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Bodrum

  • Bodrum, Aegean Region, Turkey

Last updated: 22 September, 2024
Expert travel writer: Jeremy Seal

Famous for its Crusader castle, rows of gleaming wooden gulets and vibrant nightlight, Bodrum is one of Turkey’s best-loved resorts. In spite of its popularity with tourists, it still feels pleasingly down to earth; a working Aegean port where fishing and holiday boats rub along together and where there’s a place, be it bar, beach lounger or market stall, for a greater diversity of pocket.

Stretching out from the town itself, the long Bodrum peninsula is fringed with smaller, low-key resorts and villages, particularly on the north side where Turkbuku’s swanky beach clubs draw a crowd of ultra-fashionable Istanbulites and foreign celebs.

In Bodrum itself, the shopping – particularly for clothes and accessories – is exceptional, and there’s culture too, including an impressive Roman ampthitheatre, and the imposing St. Peter’s Castle, home to the interesting Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

The trick is in combining the peninsula’s outstanding draws – its party scene, classical culture, shopping, boat trips to coves, sun-lounging – according to personal taste.

Orientation

The town, which occupies the southern shore of the peninsula, has as its hub the port and promenading area, with the Crusader castle bestriding two major bays.

Most of the big attractions are in the old centre, which has few hotels; there are dozens strung out along the coast in either direction. It’s worth avoiding Gumbet, unless you’re not fussed about sleep – it’s party central (and not in a good way).

Beyond the city, the shores of the peninsula are dotted with resort hotels and former fishing villages: Gumusluk, with its strip of shoreside fish restaurants; traditional Yalikavak; and ultra-fashionable (Gol) Turkbuku – Turkey’s Saint-Tropez.

In the middle of the peninsula, where the ground rises, rural Turkey briefly rematerialises.

Tours, tickets & transfers

6

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

  • Bodrum

You will be picked up by a local guide for a 3-4 hour guided tour of a Bodrum Village. See how the locals live and their daily working from making Carpets to handcrafts, and producing Olive oil and the daily fresh baked bread. You will get to enjoy a local Lunch with the locals.You eat real organic products from village farm and taste real Turkish lunch. you can buy olive oil , olive soap , rugs , kilims , carpets , dry fig and olive. you can buy all this products from first hand ; no middle man. this tour private for you , you can start when you want.

Price €50

Min age 0

Rating 4.69 / 5 [53 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Bodrum

Experience the history and scale of Bodrum monuments, museums, and memorials on a Segway tour with plenty of photo opportunities. Avoid long hours of walking between destinations, and see more the city with a guided tour. This tour is ideal for visitors who want to get a good overview of the city, in order to know where to explore in more depth later. Explore Bodrum on a Segway and avoid long hours of walking from place to place See 25 major landmarks and monuments from a unique vantage point See the Bodrum Castle, Mausoleum, Windmill, Old Bodrum streets and more Get an overview of the city with insider insights and stories.

Price €52

Min age 13

Rating 5 / 5 [38 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Bodrum

Comfortable seats with generous leg room air conditioning and luggage storage Enjoy smooth friendly and hassle-free transfer service, With this private transfer your driver will be waiting at the airport just for you. No matter your flight delay or traffic jams, These private vehicles can accommodate up to six people. Our service under any conditions-available 24 hours a day,7 days in a week

Price €43

Min age 0

Rating 4.72 / 5 [36 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Bodrum

Explore the most beautiful and remote parts of Bodrum that are seldom seen on tours of this Mediterranean resort town. Head up mountain tracks on this jeep safari and marvel at the unspoiled scenery and views of Bodrum and nearby towns.

Price €53

Min age 0

Rating 4.3 / 5 [30 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Bodrum

Private City Tour  from bodrum port  or hotel everyday  and you can decide pick up and return times.  we have different  departuere times 09:00 , 09:30 , 10:00 , 11:00 or 12:00 . you will get delicious lunch on Etrim village ,  guide , vip minibus on tour ,   we have guide  english - french and german language. our all guides  professional  licenced guide and all vehicles with  a/c  and fully insured.

Price €239

Min age 1

Rating 4.86 / 5 [22 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Travel advice

When to go

Bodrum is rammed during high summer (July and August), not the time to be sitting in a stationary vehicle on the winding coast road or trying to secure a table at the best restaurants. Crowds and temperatures fall away in both spring and autumn, which are perfect times to visit; it’s then that Bodrum takes its foot off the partying pedal and reveals itself as an Aegean town with a more nuanced appeal. The winter months tend to bring grey days and rain.

Getting there and away

Buses and taxis connect Bodrum’s airport with the city in about 30 minutes. Regular minibuses connect Bodrum’s bus station with the various destinations around the peninsula. Ferries and hydrofoils serve Bodrum from the Greek island of Kos.

Getting around

Car hire is available, though Bodrum’s labyrinthine roads and lack of parking hardly commends the place to drivers. Visitors are advised to use the ubiquitous dolmuses or taxis, while confident/fearless riders might even hire scooters or mopeds. Be prepared for heavy traffic in Bodrum and along the peninsula’s coast roads.

Where to eat or drink

The Bodrum Peninsula is Turkey’s nightlife capital, with the promenade along Bodrum’s eastern bay widely referred to as ‘Bar Street’. Bodrum’s western waterfront, Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi, is altogether chicer, and home to the city’s best restaurants and its marina.

Nearby Turkbuku – Turkey’s Saint-Tropez – is awash with trendy bars and beach brasseries.

Where to shop

The region is famed for ‘Tuesday’ markets in towns including Bodrum, Fethiye and Milas, where everything from local produce to ‘genuine fake’ Breitling watches are on offer.

Bodrum’s covered market area is good for upmarket artisanal products like silver jewellery and hand-made sandals.

For international brands head to Bodrum’s Karada Marina and to the Oasis Mall on the road to Gumbet, or to Turkbuku’s many boutiques.