Bodrum tours and tickets
Bodrum is a resort town built around its castle and a long gulf. Boat days and beach clubs are the big bookings in July and August. The castle and the ancient sites need no notice. Day trips to Kos and Gökova are best arranged a few days ahead. Dinner at the better restaurants fills a few weeks before in high season.
Book these first
- A boat day on the gulf
- a day or two ahead in summer. Small boats and gulets fill early in July and August.
- A dinner table at the Michelin-listed restaurants
- 2 to 4 weeks ahead in high season. The few starred and recommended rooms on the peninsula are small and several open only in the warm months.
- A beach club bed in Türkbükü or Yalıkavak
- several days ahead in July and August. The best spots go early, and some clubs ask a minimum spend.
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Museums and galleries
Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology
A crusader castle on a headland, now a museum of shipwreck finds, glass and amphorae. Entry is by ticket at the gate, and the towers give a view of both bays.
Which to pick. Go at opening time, before the heat. Give it two hours, and take water. A guide is useful, but the signs are clear enough alone.
Not needed, buy at the gateVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorAncient theater and the Mausoleum site
A Hellenistic theater on the hill above the harbor and the flat site of the tomb that gave us the word mausoleum. Both are short visits.
Which to pick. See them on your own in the late afternoon. The theater has the better view, and the Mausoleum is small, so do not expect much standing.
On the water
A boat day on the gulf
Shared motor boats and wooden gulets leave the marina in the morning and stop at coves and islands for swimming and lunch. They return in the late afternoon.
Which to pick. Choose a smaller boat for fewer people, and ask which bays are on the route. Check what lunch includes before paying.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorGulet cruise
A wooden sailing yacht with cabins, sailing for several days along the coast, with a crew and meals on board. The route is usually round trip from Bodrum.
Which to pick. Choose it for a full week at sea. Fix the route, the cabin type and the meals in writing before you pay.
Several weeks ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorSunset sail
A short cruise on a traditional boat at the end of the day, with drinks on deck and a swim in the bay. It runs from the marina.
Which to pick. Pick it if you have only one evening in town. Check the departure time against sunset, and ask whether drinks are included.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Kos, Greece
A ferry takes under an hour to the Greek island of Kos, with a harbor, a castle and ancient ruins. Take your passport and check the entry rules before you go.
Which to pick. Book a morning crossing and a return in the evening. A passport is required, so plan the paperwork ahead.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorGökova Bay and Orak Island
A day boat to the clear bays on the south side of the gulf, with swimming off the stern and a stop at a small island. It is quiet, with few shops.
Which to pick. Choose it for swimming rather than sights. Ask for the trip with the fewest stops if you want more time in the water.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Dinner at a Michelin-listed restaurant
Several restaurants in the town and on the peninsula are in the Michelin guide, with set menus and sea views. Tables are limited and fill early in summer.
Which to pick. Book directly and ask for an early table, which often has the better light. Choose one place and make it the big evening.
2 to 4 weeks ahead in high seasonTours and tickets on ViatorBeach club in Türkbükü or Yalıkavak
Beach clubs rent sunbeds and cabanas by the day, with food and music. The most popular ones are on the northern coast.
Which to pick. Book a bed if you want a day by the water, because walk-ins may not get a place in July or August. Choose by the music and the crowd.
Several days ahead in July and AugustTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Bodrum
Do I need a passport for the Kos ferry?
Yes. Kos is in Greece, so you need a passport, and you should check whether your nationality needs a visa or the new EU entry system before you go.
Is a gulet cruise worth it?
It suits people who want several days at sea with meals and swimming. For one day, a shared boat from the marina is cheaper and simpler.
Can I book a boat on the day?
In low season, yes. In July and August the better boats fill, so book a day or two ahead, and ask the exact route and the lunch.
Are the castle and the theater free?
No. The castle sells tickets at the gate, and the theater and the Mausoleum site have their own entries. Check the hours, since opening days vary by season.
Is a boat day suitable for children?
Often yes, but check the length of the trip, the swim stops and the life jackets. Shorter boats with fewer stops are easier with young children.
What can I leave until I arrive?
The castle, the theater and a simple boat day can be arranged on the spot outside peak weeks. Book dinner and beach clubs before you travel.