What do Beyoncé, Yves Saint Laurent, and Mark Zuckerberg have in common? They’ve all traveled to Bodrum!
Once known as a sleepy fishing village in the 1970s, Bodrum has slowly but surely transformed into the St. Tropez of Türkiye over the years. Imagine a peninsula dotted with luxurious yachts, five-star hotels frequented by the jet-set elite, and a cosmopolitan but fun atmosphere all around — that’s Bodrum in a nutshell. 🙂
Most people start their Bodrum trip from Bodrum center (also known as Bodrum merkez in Turkish) and work their way around the peninsula to places like Akyarlar, Gümüşlük, and Yalıkavak.
Since most Bodrum travel guides focus on the entire peninsula, we wanted to do something a little different and write about what to do in Bodrum center. Despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations during the summer, Bodrum also has a lot to offer, including historical landmarks, charming streets, and plenty of hidden gems.
This guide to Bodrum was written from our personal experiences (we’ve been here more than 5 times!) and has everything you need to know for the perfect vacation, including transportation, what to do in Bodrum, where to stay, where to eat, and much more.
BODRUM: The Basics
Why visit Bodrum? Is Bodrum worth a visit?
If lounging around by the pool, eating at trendy restaurants, and looking chic sound like your ideal vacation, then Bodrum is calling your name. 😉
As one of Turkey’s most popular resort towns, Bodrum offers an excellent combination of natural beauty, a few historic attractions, and plenty of fun.
On the other hand, some people might not like Bodrum because it’s too touristy, overpriced, or noisy. If you’re the latter, we recommend either staying in a different part of the Bodrum Peninsula (like Torba or Akyarlar) or further out (i.e. Datça, Akyaka, Ayvalık, etc).
What is Bodrum known for?
💃 Being trendy — Bodrum has maintained its reputation as a glamorous, jetset destination, attracting a chic crowd of Turkish and international visitors (especially during the summer months!)
🏰 Bodrum Castle — The iconic 15th century Castle of St. Peter, now home to the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, is one of Bodrum’s must-see tourist attractions. It’s so popular that we’ve even written a walking guide to Bodrum Castle!
🪩 Nightlife — Like any popular seaside city, Bodrum is renowned for its nightlife, and you’ll find plenty of clubs, bars, lounges, and beach clubs.
⛱️ A summer destination — With dozens of beautiful beaches, fabulous beach clubs, and a pleasant Mediterranean climate, Bodrum is a super popular summer vacation spot — especially for those seeking a chic, coastal getaway.
How many days do you need in Bodrum?
We recommend a minimum of two days in Bodrum — one day to explore the city and the second to go on a day trip to Kos. If you have a car, you can also check out our Bodrum Day Trips blog post to get inspiration (there are a ton of cool places to visit nearby!) or take a trip around the Bodrum Peninsula.
If your main goal is to relax, then you can easily spend at least 3 or 4 days chilling in a Bodrum resort, going swimming, eating at the local restaurants, and so on. 🙂
How to Get to Bodrum
By Airplane
The most convenient way to get to Bodrum is by flying into Milas–Bodrum Airport (airport code BJV). Despite its small size, the airport serves dozens of routes from Europe and the Middle East via airlines like Corendon, easyJet, Jet2, Kuwait Airways, LOT, SunExpress, TUI, and many more.
However, it’s important to note that many of these routes are seasonal and only fly during the summer months.
Likewise, there are daily domestic flights on local airlines like AJet (formerly AnadoluJet), Pegasus Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. These airlines have routes from Istanbul (IST and SAW), Ankara, Adana, and Antalya.
Milas—Bodrum Airport (BJV) is located about 35 km (22 mi) from Bodrum city center and can be reached by shuttle bus, taxi, or private transfer. Although we typically recommend shuttle buses, it’s better to book a private transfer (like this one) because there have been ongoing business problems between BJV Airport and the shuttle bus company.
If you don’t see any suitable flights to BJV, you can also try searching for flights to Dalaman Airport (DLM). However, be warned — Dalaman Airport is about 207 km (130 mi) to Bodrum. 😅
Check out our widget below for flights to Bodrum:
By Bus
There are dozens of bus routes to Bodrum, including Antalya, Fethiye, Muğla, Aydın, Kuşadası, Denizli (Pamukkale), Izmir, and so on. If you’re traveling further out, there are also buses to Bodrum from Istanbul, Bursa, Ankara, Eskişehir, Kayseri (Cappadocia), Konya, and more. Click here to search and book your bus →
By Ferry
Thanks to its location, you can also travel to Bodrum by ferry! There are ferries from nearby Greek islands like Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Patmos, and Leros (Lakki or Agia Marina). Depending on the route and season, some ferries have daily sailings (such as Kos), while others sail a few times a week. If you’re planning an island hopping trip between Türkiye and Greece, you can also visit the aforementioned islands as well!
Click here to check current ferry timetables and reserve →
By Car
Bodrum is an unmissable stop in any Turkish Mediterranean road trip! If you’re traveling around southern Türkiye by car, you can easily add a day or two in Bodrum. Even better, having a car allows you to check out some amazing ancient ruins, pretty beaches, and interesting museums along the Bodrum Peninsula and nearby — we’ve even written a blog post about it!
Click here to check rental car prices and reserve →
How to Get Around Bodrum
There are four ways of getting around Bodrum — walking, taking a bus, hailing a taxi, or renting a car.
If you’re planning to stick to Bodrum center, then you can easily get around by walking or taking a taxi (for slightly longer distances like Bodrum to Bitez).
If you want to explore the Bodrum Peninsula, you can either take public transportation (buses) or rent a car.
The public transportation network was recently modernized and the province switched out the dolmuş minivans with newer, cleaner, and state-of-the-art buses. You can reach towns and villages like Akyarlar, Turgutreis, Gümüşlük, Yalıkavak, Gündoğan, and other interesting spots. There are nearly 50 bus lines, and most have regular departures (typically every 30 minutes or 1 hour). You can check the timetables, current bus location, and prices on the official website → (be sure to use a translator)
Finally, we recommend renting a car if you want to explore the entire Bodrum Peninsula (including places where the bus doesn’t go!), if you’re a large group, have children, and/or want to enjoy traveling on your own time (i.e. no waiting for the bus). We personally use this car rental website and recommend it →
What To Do in Bodrum
Bodrum Castle & Museum of Underwater Archaeology
The most popular tourist attraction in Bodrum is none other than the imposing Bodrum Castle — you can see it from practically any point along the marina!
Also known as Bodrum Kalesi in Turkish or the Castle of Saint Peter, this historic landmark is more than 500 years old and has seen the fall of many empires. It was originally used as a fortress before turning into a garrison, a prison, and finally a museum in the mid-1900s.
You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours walking around the castle (it’s quite large!), checking out the multiple museums and exhibits inside, climbing the towers, taking photos, and so on. In fact, we’ve even written a Guide to Bodrum Castle to help you make the most of your visit!
Bodrum Old Town
Bodrum’s “Old Town” is a charming maze of narrow streets lined with souvenir shops, fish restaurants, and whitewashed houses, all centered around the Bodrum Castle. The most popular pedestrian street in Bodrum is along Cumhuriyet Caddesi, which is sometimes referred to as Barlar Sokağı (Bars Street) due to its large number of bars, tavernas, and lounges.
Fun fact: The whitewashed houses are more than just pretty architecture — the bright white color helps reflect sunlight and keeps the interior cool, which is especially important in Bodrum’s hot summer sun!
Zeki Müren Museum
Known as one of the most loved and popular singers in Türkiye, Zeki Müren’s influence on Turkish music and culture is immeasurable. His former home in Bodrum has been transformed into a museum that offers an interesting look into his life and career, full of personal items, stage costumes, awards, and photographs.
Even if you’ve never heard his music before, we recommend visiting just to see his unique style and glamorous costumes!
Ruins of Halicarnassus
Did you know that one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World is located in Bodrum?
It’s true! The Ruins of Halicarnassus (originally called the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus because, well, they weren’t ruins back then 😅) was an ancient Greek tomb built sometime around mid-300 BC for Mausolus, who ruled the land where modern-day Bodrum currently is.
The mausoleum was more than 45 meters (150 ft) in height and had some 400 sculptures around the tomb. Interestingly, the word mausoleum came from the name of the aforementioned Mausolus — he really set the scene for new words, huh? 😉
Bodrum Ancient Theater
Just a short walk from the Ruins of Halicarnassus is another ancient attraction — the Theater at Halicarnassus.
Simply known as ‘Bodrum Ancient Theater,’ this open-air theater was constructed by an order from Mausolos (the same guy located in the mausoleum above) and could fit more than 10,000 people! Nowadays, it functions as a tourist attraction and an event venue for events like the Bodrum International Ballet Festival and concerts.
Myndos Gate
One final ancient landmark before we finish this section. 🙂
Myndos Gate used to serve as a fortified gateway to Halicarnassus (now modern-day Bodrum) and was built sometime around the 4th century BC. While the top part of the gate was destroyed, it’s still considered one of the best-preserved ancient structures in Bodrum. Entry is free.
Day Trips from Bodrum
Staying in Bodrum for a few days and want to explore? There are dozens of interesting things to do around the Bodrum Peninsula — we’ve written an entire blog post on the Best Day Trips From Bodrum!
Here are some of our favorites:
Visit the Greek Island of Kos
If you’ve already gone through our list of things to do in Bodrum and are looking for a fun alternative, grab your passport and take a ferry to Greece! 🙂
Kos is one of the most popular day trips from Bodrum (if not the most popular!) thanks to a few reasons: it’s a short trip (less than 1 hour), Kos city center is compact and easily walkable, and there are multiple daily departures. Best of all, round-trip tickets cost less than 35 EUR per person!
There are lots of interesting things to see and do on Kos island. You can check out the 15th-century Castle of Neratzia (Castle of the Knights); stroll by the seaside promenade (Akti Kountouriotou street); see the architecture of Kos’ Old Town; visit the Archaeological Museum of Kos; see the Plane Tree of Hippocrates (where the famous philosopher allegedly taught his students); and relax on the dozens of beaches dotted around the island.
You can check out our two Kos blog posts for more information and inspiration: Everything you need to know about the Bodrum to Kos ferry and How to visit Kos on a day trip from Bodrum.
Go on a boat trip to Orak Island
Did you know that Bodrum has its own ‘Maldives Island’? Thanks to its turquoise coves, beaches surrounded by olive trees, and crystal clear water, a trip to Orak Island feels as if you’ve bought a ticket to some exotic destination… but in reality, you’re just 15 km from Bodrum. 🙂
Since Orak Island is, well, an island, the only way to get there is by boat. We recommend taking a boat tour (like this top-rated one), which leaves in the morning and spends the whole day (~6 hours) sailing to small islands. There’s also a delicious lunch and complimentary swimming gear like goggles included!
Relax at the Dibeklihan Culture and Art Village
One of our favorite ‘hidden gems’ in Bodrum is the Dibeklihan Culture and Art Village, which is located just a short drive from Bodrum center. Despite the name, Dibeklihan isn’t a village per-se — it’s a complex of stone buildings that serve as spaces for art galleries, a museum, design workshops, small boutiques selling handmade items, and cafes.
Despite appearing old, Dibeklihan was only opened 15 years ago! Best of all, you can easily reach the village by taxi — it’s only 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center.
Explore the Bodrum Peninsula
While this blog post mainly focused on Bodum city center, there are actually a dozen or so towns and villages scattered all around the Bodrum Peninsula!
If you have an extra day or two, rent a car and enjoy a drive around the peninsula. Some of our favorite places include Bitez (a cute area with boho cafes), Akyarlar (an old Greek fishing village), Gümüşlük (very romantic seaside spot with the best seafood!), and Torba (a quiet enclave surrounded by forests).
If you’re looking for even more day trips from Bodrum, check out our 13 BODRUM DAY TRIPS: History, Culture, Food, Beaches, and More blog post.
Other great ideas
Relax on a Beach — Bodrum has dozens of beaches along its peninsula — some of the most popular are Ortakent Beach, Mor Beach, Yahşi Beach, and Gümüşlük Beach.
Go Scuba Diving — if relaxing on a beach is too boring, why not try scuba diving instead? There are a handful of scuba diving companies in Bodrum, such as this popular tour.
Market Visit and Cooking Class — Go on a tour of the local market (pazar), buy fresh ingredients, and use them in this fun cooking class! You’ll make a 5-course meal and sample olive oils and wine along the way. See more information about this tour →
Vineyard Tour with Dinner — Enjoy a delicious 5-course dinner, take a tour through the vineyard, and learn more about the region’s wine with this interesting tour →
Where to stay in Bodrum
Churchill Townhouse — Two words: Absolutely gorgeous! These luxury suites have amazing views of the surrounding bay, a cute bohemian aesthetic, and an excellent location. Since it’s right above a beach club, you’ll also have direct access to the beach and complimentary sun beds and towels.
Marmara Bodrum — This place feels more like a resort than a hotel. 🙂 It has absolutely everything you need for a great vacation, including a huge pool (with views of Bodrum center and Kos island)!, luxury furniture, a private beach (which you can reach by complimentary shuttle), parking a spa center, gym, and an on-site restaurant.
Akana Loft — In a nutshell, this place is perfect! Akana offers chic and minimalist apartment-style suites (double rooms, suites, and family suites) that include a full-sized kitchen and balcony overlooking the harbor.
Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum Ultra All Inclusive — If you prefer to have a relaxing holiday and not worry about anything (including where to eat), this is for you — this resort offers an all-inclusive option! Besides that, it’s located in a peaceful area yet just a short drive from Bodrum center.
Rüya Boheme Hotel — Ah, just look at that super chic boho design! Rüya is an excellent choice if you’re on a budget but still want to stay in cute and comfortable accommodations. There are 5 room options available, and is within walking distance to everything.
Kocadon Museum Hotel — As the name says, this is truly a museum hotel — each of the rooms has a unique design and various historical artifacts that were collected by the hotel owners! If you’re looking for a unique design hotel in Bodrum, you’ll love Kocadon. 🙂
Noa Suite — Although Noa is slightly further from the center, it’s located in a quiet area and has a pool overlooking the sea. It’s also perfect if you want to have an extended vacation, as it’s an apartment-style hotel with a full kitchen and washing machine.
L’Onda Bodrum — A very sweet and cozy guesthouse run by a lovely local lady. We stayed here during our last trip and loved the atmosphere — the rooms are decorated in a local style, there’s places to lounge around in the spacious backyard (which is where the complimentary breakfast is served), and the staff are so sweet and friendly. Bonus: there’s a lot of cute cats roaming around (the owner is an animal lover and donates to various rescue groups).
Sade Pansiyon — Another place where we stayed. 🙂 Sade has cute, no-frills rooms, plus complimentary buffet-style breakfast and a nice location.
Where to Eat in Bodrum
Restaurants in the center of Bodrum typically tend to be overpriced because it’s such a touristy location, which can be surprising for first-time visitors. 😅
Nevertheless, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite recommendations, which includes places we’ve personally dined at and those recommended by our local Turkish friends.
Mezemore — A traditional meyhane restaurant that specializes in seafood and a good time. 🙂
We accidentally discovered it the first time we traveled to Bodrum, and have been coming here every time we visit. We love Mezemore for its friend service, delicious meze (appetizers), and authentic Turkish vibe. Location →
Ruby’s Pizzeria — The best! We ate here three times in 2 days (it’s that good). 🙂
This cute family business specializes in Italian food, including pizza, pasta, salads, and the most delicious dessert (tiramisu). Ask the owner for the Burrata pizza — it’s not officially on the menu but it’s amazing. Location →
Espressolab Bodrum Marina — If you’ve traveled around Türkiye, you’re probably familiar with this popular chain of cafes. Bodrum is no different — the Espressolab along the Bodrum Marina is very chic, minimalist, and there’s a ‘hidden garden’ in the back. Location →
Joy Art Cafe — This cute and colorful cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Best of all, they’re open from 9 am to midnight! Location →
Kaktüs — A cozy little hipster cafe serving light snacks and drinks. The walls are covered in books, which you can purchase if one catches your eye! Location →
Kalamare Restaurant — A charming family-run meze restaurant with reasonable prices — a rarity in Bodrum!. This is one of our Turkish friend’s most favorite restaurants (he said it was fine to share with our readers 😉) Location →
Arka Pizza — One of the best pizza restaurants in Bodrum — be sure to get there early and sign the waiting list, because it’s very popular among locals (and tourists who know 😉). Location →
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