5 days in Bodrum

Day by day

1. Day 1: Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology and Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

   Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and Gulet day trip, then Neyzen Tevfik waterfront and marina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology

      Allow at least two hours and visit in the morning, when the courtyards are cooler and quieter. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

      Visit the castle first; many of the Mausoleum's stones were built into its walls. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Çökertme kebabı

      Traditional restaurants in Bodrum Town and inland villages; less common at waterfront fish restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Gulet day trip

      Pick a boat with fewer passengers and check the itinerary and lunch arrangements before paying. (Full day, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Neyzen Tevfik waterfront and marina

      Walk it at dusk, then choose a fish restaurant away from the busiest stretch near the castle.

2. Day 2: Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus and Myndos Gate

   Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus, Myndos Gate and Bar Street (Cumhuriyet Caddesi), then Yalıkavak Marina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus

      Climb to the top row late in the afternoon for the best view of the castle and harbour. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Myndos Gate

      Combine it with the ancient theatre and the Mausoleum on a self-guided walk of ancient Bodrum. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Stuffed courgette flowers

      Meze restaurants and fish restaurants in summer; ask what is fresh.

   4. Afternoon

      Bar Street (Cumhuriyet Caddesi)

      Check drink prices before ordering; prices vary widely between venues. (An evening, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Yalıkavak Marina

      Visit in the early evening to walk the marina, then eat in the old village nearby.

3. Day 3: Bodrum windmills and Gümüşlük and Rabbit Island

   Bodrum windmills, Gümüşlük and Rabbit Island and Zeki Müren Art Museum, then Göltürkbükü beach clubs in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Bodrum windmills

      Walk up from Bodrum Town in about 20 minutes, or take a taxi, and arrive before sunset. (45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Gümüşlük and Rabbit Island

      Book a waterfront table for sunset in summer, and bring water shoes for wading to the island. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sea beans

      Fish restaurants along the waterfront and in Gümüşlük.

   4. Afternoon

      Zeki Müren Art Museum

      Ask staff about his music; they often play recordings in the garden. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Göltürkbükü beach clubs

      Reserve sunbeds in high season and check the minimum spend before you arrive.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Kos, Greece

   About 30–60 minutes by ferry each way. Getting there: International ferry from Bodrum.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Kos, Greece

      About 30–60 minutes by ferry (International ferry from Bodrum); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Kos, Greece

      The Greek island of Kos has a harbour town with a Knights' castle, the ancient agora, the plane tree of Hippocrates and the Asklepieion healing sanctuary. Best for first-timers and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Bodrum

      Dinner: try Aegean wild greens.

5. Day 5: Pedasa and Mustafa Paşa Tower

   Pedasa, Mustafa Paşa Tower and Bitez Bay, then Bar Street, Bodrum Town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Pedasa

      Go in the morning in spring or autumn; the trails are exposed in summer. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Mustafa Paşa Tower

      Stop on the way to or from Yahşi beach; there is little else to see nearby. (30 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Aegean wild greens

      Meze displays in traditional restaurants, especially in spring.

   4. Afternoon

      Bitez Bay

      Go in the morning for calm water with children, or in the afternoon for windsurfing lessons. (Half a day, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Bar Street, Bodrum Town

      Cumhuriyet Caddesi along the eastern bay is packed with bars and clubs open until the early hours in summer.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Göltürkbükü beach clubs before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Bodrum Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Gümbet ($) suits budget, nightlife and beach. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 28–35 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Bodrum
• 2 days in Bodrum
• 3 days in Bodrum

Questions travellers ask