Bodrum Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bodrum showing a coastal town and a marina
Bodrum showing street scenes, shopping and markets
Bodrum
Bodrum featuring a coastal town
Bodrum which includes markets and night scenes

Greek ruins and Christian castles stand alongside seaside hotels and umbrella-lined beaches in this resort town built on an ancient city.

The home of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Bodrum is now one of the world’s richest historical sites. Museums, archaeological digs and ancient artifacts are scattered throughout the city. Additionally, Bodrum is a resort town that attracts thousands of tourists every year to its beachside hotels. Enjoy both modern luxuries and ancient wonders in this city on the Aegean Sea.

More than two millennia ago, Bodrum was the Greek city of Halicarnassus. In the 4th century B.C., a 164-foot (50-meter) high tomb was built here forKing Mausolus. It was later named one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Visit the ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus to see a scale model of the marble tomb alongside many pieces from its pillars and reliefs.

Bodrum Castle, which rests on a peninsula south of the city, was built in large part from stones taken from the ruined mausoleum. Pay to enter this 15th-century structure built by Christian crusaders. Today, the castle houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which exhibits well-preserved relics taken from dig sites and shipwrecks from around the area.

Further ancient artifacts can be found in the northern hills of the city. Catch a concert at the 4th century B.C. Amphitheatre or climb up into the only remaining portion of the Halicarnassus city wall at Myndos Gate.

Spend a day enjoying the Aegean Sea. Walk the long beach lining Gumbet Bay. Swim in the protected waters of the small Bardakci Beach, featuring umbrellas and sun loungers provided by the neighboring seaside resort. Book a spot on a dive boat to explore the local waters. Colorful fish, shipwrecks and even underwater plane wrecks can be found nearby.

Visit Bodrum during the mild months between November and April for the most pleasant experience. Reach the city through the Milas-Bodrum Airport, which is 21 miles (33 kilometers) north of town. Flights from Istanbul arrive here daily. Take a taxi into Bodrum from the airport. Most of the city’s historical attractions are closed on Mondays, but the beaches are always open.

Turkey is one of the most popular destinations in the world for a beach holiday. Why not check out our cheap holidays to Belek or book yourself an Antayla beach holiday and find out why for yourself.

Where to stay in Bodrum

Bodrum Beach showing a pebble beach and night scenes

Bodrum City Center

4.5/5(109 area reviews)

Bodrum City Center is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Bodrum Marina and Bodrum Ferry Terminal while in the area.

Bodrum City Center
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Yalikavak City Center

While Yalikavak City Center may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Yalikavak Marina and Yalikavak Beach.

Yalikavak City Center
Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum by IHG
Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum by IHG
Eskicesme, Haremtan Sk. No:11, Bodrum, Bodrum
The price is £75 per night from 21 May to 22 May
£75
includes taxes & fees
21 May - 22 May
Stay at this beach hotel in Bodrum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.6/10 Good! (193 reviews)
Great Hotel
"Holiday Inn Resort is one of the best hotels to stay in Bodrum. Located in the first shoreline, it offers stunning views, clean beach, beautiful rooms with little balconies, helpful, friendly and multilingual staff. During my one-week-stay I was mesmerised by young and welcoming employees, overall ..."

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum by IHG
DoubleTree by Hilton Bodrum Işıl Club Ultra All Inclusive Resort
DoubleTree by Hilton Bodrum Işıl Club Ultra All Inclusive Resort
Torba, Kaynar Mevkii No:11, Bodrum, Mugla
The price is £169 per night from 22 May to 23 May
£169
includes taxes & fees
22 May - 23 May
Stay at this beach resort in Bodrum. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (189 reviews)
"Nice place. I enjoyed my stay"

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2024

DoubleTree by Hilton Bodrum Işıl Club Ultra All Inclusive Resort
Hotel Gumbet
Hotel Gumbet
Sakir Esendemir Sokak No. 22, Gumbet, Bodrum
The price is £26 per night from 21 May to 22 May
£26
includes taxes & fees
21 May - 22 May
Stay at this hotel in Bodrum. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (205 reviews)
"Nice breakfast!"

Reviewed on 13 May 2025

Hotel Gumbet
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Jasmin Elite Residence & SPA
Jasmin Elite Residence & SPA
Eski çesme Mah., Osman Nuri Bilgin Cad. No:54, Bodrum
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Bodrum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Bodrum Marina and Bodrum Castle are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (182 reviews)
Beautiful complex in convenient quiet location
"Beautiful complex, multiple pools and spa facilities. Apartment was spacious and comfortable. Breakfast was average. Walkable distance to the marina. Walls are thin between apartments. I was wakened in the middle of the night by neighbours phone alarm going off for 30mins!"

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2025

Jasmin Elite Residence & SPA
Dorman Suites Hotel
Dorman Suites Hotel
Bitez Mah. Halilim Cd. No 6, Bodrum Bitez, Bodrum, Mugla
Stay at this aparthotel in Bodrum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Bitez Beach and Bodrum Marina are located nearby.
"Great place! Clean! You can walk to the beach where there is many restaurants. The breakfast was already very nice!"

Reviewed on 5 Apr 2025

Dorman Suites Hotel
Maison 48 Apart Hotel
Maison 48 Apart Hotel
Adnan Menderes Caddesi No: 18, Gumbet, Bodrum, Mugla
Stay at this aparthotel in Bodrum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Bitez Beach and Bodrum Marina are located ...
"Her şey harikaydı, ailemle ve arkadaşımla birlikte geldik çok keyif aldık. Tavsiye ederim."

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2024

Maison 48 Apart Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bodrum

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
70
5 - Excellent 54%
4 - Good
44
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
12
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
4
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

There were stray cats disturbing your meals, flies everywhere you turned, bland food with flies and visible dirt where the food was.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Weather was wonderful

3/5 - Okay

Mark

We only went into Bodrum for a morning using a taxi costing 120 Turkish Lira and came back by minibus from the bus station (6.5 Turkish Lira each). We found Bodrum noisy and crowded and a big contrast to our much quieter resort.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good shopping could do with a bit of a face lift and to keep its charm but on the whole a nice place to visit

2/5 - Disappointing

JOHN

Town of Bodrum we did not like, when we went for the day. Gumusluck was great.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Not many places of interest.

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