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Bodrum, Turkey Guide

Last Updated on October 4, 2022

Bodrum’s beauty, mild climate, and access to the sea have drawn thousands of Turkish and foreign visitors throughout the years. Once known as Halicarnassus, the popular resort and yachting port of Bodrum boasts the ruins of the original Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the lofty Castle of St. Peter, a Crusader fortress that now serves as the world’s foremost Museum of Underwater Archeology. Two small picture-perfect bays frame the castle, making it particularly attractive to yachters.

Bodrum’s biggest attractions include the Museum of Underwater Archeology, Bodrum Castle, and numerous beaches, including Bodrum Plajı (Beach), Gumbet Beach, Bitez Beach, and many more

Bodrum is also known for its enthusiastic nightlife. If you enjoy staying up late to great music from bars and clubs, you’ll love Bodrum. However, early birds and those who tend to wind down early may have difficulties sleeping in the city center. The beaches right in town are small and the water is not particularly appealing, but there are other beaches nearby. In fact, many people choose to make their base in other towns around the Bodrum peninsula and come to Bodrum itself for visits. 

Accommodations

For a secluded stay, a hotel, rental villa, or cottage in Bodrum or a nearby town on the Bodrum peninsula for a week is really a dream come true. My recommended hotels, however, tend to be the quiet ones. One of my favorite hotels in all of Turkey is in Bodrum: the Su Otel. It’s a real refuge!

Dining

Bodrum has some of the best dining on Turkey’s coast. The customer service here is above average featuring international cuisines from around the world. Many of the restaurants in Bodrum are situated next to the sea, offering stunning views of the beach and Bodrum Castle. 

Excursions

Bodrum offers numerous excursions and day trips for travelers including scuba diving, boat tours around Bodrum’s peninsula, and a day trip to the Greek island of Kos. To reach Kos, there are ferries that leave daily from Bodrum’s marina and take roughly 20 minutes to arrive. Greek island ferries take you to and from Kos and Rhodes. 

Enjoy the most of your stay in Bodrum by getting help with hotel reservations, car rentals, yacht charters, airport transfers, and ferry tickets from our recommended travel agencies.

 

Transportation

If you’re staying in a town far from Bodrum’s city center, there are multiple mini buses (dolmuş) that drive through other towns like Gümüşlük every 30 minutes.  Traffic can get heavy as the population continues to grow rapidly so remember to factor in extra time. 

There are plenty of flights and buses to Bodrum in the warmer months, but no train service. Milas-Bodrum Airport is 33 km (21 miles) north of the town with direct daily flights from Istanbul

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