Top 5 Places to See in Bodrum

Bodrum is the Aegean’s most glamorous resort town: whitewashed houses, a crusader castle, beach clubs and yachts. But the peninsula is bigger than its nightlife, with ancient history, quiet coves and village restaurants where dinner lasts all evening.

1. Bodrum Castle

The Knights of St John built the Castle of St Peter in the 15th century, partly with stones taken from the ruined Mausoleum. Today it houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with real shipwrecks and treasures recovered from the seabed off the Turkish coast.

Tip: Allow at least two hours. Climb the towers for views over both of Bodrum’s bays.

More info

• Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
• Tickets: Paid.
• Getting there: On the harbor in the center of town, between the two bays. Easy to walk to from anywhere in central Bodrum.
• Nearby: Bodrum Marina, the bazaar streets, Bar Street (Cumhuriyet Caddesi) along the eastern bay.
• Good to know: There are many steps and uneven floors between the towers. Some halls of the underwater archaeology museum may be closed for restoration, so check before you go.

2. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Bodrum was once Halicarnassus, and the tomb of King Mausolus here was so famous it gave us the word mausoleum. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Earthquakes destroyed it centuries ago, and only foundations and fragments remain.

Tip: Set your expectations: it’s a small site, but standing where a Wonder of the World once stood is worth half an hour. The ancient theater on the hill nearby has great views too.

More info

• Time needed: 30 minutes.
• Tickets: Paid.
• Getting there: In the town center, about a 10-minute walk inland from the castle.
• Nearby: The ancient theater of Halicarnassus (on the hill above town), the Myndos Gate, the castle.
• Good to know: It’s mostly foundations and scattered stones, so the small exhibit with models and drawings helps you imagine the original building.

3. Bodrum Windmills

A row of old stone windmills sits on the ridge between Bodrum and Gümbet. They no longer turn, but the view over the town, the castle and the sea makes this a favorite sunset spot.

Tip: It’s a steep walk up, so take a taxi and walk back down into town.

More info

• Time needed: 30 minutes.
• Tickets: Free.
• Getting there: On the ridge between Bodrum and Gümbet. Take a taxi up and walk down into town.
• Nearby: Gümbet Bay, Bodrum town and the castle below.
• Good to know: There’s little shade. Come for sunset, when the castle and both bays are lit up below you.

4. Bodrum Marina

Bodrum’s marina is where the town’s social life happens: yachts and traditional gulets (wooden sailing boats) along the quay, with cafés and restaurants facing them.

Tip: Day boat trips leave from the harbor every morning in season, stopping at several coves for swimming. It’s the best way to see the coastline.

More info

• Time needed: An hour for a stroll, a full day for a boat trip.
• Tickets: Free to walk along; boat trips are paid.
• Getting there: On the western bay, a short walk from the castle.
• Nearby: Bodrum Castle, the old town lanes, Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi’s waterfront restaurants.
• Good to know: Day boat trips run daily in season (roughly May to October) and usually include lunch. Compare a few before you book.

5. Gümüşlük

On the western tip of the peninsula, Gümüşlük is a laid-back fishing village whose restaurants set their tables right at the water’s edge. The ruins of ancient Myndos lie partly under the water here, and you can wade out to Rabbit Island.

Tip: Come for the sunset and stay for a long seafood dinner. Book ahead in July and August.

More info

• Time needed: An afternoon and evening.
• Tickets: Free.
• Getting there: About 20 km west of Bodrum. Take a dolmuş from Bodrum bus station (about 40 minutes) or a taxi.
• Nearby: Rabbit Island (Tavşan Adası, reachable by wading across a shallow sandbar), the ruins of ancient Myndos, Yalıkavak.
• Good to know: It gets busy at sunset in summer, so reserve a waterside table. The village is low-key, with no big hotels or nightlife.

Getting around: dolmuş minibuses connect Bodrum with the villages around the peninsula. Milas–Bodrum Airport is about 35–45 minutes away.