Things to do in Bodrum: the castle, the bays and the sea
Bodrum is a harbor town under a crusader castle, with a peninsula of bays around it that each feel like a different place. Give the town a day for the castle and the museum, then spend the rest on the water. It is a summer resort first: busy and loud from July to August, and much quieter and cheaper either side.
The short answer
- First trip
- Castle and museum in the morning, a swim or boat day, then dinner on the waterfront or at a bay.
- Where to stay
- Bodrum town for walking and nightlife, Yalıkavak or Türkbükü for polish and quiet, Gümbet for cheap and loud.
- How many days
- Three days covers the town, a boat day and one bay. A week suits a beach holiday with trips.
- Best time to go
- May, June, September and October. July and August are hot and crowded, and winter is closed for much of the coast.
- Book ahead
- Beach clubs and the best dinner tables in July and August. Boat trips a day or two ahead.
- From the airport
- Milas-Bodrum Airport is about 36 km from Bodrum town: a Havaş bus or taxi takes around 45 minutes.
Where to stay in Bodrum, in brief
Bodrum town
walking, the castle and nightlife
The castle, the marina and most restaurants are within a short walk. Streets near the bars are loud late into summer nights.
Gümbet and Bitez
cheaper beach stays near town
Two bays a short minibus ride west of town. Gümbet is busy and loud, Bitez is calmer and more local.
Yalıkavak
a marina village and good restaurants
A polished harbor village on the north-west coast, about 30 minutes from town. Expect higher prices and a car or taxi for most trips.
Türkbükü
quiet, beach clubs and dining
A small bay on the north coast with waterside clubs and hotels. Pretty and calm, and among the most expensive places on the peninsula.
Things to do in Bodrum
Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology
The crusader castle of St Peter holds a museum of shipwreck finds, glass and amphorae raised from the Aegean. Go in the morning, before the stone heats up.
The ancient theater
A Hellenistic theater cut into the hill above the town, with a view over the harbor. It is a short walk and quick to see.
The Mausoleum site
The tomb of Mausolus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Little remains but foundations and a small museum, so go for the story, not the stones.
Marina and old waterfront walk
Walk the bay between the castle and the marina in the evening, when the boats come in. Cafés line it, and prices follow.
A boat day on the gulf
Day boats and gulets leave the harbor for coves with swimming stops and lunch on board. Pick a small boat with a morning start, and check what is included.
a day or two ahead in summer
Gümüşlük sunset
A quiet fishing village on the west of the peninsula with a causeway to the ruins of ancient Myndos. Come for a late-afternoon swim and a table by the water.
Yalıkavak marina and harbor
A large modern marina with shops and restaurants, and a quieter old harbor a short way along. Fine for an evening, less so for sightseeing.
Bitez and Gümbet beaches
Shallow, easy beaches within a short minibus ride of town. Bitez is calmer, Gümbet livelier and good for water sports.
Türkbükü beach clubs
Waterside clubs with sunbeds, food and music on the north coast. Expect to pay for a bed or a minimum spend, so ask before you sit.
several days ahead in July and August
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Bodrum can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Bodrum, and which to pick- A boat day on the gulfa day or two ahead in summer
Small boats and gulets fill early in July and August.
- A dinner table at the Michelin-listed restaurants2 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 Yalıkavakseveral days ahead in July and August
The best spots go early, and some clubs ask a minimum spend.
What to skip in Bodrum
- Midday sightseeing in July and August
The castle and theater are hot stone. Visit at opening or after 5pm and swim in the middle of the day.
- Restaurants where a tout invites you in
On the waterfront the menus are long and the prices unmarked. Look at the menu first, or choose a place a street back.
- The bar strip when you want to sleep
The music in the town's bar streets and in Gümbet runs very late in summer. Stay away from it, or choose another bay.
Best time to visit Bodrum
May, June, September and October are the best months: the sea is warm enough to swim, the sun is bearable and the beach clubs, boats and restaurants are open without the crowds.
July and August are hot, busy and the most expensive. Many hotels, clubs and some restaurants close from late autumn to spring, so winter is quiet and a lot of the coast is shut.
- From Milas-Bodrum AirportThe airport is about 36 km from Bodrum town. The Havaş shuttle runs to the bus terminal in about 45 minutes, and a taxi to town takes around 40. Yalıkavak is about an hour by road.
- Dolmuş minibusesShared minibuses run from the Bodrum terminal to the bays, including Gümbet, Bitez, Türkbükü and Yalıkavak. They are cheap and frequent in summer, and slower and less frequent out of season.
- Taxis and boatsTaxis are the easy way to reach the bays at night, but fares add up on the longer runs. Water taxis and day boats link some of the coves.
- Hire carUseful if you stay on a far bay and want to move between them. Roads are narrow and busy in summer, and parking in town is hard.
Bodrum in three days
- Day 1
The castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology in the morning, the ancient theater after lunch, and the marina walk at dusk.
- Day 2
A day boat on the gulf with swim stops, then dinner back in town.
- Day 3
Bitez or Gümbet for a morning swim, Gümüşlük for the late afternoon and sunset, and dinner by the water.
Day trips from Bodrum
- Kos, GreeceFerries run to the Greek island of Kos from Bodrum harbor, a short crossing. Check passport and visa rules for your nationality before you go, and the timetable, which is thinner out of season.
- Gökova Bay and Orak IslandBoat trips from Bodrum head to the islands and clear coves of the gulf for swimming. Take the day trip rather than a long self-drive.
Bodrum: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Bodrum?
Three days covers the town, a boat day and one or two bays. A week suits a beach holiday with trips along the peninsula.
Is Bodrum worth visiting?
Yes, for the sea, the castle and the evenings by the harbor, if you accept that it is a resort. It is not a place for a quiet culture-only break in August.
What is the best time to visit Bodrum?
May, June, September and October. July and August are hot and expensive, and winter closes much of the coast.
Is Bodrum good for a city break?
It works for two or three nights if you want a castle, a harbor and the sea. The town is small, and most visitors spend their time on beaches and boats.
What is there to do in Bodrum at night?
Walk the waterfront and the marina, eat late, and in summer go to the bars in town or Gümbet. Türkbükü and Yalıkavak are better for a long dinner.
How do you get from Bodrum airport to the town?
By Havaş shuttle in about 45 minutes to the bus terminal, or by taxi in about 40 minutes. Yalıkavak and Gümüşlük are around an hour away.