The Turkish port town Bodrum is well known for its historic castle, picturesque coastline, and white washed houses covered in colourful bougainvillea. Today's Bodrum however is no longer a quiet and sleepy town; it has expanded and become a lively and energetic hot spot. Numerous nightspots and the stylish new marina are the popular attractions now.

Some of the region's best beaches are located just a few miles outside Bodrum in the Torba village.

Take a look through our Bodrum destination guide below to find out the many exciting highlights in Bodrum. Our Bodrum tours page provides more suggestions, whilst our Turkey Country Guide provides useful information for your Turkey holiday.

Things To See & Do in Bodrum

The history of Bodrum goes back to the days when the tomb or Mausoleum of King Mausolus was considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The epic structure is however in ruins now.

A huge number of tourists arrive in Bodrum every summer to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the shopping. The beaches are Bodrum's main attraction and there are many to choose from, both within and outside the city limits. A long thin beach adorns the eastern part of Bodrum. Although located very conveniently, it is not the best beach in the area. Behind the beach, there are a large number of cafés, clubs and bars that attract a lot of tourists.

Bodrum Castle & Museum of Underwater Archeology
Bodrum Boat Tours
Bodrum Boat Tour. 2
Village Tour
Turgut Reis Market Tour
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
The Amphitheatre
Milas & Herakliea Tour
The Bodrum Dedeman Aquapark
The Ruins of Priene, Miletus and Didyma
Bodrum Hamam (Turkish Bath)
Ephesus

Bodrum Castle & Museum of Underwater Archeology

The Castle of St. Peter or bodrum Kalesi, with its tall standing towers is the most famous landmark of the city of Bodrum. The castle was built between 1402 and 1437 by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John from Rhodes. It was built on the islet of Zephyrion, which since long is connected to the mainland. The fortress came to be known as the Castle of St. Peter and remained a stronghold under the Knights community for more than a century. As was practised in Rhodes, the defence of different sections of the walls were entrusted to knights of different nationalities in the Order.

The English tower or the Lion Tower -Arslan Kulesi- has a lion sculpted on its west wall. The French tower which reaches 47,5 meter above sealevel is the highest of the five towers of the fortress. Ever since it came under the Turkish rule, the castle has been used for different purposes. It has served as a military base, a prison, a public bath, and now it houses one of the biggest museums of Underwater Archaeology.

Visitors are thrilled to see on display original discoveries as well as reconstructions of various objects that have been recovered from shipwrecks at Cape Gelidonya in Finike, and Yassi Ada, which is located quite close to western Bodrum. A variety of other objects such as equipment used by underwater archaeologists, illustrated explanations of their methods, and other recovered objects are also on display.

Bodrum Boat Tours

There are public boat tours in Bodrum from all the beaches. They take visitors to the several islands and other attractions surrounding Bodrum such as the Tavsan Burnu Bay, the Ortakent Bay, the Karaada or Black Island, and the Meteor Pool that is great for diving. The Aquarium is a small cove favoured by swimmers. The Bodrum marina houses most of the cruise companies.

Bodrum Boat Tour. 2

This boat trip is an unforgettable experience. This Bodrum tour starts from Turgut Reis Harbour. You'll sail along the highlands of the Bodrum Peninsula, in the search for beautiful and forlorn bays and inlets. There is plenty of time for swimming in the pristine waters of the Aegean Sea and for sunbathing a-deck of our ship.

Included:

- Return transfer to Turgut Reis
- Five stops at different bays/inlets
- Lunch (beverages are not included)
- Afternoon Tea and Cake
- Insurance

Please do not forget to take with you:

- swimming suit & towel
- sunrepellants, sunhat, sunglasses
- snorkel (and flippers)

Village Tour

On this Bodrum tour you'll have the opportunity to have a look at the real life of rural Turkey. We visit an unspoilt mountain village, willwalk around and have a lot of possibilities to contact with the friendly and hospitable villagers. We'll drink tea (or softdrinks) in a local teaouhse. Maybe some of you will end up playing tric-trac or backgammon with the locals.

Fot Lunch you'll be able to taste original village cooking. And feel welcome into the villagers homes where some of the ladies and girls stil continue the traditions of weaving carpets.

Tour Days: Monday and Friday

Included is:

- Return transfer to your hotel
- English and German speaking Professional tour guides
- Lunch and local drinks
- Insurance

Please Note:

- As people in the traditional settings of Turkey still wear clothes that cover the whole body, we would like to ask you to do the same. Please no open beach and/or bath gear
- Entering with shoes into a house is not done in Turkey. Please wear shoes you can take of and dress again easily
- If taking pictures, please first ask permission of the persons you'll like to photograph. Maybe you find some nice small items the people are willing to sell, so please take small coupures of money with you.

Turgut Reis Market Tour

CHEAPER PRICES - BETTER GIFTS!...

Every Saturday the lively streetmarket of Turgutreis is held. It is the biggest and the cheapest market on the Bodrum Peninsula. You can find there all kind of fresh and interesting local vegetables and fruits, herbs and spices, olives and olive oil, and furthermore handicrafts and textiles. Try to bargain for the best price, it makes a lot of fun and may lower the price you pay considerably.

Tour day: Saturday

Included is:

- Return transfer to your hotel/pick up point
- English speaking Professional tour guide
- Insurance

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

King Mausoleus ruled over Bodrum until his demise in 353 BC. His wive, queen Artemesia had a beautiful tomb built in honour of King. Because of its perfect shape and proportions it was reckoned as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It stood about 1700 years until it was destroyed by a series of devastating earthquakes around 1400AD. The Knights of St. John utilized the broken pieces to reinforce the castle (see Bodrum Castle). There is no information about the bodies of the royal couple or the treasure buried with them. The king's name lives on since it was his name, Mausoleus, which gave the word mausoleum to many european languages.

Do not expect to see anything of the glory this tomb has carried for so long a time. At the spot of the tomb you will only find some stones and two small barns in which ornamented stone parts are to be found. If you are looking for a good replica you have to visit Milas. Ask for the mausoleum and/or follow the (brown colored) signposts.

The Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre is located on a hillside that overlooks the town. It was first constructed during the days of King Mausoleus. In its days of glory, the Amphitheatre was the main centre of entertainment for over 13,000 Romans. It has been carefully restored to its former glory and is still used today. The Amphitheatre hosts Bodrum’s annual September festival.

Milas & Herakliea Tour

This Bodrum tour combines the modern habbits of shopping with visits to remnants of antiquity.

People who like to shop can visit the famous market of Milas, where you can find all kinds of local fruits and vegetables, spices and herbs, olives and olive-oils. Fort he people loving the remnants of antiquity Milas has some very interesting ruins from Roman and Byzantine times. Furthermore there is a fine quarter with some very well preserved houses from the 19th century.

After our visit to Milas we continue for the natural and cultural beauties of Lake Bafa. This lake was once a laguna from the Meander (Menderes) River on the edge of the Aegean Sea. There are reports that in the 4th century A.D. ships were stil sailing to Herakleia. At that time the laguna was calles Latmos Sea. An earthquake blocked the free passway with the sea. We head for the remnants of old Herakleia: clearly visible parts of the once 6 km long fortress walls, some parts of the tempel of Athena and the Agora. Also Byzantine remnants like walls of a church are to be seen. In springtime and fall, the environments of the ruins is very attractive for a walk. The Latmos Mountains are very strange shaped like some god of antiquity had a hand in shaping them. Everywhere remnants of graveyards of monks (hermits) are to be found.

Tour Day: Saturday

Itinerary

09:00                             Departure from Bodrum
09.00 - 10:00                 Drive to Milas
10.00 - 12.00                 Free time to visit Milas Market
12:00 - 12:30                 Drive from Milas to Herakleia
12.30 - 13.30                 Arrive at Bafa Lake for lunch with lake view.
13:30 - 16.30                 Visit the ruins in Heraklia and walk around the site
16:30 - 18.00                 Drive from Heraklia back to hotel

Included is:

- Transfer by airconditioned bus from and back to hotel
- English or Russian speaking Professional Tour Guide
- All the entrance fees
- Lunch (beverages are not invluded)
- Insurance

The Bodrum Dedeman Aquapark

The newest addition to Bodrum, the Dedeman Aquapark has become one of the most attractive spots of Turkey. Jacuzzis, pools, over 20 different fast water slides including the exciting ‘Crazy River’ and ‘Big Hole’, great eateries and places to relax and enjoy the sun are what brings visitors to this water park.

The Ruins of Priene, Miletus and Didyma

The ancient Ionian cities of Miletus and Priene are located about a two-hour drive north of Bodrum. Miletus is in ruins today, but at one time, it was the greatest Ionian city. The beautiful Greco-Roman theatre in Miletus is still a famous landmark. The temples and festivals of the much smaller city of Priene were famous in the past. Another stunning piece of architecture that is now in ruins but is being restored painstakingly is the Didyma temple of Apollo. Visitors used to throng to this popular pilgrimage site -the second famous oracle after Delphi- to listen to the prophecies of the priests. This practice however, no longer exists.

Bodrum Hamam (Turkish Bath)

Make sure you visit the Bodrum Hamam for a completely Turkish experience. Located just a few blocks from Bodrum’s harbour, the hamam is easy to find. The locals spend at least an hour or more during each session. There is an excellent massage service as well. There are separate bathing areas for men and women.

Ephesus

Ephesus was a port founded by the Greeks in the 11th century. A former centre of culture, power, and trade, Ephesus became empty after natural disasters and silting of the harbour forced inhabitants to leave the city. The well-known Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was once one of the Wonders of the Ancient World but unfortunately, it is in ruins now. Nevertheless, the city is still quite splendid and one of Turkey’s most visited historical locations. Seluk, located close by, has a museum that houses all the artefacts found in Ephesus during archaeological digs. The House of the Virgin Mary is located near Ephesus and is a place of pilgrimage for the devout. This is where Virgin Mary is believed to have stayed after Jesus Christ was crucified.

Bodrum Destination Guide