Travel guide · Turkey
Bodrum travel guide
A Crusader castle, whitewashed bays and gulet cruises on Turkey's Aegean coast
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Bodrum is the main town of a hilly peninsula on Turkey's south-west Aegean coast, built on the site of ancient Halicarnassus, home of the Mausoleum that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Knights' Castle of St Peter divides the town's two bays and houses a museum of underwater archaeology. Around the peninsula, a ring of former fishing villages has become resorts, each with a different character: family-friendly Bitez, the sunset harbour of Gümüşlük, the yacht marina of Yalıkavak and the upscale beach clubs of Göltürkbükü. Gulet boat trips, fish dinners and summer nightlife are central to a Bodrum holiday. Plan 7 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- Turkey
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 7 days
- Main airports
- BJV
- Mid-range daily budget
- $130–$260 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Bodrum Castle, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Gulet cruises and Beach clubs
Why visit Bodrum
- Bodrum Castle combines a 15th-century Knights' fortress with one of the world's leading museums of underwater archaeology.
- The peninsula's bays each have a distinct character, from family beaches at Bitez to the sunset fish restaurants of Gümüşlük.
- Day-long gulet trips stop for swims in clear coves and at the hot-spring cave on Kara Ada.
- Ephesus, Didyma and the Greek island of Kos are within reach for day trips.
- Summer nights run from waterfront fish dinners to Bar Street and the beach clubs of Yalıkavak and Göltürkbükü.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Castle · Bodrum Town
Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology
The Knights Hospitaller began building the Castle of St Peter in the early 15th century, partly with stone taken from the ruined Mausoleum.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Rainy day
- Kids
Historic site · Bodrum Town
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The tomb of the Carian ruler Mausolus, completed in the 4th century BC, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and gave us the word 'mausoleum'.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
Experience · Bodrum Town
Gulet day trip
Wooden gulets leave Bodrum harbour each morning in season for a day of swimming stops in clear bays, often including Orak Island and Kara Ada, where a cave holds warm spring water and mud said to be good for the skin.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Iconic
Historic site · Bodrum Town
Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus
A restored Greek theatre from the 4th century BC, built into the hillside above the town.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Photo spot
Historic site · Bodrum Town
Myndos Gate
The western gate of ancient Halicarnassus, with remains of its towers and a section of the defensive moat.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Viewpoint · Gümbet
Bodrum windmills
A row of old stone windmills along the ridge between Bodrum Town and Gümbet, with views over both bays, the castle and out to Kos.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Bodrum Town is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, culture and food lovers
Bodrum Town
Whitewashed lanes, the castle, two bays, the marina and Bar Street
$ · Best for budget, nightlife and beach
Gümbet
Budget resort strip with a sandy bay and a party scene
$$ · Best for families, beach and quiet stays
Bitez
Family-friendly bay of mandarin orchards and windsurfing
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Ortakent and Yahşi
Long sandy beach and an Ottoman tower village on the south coast
What to eat
- Çökertme kebabı — Strips of sautéed beef or lamb on a bed of crisp matchstick potatoes, topped with garlic yoghurt and tomato sauce.
- Stuffed courgette flowers — Courgette blossoms filled with herbed rice and cooked gently in olive oil, served cold.
- Sea beans — Samphire blanched and dressed with olive oil, lemon and garlic.
- Aegean wild greens — Wild greens gathered from the hills — such as radika and şevketi bostan — cooked in olive oil or served with lemon.
- Grilled fish and meze — Dinner by the sea begins with a tray of cold meze, then grilled sea bream, sea bass or red mullet, calamari and octopus, usually with rakı.
- Stuffed mussels — Mussels stuffed with spiced rice, served with a squeeze of lemon and sold by the piece.
When to go
The best times to visit Bodrum are late May to June and September to early October, when the sea is warm and days are sunny but crowds and prices are lower than in July and August. High summer is hot and busy, with the liveliest nightlife. From November to April, many hotels and beach clubs close.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Green hills and wildflowers, good for walking and ancient sites; the sea warms enough for swimming by late May. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, sunny and busy, with full beach clubs, gulet trips and nightlife, and the highest prices. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm sea and settled weather into October, with fewer crowds; most resorts close in November. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild but wet, with many hotels closed; a quiet time when the town returns to local life. |
Getting there and around
Milas–Bodrum Airport (BJV) is about 36 km north-east of Bodrum Town, around 40 minutes by road. Shuttle buses timed to arrivals run to Bodrum's bus station, and taxis and pre-booked transfers serve all resorts.
Dolmuş minibuses from Bodrum's bus station connect every village on the peninsula, and Bodrum Town itself is walkable. Taxis are convenient but expensive, and a hire car or scooter makes it easy to explore the bays.
Plan your days
Three days covers Bodrum Castle, the town's ancient sites, a gulet trip and a sunset in Gümüşlük. A week allows time to explore several bays, add a day trip to Ephesus or Kos, and enjoy beach days at a slower pace.
Practical information
- Currency
- TRY
- Language
- Turkish
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but most residents drink bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (general emergency number)
- Tipping
- Leave about 5–10% in restaurants if service is not included, and tip gulet crews at the end of a trip if you are happy with the service.
Bodrum is generally relaxed for visitors. Take care with summer heat, strong meltemi winds on some beaches, scooter accidents on steep roads and overcharging in some bars and taxis. Watch drinks and belongings in crowded nightlife areas.
Flights to Bodrum
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Bodrum?
Three days covers Bodrum Castle, the town's ancient sites, a gulet trip and a sunset in Gümüşlük. A week allows time to explore several bays, add a day trip to Ephesus or Kos, and enjoy beach days at a slower pace. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Bodrum?
The best times to visit Bodrum are late May to June and September to early October, when the sea is warm and days are sunny but crowds and prices are lower than in July and August. High summer is hot and busy, with the liveliest nightlife. From November to April, many hotels and beach clubs close.
+What is Bodrum known for?
Bodrum Castle, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Gulet cruises, Beach clubs, Whitewashed houses, Bar Street nightlife and Sunsets at Gümüşlük. Bodrum Castle combines a 15th-century Knights' fortress with one of the world's leading museums of underwater archaeology.
+Is Bodrum expensive?
Bodrum is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $130–$260 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Bodrum?
Not essential if you stay in Bodrum Town or a single resort, as dolmuş minibuses cover the peninsula. A car is useful for beach-hopping and for day trips to Ephesus, Didyma or Lake Bafa.