Bodrum

Bodrum is a port city located on Turkey's southwest coast overlooking the Aegean Sea. Only 10 nautical miles from the Greek island of Kos, Bodrum is renowned for its history, culture, cuisine, and its beautiful beaches with crystal waters. 

On Ferryhopper, you will find useful information about the city: beaches, nightlife, gastronomic delights, and ferries to / from Bodrum. Check out all the available routes and book your tickets with just a few clicks!

The Bodrum Castle, also known as St. Peter Castle, overlooking the bay 

Vacation in Bodrum

The city of Bodrum is at its best during the summer, when it is possible to swim in its crystal clear waters and enjoy the sunset on the beach. 

A visit to Bodrum, however, does not only mean going to a seaside resort, but also immersing yourself in a town rich in history. In fact, during your trip you can visit one of the ancient wonders of the world, as well as some great museums. Moreover, a vacation in Bodrum is a great opportunity for you to sample delicious Turkish food. 

Overall, Bodrum is an excellent option whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a vacation with the family or to travel with friends.

How to get to Bodrum

You can reach Bodrum by bus, plane, car and, of course, by ferry!

Bodrum is an ideal destination in case you want to travel by ferry from Greece to Turkey and vice versa. The Dodecanese island of Kos offers frequent ferry rides to Bodrum during the summer season.

If you want to travel by plane, the closest airport to Bodrum is the International Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV), 35km and about 45 minutes inland. During spring and summer, there are regular direct charter flights from many regional airports in Europe. From the airport you can then get to the center of Bodrum by bus.

A beautiful wild beach in Bodrum, Turkey

What to do in Bodrum

If you are wondering what to do and see in Bodrum, you will be excited to discover that the coastal city offers several attractions to its visitors. 

The majority of visitors that come to Bodrum seek an easygoing sun and sea vacation. Visit the Bodrum Peninsula's popular beaches and soak up the heat. 

Furthermore, during your vacation in Bodrum you can’t miss the city’s popular farmers markets. For amazing cheeses, fresh honey and homemade soaps visit Ortakent. For local textiles and fabrics, fresh fruit and herbs, visit the Bodrum bazaar on Tuesdays. 

Bodrum is also an ideal destination for adventure lovers. If you are a hiking enthusiast, make sure to visit the Carian Trail. Many of the greatest archaeological sites in the country are connected by this 820km trail. 

Thanks to its crystal clear waters, Bodrum is a well-known scuba-diving center. You will see plenty of spectacular marine life, reefs, caverns, as well as wrecks. You can also take a gulet out to Kara Ada (Black Island), the most popular diving location for both beginners and professionals. 

Beaches in Bodrum

From public beaches close to restaurants and nightclubs to more secluded bays, Bodrum has it all! 

Here are 8 of the best beaches in Bodrum: 

• Gümüşlük: in this unspoilt beach you can swim near some of the ruins of the ancient city of Myndos. Also, thanks to its incredible fish restaurants, Gümüşlük is one of the favorite beaches for fish lovers. 
• Karaincir: around 16km from Bodrum town, this beach is located within the small village resort of Akyarlar. With clear, calm and shallow waters, Karaincir is perfect for kids. 
• Gümbet: with many hotels and restaurants, this is one of the liveliest beaches in Bodrum. There are also many water activities available, such as scuba diving and windsurfing. In fact, the Big Reef dive site is right in front of the beach. 
• Torba: located around 8km from Bodrum, Torba is perfect for those looking to escape the bustle of the city and relax in a calm atmosphere surrounded by nature. 
• Aspat: located in a very romantic and beautiful bay filled with palm trees, Aspat is perfect for nature lovers. The uniqueness of Aspat stems from the dozens of marble statues sculpted by contemporary artists.
• Camel: with a small entrance fee, this beach is perfect for families. There are sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, and a small restaurant available. Also, you can ride camels for an additional fee (thus the beach's name). 
• Yahsi: marked with the Blue Flag, Yahsi is one of the cleanest beaches in Bodrum. It also offers many amenities, such as bars, restaurants and shops. 
• Bitez: located around 15 min from Bodrum center, this is a perfect beach for windsurfers and other thrill-seekers. With a long stretch of sand and clear waters, Bitez also offers natural shade to its visitors thanks to its olive and citrus groves. 

Sightseeing and Activities in Bodrum

In addition to its wonderful coastline and beaches, Bodrum is also a historic city dating back to the Dorian era under the name Halicarnassus. 

Here are some of the most famous attractions in Bodrum:

• Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world
• Museum of Underwater Archaeology
• Halicarnassus Theater
• Castle of St. Peter
• Myndos Gate
• The Old town of Bodrum
• Ruins of Pedasa
• Windmills 
• Ottoman Cemetery 

View to the ruins of the Mausoleum of Mausolus in Bodrum, one of the 7 wonders of the world

Nightlife in Bodrum

Bodrum is the perfect destination for a party animal. The Old Town is where most of the action happens. Bodrum’s mile-long Bar Street (Cumhuriyet Street), swamped with the largest and most extravagant nightclubs in the city, can be found there. 

The seafront area also offers many more restaurants and pubs, some of them right on the beach. For something a little more traditionally Turkish, we would recommend visiting a local tavern (meyhane) to enjoy a nice meal and drinks. 

If you are not a party animal, you can go to a quiet bar to have a drink and a narghile. The Limon bohemian café is the best sunset spot in town. 

Tip: have you been to a floating club before? If not, make sure to visit Club Catamaran, a glass-bottomed boat offering weekly dance parties on the decks of a luxury catamaran.

Food in Bodrum

The cuisine of Bodrum is well known for its traditional Aegean and Mediterranean flavors. A holiday in Bodrum isn’t complete without trying various mezes, a meal of fresh fish and a glass of raki (a local alcoholic spirit). 

Here are some local dishes and delicacies you absolutely must try during your holiday in Bodrum: 

• hot börek (flaky pastry filled with vegetables)
• gözleme (local pancakes filled with any mixture of cheese, vegetables and meat)
• kumpir (Turkish style baked potatoes topped with mixtures of olives with yogurt)
• çökertme kebabı (marinated strips of veal served with tiny fried potatoes, tomato sauce, and yogurt)
• keşkek (dish made with lamb or chicken meat combined with wheat or barley stew)
• su böreği (Bodrum’s special pastry baked with cheese)
• bergamot jam
• lokma (fried dough soaked in syrup)
• ayran (drink made from salted yogurt mixed with water)

A delicious traditional Turkish dessert, Lokma, made out of dough and syrup

Villages in Bodrum

Bodrum is surrounded by smaller towns and villages that provide a wide range of holiday experiences. 

Here are 4 places that we recommend you visit if you find yourself staying in Bodrum:

• Yalikavak: 20km away from Bodrum town, Yalikavak is without a doubt the rising star with its sandy beaches, charming cafes, restaurants, and shops. The Palmarina, an ultramodern marina accommodating mega yachts, transformed Yalikavak into the most talked about town.
• Gumusluk: located at the western end of the Bodrum Peninsula, this small idyllic village is well known for its seafood restaurants and the Gumusluk International Jazz Festival where important artists from Turkey and around the world take stage. 
• Gokcebel: for off the beaten track holidays, Gokcebel is an ideal destination as it is one of the lesser talked about districts of the Bodrum peninsula. The old part reflects traditional, rural Turkey, while the new region focuses on modern and luxury villas. 
• Turgutreis: Turgutreis is the second largest town in the peninsula, famous for its marvelous sunsets and its fabulous shopping streets. It offers seclusion yet it has an easy transport network to the rest of the peninsula.

Tips for Bodrum

Here are 4 tips that we hope will be useful to you during your stay in Bodrum: 

• For the best shopping experience in Bodrum, visit the Oasis shopping and cultural center where you will find a lot of international and Turkish brands.
• Depending on the time of year you decide to visit Bodrum, try to attend one of the city’s famous festivals, such as the International Dance Festival, the Gündoğan Sucuk and Wine Festival (Gündoğan Sucuk-Şarap Festivali), and the Mandarin Festival. 
• A traditional Turkish hammam is a must-do during your trip to Bodrum. 
• During your stay in Bodrum, you cannot miss a day excursion by boat with a traditional gulet if you want to explore the stunning isolated coves close to the city. 

A traditional Turkish gulet docket at a beautiful bay with calm waters

Useful information about Bodrum

Bodrum is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Turkey and offers many services to travelers.

If you want to spend some time shopping during your trip to Bodrum, you will find all kinds of shops, from markets to big shopping malls. 

As for accommodation, Bodrum offers hotel facilities for all budgets. The city is known for its spectacular luxury hotels, but if you’re looking for a cheaper option, it would be better to stay in the neighboring towns. 

In Bodrum there is also a wide range of medical services available. The Acibadem Bodrum Hospital provides healthcare services for both residents of Bodrum and tourists.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Bodrum

Here are some numbers that could prove useful during your holiday in Bodrum:

• Tourist Information Office: +902523161091
• Bodrum State Hospital: +902523131420
• Bodrum Bus Station: +902523162637
• Police emergency: 155
• European emergency number: 112

Transportation in Bodrum

Much of the old town of Bodrum, including the marina, is pedestrianized and therefore easily explored on foot.

In order to travel from east to west Bodrum and to the nearby resorts along the Bodrum peninsula however, you’ll need to hop into a taxi or the local dolmuş (minibus). 

In fact, Bodrum has a very efficient urban transportation network. These mini buses depart from Bodrum Center every 15 minutes and go pretty much anywhere you want. Since Bodrum’s yellow taxis might get quite expensive, the dolmuş is by far the most convenient and cheap way to get around Bodrum.

Ports in Bodrum

The port of Bodrum is located about 2km from the city center. The port features a finger pier, which can accommodate two large ships. Apart from the cruise pier, the port also has 3 ferry boat ramps. 

In the area where the port is situated, there are various services, such as shops, a café, an information booth, and car rental services. In addition to the famous Bodrum Castle, which overlooks the harbor, there are other cultural attractions in the vicinity of the port.

You can easily reach the port by taxi or by bus from several parts of the city.

Bodrum ferry, schedules and tickets

Are you thinking of visiting Bodrum this year? The coastal city can be reached by ferry from the Greek island of Kos! 

The companies that operate the route from Kos to Bodrum are Makri Travel and Yesil Marmaris Lines. 

On Ferryhopper's Map of ferries, you can see all the available ferry routes from Bodrum, so that you can easily and conveniently plan your ferry trip. 

Here are some more details on the ferry connection to Bodrum:

• Ferry Kos - Bodrum: the route from the port of Kos to Bodrum is seasonal and available 4-5 times per day during summer with sailing durations from around 20 min. 

Tip: visit our relevant blog post to find out all the latest updates on Turkey - Greece ferry routes.

The busy port of Bodrum in Turkey, filled with boats and ferries

Where to book ferry tickets to Bodrum

Book cheap ferry tickets to Bodrum online on Ferryhopper with no extra fees. Find all the information you need about ferries to Bodrum, compare companies, trip duration and ticket prices, and organize your holidays in Bodrum in just a few clicks.