Bodrum Travel Guide

Bodrum occupies a peninsula in the far southwest of Turkey's Aegean coast, across the water from the Greek island of Kos. Its centre wraps around two bays separated by a castle, and white cube-shaped houses rise up the hills behind. In ancient times the town was Halicarnassus, where Herodotus the historian lived, and the site of the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Reasons to go

Bodrum suits many types of holiday. The Castle of St Peter was built in the 15th century by the Knights Hospitaller, partly with stone taken from the Mausoleum; today it holds the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, whose shipwreck finds go back as far as the Bronze Age. Each village on the peninsula has its own character: Gumusluk has fish restaurants at the water's edge beside the ancient town of Myndos, Yalikavak has a large marina, Turkbuku is the place for upmarket beach clubs and Bitez offers a calmer family beach. Bodrum is a centre for gulet cruises, too, and a convenient base for Ephesus, Didyma, Priene and Miletus.

How long to stay

Allow three or four days for the town, a day on a boat and a day exploring the peninsula, plus one or two more for the region's ancient sites. Cruise passengers generally get one day ashore; our private Bodrum peninsula tour from the port is timed around the ship's schedule.

When to go

The ideal months are May, June, September and early October, with warm water and smaller crowds. July and August are high season: prices peak, beaches are packed and nightlife is in full swing. Between November and April the town goes quiet, and many restaurants and beach clubs shut.

Getting there from Istanbul

A flight from Istanbul to Bodrum-Milas Airport (BJV) lasts around 1 hour 10 minutes, and the airport lies 35 to 40 km or so outside the town. Driving takes roughly 9 hours. In season, ferries link Bodrum with Kos and other Greek islands.

Top experiences

• Visiting the Castle of St Peter and its Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
• Seeing the site of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the ancient theatre on the hill above town.
• Spending a day by boat around the bays and Orak Island.
• Watching the sunset at Gumusluk, where the remains of Myndos lie in the water.
• Exploring the Temple of Apollo at Didyma along with Priene and Miletus, on our Didyma, Priene and Miletus tour from Bodrum port.
• Taking a day trip to Ephesus, which lies 2.5 to 3 hours from Bodrum, with our Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary tour from Bodrum.

Where to stay

Choose Bodrum town if you want to walk to the harbour, the castle and restaurants. Gumbet and Bitez have beach hotels near the centre. For upmarket resorts, look at Yalikavak, Turkbuku and Golturkbuku. Gumusluk has a slower pace and a village atmosphere.

Food

Naturally, seafood and meze by the sea. Also try cokertme kebabi, a local speciality of thin fried potatoes with meat and yoghurt on top, and in winter the local mandarins.

Practical tips

• Prices at restaurants and beach clubs in peak season can be far higher than in other places along the coast.
• Dolmus minibuses run between the town bus station and most villages on the peninsula.
• Expect a lot of steps at the castle, so comfortable shoes help.

Our 8-day gulet cruise from Fethiye to Bodrum also finishes in Bodrum. Browse all Bodrum tours.