hill that separates Bodrum Bay and Gümbet Bay is topped with the sparse remains of Bodrum's windmills.

The windmills themselves are not worth the visit, but the panoramic vistas that stretch across the bays of both Bodrum and Gümbet are, and it's a very popular spot to watch the sun set.

Though most people come here by car, the hilltop is an easy two-kilometer walk from Bodrum marina , up a medium slope. Don't try to walk it during the midday heat, though.

To walk here, head to the very western end of Bodrum marina and veer uphill on Osman Nuri Bilgin Caddesi. At the top of the hill, turn onto Haremtan Sokak and follow this summit road until you arrive at the windmills.

The best time for strolling up here is in the early morning , when fresh breezes make it a pleasant activity rather than a slog. The site is also at its quietest during this time, so you can soak up the Bodrum Bay vistas without the crowds.

Address: Haremtan Sokak, Bodrum Town

The ancient site of Statonikeia is within easy day-tripping distance from Bodrum, but surprisingly receives very few visitors. If you've visited more famous ancient cities, such as Ephesus , on your Turkey itinerary, a stroll around the ruins here with barely another visitor in sight makes for a refreshing change.

The site has been settled since the Bronze Age Hittite era, but the oldest monuments still standing today date from the Classical Age, when Stratonikeia became an important link on the local trade routes.

Unlike many Greco-Roman cities, Stratonikeia was continuously settled up until the early years of the modern Turkish Republic as the village of Eskihisar.

Although the village was eventually moved a couple of kilometers away from Stratonikeia, several families continue to inhabit the site itself, and several Ottoman-era monuments and mansions dating from the 19th century have been preserved, along with the older ruins.

This makes Stratonikeia a uniquely stratified site, where you can stroll from the Hellenistic theater, sliced into the hillside, through lanes lined with crumbling and derelict Ottoman-era stone houses, to the impressive double-arched northern gate.

Stratonikeia is along the main Bodrum-Muğla Highway, 75 kilometers northeast from Bodrum Town.

Bodrum Theater may be small by Roman standards, but it has been decently restored, and the views from the upper tiers, out towards Bodrum Bay, are superb.

In its heyday during the 4th century, it would have held 13,000 spectators.

If you're here in summer, Bodrum uses the theater for a program of events and concerts . Check out if there's anything on while you're in town, as seeing a performance within the theater is the best way of imagining how it would have been used in the grand era of Halicarnassus.

Directly across the road from the theater, you can get panoramic photos looking down onto central Bodrum.

Address: Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi, Bodrum Town

One for the supreme history fiends on a hunt for the remnants of Halicarnassus: this gate is the main still-standing chunk of King Mausolus' once sturdy fortress walls, which originally wrapped around the ancient city for seven kilometers.

Unless you are particularly interested in ancient history, this small set of ruins, which include a scattering of tomb and stele slabs and the sparse remnants of a 4th-century moat surrounding the gate fragments, are underwhelming.

The site, though, is easily combined with a stroll from the marina, up to the mausoleum and the theate r, and then visiting this site on the way back.

Address: Cafer Paşa Caddesi, Bodrum Town

Luxury Hotels:

• El Vino Hotel & Suites is a four-star boutique hotel in a peaceful location but still only a walk into Bodrum town. It has a panoramic rooftop terrace with a pool, and breakfast is included.
• The Marmara is one of Bodrum's most high-class hotels with views across the entire town stretching out to the sea, a vast pool area, a top-end restaurant, and rooms bedecked with chic modern furnishings.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• The family-friendly Voyage Bodrum has a long private beachfront, a big pool area, a games room, and a popular spa and sauna offering a vast range of treatments.
• Another affordable resort is the Forever Club, always popular with tourists due to its welcoming staff, big private beach, outdoor pool, basketball court, and spa with traditional Turkish bath facilities.

Budget Hotels:

• In a great central position, near St. Peter's Castle, the friendly Hotel Istankoy Bodrum has a sociable pool area, good-sized rooms with excellent facilities, and a restaurant. Breakfast is included.
• On the main road in Bodrum Town, just a hop from the beach, Merih Hotel is known for its hospitable and friendly management, who go out of the way to help, and excellent included breakfast.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Island Hopping: With plenty of ferries heading to the Greek islands , Bodrum is a main entry or exit point to and from Turkey. If you want to combine a Turkey and Greece holiday, this is a great place to start. From Bodrum, you can catch regular ferries to Rhodes, with its main town of medieval walls and cobblestone alleys, as well as to Kos.

Heading up the Coast: From Bodrum, head north up the coast to visit one of the world's best preserved Roman city ruins at Ephesus , Turkey's most famous archaeological site. To visit the ruins, you could base yourself in Kusadasi, with its harbor, castle, and beach resorts, or in Selçuk, with its pretty cobblestone alleys, Byzantine and Roman ruins, and the excellent Ephesus Museum.

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Home » Travel Guides » Turkey » 15 Best Things to Do in Bodrum (Turkey)

15 Best Things to Do in Bodrum (Turkey)

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was built in what is now the modern resort of Bodrum on the Aegean Sea.

In Medieval times marble and polished stone from that vast monument were reused for a castle by the Knights Hospitaller, and a lot of the masterful sculpture eventually found its way to the British Museum.

There are clues from the city of Halicarnassus all over town, at the theatre, Myndos Gate and the site of that mausoleum.

Bodrum is on a craggy peninsula where bays with clear, glistening waters are sheltered between headlands.

Here you can divide your time between thrilling archaeology and a sun lounger by a shimmering cove.

1. Bodrum Castle (Castle of St Peter)

On a promontory east of Bodrum’s harbour stands Bodrum Castle, built in the beginning of the 15th century by the Knights Hospitaller.

This location has been fortified for more than 3,000 years and is the likely setting for the palace of Mausolus from the 4th century BCE.

One of many absorbing things about this building is that stonework from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was recycled for its walls, either turned into dust to make lime, or simply re-used.

The castle was an international project, with its four towers named for the people who built them: German, Italian, French and English.

The castle fell to Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century and became a prison in 1895.

2. Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Since the 1960s the castle has hosted a fascinating museum dedicated to the underwater finds made at Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern shipwreck sites around the Turkish Aegean.

This is the largest museum in Turkey devoted to this field, presenting a thrilling hoard of Mycenaean copper ingots and vases, Ancient Egyptian seals, royal Carian jewellery, Roman amphorae, Medieval Islamic glassware, a Spanish four-Real piece from the 16th century and loads more.

These pieces are spread throughout the castle’s historic interior and accompanied by interesting snippets, like for example, a chronology of the development of Amphorae.

The museum also features two reconstructed shipwrecks from the Bronze Age and Medieval period.

3. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

The magnificent tomb that first defined the term “mausoleum” was built in Halicarnassus for the Carian satrap Mausolus (d. 353 BCE). Set on a massive podium, this was a monument of incredible grandeur, 45 metres tall and with reliefs on each facade carved by one of the preeminent Greek 4th-century BCE sculptors, Bryaxis, Leochares, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus.

It was toppled by earthquakes between 1100 and 1400, and was the last of the six ruined wonders of the ancient world to be destroyed.

Most of the marble blocks and polished stone became spolia for Bodrum Castle, but, however modest, the original site of the mausoleum is a humbling place because of what it represents.

Many of the finer sculptures were removed in the 19th century and have ended up in the British Museum, but until they’re returned the surviving reliefs, fluted columns and a stairway give a tantalising glimpse of what came before.

Also here is a small exhibition with a video breaking down the chronology of the mausoleum, amphitheatre and castle.

4. Theatre of Halicarnassus

A couple of streets up from the mausoleum site is the Greek-style theatre, constructed during the reign of Mausolus in the 4th century BCE and later enlarged by the Romans in the 2nd century CE.

Its architect had an eye for the spectacular, as the theatre has a stirring view out to the Aegean from its cavea.

In its heyday this venue could seat around 13,000 people, and enough survives today that it can be used as a stage for cultural events throughout the high season.

You can look at the excavated hillside to see where the cavea continued up the slope.

5. Zeki Müren Arts Museum

The coiffed singer and actor Zeki Müren (1931-1996) is a colossal figure in Turkish popular culture and spent much of his life, especially the last few years, here in Bodrum.

Müren starred in dozens of films and recorded 30+ albums, and his influence is hard to overstate.

After he died, his home on his namesake street in Bodrum was turned into a museum.

Müren had a Liberace-esque taste for the flamboyant, and while there’s lots of stage costumes and photographs to back this up, the home itself is pared-down and gives a touching impression of a man seeking a quiet life.

As for memorabilia there’s lots of jewellery, hi-fi equipment and paintings that he composed, while an English introduction at the entrance will bring you up to speed on Müren’s career.

6. Bodrum Deniz Müzesi (Maritime Museum)

Bodrum has been involved in shipbuilding since antiquity, and the industry was given a boost in the early 19th century when Ottoman warships were launched here.

When demand waned in the middle of 19th century, that shipbuilding knowhow was put to use building three-masted gulets (schooners) for trade, fishing and sponging.

In 2011, Bodrum’s maritime museum moved into the old bazaar building (bedesten) by the castle, and has scores of models for the various wooden boats built in Bodrum.

Much of what you see, including 6,000 shells from around the world, is from the personal collection of Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı (1886-1973), a Crete-born writer, exiled to Bodrum in 1925. He is nicknamed the “Fisherman of Halicarnassus”, and is credited with raising Bodrum’s profile and bringing it to the attention of the Turkish literati in the 20th century.

7. Bitez Beach

While the public beach in Bodrum is more than adequate, if you’re willing to travel a little you’ll come across some outstanding beaches within a few kilometres.

The Blue Flag Bitez Beach is a short way west, and regarded as one of the best on the entire peninsula for families with smaller children.

Shielded to the east by a long headland, Bitez Beach is a scallop-shaped bay with gravelly sand (bring flip-flops) and a big spread of shallow, warm and transparent water.

And like all the touristy beaches around Bodrum, the bay is lined with eateries, many of which rent out sun loungers with the price of a drink or two included, or for free with the price of a meal.

But in spite of all this business, the resort is far quieter than Gümbet and Bodrum around the headland.

8. Ortakent-Yahşi Beach

Some ten kilometres west of Bodrum proper is one of the longest beaches on the peninsula, at the place where two villages, Ortakent (east) and Yahşi (west) have formed a single municipality.

The two ends of the beach have a different character: Yahşi is oriented towards tourism and has restaurants and shops, as well as a jetty for boat excursions, while Ortakent, over the Uludere river inlet is more peaceful and backed by hotels and holiday rentals.

Come the high season, every inch of the crescent-shaped pebble beach will be covered with sun loungers and parasols.

Drinks are normally included in the rental price, and you can cool off wading out into the clear Aegean waters.

There’s also a strip of greenery edging the beach, used by for outdoor seating by bars and restaurants, and occasionally furnished with cabanas and hammocks among the palms.

High on the Bodrum Peninsula’s rugged spine are the ruins of the ancient Carian settlement of Pedasa.

You can hike to Pedasa from Bodrum’s Konacık, and the experience maybe a welcome antidote to resort life, climbing through maquis shrub, and hushed forest under the cover of pines, cedars and larches.

The ample shade means you could attempt this hike on a summer’s morning, if you bring plenty of water.

The evocative ruins at Pedasa are from between the 11th and 6th century BCE, and a recent excavation has brought to light a temple to Athena.

The site is spread across several hill-tops, giving you stunning 360° panoramas of the peninsula and Aegean.

10. Windmills of Bodrum

The Bodrum Peninsula is littered with quaint reminders of a time before tourism, dating back as far as the 1700s.

These windmills are in various states of repair and set high on ridges to catch the breeze.

The most convenient to Bodrum proper is a row of eight, along the peninsula between this resort and neighbouring Gümbet.

Whitewashed, these circular buildings stand out against the blues and browns of the land and sea beyond.

As much as anything the windmills are a vantage point where you can survey the clear turquoise waters of the bays, the sprawl of the resorts and the coniferous hills in all directions.

11. Bodrum Harbour

It’s fascinating to think that vessels have been docking at Bodrum Harbour, tucked snug behind the castle, for upwards of 3000 years.

On the west side of the harbour is the Milta Bodrum Marina, hailed as one of the most prestigious marinas on the Aegean.

This is a Blue Flag facility, with 450 berths, some filled by ostentatious super yachts.

For landlubbers the harbour with its wide quaysides, palms and eucalyptus trees is a prime place to mill around and watch the ferries come and go, particularly in the evening when the sunset are wonderful.

And along the street at the back there’s an unbroken string of restaurants and cafes taking advantage of these views.

The harbour is also where you’ll find those traditional three-masted gulets, built right here in Bodrum.

12. Bardakçı Koyu (Bardakci Cove)

On the east side of the headland with the windmills is a delightful little cove with pool-like waters.

The drawback to Bardakçı Koyu is that there’s no public beach, and you’ll have to pay for a sun lounger belonging to one of the three hotels that crowd the cove (about 50TL or $8.50 in 2020). The good news is that you can get there the scenic way, buy catching a water taxi across the bay from Bodrum Harbour, departing every ten minutes or so.

It’s a fun way to arrive, and when you get there you can swim in sparkling waters with soft sand underfoot and hardly a trace of seaweed.

13. Myndos Gate

The last vestige of the seven-kilometre walls of the Halicarnassus can be found in the west of Bodrum.

These defences were constructed in the 4th century BCE by Mausolus, the satrap of Caria, and the Myndos Gate was one of two monumental entranceways.

Although the stonework on the gate’s two towers is a modern interpretation, there’s a lot of archaeological interest, and vaulted tombs from the Hellenistic and Roman periods have been discovered nearby.

You can make out 50 metres of the surrounding ditch, known to have slowed down Alexander the Great’s capture of the city in 334 BCE.

Around the site are information plaques explaining its historical significance.

14. Midtown Shopping Centre

As a sign of the times, a plush mall has opened in Ortakent under ten kilometres west of Bodrum proper.

On a scorching day you may be ready for an air-conditioned behemoth like this.

At Midtown Shopping Centre are plenty of brands you’d expect from a European high street, like Marks & Spencer, Gap, L’Occitane, Mango, H&M, Yves Rocher and MediaMarkt.

There’s also a giant food court, where you might try out popular Turkish chains like Simit Sarayi, alongside worldwide fast food names like McDonalds, Burger King, Popeyes and Starbucks.

And like most malls, Midtown has a multiplex cinema showing Turkish and international movies, although these tend to be dubbed.

15. Full-Day Orak Island Boat Trip

Orak Island is in the Aegean east of Bodrum, looking back to a long, mostly uninhabited stretch of the peninsula.

You can visit on a day-long cruise through GetYourGuide.com .

After setting sail from Bodrum Harbour in late-morning the cruise will make a stop at the exquisite Red Bay, before dropping anchor at Orak Island Bay, where you can swim and snorkel in shimmering turquoise waters and laze on a white sandy beach.

Lunch is prepared on board and normally involves a fresh salad and grilled chicken.

And after departing the main bay, you’ll make two or three more swimming stops, and enjoy the views of the peninsula in the late afternoon light over a slice of melon and cup of Turkish tea.

15 Best Things to Do in Bodrum (Turkey):

• Bodrum Castle (Castle of St Peter)
• Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology
• Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
• Theatre of Halicarnassus
• Zeki Müren Arts Museum
• Bodrum Deniz Müzesi (Maritime Museum)
• Bitez Beach
• Ortakent-Yahşi Beach
• Windmills of Bodrum
• Bodrum Harbour
• Bardakçı Koyu (Bardakci Cove)
• Myndos Gate
• Midtown Shopping Centre
• Full-Day Orak Island Boat Trip

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The 10 best attractions in Bodrum

Check out our top picks for the best attractions in Turkey’s most popular resort town

Bodrum, which began its transformation in the 1960s from a quaint fishing village to the most glamorous of resort towns, remains the undisputed gem of the Turkish Riviera. While adored by many, it's also occasionally criticised for its bustling summer months and steep prices. However, beyond its vibrant nightlife and beach clubs, Bodrum offers a wealth of culture, history, exquisite hotels, and restaurants.

With its charming white-washed houses adorned with bougainvillaea, ancient artefacts from civilizations past, secluded bays, and inviting turquoise waters, Bodrum promises to be a dynamic destination throughout the year. When you find yourself seeking a break from the energetic nightlife and beach scene, consider exploring these Bodrum attractions that we've curated for you.

RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Bodrum RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Bodrum

What makes the cut? While we've not reviewed every attraction, we've based our list on reviews, editorial insight, and popularity to find you the best attractions. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information,  see our   affiliate guidelines .

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Best Bodrum attractions

1.  Bodrum Castle

What is it?  This magnificent castle overlooking the Bodrum Peninsula was built by the Knights of St. John in the early 15th century. A symbol of Bodrum, the castle has served as a military base, a prison, and even a bathhouse over the years. It now houses the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum.

Why go?  Situated between two harbours and built on rocky cliffs surrounded by three sides by seas, the castle offers generous views of Bodrum landscapes.

2.  Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology

What is it? One of the most important underwater archaeology museums in the world, the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum boasts rich collections of archaeological findings such as amphorae, pottery, stone artefacts, and ancient anchors. The museum collection is particularly rich in shipwrecks dating back to ancient times.

Why go?  The Uluburun Shipwreck, dating back to the 14th century BC, is the world's oldest shipwreck with a mesmerising length of 15 metres and width of 5 metres.

3.  Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

What is it?  Listed among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was built during the reign of King Mausolus of Caria. One of the most interesting aspects of the Mausoleum is that its construction began under Mausolus' order during his lifetime, not after his death, giving rise to the word "mausoleum."

Why go?  Although most of the Mausoleum, sculpted by four of the most important sculptors of the 4th century BC, is now exhibited at the British Museum, some striking pieces can still be seen in place.

4.  Yalıkavak Marina

What is it?  Yalıkavak Marina reflects the luxurious side of Bodrum life. Regarded as one of Europe's best marinas, Yalıkavak Marina resembles a chic neighbourhood rather than just a marina, with its hotels, beach clubs, cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Why go?  Here, you can find some of Bodrum's best restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines from seafood to world cuisines.

5.  Gümüşlük

What is it?  Once a fishing village, Gümüşlük has evolved over time into Bodrum's most bohemian area, attracting artists and musicians. Allocate at least a day to cool off on its clean beaches and savour the taste of seafood. On Rabbit Island, accessible by walking over the sea, you can see the remnants of the ancient city of Myndos.

Why go?  The International Gümüşlük Music Festival held every July-August with its rich program is reason enough to visit Gümüşlük.

6.  Bodrum Amphitheatre

What is it?  Built in the 4th century, the Bodrum Amphitheatre is one of the best-preserved sites of ancient Halicarnassus, representing the only structure remaining from the classical period in Bodrum. Climbing the amphitheatre's stairs to the top offers unique Bodrum views. Especially at sunset, the sky provides a visual feast.

Why go?  With a capacity of 13,000 people, the Bodrum Amphitheatre hosts many festivals and concerts, especially during the summer months. If you happen to be there, don't miss the opportunity to experience this atmosphere at night.

7.  Bodrum Maritime Museum

What is it?  Since 2011, the Bodrum Maritime Museum has been exhibiting documents and objects related to Bodrum's maritime history, providing clues about the region's maritime culture. Except for Mondays, you can see a collection of boats, finely crafted scale boat models, and a collection of sea shells every day in the museum.

Why go?  The upper floor of the two-story small museum houses a special collection of about 6,000 sea shells.

8.  Bodrum Beaches & Coves

What is it?  With 67 blue-flagged beaches, it's possible to find places in Bodrum that appeal to every taste. Cafes and restaurants offering various facilities to spend the whole day line up along most of the beaches. Some of the most famous beaches in Bodrum include Yalıkavak, Türkbükü, Bitez, Yahşi, and Akyarlar. It's essential to acknowledge that Bodrum beaches can be a bit crowded and noisy during the high season. To have a quieter time, you can try exploring the coves by boat. There are numerous coves accessible by road or sea, enchanting with their turquoise waters. Kargıcak, Peksimet, Kissebükü, Bardakçı, and Poyraz coves are ideal spots to escape the crowds on the beaches.

Why go?  If you wish, you can add adrenaline to your day with water sports, from windsurfing to jet skiing.

9.  Bodrum Bar Street

What is it?  While the nightlife is vibrant and colourful in many places in Bodrum during the summer, Bar Street in Gümbet stands out. Being the most popular nightlife centre, Bar Street has numerous venues where you can dine first and then immerse yourself in dancing and entertainment.

Why go?  Instead of spending the entire night at a single venue, bar hopping and experiencing the street's energy is the ideal way to go.

10.  Leleg Trail

What is it?  Good news for trekking enthusiasts! The path used by the Lelegs, the first settled people of the Bodrum Peninsula, has been signposted, marked, organised, and transformed into a great hiking trail. While walking the entire route may take five days, you can also take shorter or day trips. Ancient hiking trails in Bodrum are not limited to the Leleg Trail; the Karia Trail, starting from Mazı and continuing to Torba, is also impressive with its ancient ruins and nature.

Why go?  On the Leleg Trail, there is also a bicycle path exceeding 20 km for mountain bike enthusiasts.

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Bodrum Town

Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it, from the town's crowning castle and glittering marina to its flower-filled cafes and white-plastered backstreets. Even in the most hectic days of high summer, you can still find little corners of serenity in the town.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum (originally 44.8m high) was the greatest achievement of Carian King Mausolus (r 376–353 BC),…

Bodrum Castle

Bodrum's magnificent waterfront castle, built by the Knights Hospitaller, dates back to the 15th century. It houses the excellent Museum of Underwater…

Bodrum Maritime Museum

This small but well-formed museum spread over two floors examines Bodrum's maritime past through finely crafted scale models of boats and an excellent…

Ancient Theatre

Ancient Halicarnassus' theatre was built in the hillside rock in the 4th century BC to seat 5000 spectators but that capacity was increased to 13,000 for…

Myndos Gate

These are the restored remains of the only surviving gate from what were originally 7km-long walls probably built by King Mausolus in the 4th century BC…

For the best vistas of Bodrum, head to the peninsula on the west side of town which is crowned by seven old windmills.

Ottoman Cemetery

This Ottoman cemetery stands just above the marina, and contains the tombs of two famous Turkish seamen (Mustafa Pacha and his son). Part of the enclosure…

Merkez Adliye Camii

The 'Central Courthouse Mosque' is in the old bazaar, located just off the harbourfront. The handsome stone structure boasts a single minaret. Visitors…

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Sparkly beaches, serene coves, a grand castle and jaw-dropping vistas: just a few of the reasons the one-time fishing village of Bodrum is a Turkish…

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10 Amazing Things to Do in Bodrum, Turkey

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

Whether it is history, leisure, culture or cuisine that you are after, Bodrum has the lot. Located on the stunning Turkish coastline bordering the Aegean Sea, beautiful beaches and turquoise waters line the city, making it the perfect place to relax in the sun while enjoying some of its fantastic sights.

Home to one of the ancient wonders of the world, there are lots of interesting historic sites to visit, as well as some great museums. With so much to see and do, Bodrum is a brilliant destination to visit and you will certainly enjoy all that this wonderful Turkish city has to offer.

10. Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, all that remains of the Mausoleum are its ruins; over the centuries, it was destroyed by a number of earthquakes. The tomb was built for King Mausolus and apparently reached up to 46 meters in height. Its fantastic friezes led to it being celebrated for its beauty and impressive architecture.

In addition to the earthquakes, the Knights of St John carted away many of the old blocks to help build Bodrum Castle. While the ruins may not look as spectacular as the mausoleum did back in its heyday, there is a scale model replica to help you imagine what it looked like.

Its stunning aesthetics were so renowned that the design of numerous buildings and monuments around the world was based on this famed mausoleum. Occupying a special place in history, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is well worth a visit when you’re in Bodrum.

9. Boat Trip

One of the most popular things to do for tourists to Bodrum is to take a boat trip around the lovely coves, bays, and beaches that line Turkey’s coastline. There are a number of great tour providers in the city and the cruises are a great way to see more of the coast while enjoying life aboard the boat.

On the trips, you inevitably stop off to snorkel in pristine turquoise waters, visit the hot springs on Black Island and get to gaze upon the beauty of the Turkish shoreline. A great day out, a boat trip around the waters surrounding Bodrum is a fantastic experience that you won’t forget any time soon.

8. Yahsi Beach

With its long sandy beach, enticing water and a plethora of bars, restaurants, and shops, Yahsi has something for everyone to enjoy. Relaxing on the beach is a lovely way to spend the day, although it can get quite crowded and is geared predominantly towards tourists.

Conveniently located right next to a whole host of different food outlets, you can be enjoying a meal one minute and be back in the warm water of the Aegean the next.

7. Bardakci Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in Bodrum, Bardakci lies not too far from the city center and is the perfect place if you’re looking to relax and take in the sun after a busy morning spent sightseeing.

Set in a lovely little cove, palm trees line the sand and there’s a great view out over the pristine waters. As it is a resort beach, Bardakci is quite highly developed. As such, there are more than enough tourist facilities to keep you occupied. You can try your hand at water sports, relax in a spa or simply enjoy a drink while lounging on the beach.

6. Windmills in Bodrum

Perched atop a hill overlooking Bodrum, Gumbet and even the Greek island of Kos, the old windmills are in various states of repair, with some of them well preserved and others looking much the worse for wear.

Gleaming in the sun, their whitewashed walls stand out against the blue skies above them and the sun-bleached grasses surrounding them. A wonderfully secluded spot, the windmills themselves may not be much to look at but the view from up on the hillside is breathtaking and is well worth the climb.

5. Zeki Muren Arts Museum

Dedicated to the musician and actor after whom the arts museum is named, this wonderful institution is the last place where Zeki Muren lived just before his death. A famous Turkish singer, the museum offers an interesting insight into his personal life and fabulous career, and fans of his will love this fascinating collection.

Memorabilia, merchandise and more takes you through the journey of his life, elucidating how he became to be such a renowned artist, famed throughout the country.

4. Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Located inside Bodrum Castle, this wonderful museum is a captivating place to visit. It is the largest museum in the world dedicated to underwater archaeology. Perusing its ancient vases, jewelry and extensive collection of glassware, is as interesting as it is educational and offers up an amazing glimpse at some of the finds that have been discovered beneath the waves.

Featuring a huge range of discoveries from ancient shipwrecks, the museum is great to wander around. It also exhibits a tomb of a Carian princess as well as a delightful old chapel which houses findings from the Mycenaean Age, which occurred from the 14th to 12th centuries BC!

3. Bitez Beach

Located around six kilometers from Bodrum, the fantastic Bitez Beach is well worth a visit when you are in the city if you are looking for a relaxing spot. With lovely clear water bordering its long stretch of sand, reclining in a hammock and watching the world go by is simply divine; olive and citrus groves form a peaceful backdrop to the curve of the bay.

More active beachgoers can enjoy the water sports that are on offer, with windsurfing being particularly popular. Bitez Village isn’t far away if you’re looking for a change of scenery.

2. Bodrum Amphitheater

Dating all the way back to the 4th century BC, this lovely amphitheater was built during Roman times and – while it may be quite small – it is definitely worth checking out. Very well preserved, the steps and seats of the amphitheater are built into the hillside.

From the upper levels you have some great views out over the mountains and sea before you. With a capacity of around 13,000, during summertime, the amphitheater hosts a number of great concerts and festivals as well as some local cultural events.

1. Bodrum Castle

Looking out imperiously over the waters surrounding it, Bodrum Castle is the most popular tourist attraction in Bodrum – and with good reason. Built between 1402 and 1437 by the Knights of St John, its domineering walls are remarkably well-preserved, considering their age.

Its fantastic turrets and towers only add to the castle’s magnificent appearance. A couple of them are named the French and English Tower; this indicates the international nature of the Knights’ order as Catholic factions came together to fight the Ottomans.

Vast halls lie inside the castle walls and it is also home to the brilliant Museum of Underwater Archaeology that houses so many interesting artifacts from around the local area. A captivating place to visit, Bodrum Castle is a must-see when visiting the city.

Best Time to Visit Bodrum

As it is known for its beaches, vast numbers head to Bodrum in summer to sunbathe, swim or enjoy watersports in the Aegean. Many stay in its nearby resorts or take day trips to the gorgeous Greek island of Kos.

In July and August, temperatures average a sweltering 32 to 33°C (89 to 91°F) with the prices and crowds at their highest. While this is a bit hot for sightseeing, it is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, provided you put suncream on! The Bodrum International Ballet Festival is also held in its castle and at the ancient theatre of Halicarnassus.

If you want to avoid the worst of the heat and crowded beaches, then both April to June and September and October are better bets. Average temperatures of 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F) mean you can comfortably sunbathe and sightsee though the water might still be a bit chilly in spring. Prices are also lower while its acclaimed Jazz Festival takes place in September.

After this, fewer visitors arrive as it is too cold to sunbathe or swim. As the weather is still warmer than most of Europe, some do head here though for the Christmas holidays.

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17 TOP-RATED TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN BODRUM

None of the many gems littered along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast shines brighter than Bodrum. Formerly home to Halicarnassus- the thriving capital of ancient Caria- the peninsula has seen its fair share of civilizations and architectural brilliance. This can be seen in the ruins of ancient cities and settlements, mausoleums, theaters, and forts.

The past century saw Bodrum receive a much-needed boost from the growing tourism sector. Since then, Bodrum City has become the most popular resort town on this side of the Aegean. This is mainly due to its strategic location on the peninsula amidst many historical and modern tourist attractions.

So, if you plan on visiting Bodrum , you will be spoilt for choice. To help you, we have created a list that briefly examines some of the area’s best attractions. There is so much to see and do that tourists must make multiple trips before exhausting everything.

1. Bodrum Castle (Castle of St Peter)

Bodrum’s most iconic sight stands on a promontory east of the city’s harbor. Over the past 3,000 years, this location has played host to several magnificent structures, including the famed 4th-century BCE palace of Mausolus. Unfortunately, the building has been lost to history, but the iconic Bodrum Castle (Castle of St. Peter) stands in its place.

The Knights Hospitaller built the castle at the beginning of the 15th century and used it for the next 120 years as a haven for the Christians of Asia Minor. It was also used as a fort to guard against invasions from the Ottoman Empire, which it did pretty well until it fell to Suleiman the Magnificent in the mid-16th century.

Apart from its turbulent history, the most intriguing aspects of the castle lie in its architecture. Evidence shows that some building materials were reused and recycled from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Today, the fort is home to the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology.

2. Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Where the castle once held bunks and beds belonging to medieval knights, it now has fascinating artifacts salvaged from the Turkish Aegean. This collection is known as the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology, a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the port city.

Opened in the 60s, the museum features hundreds of interesting artifacts from all over the ancient world. These include copper ingots, vases from ancient Mycena, seals, and jewelry from ancient Egypt. Among these is a rather intriguing piece that may have belonged to the Egyptian queen Nefertiti.

There are also Roman amphorae and Ottoman-era glassware, to name a few. But of all the items on display are the reconstructed shipwrecks in two of the museum’s halls. Even more interesting is that one of these is currently the oldest recovered shipwreck in the world.

3. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Long before people flocked to Bodrum for the summers on white sandy beaches, they flocked here to see the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. This was over two thousand years ago, and although little of the original structure remains, it’s still enough to attract tens of thousands of curious tourists annually.

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is a 4th-century BCE tomb built in honor of the Carian native and Persian satrap Mausolus. It was designed and completed by the best architects and artists of its time. These included Satyros and Pythius, who did such an excellent job that the mausoleum was one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world at its completion. And just like that, the tomb was included in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World list.

Unfortunately, the Knights Hospitalier demolished what remained of the mausoleum in the 15th and 16th centuries for building materials. Instead, they crushed the marble into dust to make lime or reused entire blocks to fortify the walls of the Castle of St. Peter.

4. Halicarnassus Theater

The mausoleum wasn’t the only magnificent structure Mausolus left behind for the world to savor. A couple of streets away from the tomb lies the Theater of Halicarnassus. This incredible structure was constructed in the 4th century BCE during the reign of the famous satrap for the people’s entertainment.

Six centuries later, the Romans restored and enlarged the theatre, creating an astonishing blend of Greek and Roman architecture that is still evident to date. It could hold an audience of up to 13,000 people during this period. But this isn’t even the best feature of the Halicarnassus theater. That title goes to its cavea design and set on an excavated hill, allowing spectacular Aegean views.

5. Myndos Gate

During his reign, Mausolus also commissioned the construction of seven kilometers of city walls to help with the city’s defenses. The walls featured two monumental gates, one known as the Myndos Gate. This ancient entranceway can be found in a clearing west of Bodrum.

The Myndos Gate features two towers that have been considerably reconstructed, albeit with a modern interpretation of the ancient stonework. In addition, a 50-meter-long surrounding ditch was dug up in 334 BCE to slow down the advance of Alexander the Great’s forces.

Archeological excavations around the gate have uncovered vaulted Hellenistic and Roman tombs. Further information about the site is given by plaques detailing its historical significance.

6. Zeki Muren Arts Museum

Artists and their art add color to life. In Turkey, one such artist captured the hearts of many with his incredible singing and superb acting. Zeki Muren (1931-1996) recorded over thirty albums throughout his 65-year life while starring in dozens of films simultaneously. By his death, Zeki Muren had become an icon of Turkish pop culture.

He spent much of his life living in Bodrum, including his last few years. Thus, his house has been converted into an art museum, displaying dozens of photographs, paintings, and stage costumes. There is also jewelry and hi-fi equipment from his singing career.

7. Maritime Museum

Bodrum’s location means the area has been closely connected with the sea throughout history. Since antiquity, residents have engaged in shipbuilding, with the industry peaking in the late Ottoman period when Bodrum was used as a base to launch warships. Afterward, the shipbuilding industry moved towards making schooners for fishing, trade, and sponging.

Today, all this history is exhibited in Bodrum Deniz Muzesi (Maritime Museum), housed in the old bazaar building. Items on display include numerous models imitating the different types of wooden boats built in the city. There are also 600 shells collected by Cevat Sakir Kabaagac from around the world.

Would you prefer to have a private guided tour of Bodrum instead? Check this page to upgrade the experience.

8. Lazy Day at the Beach

When not exploring the historical treasures of Bodrum, visitors flock to the waterfront to spend a lazy morning, afternoon, or even an entire day on one of the peninsula’s beaches. This is especially the case in the height of summer (June to August) when Bodrum’s beaches become one of the most visited places in Turkey.

There are different beaches to choose from spread out through other towns. Some of the most popular spots are Bitez, Turgutreis, Ortakent, and Gumbet towns. Bodrum city also has two beaches not far from the town center.

9. Enjoy the Bar Hopping (nightlife)

Where do all Bodrum’s visitors go after a lazy day on the beach? Certainly not back to their hotel rooms. When the sun sets, the peninsula has another trick up its sleeve to keep visitors and residents engaged. At this time, bars and clubs open their doors to everybody looking to have a good time, signaling the start of one of Bodrum’s most iconic features- the nightlife.

Most towns of the peninsula have dozens of clubs that offer diverse entertainment options to both locals and tourists. Whether you want to party to pop music or jazz, there is a club for you. There are also options for those who want to smoke shisha, sip cocktails, and enjoy traditional brews. The good thing is that bars don’t close till morning, so you can hop from one bar to another and enjoy a taste of everything.

10. Explore the Old Town

Bodrum may have undergone a renaissance to become a modern resort town with world-class facilities; its heart retains some of the old charms from its previous existence. The old town features vine-clad and bougainvillea-draped whitewashed houses separated by clean, narrow, cobblestone alleyways.

Compared to the beach and harbor, this section of town is the most peaceful. It’s also quite photogenic as you can still capture the essence of the small fishing village swallowed by modernity. Around here, you will find small cafes and charming restaurants worth a minute or two of your exploration time. In addition, several events and art exhibitions are regularly held in the old town.

11. Day Trips from Bodrum

Most tourists also use Bodrum as a base to explore the surrounding region. The peninsula sits within driving distance of some pretty incredible and magnificent attractions, including Priene, Miletus, Didyma, Ephesus, Pamukkale, etc. These may not have the beaches and modern amenities of Bodrum town, but they are arguably the most important ancient sites in Turkey.

12. Retail Therapy

Injecting some extra fun into your Bodrum vacation through some good shopping. The resort town has everything and caters to budgets of all sizes. But, if you want to shop designers, Yakimaz’s marina has you covered. The complex features a dozen shops selling designer clothing and items from famous brands.

The town’s Bazaar also provides a relatively modern shopping experience with proper shops rather than stalls. Here, you can buy textiles, beachwear, and hand-crafted items like pottery and wood figurines. However, if you are looking for a more traditional Turkish shopping experience with haggling and bargaining, the stalls of the Old Town will give you a bit of that.

13. Bodrum Marina

Bodrum’s marina is a sight in itself. It may be loosely described as ‘where yachts come to moor,’ but some of the yachts here are incredible. It’s also become the center of marine tourism in the area. Tourists on various cruise tours of the Aegean often dock here at the start or during their travels along the coast.

So, there is a strong chance you’ll use one of these vessels if you decide to go on a half-day, day, or multiple-day voyage of the Aegean.

If you don’t mind a little hiking expedition, you’ll love your trip up the peninsula’s spine to the ruins of Pedasa. These are the remains of ancient Carian settlements that date between the 11th and 6th centuries BCE. Recent excavations of the ruins have also uncovered what is thought to be a temple dedicated to Athena.

Hiking to Pedasa is recommended if you want a break from Bodrum’s busy streets and harbor. The pine forests, cedars, larches, and marquis shrubs growing around the trail can be a welcome escape from resort life.

15. Windmills

Bodrum is littered with windmills from the 17th century, long before the peninsula became a tourist magnet. These structures have been carefully restored and reconstructed, creating a spectacle that’s an intriguing reminder of a bygone fishing and subsistence farming era.

The most popular is a group of 8 windmills arranged in a row between Bodrum and Gumbet towns. Standing here presents fine examples of 17th-century contraception, but it also allows you panoramic views of the bay, Bodrum town, and the surrounding hills.

16. Orak Island (great for private gulet trips)

Orak Island is an uninhabited stretch of land in the middle of the sea east of the peninsula. You can always hire a boat to sail you here, but the island is best experienced on a week-long private gulet trip from Bodrum or as part of a more extended cruise exploring this side of the coast.

The trip starts early morning from Bodrum harbor, taking you through the red bay before dropping anchor at the turquoise waters of Oak Island Bay. Here, spend the day swimming and snorkeling in the clear, blue waters or sunbathing on the white sandy beach.

17. Take a Day Trip to Kos

Bodrum also serves as the base for exploring the Greek island of Kos, the third-largest island of the Dodecanese group of islands. It sits between Kalymnos and Nisyros and, for centuries, has been the confluence of different civilizations and cultures, all of whom have left a lasting legacy on the island.

Kos is famous today for its fantastic scenery, sandy beaches, and turquoise waters. It’s one of the most photogenic places in the region, featuring Greek-style whitewashed houses, palm trees, and even peacocks. Water sports centers and luxurious hotels also contribute to the island’s incredible nightlife.

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Home > Bodrum Travel Guide – 15 Best Things To Do & See

Bodrum Travel Guide – 15 Best Things To Do & See

Written by our local expert Nicky

Nicky, originally from the UK, is now a local in Turkey. She moved to Marmaris, Türkiye for love 12 years ago and is now your Turkey travel planner.

Here is your guide to Bodrum, Turkey. It has everything you need to know and all the Bodrum travel advice that you need. We’ve got a list of the best things to do in Bodrum, top Bodrum sites, and tips for where to stay in this amazing city.

Türkiye is full of fantastic beach resorts to visit , but some stand out above the rest. There’s a reason why so many famous people are seen floating by in Bodrum Bay aboard an imposing luxury yacht.

It’s because Bodrum is a little bit upmarket, and as such, it’s a sophisticated place to stay for a few days.

Is Bodrum cheap? Not as much as other places, but it’s definitely a fantastic place to go .

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Things To Know About Bodrum Turkey

Bodrum sits on the southwestern coast of Türkiye , lapped by the waters of the Aegean Sea. It’s a town that is authentic yet upmarket, and you’ll find many rich people wandering around. Of course, it’s also a bustling tourist spot every high season in Bodrum.

Bodrum’s early beginnings were very modest, especially compared to how it is now. These days, you’ll see a massive marina with costly yachts inside it, luxury stores, and white-washed houses along cobbled streets. In the beginning, Bodrum was a fishing village, but in the 1960s, it began to grow. Many professional people from Istanbul bought summer houses in Bodrum. Hence, it gained the name ‘Little Istanbul.’

If you want to go somewhere laid back and beachy , yet you want an extra side order of glamour and sophistication, Bodrum is a good choice. The likes of Ellen, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, and billionaire Russians have been spotted on massive superyachts around the Bodrum coastline .

Get from Istanbul to Bodrum with this guide.

Best time to visit bodrum, turkey.

It’s going to come as no surprise to learn that Türkiye is hot in the summer months, so if you’re not a fan of soaring temperatures (sometimes over 40 degrees), then July and August aren’t for you. These are the busiest times, and you’ll find very little space around the crowded streets.

However, the shoulder months of May, June, the end of September, and October are beautiful times to visit. You’ll still find very warm temperatures at this time, but the oppressive heat has gone, and it may occasionally rain – although not that often. It’s undoubtedly still beach weather until the middle of October.

Things To Do In Bodrum Peninsula

There is plenty to see and do in and around Bodrum. You can choose to enjoy your time chilling out and doing little at all, or you can explore to your heart’s content. Here are a few things to see and do.

1. Enjoy A Boat Trip

The single best way to enjoy the sun and the beautiful coastline is to take a boat trip. The sparkling waters are ideal for swimming, and if you want to lay back on a boat and chill out, there are plenty of boat trip options .

2. Castle Of St Peter

The commanding Castle of St Peter sits with the perfect view over Bodrum town, and visiting it will give you the most amazing views over the bay. The castle was built in 1402 as a defense against invaders. As with most castles, it passed hands several times throughout history, and the Ottomans even built a large mosque inside during their reign.

Today, the castle houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

If you want to visit a mosque, there are beautiful options around the country.

3. museum of underwater archaeology.

Inside the castle, you will find the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, one of Bodrum’s absolute must-sees. Inside, you’ll find all manner of artifacts related to the underwater world and the many shipwrecks that have been found off the Aegean coastline . However, this isn’t your regular museum; it’s easy to follow and learn, thanks to the multimedia displays and interactive elements.

Be sure to check out the Serce Limani Glass Wreck Room, where you’ll find a Byzantine ship that sunk around the peninsula in 1026.

4. Enjoy Bodrum’s Beaches

Bodrum town doesn’t have a sandy beach; however, just outside the main town, you will find some fantastic beaches that are ideal for kicking back and relaxing. Be sure to head to Turgutreis, Gumbet, and Bitez for some of the most idyllic spots – they all have free and private beaches. There are plenty of tourist facilities around, such as bars and local restaurants.

5. Enjoy Some Watersports

6. Bodrum Theater

It’s not all beach time! Bodrum has plenty of historical spots to check out, and the theater is one of them. At the peak of its popularity, there would be 13,000 people inside, but these days, the theatre is used for regular events and concerts – see if there is anything on while you’re there. Even if not, it’s a great spot to check out anyway, and the views are nothing short of breathtaking.

7. Bodrum Old Town

Just behind Bodrum Castle, you’ll find the Old Town, with its maze of winding, cobbled streets. It’s a great idea to spend some time exploring around here, stopping at small cafes for tea or coffee, and then heading off to do some shopping at the many souvenir shops . There are also markets where you can purchase all sorts of homemade goods, including leather shoes and jewelry.

8. Bodrum Marina

Bodrum Marina is a really picturesque area that is ideal for romantic walks and sunset views. The boats here are seriously big and extremely expensive, and you’ll find upmarket cafes and restaurants lining the marina where you can stop and have a drink or a meal. This is a particularly great place for seafood.

9. Mausoleum Of Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus used to be one of the wonders of the world, and it dates back to around 350 BC. While a lot of the original building was damaged in an earthquake, you can still visit the ruins and check out the views. You head up the hill from the marina and walk for around 15 minutes.

10. Bodrum Amphitheater

You can quickly check out the mausoleum and the amphitheater during the same visit, as they’re virtually next to one another. The amphitheater isn’t as severely damaged as the mausoleum, and it really is a window to the past, dating back to around the 6th century BC. At the height of its usage, it would have held around 10,000 people!

11. Sarnic Beach Club

There are some fantastic beach clubs around Bodrum, and some are quite exclusive. Sarnic Beach Club is somewhere in between. Here, you pay a set amount of money as you enter, and your food and drink are all included. You have free access to the beach, sun-loungers, parasols, entertainment, and the water springs and cushioned areas. You’ll have to pay extra for watersports and diving, but it’s a great place to spend the day.

12. Bodrum’s White Windmills

On the short road between Bodrum and Gumbet, you’ll find a series of white stone windmills on the hill. While it might not look like much, the view from that hill is seriously impressive, and these windmills are historic in their own right, having been there for more than 300 years.

13. Zai Bodrum

This is a cute chill-out spot that’s ideal for taking in the view, a little rest and relaxation, and perhaps an excellent spot for a day’s work. This is a park area with swings, cushions, seating, views, and a fantastic restaurant on-site. It’s shaded by trees, so it’s a good spot during the summer, and be sure to check out the food because it’s really delicious.

14. A Boat Trip To Black Island (Karaada Island)

No, the island isn’t black; it’s actually very green, but it’s a fantastic spot to visit on a boat trip. A lot of people come here for the mineral springs as they’re reputed to be suitable for certain health issues, but most simply swim and dive around the crystal clear waters.

15. Take A Day Trip From Bodrum

You can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus in around three hours by bus or car. This is one of the most amazing places to visit in the whole of Turkey, and you’ll definitely need to set off early so you get the most time there. However, do be aware that during the summer months, there is no shade in this huge area, and it can get very crowded.

Ephesus is an ancient city dating back to around the 10th century BC, and the ruins are exceptionally well preserved. It really is like walking through the past.

Greek Island Of Kos, Greece

You can easily visit the beautiful island of Kos for the day via ferry, which is only 20 minutes away. You can easily confuse people on your social media by checking in at a restaurant in Kos; they’ll wonder why you’re in Greece and not Turkey!

You can book this trip via an excursion desk in Bodrum itself, or you can book your tickets directly from the port. If you go for the excursion option, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and dropped off again. If you buy your tickets from the port, you’ll need to make your own way there, but it’s only 10 minutes away by taxi.

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Places to eat in bodrum – restaurants in bodrum.

Traditional Turkish food is like nothing else on the planet – it’s genuinely delicious . The great thing about Bodrum is that it’s a beautiful blend of both local and international spots. You can find anything you like there, but if you want to try one of the most lauded-after restaurants, here are a couple you should add to your visit list.

Sultan Bahce Restaurant

Set in a beautiful garden, this restaurant is the perfect spot for al-fresco dining with a sophisticated edge. The menu is extensive, but every dish is perfect. From seafood to kebabs and pizza, you’ll find everything you might fancy here, but be sure to try the freshly caught fish – it’s cooked on a BBQ, and it’s the most delicious you’ll find around Bodrum.

Antik Akdeniz

A very tourist-friendly Turkish restaurant, this is the ideal spot to try traditional food while in Bodrum. Pide and lahmacun here are some of the best you’ll find anywhere else, and there is a huge menu of grilled meat kebabs to choose from. There is also an extensive children’s menu so that nobody will go hungry.

• Best Restaurants In Bodrum

How To Get To Bodrum

You can get to Bodrum in four ways: by bus, by car, by plane, or by ferry.

If you fly into Istanbul or you happen to be in another part of Turkey, you can take a long-distance coach with either Pamukkale, Metro, or Kamil Koc. You can check prices and times online, but Turkish buses are very comfortable and offer entertainment, Wi-Fi, snacks, and refreshments.

Bodrum has a small international airport of its own, called Milas-Bodrum Airport, and it’s located around 30km just outside the city itself. You can find shuttle buses and taxis that will take you directly to your hotel.

If you’re somewhere else in Turkey and you want to drive yourself, it’s very easy to hire a car. You need your full driving license, passport, and any visa paper applicable to you. You’ll also need a credit or debit card to leave details behind.

Roads to Bodrum are very clear and easy to follow, and Bodrum is easy to drive in, but parking in the city itself can be an issue. Make sure that the hotel you choose has parking before booking.

If you’re on the island of Kos, Greece, you can take a ferry over to Bodrum in the summer months. You can do this either as a day trip or to stay a little longer. The journey is only 20 minutes long, and you can purchase tickets directly from the port.

Where To Stay In Bodrum Türkiye

Of course, you need somewhere to rest your head, and in that case, let’s take a look at three choices – one luxury, one mid-range, and one on budget. And, of course, browse through our extensive Bodrum Hotel guide, too!

Luxury Choice – Raddison Collection Hotel

Raddison is always a top choice, but this particular branch is undoubtedly one of the best. Located a stone’s throw away from Aspat Beach, you’ll find numerous on-site facilities, including a bar, fitness center, top restaurant, parking, and seriously comfortable surroundings.

Rooms are large and decorated in a modern manner. Each room has a TV and private bathroom, tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar, and high-quality Wi-Fi. Views from each balcony are breathtaking, and the level of service is like no other.

Mid-Range Choice – Asmin Hotel Bodrum

Asmin Hotel is an excellent mid-choice option, and it still gives you plenty of comfort and luxury during your stay for a lower price tag. Each room has a large bed, comfortable décor, air conditioning, stunning views, and a flat-screen TV.

There is an outdoor swimming pool, perfect for cooling during the summer months, and plenty of on-site facilities, such as laundry, excursion desk, and pool bar.

Budget Choice – Manzara Hotel

Just a stone’s throw from the beach, this budget hotel is an excellent option if you want to save money but still enjoy an excellent base for your stay. There are two outdoor swimming pools and a large sun terrace where you can soak up the sun. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Rooms are large and include air conditioning, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, and minibar. There is a restaurant on-site and a large bar where you can enjoy an evening drink or two.

Here is our full guide on where to stay in Bodrum.

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Wrapping Up Your Trip To Bodrum

Bodrum is a must-visit in Turkey, bursting with attractions for every traveler. Whether you’re diving into history, lounging by the sea, or exploring the vibrant streets, there’s something here for you. 

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Comments (5)

I like your blog but dearly wish you would be more careful about promoting activities that are abusive to animals. The camels are abused and live in terrible conditions. They are tethered day and night and only allowed to walk free with the heavy cargo of tourists on their back. There is widespread camel abuse all over the world so please do your research and stop promoting animal cruelty.

Huh, because I said camels beach? That is the name of the beach. What can I do about it? And FYI, I always advocate for animals. I never go to or recommend zoo’s in any place and ask people not to ride donkeys in Greece… https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/why-you-should-not-ride-donkeys-in-santorini-donkeys/

What about Chasing the Donkey…? That’s just cruel :)

i like your article so much and it will help me on my trip to Bodrum but I have two questions I booked Airbnb instead o a hotel and my question is safe to stay in a house instead of a hotel? second question if you can help me and tell me where to rent a good car from good places? Thank you

When considering Airbnb for your trip to Bodrum, it’s crucial to take precautions to ensure a safe experience. Before booking, make sure to read the reviews left by previous guests, especially those mentioning cleanliness, safety, and host responsiveness. Consider booking with Superhosts, as they have a track record of excellent service. Also, look for hosts with verified profiles, which indicates they have undergone additional verification steps by Airbnb. Communicate with the host to address any safety concerns or questions about the property and neighborhood. Check if the accommodation has safety features like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Always use Airbnb’s secure platform for booking and payments. Choose accommodations in well-reviewed and safe neighborhoods.

For renting a car in Bodrum, use these guys https://www.rentalcars.com/?affiliateCode=chasingdonkey

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15 Best Things to do in Bodrum, Turkey

By: Author Swedish Nomad

Posted on Last updated: September 20, 2020

Categories Turkey

Home / Asia / Turkey / 15 Best Things to do in Bodrum, Turkey

There are lots of things to do in Bodrum, Turkey, including cultural attractions, beautiful beaches, and historical places. Bodrum is located in the Muğla province, and it’s one of the major tourist destinations in Turkey . 

The area is famous for its lovely beaches with golden sand and its historic location, right next to the ancient city of Halicarnassus. Visitors who travel to Bodrum can explore several attractions from various eras, including antiquity, roman, and ottoman periods. 

Castle of St.Peter

One of the top sights of southwestern Turkey is the magnificent Castle of St. Peter, also called the Bodrum Castle, a historical fortification located at the Mediterranean Sea.

It was built in 1402 by the Knights of St John but soon fell into the hands of the Ottoman Empire. The well-preserved castle awes its visitors with its mighty walls and towers that give you a feeling of traveling back in time to Medieval times.

Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Visitors should not miss the Museum of Underwater Archaeology when visiting the Castle of St. Peter. It is located within the castle walls and won several awards (including the European Museum of the Year) for its collection of amphoras and other various items.

Most of the items on display were collected by the Turkish Institute of Nautical Archeology when excavating shipwrecks.  

Photo: Liya_Blumesser / Shutterstock.com

Bodrum Amphitheater

The amphitheater is not just a witness of the great history of the region but is still used as a venue for shows. A visit to this ancient Greek building should is worth it even if you aren’t planning on a live performance.

The amphitheater overlooks the sea and the harbor and offers great views after climbing up some of the many stairs that lead to the top. Visiting the Bodrum Amphitheater is almost like time-traveling back to ancient Greece, a great experience.

Bitez Beach

Bitez Beach is located to the west of the city center of Bodrum and is immensely popular for its beautiful sand and calm waters. Visitors get to enjoy all the expected amenities of a popular beach destination, such as sundecks, outdoor bars, and great restaurants.

The beach is very inviting for a few hours of relaxation and sunbathing. A great place for children as it is ideally suited for bathing and playing in the sand.

Zeki Müren Arts Museum

Zeki Müren, a famous singer and poet that was often called the Turkish Elvis Presley, used to live in Bodrum. The building which now acts as the Zeki Müren Arts Museum used to be his very own private home.

Zeki Müren was a much-loved Turkish icon and is one of the most famous artists of the last century. The art museum is situated in the center of Bodrum and can easily be reached on foot.

His former home is quite humble and not indicative of his status in Turkey. The real attraction of the museum is all the little stories that it has in store for visitors.

Photo: OZMedia / Shutterstock.com

The Aegean island Orak is part of the Bodrum district and is completely uninhabited. The island is mainly known for its beautiful south coast and perfect conditions for underwater sport like snorkeling.

Many visitors to Bodrum visit the island as part of a day trip. The emerald waters and wild interior of the island make it a great destination for everyone. It takes around two hours to get here from Bodrum.

Beaches of Bodrum Peninsula

It is no exaggeration to say that the Bodrum Peninsula offers some of the best beaches in Turkey. The variety of beaches guarantees that everyone finds the right place.

If you want to be active and like watersports, the Fener beach is ideal for you due to its winds. If you are a visitor that wants peace and quiet, the Kadikalesi beach is very much recommended.

Families that are looking for a beach with good facilities and calm waters should head over to Gümbet beach, which delivers exactly that.

Windmills of Bodrum

The windmills of Bodrum are a great historic sight and offer great views over the Bodrum peninsula. They were built in the 18th century and were mainly used to grind flour.

Even though the windmills are not used for agriculture anymore, they offer an interesting insight into the history of the region. The beautiful olive groves surrounding the hills are another beautiful sight.

The best time to visit the windmills is during dawn, as this is when you get to feel the full energy of the sea and wind. Don’t miss the little hill between Gümbet and Bodrum, it offers the best views over the area.

Shop at the Bazaar

The Bodrum Bazaar offers visitors endless rows of clothes, souvenirs, handicrafts, and jewelry. The Bazaar is a place where you can experience the traditional Turkish shopping culture and try your luck at bargaining.

Of course, you will have to prove your negotiating talents to get the good prices but that is very much part of the fun of visiting a Turkish bazaar. Leather goods, in particular, are very popular here and can be bought at much better prices than in western Europe. The Bazaar is also a great place to buy small gifts and Turkish souvenirs that you can bring home to your family and friends.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Halicarnassus is the name of the ancient Greek city that was situated in this area before the city of Bodrum, as we know it today, was born. The highlight of the Greek legacy is the mausoleum, which used to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World .

Even though only ruins remain today it is a great symbol of ancient Greece and the perfect place to educate yourself about the history of this part of Turkey. Many old statues and fragments of the building have been restored to stimulate the imagination of the visitors.

The developer of Palmarina in Bodrum has described the yachting project as the “next Monte Carlo”. And indeed, this is probably the best way to describe this fantastic marina. The area is also home to several restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. 

Thanks to the attractive old-world charm of the nearby fishing village and the proximity to many historical attractions, a unique blend of modern luxury and historical atmosphere come together to create an attractive hotspot for tourists. 

Photo: Ahmet Cigsar / Shutterstock.com

Karnas Vineyards

The Karnas Vineyards produce some of the best wine in the region. The wines of this family-business are produced using a traditional method and taste fantastic.

The Karnas Vineyards offer tranquility and are an oasis that can be the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the lively streets of Bodrum. Wines can be tasted and enjoyed along with great food in a friendly, yet elegant setting.

Regnum Golf Country Bodrum Club

The Regnum Club is not just a great place for playing golf but also a living area that is full of natural charm thanks to its surrounding pinewoods.

The club is located on the Bodrum peninsula, 17 km away from the city center, and features a fantastic golf resort. The 18-hole golf course meets the highest standards of modern golfing and is an absolute highlight for lovers of the sport.   

Bardakci Cove

A true hidden gem of the Bodrum region is the Bardakci Cove, a secluded beach and bay that offers fantastic views towards the Bodrum Castle. The cove is the perfect place for anyone that just wants to relax for a while, enjoying the sand and beautiful waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

The cove can easily be accessed by getting an inexpensive taxi from the center of Bodrum, or a water taxi.  The water in this bay is calm and therefore well suited for children, making Bardakci Cove a lovely place for families to visit.

Photo: Kayihan Bolukbasi / Shutterstock.com

Pedasa Antique city

The Pedasa Antique City is located a few kilometers to the north of Bodrum. It’s also called Pedasa Yukarı Kale in Turkish and was built around 3500 years ago. The ruins of this city offer an interesting insight into the Antiquity.

Due to its location in the mountains, you will enjoy a lot more peace and quiet here compared to some of the more popular tourist hotspots of the region. Even if you aren’t a big fan of Antique ruins the beautiful mountains and views towards the sea are worth the drive from Bodrum.

Many turtles live in the area around the Pedasa Antique city, which can be spotted by alert visitors. Several hiking trails pass this area as well. During spring and autumn, hiking the region is a great way to explore all its beautiful hidden spots.

Want more recommendations on things to do in Bodrum, Turkey? Leave a comment below! 

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23 of the best things to do in Bodrum

Make the most of this glamorous peninsula with our expert’s top tips.

T he Bodrum peninsula is tiny, but its reputation is huge — and growing. This is the most exclusive part of the Turkish riviera, where the super-wealthy bring their yachts each summer and celebrities dodge the paparazzi in hidden bays. There’s also a thriving culinary scene, which has been recognised by Michelin with the launch of its first Bodrum guide in 2023. But you’ll find plenty of Turkey’s traditional village life in Bodrum too, together with a wine industry undergoing a full-blown renaissance. If you have big bucks you’ll find plenty of upscale places to blow them, but there are also lots of bargains, from family-run pensions to low-key restaurants where the food is unforgettable. Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Bodrum.

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1. See some local villages

In today’s blingy Bodrum it can be easy to forget that, not too long ago, this was a quiet, undiscovered region of farmers and fishermen. Luckily, you don’t have to venture too far from your luxury sunlounger to find the authentic Bodrum. Join a tour to Etrim, a village where residents still live the nomadic lifestyle that was once common in this part of Turkey . You’ll see locals weaving the traditional kilim carpets, learn about the pastoral traditions of the region, and enjoy a lunch cooked in the authentic way with local ingredients.

2. Take a boat trip around the peninsula

Bodrum looks most impressive from the water — so book a boat tour to swoon over its surreal turquoise waters and peer into the coves along the rugged coastline. Popular destinations include Orak, an uninhabited island freckled with some pit-stop-perfect bars, bays and a lighthouse. Some packages include lunch or a barbecue, while other boats are set up for foam parties, so make sure you check exactly what’s on offer when you book. There are lots of operators and routes to choose from; haggle to get the best price or, if you are in a big group, consider hiring a private boat.

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3. step back in time through the myndos gate.

In the eastern part of the modern city you’ll find the ruins of Halicarnassus, built in the 4th century BC and considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Its most famous landmark was the mausoleum of Halicarnassus; when it was destroyed by earthquakes in the 11th century, some of its stones were incorporated into the walls of Bodrum castle. The city was surrounded by walls for protection against the invaders and could be entered through two monumental gates; one of which, the Myndos gate, is still partly intact. Inside, you’ll find the foundations of the mausoleum.

4. Cruise down the Dalyan river

The emerald green Dalyan River winds its way from the scenic Koycegiz Lake to the sea, taking in ancient ruins, mud baths and natural beauty along the way. It’s a couple of hours’ drive from Bodrum but easily doable on a day trip, and there are lots of operators that will pick you up from town or your hotel. Most will give you time to slather yourself in the healing mud, and spend some time on Iztuzu beach, where the river meets the sea. If you’re lucky you might also spot some turtles.

5. Spot sea life and shipwrecks on a scuba dive

There are dozens of dive sites around Bodrum with plenty of well-run schools that cater for everyone from pros to total beginners. The area under the sea is as striking as the town itself — there are several shipwrecks, a sunken plane, and caverns and reefs. Venture a little out of town and you can dive among sandbar sharks and the endangered Mediterranean monk seal at Gokova Bay. Most dives are packaged as day trips where you’ll be taken to two or three different sites, with lunch included.

6. Take a day trip to a Greek island

The Greek island of Kos is only a mile away across the water and you can reach there, and the nearby island of Rhodes, in a trip so quick and easy that locals on both sides regularly go for shopping or a day out. There are services from both Bodrum and Turgutreis, but check the times and book in advance in peak season — and remember that you’ll be crossing a border, so factor in the time needed for passport and visa checks.

7. Sample the wine at Karnas vineyards

Turkish viticulture has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with a growing number of vineyards opening up to the public. Karnas is a short distance from Bodrum town and offers the full wine-tasting and dining experience, set in an Instagram-worthy backdrop. The friendly owners will show you the cellars and explain how they produce their wine using traditional methods. Karnas’s zinfandel is the first to be planted in Turkey, and its syrah is award-winning; get your supplies at the onsite shop.

8. Relax in the Karaada Hot Springs

Karaada — or Black Island — is a small outcrop close to Bodrum harbour where you’ll find a cave with mineral springs made for bath-warm dips. Like most thermal pools, it has a strong sulphurous smell, but a quick splash is said to do wonders for skin ailments. The only other thing on the island is a waterside restaurant where you can get a quick lunch before heading on. Many of Bodrum’s boat trips include Karaada in their itineraries — or you can find a private boat to take you out there.

9. Explore on horseback

Saddle up — there are few better ways to take in Bodrum’s beauty spots than on horseback. You’ll trek through olive groves, shallow rivers, pine forests and hills; some tours will take you down to the beach, too. There are several ranches in the area that keep well-trained and friendly horses, so you can hop in the stirrups for an adventure with them even if you don’t have any riding experience.

10. Sunbathe alongside the stars

Bodrum is the place where Turkey’s most beautiful people spend their summers — and in recent years it has become a destination for the international elite, too. Some of the public beaches along the Bodrum peninsula are extremely ritzy, though those with serious money head to the resorts with private beaches. For everyone else, Yahsi has the best waters and Gumusluk the fanciest fish restaurants, while Torba is fringed by a stirring pine forest. If you’ve got kids, pack the buckets and spades for Bitez or Camel beach, where camel rides across the sand await.

11. Take a Segway tour through the hills

Part of Bodrum’s charm is its geography, with a wave of blue-and-white houses ranged over the hills around the harbour. However, these striking hills can also make walking here an effort — particularly in the hotter months. Instead, take a Segway tour to whizz around the smaller lanes and pathways and admire the town’s beauty from all angles. There are several operators in Bodrum and the local area that will provide you with a guide, short training and protective gear as part of the package.

12. See how a legend lived at the Zeki Muren Arts Museum

Zeki Muren was a true Turkish legend who started out a strait-laced, suited singer in the 1950s and evolved into a flamboyant, cross-dressing icon whose music still rings out everywhere in Turkey today. Bodrum was his adopted home, and when he died in 1996 the ministry of culture turned his house in the centre of town into a museum. Come to see a collection of his outfits, learn about his life and work, and find the house preserved exactly as it was when he lived here. His impressive drawings and paintings are also on display.

13. Imagine you’re a crusader in Bodrum Castle

The Castle of St Peter, perched on a natural peninsula in Bodrum bay, dominates the town and was built in the 15th century by crusader knights from England, France, Italy and Germany, who each constructed one of its four towers. Soon after they had completed it, however, it was seized by the conquering Ottomans and converted into a mosque. Poke around its layers of history and drop in at the incorporated museum of underwater archaeology, which houses a collection of artefacts retrieved from shipwrecks around the coast.

• Best all-inclusive hotels in Bodrum • Best all-inclusive hotels in Turkey

14. Climb up to the Bodrum windmills

The white windmills on the hilltops, built in the 18th century and still in use as late as the 1970s, are an unmistakable Bodrum landmark. The best known are the seven that line the ridge of the peak between Bodrum and Gumbet, and they are the perfect backdrop for pictures snapped at sunset or sunrise.

15. Browse the Saturday market at Turgutreis

Turgutreis is a sleepy little resort town at the end of the peninsula — only half an hour from Bodrum and well worth a visit. Do so on a Saturday when the centre comes alive with one of the best street markets in the area. Haggle over street food, fresh produce, handicrafts, clothes, textiles and trinkets — and be aware that, if you see cheap designer labels, they’re likely to be remarkably well-made fakes.

16. Spot the yachts at the marina

Every summer, some of the world’s most expensive superyachts moor up in and around Bodrum, while their owners enjoy a holiday in the peninsula’s most exclusive resorts. There are several glitzy marinas where you can enjoy a dinner at a high-end restaurant and marvel at the sheer displays of wealth in front of you. Milta Bodrum marina in the city centre, and Yalikavak, 12 miles outside town, are two of the most sumptuous in the area, and where you’ll also find plenty of stores selling designer clothes and jewellery.

17. Get lost in the old town

Bodrum’s old town is a maze of souvenir shops and fish restaurants, and makes for the perfect respite from the glaring sun, with narrow alleyways providing shade. Avoid the usual overpriced knick-knacks and look for leather sandals, soaps, and the cotton towels that Turks use in the hammam (known here as pestemal ) — they will be locally made, high quality and extremely low in price.

18. Enjoy the local nightlife

Bodrum’s clubbing scene is one of the best in Turkey, with a huge range of venues attracting big-name performers in the summer. Choose your destination according to your tastes — the main drags in Bodrum town and Gumbet are aimed firmly at the young, package tourism market, with cheap drinks and loud music the main selling points. You’ll find a more sophisticated vibe in Turkbuku, where some of the clubs are so exclusive that if your name’s not on the list, you might not be getting in.

19. Sample some Michelin-starred food

Bodrum has long been known for its fine dining, but it wasn’t until October 2023 that the Michelin guide took note. The guide lists 19 restaurants in the area, but only two have received a star — Kitchen and Macakizi (located within the high-end hotel), both of which offer modern takes on Turkish cuisine. There are new places opening all the time, many of them run by the best chefs in Turkey, so don’t despair if you can’t get a table. And ask your server to recommend the best local wine to accompany your meal: Turkish vintners have really upped their game in the past few years.

20. Take a cooking class

If you’re determined to take some of Turkey’s flavours home with you (and who wouldn’t?), book yourself onto a course where you’ll learn how to make some of the classics, including meze (mixed platters that are served before your fish, and are generally doused in olive oil), kebab and baklava (no explanation needed). Courses range in length from one day to residential stays of up to a week, and many include a trip to the local farmers’ market to gather fresh ingredients before you get started. For those who really want to go back to basics, some schools also offer to take you olive harvesting.

21. Learn about Bodrum’s links with the sea at the Maritime Museum

This small, charming museum avoids the usual focus on naval history and instead features a collection of seashells, gathered by a local couple over the past 60 years and accompanied by scientific and cultural explainers, and exhibits on the local sponge-diving and boat-building industries. You’ll also find a fascinating section on the story of Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli: a dissident journalist who was exiled to Bodrum castle in 1925, realised the beauty of the then-unknown fishing village, and stayed there for the next three decades working as a writer, fisherman and guide.

bodrumdenizmuzesi.org

22. Catch an open-air film screening at Dibeklihan Culture Village

This Ottoman-era han, a complex arranged around a courtyard which once functioned as a resting place for traders and their camels as they travelled the Silk Route, now houses numerous independent artisans selling ceramics, silk scarves and rugs. Fuel up after shopping at one of several small cafés, and stay until the evening to see the open area transformed into a stage for concerts and exhibitions. From May to October, a film bar pops up and you can watch classics over a glass or two of vino.

dibeklihan.com

23. See the installations at ARThill

This museum exhibits the work of local artist Ender Guzey, much of which takes the form of impressive installations and performances set among its stirring surroundings. The building itself, a modernist cube that seems to float above the hillside, will also impress. Leave some room in your case before you visit — there’s a reasonably priced selection of ceramics decorated in his signature, runic style in the shop. Call ahead to check on upcoming events and opening hours.

arthill.org

• Bets hotels in Bodrum • Best hotels in Turkey

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How to Plan Your Trip to Bodrum, Turkey — Aegean Sea Views, Luxury Hotels, and Incredible Restaurants Included

Come for the sparkling western Aegean coast, stay for the shopping, art scene, and fine dining.

majaiva/Getty Images

Situated on Turkey’s western Aegean coast, Bodrum, a city of about 200,000, is known for its small and fragrant mandarins and for its summer scene. On the glittering coastline in the warmer months, some of the largest boats in the world come flocking to the Turkish marinas. Bodrum’s reputation has been cemented, for some, as a sun-soaked luxury escape within Europe. 

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• The exceptional luxury resorts along the water, including LXR's Susona Bodrum, in the Torba neighborhood, or the Mandarin Oriental overlooking Paradise Bay.
• Wine tasting at Karnas Vineyard, a family-owned winery producing Turkey's first zinfandel.
• Shopping the night bazaars for what one of our experts calls "a taste of the old Bodrum."
• Fine dining at ambitious restaurants like Orfoz, next to the Zeki Müren Arts Museum.
• The local arts scene; visit Zai Yaşam, an arts center, or the well-known art gallery Pilevneli.

But Bodrum is more than just glitz and glamour. Tucked away within this city are culinary delights, thought-provoking artists, and bazaars worth traveling for. Bodrum is a city that caters to the well-heeled, yes, but it is also a city of beaches and night markets, of boutique hotels and bespoke wineries. 

For a guide to planning your trip to Bodrum – including when to go, where to stay, and what to do – read on. 

Best Hotels & Resorts

Susona bodrum, lxr hotels & resorts.

Courtesy of Susona Bodrum, LXR Hotels & Resorts

At the 70-key Susona Bodrum, LXR Hotels & Resorts , which opened in Bodrum’s Torba neighborhood in 2020, bougainvillea and other native plantings line pathways and buildings. Guests staying at this hotel can enjoy an expansive view of the Aegean, multiple pools, a small beach, a spa with a hammam, and numerous casual and upscale dining venues.

The Bodrum Edition

The tony Yalikavak Marina is home to several shiny international hotel brands. “If you want the nightlife and craziness, you can have it — but if you want calm, you can have that, too,” Mina Dilber, founder of the lifestyle brand Anim Living , told T+L contributor Richard Godwin. At the 108-room Bodrum Edition , open since 2018, travelers will find a series of dining destinations, including the culinary hotspot Brava, a restaurant helmed by Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz. 

Courtesy of The Bodrum EDITION

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum

Yalikavak’s Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum , a 2014 addition to the area, offers 130 guest rooms and overlooks Paradise Bay. Eleven dining and drinking concepts, a spa, a kids club, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and even luxury helicopter tours round out this bespoke hotel. 

Courtesy of Aman Resorts

Part of the Aman brand, Amanruya is a 36-room hotel in the Göltürkbükü neighborhood that opened in 2018. Pavilions are fashioned from stone and open into individual gardens with private swimming pools. The resort also offers a category of pool suite accommodation, also with a private pool. A comprehensive list of activities includes fishing, sailing, and cruising on a traditional Turkish gulet — a wooden masted vessel.

In the Göltürkbükü neighborhood, not far from Yalikavak, art galleries, jewelry makers, and clothing stores are interspersed between boutique hotels. More Turkish in scope than international, travelers can find the beating heart of Bodrum’s art scene, particularly at the 74-room Maçakizi , a boutique hotel that originally opened in the 1970s and that was refreshed in 2000. It often hosts pop-up exhibitions from artisan retailer ’74Escape .

Best Things to Do 

Karnas vineyards.

Visit the 165-hectare Karnas Vineyards , which is planted to both grapes and olive trees. Visitors can sit down, dine, and taste wine overlooking the fields. As Feride Yalav-Heckeroth reported in the September 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure , the vineyard was founded by the İşmen family in 2005 “to produce Turkey’s first zinfandel — a grape they fell in love with during a trip to California’s Napa Valley.” The winery’s low-intervention and sustainable wines are available alongside their formidable multicourse tasting menu each night, for around $100.

Foodrum Culinary Park

Head over to Pelin Dumanli’s Foodrum Culinary Park , in the residential Bitez neighborhood. Dumanli, a formally trained chef, offers culinary classes and bazaar tours for small groups in her fully outfitted space. 

While you’re in the neighborhood, put local arts on your radar. “Zai Yaşam is a great arts center housed in five buildings,” said Ceylin Türkkan Bilge, creative director of the fashion label Siedrés , in the September 2023 issue of T+L. “There’s a gallery, a library, and a lovely garden where they have jazz concerts in the evenings.” By car, the two spaces are only five minutes apart. 

In Yalikavak, said Mina Dilber, an outpost of one of Istanbul’s most prominent art galleries, Pilevneli , has opened up shop in Bodrum. “There’s such a buzz about this place — one of its super-exciting recent exhibitions included work by the cutting-edge digital artist Refik Anadol,” she said. “There’s a great gift shop, too. It’s a must-must-visit!”

Best Shopping 

Ceylin Türkkan Bilge recommends the night bazaars “for a taste of the old Bodrum.” “There are two main markets, one around Bodrum Castle and one along the Türkbükü promenade, by the sea in Göltürkbükü,” Bilge says. “You’ll find plenty of bag shops, but also stalls selling ankle bracelets, beaded jewelry, clothing, and handmade leather sandals. A stall called Ipekçe Türkbükü is my favorite for cotton dresses.”

Despite the profusion of luxury brands in the Yalikavak Marina, Dilber favors shops like Misela , which offer a less western fashion perspective. Misela, she says, is “one of Turkey’s leading bag and accessories brands.” 

Leleg Living , Yalav-Heckeroth writes, a boutique that is adjacent to the restaurant Leleg, diners can purchase “wares used in the restaurant, as well as wooden furniture, all made by local craftspeople using natural materials.” 

On Tuesdays and Fridays, it’s well worth a visit to the Yalikavak Bazaar, one of Bodrum’s many outdoor markets. This traditional bazaar sells an array of fresh spices, olives, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables from local vendors.

Best Restaurants

Brothers Cağrı and Cağlar Bozçağa have established an ambitious destination restaurant in Bodrum at Orfoz , next to the Zeki Müren Arts Museum. The seafood-centric tasting menu features locally caught fish in numerous incarnations and ends each might with a plate of seasonal fruit. 

Courtesy of Orfoz Restaurant

Bodrum Müdavim

In Bodrum’s City Center, Bodrum Müdavim offers both a view of the 1400-era Bodrum Castle and a compelling menu dedicated to fresh seafood. But some come just for the Raki; the restaurant boasts one of the city’s best selections of this national drink of Turkey. 

The 72-seat Malva , a destination restaurant within Susona Bodrum, leans into micro-local and seasonal cuisine under the skillful knife of head chef Necmi Agac. Biweekly trips to the Yalikavak Bazaar inform the restaurant’s menu, as does the small rooftop garden that grows just steps away from the restaurant’s kitchen. 

Limon Gümüşlük

Bilge recommends Limon Gümüşlük , calling it a “particularly stylish and secluded restaurant that serves Turkish meze in a dreamy garden full of vintage furniture.” It’s in Gümüşlük, an area of Bodrum known for its fragrant mandarin groves. Arrive early and grab a table in time for sunset. 

Best Time to Visit 

Freeartist/Getty Images

Bodrum’s high season is summer, and the majority of the hotels are open from late May though the end of October. The season is busiest in the months of July and August, but the weather stays warm well into early fall–up into the 80s and 90s, in fact. Crowds can be more manageable and prices can be more affordable in the shoulder season, which is worth considering if you’re able to travel outside of the summer months. 

How to Get There

Bodrum can be reached by bus, plane, car, and by ferry. From Istanbul, the flight to Bodrum’s Milas–Bodrum Airport takes about one hour. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus provide between five and six daily nonstop flights between the two cities. 

There are buses available from Istanbul to Bodrum, but the system is not easy for non-natives to navigate. The ride is also long; it can take close to 10 hours. Hiring a private car is another option, but it is expensive. Flying is a more cost-effective alternative. 

Travelers can also reach Bodrum via a ferry from Kos, Greece. The ferry ride takes approximately 30 minutes. Ferries run regularly during the warmer months and cost under $30 each way. 

Neighborhoods to Visit 

Bodrum’s active City Center is where most tourists will find themselves. Bodrum Castle is here, as are plenty of souvenir shops, cafés, small restaurants, and surprisingly beautiful views of the water. A walk through the narrow streets offers a true feel of this historic city. 

nejdetduzen/Getty Images

The Yalikavak Marina offers a slightly more luxurious look at life in Bodrum. Here, you’ll find upscale shopping, destination restaurants, and beach clubs; it’s a look at the good life, yachts and all. But it wouldn’t be Bodrum without a trip to this neighborhood, in all its maximalist glory. 

The laid-back fishing enclave of Gümüşlük, also part of Bodrum, has private beaches, waterfront restaurants, and a relaxing vibe that you may not find in some of the busier areas of the city. It’s worth visiting this local-centric area for a sense of how life on the Aegean is lived. 

How to Get Around

Bodrum is extremely spread-out, and hiring a taxi to get from one area to the next is necessary. Some areas of Bodrum (like the Marina and the City Center) have taxi stands available, but you may want to consider setting up a hired car in advance with your hotel’s concierge if you plan to go far afield. Taxi drivers typically require cash payment, so come prepared with Turkish lira. 

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Foreign Office updates Turkey advice as Scottish tourists told 'leave the area'

T he UK Foreign Office has issued an updated travel advisory for Scots planning a holiday in Turkey. The government is advising against travel to certain regions of the country, while tourists visiting areas deemed safe have been cautioned about specific crimes and given safety advice.

Turkey ranks as one of the top holiday destinations for Brits after Spain, with nearly four million UK tourists visiting in 2023. Its beautiful beaches, mountain ranges, delectable cuisine and captivating cities are major attractions - but it's crucial that holidaymakers adhere to official travel advice when heading overseas.

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Currently, the British Foreign Office strongly advises against all travel within 10km of the Syrian border due to ongoing conflict and an increased risk of terrorism. It also recommends avoiding all but essential travel to Sirnak city and Hikkari Province.

Travelling against these advisories could result in travel insurance becoming void, reports Birmingham Live .

While popular tourist spots like Istanbul, Antalya and Bodrum are generally considered safe for travel, the Foreign Office has warned travellers about political demonstrations and crimes such as pickpocketing and food and drink spiking. They've also provided guidance on staying safe when using public transport.

The UK government has issued an updated travel advisory for Turkey on May 1, covering health, wildfires, crime, outdoor activities and adventure tourism. Here's a summary of the current advice....

Terrorist attacks and protests.

Holidaymakers are advised to 'stay aware of their surroundings at all times' due to a high global threat of terrorist attacks, including from groups and individuals who target the UK and British nationals.

Most terrorist incidents have taken place in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. Those visiting these areas are urged to stay informed through local news reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Attacks could occur in tourist spots including public buildings, places of worship, airports and large public gatherings.

The conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories has led to increased tensions and sporadic demonstrations can occur in cities which may turn violent, warns the Foreign Office. Police have used tear gas and water cannon to break up protests and tourists are advised to steer clear of all demonstrations and 'leave the area' if one develops.

Brits jetting off to popular holiday destinations are being cautioned by the Foreign Office about a spike in crime, particularly in bustling tourist spots. Travellers should stay alert for street thefts and pickpocketing incidents, ensuring their valuables are kept safe at all times.

Additionally, there have been reports of drink and food tampering, prompting advice for tourists to always purchase their own beverages and maintain visibility of them at all times. It's also recommended to be cautious of any unfamiliar individuals who offer to exchange money, invite you to restaurants or clubs, or propose food or drinks.

In a concerning statistic, British consular staff in Turkey dealt with 42 sexual assault reports, including rape, in 2023, with most incidents occurring during the summer in coastal areas frequented by tourists. Often, these crimes took place at night and were perpetrated by someone the victim had encountered earlier that day, sometimes even hotel employees.

As such, holidaymakers are advised to exercise increased caution in these scenarios.

Moreover, accepting rides from unknown individuals is strongly discouraged. The Foreign Office advises securing a registered taxi and taking note of its registration number before getting in.

When it comes to outdoor pursuits, Brits are urged to ensure that proper safety measures are in place, especially if engaging in extreme sports. The guidance from the Foreign Office is clear: "Only use reputable operators. Make sure you are given full instructions and training before your activity. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for all activities you do."

When it comes to quad biking on your holiday, make sure you're covered with specific travel insurance because the standard insurance from hire companies typically only includes third party cover. If you damage the vehicle, you could be facing hefty charges and even arrest if you can't pay up.

Helmets are a must for both drivers and passengers, and not wearing one might mean your insurance won't cover you. Plus, if the local police catch you without a helmet, expect a fine and to say goodbye to your licence.

Turkey's summer is notorious for wildfires, and the government's latest advice doesn't take this lightly. It warns: "You could get a fine or prison sentence for lighting a fire of any kind or discarding cigarettes in risk areas such as woodland. Barbecues are prohibited in these areas. If there is a wildfire in your area, local authorities may tell you to leave your accommodation. Follow the directions of local authorities."