Destination guide • Bodrum
Visiting Bodrum means white houses on green hills, marinas crowded with yachts and quiet bays with clear blue water on the Aegean Sea, with upscale resorts that suit families and couples.
Why Bodrum?
Bodrum is a peninsula on the Aegean Sea in southwest Turkey. In ancient times it was the city of Halicarnassus, which contained the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today it is one of the most upscale summer destinations in Turkey, with its marinas, bays and seafood restaurants. It is known for its white cube-shaped houses that recall the nearby Greek islands, and for the olive and citrus trees on its hills. It is a comfortable base for exploring the Aegean coast, from the ancient city of Ephesus in the north to the limestone terraces of Pamukkale.
In the center of town stands Bodrum Castle (the Castle of St. Peter), built by the Knights of St. John in the fifteenth century, which houses a museum of underwater archaeology among the most important of its kind in the world. Around it are the marina, the market and the seafront promenade, while coastal villages with their own character are spread around the peninsula: luxurious Yalıkavak, upscale Göltürkbükü, quiet Bitez, and Gümüşlük with its fish restaurants at sunset. It is a pleasure to stroll in the evening through the old market near the castle to buy local products and gifts.
The best thing about Bodrum is the sea itself: trips on traditional wooden boats (gulets) between the bays and islands to swim in clear water, or a private yacht for your family for a full day. Luxury resorts with private beaches are scattered along the coast, and we choose the ones that are quiet and suitable for families, away from the nightlife areas. Their restaurants are known for fresh fish and seafood, with sunset views in the western bays.
Getting there is easy via Milas-Bodrum Airport (BJV), on domestic flights from Istanbul that take about an hour and a quarter, and in summer seasonal direct flights operate from some cities in the region. We arrange flights, hotel, tours and an English-speaking driver for you, and Bodrum can be combined with Istanbul or with Antalya in a single program. May, June and September suit those who prefer milder weather and fewer crowds, and swimming is especially pleasant in June and September.
Top sights
A carefully chosen list of what deserves your time in Bodrum, with the visits smartly arranged within our programs.
A fifteenth-century stone castle on a spit of land between two bays, with its towers and gardens and a view over the marina.
Inside the castle, it displays ancient shipwrecks, jars and treasures recovered from the seabed, and it appeals to children interested in the sea.
The yacht harbor in the heart of town, surrounded by restaurants, cafés and shops, at its most beautiful in the evening.
The most upscale marina in Bodrum, with luxury yachts, international shops and fine restaurants, and a favorite destination for couples and lovers of a luxurious atmosphere.
Old stone mills on the hill between Bodrum and Gümbet, and the best spot for a panoramic photo of the two bays at sunset.
The site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today only the foundations and a few stones remain, along with a small exhibition explaining its history.
An ancient theater on the hillside above the town, offering a wonderful view of the castle and the marina.
A quiet fishing village on the ruins of the ancient city of Myndos, known for its waterside fish restaurants and its sunset.
An upscale bay with beach clubs and wooden platforms over the water, sought out by lovers of a luxurious atmosphere and privacy.
A calm bay with shallow water and tangerine orchards, suitable for families and for windsurfing.
A day trip on a traditional wooden boat that stops at nearby bays and islands, such as Orak Island, for swimming, with lunch on board.
Ready-made programs
Day-by-day programs that can be fully adjusted to your number of days and budget.
Nine days for newlyweds: romantic Istanbul on the Bosphorus, two nights in a cave hotel in Cappadocia with a balloon option, and two nights in a private bungalow in Sapanca.
Two weeks to see all of Turkey: Istanbul, the cave hotels of Cappadocia, the historic Konya road, Antalya's beaches, then Trabzon and Uzungöl.
A week on the Turkish Riviera: a seaside resort, the Old Town and Düden Waterfalls, the Olympos cable car, Side and Manavgat, and Alanya Castle.
Day Trips
Where to stay?
We can also arrange airport pickup and a private English-speaking driver for you.
OYA tips
Design your trip
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Questions & answers
Yes, if you choose the right area: Bitez, Torba and Yalıkavak are quiet and have family resorts with private beaches, while Gümbet and the town center lean toward nightlife in the evening. We suggest hotels that suit your family's style.
June to September for swimming and boat trips, while May and October have milder heat and fewer crowds. In winter the town becomes much quieter and a number of seasonal resorts close.
In summer, seasonal direct flights operate from some Gulf cities, and their schedules change from one season to the next. In any case, it is easy to get there via Istanbul on a domestic flight of about an hour and a quarter. We look for the most suitable option for you through our flight ticket service.
Antalya suits families looking for large all-inclusive resorts, halal resorts and a variety of tours, while Bodrum suits those who love marinas, yachts, quiet bays and an upscale character. Also read the Antalya travel guide.
It depends on the size of the yacht or boat, the number of hours, the season and what is included, such as meals and fuel, and the difference between a shared boat and a large private yacht is very big. Send us the number of people and the date, and we will send you updated offers.
Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Bodrum Marina and Yalıkavak, the windmills, the ancient theater, the site of the Mausoleum, the bays of Gümüşlük, Bitez and Göltürkbükü, and boat trips between the islands.
Yes, both are long day trips by car: Ephesus is about two and a half to three hours away, and Pamukkale about 3.5–4 hours. We recommend leaving early and traveling with a private driver for families.
From the OYA guide
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