Comparison · Bodrum vs Rhodes · Turkey / Greece
Bodrum vs Rhodes
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Choose Bodrum for Bodrum Castle and Mausoleum at Halicarnassus; choose Rhodes for Medieval Old Town and Knights of St John. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 97 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 97 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Bodrum
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Rhodes
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Bodrum | Rhodes | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Turkey | Greece |
| Known for | Bodrum Castle, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and Gulet cruises | Medieval Old Town, Knights of St John and Lindos Acropolis |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$260 | $130–$250 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 33°C (91°F) | August, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 15°C (59°F) | January, 15°C (59°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 5 |
| Beaches | Bitez | Elli Beach |
| Airports | BJV | RHO |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Bodrum for…
Bodrum Castle and Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. 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…
Choose Rhodes for…
Medieval Old Town and Knights of St John. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands, about 80 km long and closer to the Turkish coast than to Athens. At its northern tip, Rhodes Town wraps around the walled medieval Old Town built by the Knights of St John, with the Palace of the Grand Master…
Top sights compared
| # | Bodrum | Rhodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology | Palace of the Grand Master |
| 2 | Mausoleum at Halicarnassus | Street of the Knights |
| 3 | Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus | Old Town walls and moat |
| 4 | Myndos Gate | Archaeological Museum of Rhodes |
| 5 | Bodrum windmills | Acropolis of Lindos |
Food compared
| Bodrum | Rhodes |
|---|---|
| Çökertme kebabı | Pitaroudia |
| Stuffed courgette flowers | Symi shrimp |
| Sea beans | Melekouni |
| Aegean wild greens | Souma |
Which is cheaper?
Bodrum and Rhodes cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $130–$260 in Bodrum and $130–$250 in Rhodes (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Rhodes on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Bodrum and Rhodes are about 97 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 7 days in Bodrum and 7 in Rhodes.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bodrum or Rhodes cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $130–$260 in Bodrum and $130–$250 in Rhodes (estimates).
+Is Bodrum or Rhodes better for a first trip?
Pick Bodrum for Bodrum Castle and Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, or Rhodes for Medieval Old Town and Knights of St John.
+How far is Bodrum from Rhodes?
About 97 km in a straight line.