Bodrum Private Shore Excursion: Castle, Mausoleum & Theatre, 7 Hours
Overview
Bodrum Private Shore Excursion: Castle, Mausoleum & Theatre, 7 Hours
The well-kept monuments and lovely seafront of ancient Halicarnassus make it easy to explore. This tour is planned for cruise passengers with only a short time in Bodrum: a licensed guide is waiting as you come off the ship, ready to start your private tour.
St. Peter's Castle and the Mausoleum
You visit St. Peter's Castle, home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You also get time to browse in local shops.
The route leads you through the main landmarks and the remains of the ancient city in a clear order, and you do not need to prepare anything. You move at your own pace, and the hours go by fast.
Your Shore Day, Your Pace
Along the way you notice small details that no map would show you, and even in a short visit you come away feeling you have seen the ancient world properly.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – St. Peter's Castle, Mausoleum and Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus
Bodrum ranks among the loveliest cruise ports in the Aegean. A private shore excursion lets you see ancient Halicarnassus during your stop. Your guide is waiting when the ship docks, ready to welcome you and set off.
We start at the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, housed in St. Peter's Castle. The Knights of St. John built the castle in 1402 to guard the harbour. Few buildings from the Crusader period in the eastern Mediterranean survive in such good condition.
Next is the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, in the middle of modern Bodrum and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Your guide explains the story of King Mausolus and of the tomb whose name gave us the word "mausoleum".
After that we go to the Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus. It dates from the 4th century BC and held 5,000 spectators, and the top rows look out over Bodrum. There is some time for shopping before your private vehicle takes you back to the port in comfort.
When the tour ends, you are returned to your cruise ship.
Our service ends here. We hope to welcome you again on another trip along the lovely Turkish coast.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Licensed Tour Guide
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✕Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Travel guides
Private shore excursion to the ancient sights of Bodrum: the key facts
This private tour is made for cruise passengers who have only a short call in Bodrum, the ancient city of Halicarnassus, starting at $550. A licensed guide is waiting for you as you leave the ship. You go to St. Peter's Castle and its Museum of Underwater Archaeology, to the site of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and to the ancient theatre, and you also get time for shopping in local stores. A private van is part of the price.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| How long | Around 7 hours |
| Cost | from $550 |
| Tour style | Private shore excursion |
| Starts and ends at | Bodrum Port |
| Main sights | St. Peter's Castle, Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, ancient theatre |
| What is covered | Licensed private guide, private van |
| What is extra | Museum tickets and attraction fees, meals and drinks, tips |
What was the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus?
It was the huge tomb built for Mausolus, a ruler in the 4th century BC. It became so well known that its name gave us the word mausoleum, and it was listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Earthquakes brought it down, and much of its stone went into the castle by the harbour. What you see now are its foundations and some fragments, and your guide tells you its story.
Which sites does the tour cover?
| Site | Description |
|---|---|
| St. Peter's Castle | Medieval harbour castle built by the Knights of St. John |
| Museum of Underwater Archaeology | Wrecks and objects raised from the sea floor, displayed in the castle |
| Mausoleum of Halicarnassus | Where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World once stood |
| Ancient theatre | The hillside Theatre of Halicarnassus, looking out over the bay |
| Local shops | Time to shop on your own in Bodrum |
Which shore excursion from Bodrum is right for you?
| Bodrum shore excursion | Main theme | How long | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| This tour | Bodrum's own past, near the port | Around 7 hours | $550 |
| Bodrum peninsula tour | Windmills, Gumusluk, Turkbuku and lunch in a village | 6 to 7 hours | $650 |
| Didyma, Priene and Miletus | Three ancient cities of Ionia | 8 to 9 hours | $750 |
| Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary | The great city of the Romans | 8 to 9 hours | $750 |
Pick this one if your ship is in port only briefly or you would rather not sit in a vehicle for hours, as all the stops are in Bodrum town or close to it.
Is it worth going inside Bodrum Castle?
It is. The castle is a good example of fortress building from the crusader period, and its towers carry the names of the knights' home countries. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology inside is among the most important museums of its type, showing ancient wrecks and the cargo they carried, raised from the Aegean.
Does the tour work for families?
It does. Because it is private it can be adapted, the distances between stops are small, and children tend to love the castle towers, the ships and the treasures. Please give us the ages of everyone in your group at booking.
What is the best season to go?
Cruise ships call from spring until autumn. Summer is hot, so see the castle in the morning; spring and autumn are the most pleasant.
What should you pack?
Take comfortable shoes for the stone steps in the castle, a hat, sunscreen and water, your ID and ship card, and cash or a card for shopping and entrance fees.
How do I make a booking?
Pick your port date on this page and submit the form, or send us a WhatsApp message with the ship's name, its arrival time and the all-aboard time. We send confirmation in writing, and payment is due only once it arrives. For other ideas, browse our Bodrum tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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