BODRUM TRAVEL GUIDE
25 Things to do in Bodrum, Turkey
On the western coast of Turkey is Bodrum, a port city that is very popular with tourists. It is a center of museums, cultural festivals, and seaside activities—but most importantly, Bodrum has some of the best beach resorts that are popular with sunseekers. The official language of the city is Turkish; Turkish Lira is the official currency of Bodrum an the rest of Turkey.
The hottest month in Bodrum is July, where temperatures reach 83°F (29°C). The coldest is in January, where the temperatures are at around 53°F (12°C). The precipitation is low in the summer but higher in the winter, with a peak in December of over 100 mm.
PLACES TO SEE IN BODRUM
CASTLE OF ST. PETER - BODRUM CASTLE
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Bodrum Castle was finished in the late 15th century and is a pinnacle of the port city of Bodrum’s attractions. After being empty during the world wars, in the 60s it was turned into a museum called the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Not only will you enjoy the beauty and history of the castle, but the 360 degrees views are also what make the castle a treasure.
BODRUM MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY
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The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology showcases artifacts found in the waters around Bodrum, which is a popular area for diving. It is located inside Bodrum Castle—perfect for a romantic afternoon. Since the 1950s, this museum has shown off many artifacts such as coins and jewelry. It has also won many prestigious awards throughout the years, including the “European Museum of the Year”.
ZEKI MUREN ARTS MUSEUM
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Zeki Muren was a popular Turkish artist, and his estate still is maintained in Bodrum. In fact, it was turned into a museum in 2000. It displays not only his various paintings but also his wide array of costumes. It is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, except on Mondays.
BODRUM AMPHITHEATER
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This amphitheater from ancient Greece still exists today, and still works! You can watch performances in the ancient arena or imagine how life must have been like in the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus—which is where Bodrum lies today.
PEDASA ANTIQUE CENTER
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This peaceful area is a bit outside of Bodrum, but the area around it is beautiful. You can hike up to this area or take a guided tour. When you are at the ruins, you can marvel at the great scope of the area or just relax and enjoy the nature of Turkey.
MILTA BODRUM MARINA
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One of the most elite marinas in the area, the Milta Bodrum Marina lies in the center of the city near the Bodrum castle. Here, you can watch the boats dock, enjoy its many high-end restaurants, or just watch daily Turkish life.
AQUAPRO DIVE CENTER
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Created in 1997 to facilitate the wide amount of diving in the city, Aquapro is excellent for obtaining the equipment you need to experience diving in the beautiful waters around Bodrum. The city of Bodrum has over 20 official dive sites on its coast.
BARDAKCI COVE
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This area is popular with tourists for swimming. It has golden sands and clear waters. It is near a few hotels and there is a ferry that patrols the waters if you would like to have a first-hand view of the shore from a boat.
BODRUM MARITIME MUSEUM
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If you love the ocean, then you’ll love Bodrum. But you will also love its maritime museum, which has hundreds of seashells, lots of diving equipment, around 50 boat models, and many sea sponges. It is perfect for diving enthusiasts or ocean lovers.
MAUSOLEUM OF HALICARNASSUS
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Finished in 350 BC, this tomb was built for a noble of the Persian Empire. It is very vast and was called one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It is perfect for those interested in history or for those who just want to see something beautiful.
KARNAS VINEYARDS
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Around 25 minutes outside of Bodrum, this vineyard is very popular with couples who want to enjoy the scenery and have some wine and cheese. It hosts wine tastings and tours of the orchards— a trip to Turkey isn’t complete without some Turkish wine!
BEST BEACHES IN AND AROUND BODRUM
ORTAKENT BEACH
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This beach is lined with boutiques and hotels—it is a very chic area. There are many areas to lounge around on the sand as well as swim in the waters. There are also many jetties and docks for boating.
BITEZ BEACH
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The view at Bitez Beach is incredible, as are the restaurants you can find there. It has many showers and dressing areas around the beach. It is not exactly a luxury beach, but perfect for bringing a family or to just shop around.
GUMBET BEACH
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This beach is quite long and lined with the usual shops and restaurants. The sea is gentle and water sports and very popular at this location. The sand here is also very clean.
CAMEL BEACH
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This is a popular beach for tourists who are visiting Bodrum. The sea is salty and a nice, warm temperature. This beach also includes umbrellas, beach beds, and even camels you can ride.
ORAK ADASI
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The waters here are perfect for snorkeling and diving. The water is crystal clear with calm waves. Stunning views are a staple of this location, make sure to bring a swimsuit so you can experience the clear waters.
DAY TRIPS FROM BODRUM
YALIKAVAK MARINA
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This marina is quite beautiful, but also a little expensive and outside of Bodrum. There, you can find restaurants and shops with high-end glass and marble decorating them. Luxury yachts and shops line the marina, creating a fancy but pricey atmosphere. If you can spare some time for it—it is one of the most beautiful spots in your trip to Turkey.
PAMUKKALE
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This day trip to Pamukkale includes lunch and beautiful views of Turkey’s natural geological wonders. The ruins of Hierapolis can be seen as well as calcium pools and modern thermal pools. These ruins include ancient markets and theaters. This trip is perfect for those who are interested in history or anyone who just wants to do something new and interesting about their day.
DAY TRIP TO ISTANBUL
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You can take a day trip to Istanbul, one of the biggest cities in Turkey. There you can see many cultural centers, such as the old sultan’s palace, museums, and bazaars. The transportation is included and all reasonably priced. Why not see more of Turkey while you’re already there?
WHERE TO SHOP IN BODRUM
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BODRUM BAZAAR
From 9 am to 12:30 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm, the Bodrum Bazaar is open to tourists and Turkish alike. Here you can find hotels, restaurants, and many merchants and stores. Find clothes, spices, and many other Turkish products.
MIDTOWN SHOPPING MALL IN ORTAKENT
10 AM to midnight, the Midtown Shopping Mall is open for business to all in Bodrum. It has everything you could ever want—from pharmacies to shops to markets to cafes to restaurants to even barbershops, and sports shops.
OASIS MALL
The Oasis Mall is open from 10 am to 10 pm, every day. A wide variety of stores can be found here, like drugstores, clothing, makeup stores, and supermarkets. It is worth a stop to see a glimpse of daily Turkish life.
WHERE TO STAY IN BODRUM
5 Star: The Marmara Bodrum ($181 a night)
4 Star: Marina Vista Hotel Bodrum ($93 a night)
3 Star: Hotel Gulec ($42 a night)
RESTAURANTS & TRADITIONAL FOOD IN BODRUM
RESTAURANTS SERVING TRADITIONAL FOOD IN BODRUM
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Sugar and Salt: Open from 10 am to midnight every day, this restaurant is quite cozy with a wide Turkish food selection. The menu is both in Turkish and English, so don’t worry about not being able to communicate with the staff, which is a family operation.
Windmill Restaurant: This location is open from 9 am every day. Aside from its great view of the area, this restaurant also provides highly rated dishes and service.
Musto: Open from 8 am to 1 am, this restaurant serves traditional Turkish foods in a location near the sea. It is not exactly a tourist spot, so expect reasonable prices and real Turkish foods.
BODRUM LOCAL FOODS
Ayran: This traditional Turkish beverage will cool you down on a hot day. It is a cold yogurt drink that can come with mint, carbonation, and cucumbers.
Gozleme: This breaded pocket is filled with vegetables, goat cheese, spices, and other ingredients. It is similar to a breakfast crepe but with a Turkish flair.
Dolmas: Eaten either cold or warm, these grape leaves are stuffed with rice, meat, and other seasonings. It can be served with a lemon or yogurt sauce.
TRANSPORTATION IN BODRUM
Airport: The Milas-Bodrum Airport serves the Bodrum area. It is the eighth busiest airport in Turkey and accepts international flights making it ideal to enter the country from another.
Buses: Bodrum’s main bus terminal lies in the center of the town, where it is serviced by many companies. There is also a large minibus network to transport passengers within the city. The airport also has an airport shuttle by Havas bus.
Taxis: Bodrum has many taxi networks, such as Gumbet Taxi, Merkez Taksi, and Bodrum Taksi.
