Holidays to Bodrum
Bodrum highlights
Castle crusaders
Perched on a rocky peninsula overlooking the harbour, Bodrum Castle (also known as the Castle of St Peter) should be at the top of your Bodrum holiday wish list. Built during the Crusades by the Knights Templar, it houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, where you can brush up on your maritime history and see the remains of ancient shipwrecks.
Waterbound adventures
For the best views of Bodrum, you’ll have to take to the water. Lucky for you, boisterous party cruises, private yacht tours and low-key fishing trips are all easy to find. Whichever you choose, you’ll get to visit deserted coves and uninhabited islands, with stops for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving along the way.
Authentic street food
There are plenty of elegant restaurants in town, but if you’re after traditional Turkish treats on your holiday to Bodrum, you’ll find them on the streets. Hit the Friday market for ‘simit’ (sesame bread) and ‘borek’ (savoury pastries), or pick up some ‘lokmasi’ (fried, sweet dough balls) at stalls throughout the city. The narrow lanes surrounding the castle are a great place to start.
Bodrum: Know before you go
| Language | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Currency | Turkish lira (₺) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (TRT) |
| High season | May – October |
| Low season | November – March |
Find the best time to go to Bodrum
Weather in Bodrum
April – May: Days vary from warm to hot. The beaches open in May, when you’ll experience pleasant water temperatures and fewer crowds. Evenings lean cool, so pack a light jacket.
June – September: Summers are hot and humid, but Aegean breezes keep Bodrum cooler than the rest of the country. This is the perfect time to hit one of the city’s stunning beaches.
October – November: Autumn tends to be unpredictable. Expect a mix of warm, sunny days in October and colder, rainier ones in November.
December – March: The long, cool winters are mild with occasional rainfall. In December, the groves around Bodrum are thick with the smell of ripening olives.
Events in Bodrum
Bodrum Hıdırellez Festival (May): Join the locals as they gather throughout the city (and country) to celebrate spring. Festivities include community bonfires and plenty of folk music and dancing.
Chill-Out Festival Bodrum (August): This celebration of music and wellness makes a stop in Bodrum each summer. Check out art installations, yoga sessions and EDM sets right on the beach.
Bodrum Cup (October): You don’t need a boat to join the party atmosphere at this popular sailing regatta, complete with live music, cooking competitions and more.
Bodrum Tangerine Festival (December or January): The city’s favourite fruit gets its own festival. Enjoy folk dancing and all manner of tangerine-based products from local makers.
The best neighbourhoods in Bodrum
Bodrum City
You’ll be in the heart of the action in Bodrum city, where it’s easy to walk between attractions or hop on a ‘dolmus’ (a shared minibus taxi) should your legs get tired. Wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town, visit the region’s best museums and historic sites, and let the lively bars and restaurants of Bodrum’s harbour pull you in.
Good for: Sightseeing, nightlife, history
Yalikavak
If you want to sample the highlife, Yalikavak is the best area to stay in Bodrum. It centres around the Palmarina, where the super rich park their yachts for a taste of the Aegean. Once you’ve had your fill of high-end shops and celeb spotting, the sleepy Old Town makes for a nice change of pace.
Good for: Dining, shopping, luxury
Bitez
Bitez is where to stay in Bodrum if you’re looking for a quieter slice of Bodrum life. This tranquil town is distinguished by its long, sandy coastline — the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy the beach. Located just to the west of Bodrum City, it’s also known for its safe, shallow waters and the best range of water sports on the peninsula.
Good for: Water sports, beaches, families
Things to do in Bodrum
Family friendly things to do
The best things to do with family in Bodrum usually involve getting wet. Swimming in the calm, sheltered waters of Bitez Beach is popular with children. So is a day at Bodrum Aquapark, home to corkscrew slides and pools for all ages. To work up a sweat, try a hiking or cycling tour of Bodrum’s hilly interior.
Shopping
There’s no shortage of high-end shopping in Bodrum, whether you’re into designer boutiques or luxury-brand shopping malls. But if authentic and local is more your style, check out Bodrum’s bazaars or head to the Turgutreis open-air market, where you can pick up anything from jewellery to leather goods. The initial price is always inflated, so get ready to do some bargaining.
Take in the culture
Take in a summer production at the Bodrum Amphitheatre, which dates back to the 4th century BC. Or explore the city’s ancient roots at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. For a take on modern Turkish culture, the Zeki Muren Arts Museum is among the best museums in Bodrum, depicting the life of flamboyant Turkish musician Zeki Muren.
Nightlife
Bodrum more than lives up to its reputation as a party town. Raucous all-nighters take place along Gumbet Bar Street or Bodrum Bar Street, which winds east along the shore from Bodrum Castle. For a more restrained take on Bodrum nightlife, try Turkbuku or the Bodrum Marina Yacht Club, which offers dinners, DJs and sweeping port views.
Places to eat
Sleek Michelin-starred restaurants and simple waterfront tavernas make eating out in Bodrum a real pleasure, especially if you’re into seafood. Find the best options for restaurants in Bodrum in the sleepy village of Gumusluk, where you can take your pick of the day’s catch and eat right by the water.
Beaches
If you’ve come on holiday for the coastline, you won’t be disappointed. The beaches in Bodrum are some of the best in Turkiye, and each has its own appeal. Try Yahi Beach for chic bars and restaurants and Gumbet Beach for water sports. Gumusluk Port Beach and Aspat Beach are favoured for their relaxed vibe and unspoiled sands.
Get ready for Bodrum
Budget
The city may have a reputation for being pricier than other Turkish destinations, but with some careful planning, a cheap holiday to Bodrum is more than possible. You can get a meal in an inexpensive restaurant for just 270 Turkish lira (₺). Coffee is a big part of the culture in Türkiye — enjoy a cappuccino for less than ₺90.
Day Trips from Bodrum
At the foot of Mount Latmos, Lake Bafa is a peaceful refuge only an hour’s drive from Bodrum. Explore prehistoric cave art and ancient ruins on one of the surrounding hiking trails. Day trips to Orak Island are also popular — go with a tour group or hire a boat from the marina. And the Greek island of Kos is less than an hour away by ferry.
Getting Around Bodrum
The best way to get around Bodrum is by taxi, bus or ‘dolmus’ (public minibuses). For a ride with a view, water taxis can take you to destinations up and down the coast. Or you can hop over to Kos or Rhodes on a ferry from Bodrum’s harbour. For maximum freedom to explore beaches and countryside, hire a car from the airport or in town.
