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    Bodrum

    Turkey

    Bodrum

    CityBeach

    Bodrum is located at the southern tip of the Turkish Aegean on the peninsula of the same name, at the site of ancient Halikarnassos.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Turkey
    7. Aegean Coast
    9. Bodrum
    Bodrum is located at the southern tip of the Turkish Aegean on the peninsula of the same name, at the site of ancient Halikarnassos. You come for the Castle of St. Peter with its Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the remains of the Mausoleum, and the evenings in the harbor and bar street. The Old Town with its castle, harbor, and bazaar is the focal point; on the peninsula are towns like Bitez, Gümüşlük, and Yalıkavak.

    Sights in Bodrum

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Ancient Theatre
    Historic Landmark

    1Ancient Theatre

    The theatre was built in the 4th century BC under Maussolos and was expanded in the 2nd century AD. Originally, it probably held around 10,000 spectators; since its restoration in the early 2000s, it offers approximately 3,100 seats. In summer, concerts and performances are held here.
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    Myndos Gate
    Historic Landmark

    2Myndos Gate

    The western city gate of Halicarnassus probably originated in the 360s BC under Mausolus. In 334 BC, it was the scene of the siege by Alexander the Great. Remains of two towers with a courtyard behind them are preserved; walls and towers north of the gate were partially restored in the late 1990s.
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    Castle of St. Peter & Museum of Underwater Archaeology
    Museum

    3Castle of St. Peter & Museum of Underwater Archaeology

    The Knights Hospitaller began building the castle at Bodrum harbour in 1404. Its towers bear the names of the nations that built them, including the English and French Towers. Since the 1960s, the castle has displayed finds from ancient shipwrecks, including the Uluburun shipwreck from the 14th century BC. After extensive restorations, the halls were gradually reopened; check current status beforehand.
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    Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
    Museum

    4Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

    Satrap Maussolos and Artemisia II.'s tomb, built 353-351 BC, was one of antiquity's seven wonders. Earthquakes destroyed it; 1494 saw the Hospitallers use its stones in the castle. Today, you see foundations and a museum; original sculptures are in the British Museum.
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    Restaurants in Bodrum

    1

    Authentic Ocakbaşı

    Grill restaurant on Atatürk Caddesi, awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide. Kebab and aged steak are served from an open fire, with the mixed grill platter with sumac as the specialty.
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    2

    Beynel

    Restaurant in Bitez with a Bib Gourmand by Michelin and a terrace amidst mandarin and lemon trees. Serving sharing Meze and Kebab, like stuffed aubergine with yogurt, lamb skewers, and lamb pastirma. Closed on Mondays.
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    3

    Bağarası

    Meze house in Bitez with a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide. The speciality is fried yufka mantı with garlic yogurt. Closed on Mondays.
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    Food and Drink

    In Bodrum, it's largely about fish and meze, with added specialties from the peninsula.

    Çökertme kebab

    Thin-cut meat on fries with garlic yogurt and tomato sauce. The dish is considered a specialty of the region.

    Mandarin of Bodrum

    The mandarins of the peninsula are eaten fresh and processed into desserts and drinks, such as Lokum or lemonade.

    Bodrum mantısı

    Small dough pockets of the peninsula, served with yogurt and browned butter.

    Fish and Meze

    Sea bass, bream, red mullet, and octopus are grilled, baked, or served as salad. Served with samphire, olive oil, and lemon.

    Culture and History

    HalicarnassusIn the 4th century BC, the Carian satrap Maussolus ruled here. For him and Artemisia II, the Mausoleum was built from 353 to 351 BC, which was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Alexander the Great besieged the city in 334 BC.The Knights HospitallerFrom 1404, the Knights Hospitaller built St. Peter's Castle; its towers are named after the nations that erected them. In 1494, the knights used stones from the ruined Mausoleum for its fortifications. Since the 1960s, the castle has housed the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.Underwater ArchaeologyThe museum displays finds from shipwrecks off the Turkish coast. The most famous piece is the Uluburun shipwreck, dating from the 14th century BC, with copper ingots from Cyprus, glass, and Egyptian jewelry.

    Nightlife

    1

    Kule Rock City

    Rock bar on Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Bodrum's bar street. Early in the evening, bands play soft rock and pop classics; it gets heavier later. Open until the early morning hours.
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    2

    Mandalin

    Two-story waterfront venue in the Old Town, featuring regular live music from Blues and Funk to Jazz and Latin.
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    3

    Marina Yacht Club

    Complex at the marina with several restaurants and bars. Evenings feature live bands or DJs.
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    Getting Here & Around

    Getting ThereMilas-Bodrum Airport is located about 36 kilometers from the city center. Havaş shuttle buses operate to the bus terminal, timed with flights; the journey takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.LocallyThe Castle, Harbor, Mausoleum, and Myndos Gate can be reached on foot in the Old Town. The Ancient Theater is located slightly outside on the D330 main road. A rental car is practical for excursions to other places on the peninsula.TipMuseum: Parts of the exhibition in the castle were closed for years due to restoration. Check which halls are currently open before your visit.Theater: In summer, concerts and performances take place at the Ancient Theater.

    Accommodations in Bodrum

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    Campgrounds in Bodrum

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    Nearby

    Kos

    Kos

    Kos, the third-largest Dodecanese island, lies just a few kilometers off the Turkish coast near Bodrum. In the island capital, ancient ruins, a Knights Hospitaller castle, and 1930s Italian buildings stand side by side. Inland, the Dikeos Ridge rises, its slopes home to mountain villages like Zia and Pyli.
    Leros

    Leros

    Leros is an island whose main ferry port is shaped by Italian Rationalism: Lakki, then Portolago, was built in the 1930s as a planned town for the naval base, with round arches, arcades, and wide avenues. Additionally, there are bunkers, tunnels, and a war museum dedicated to the Battle of Leros of 1943.There are also swimming coves, but the island is particularly worthwhile for people who want to read history in the streetscape and are looking for an island without large hotel complexes.
    Symi

    Symi

    Symi is located north of Rhodes, close to the Turkish coast, and is known for its harbor town Gialos, whose neoclassical houses in ochre, pink, and blue climb the hillsides. Restorations are subject to the regulations of the State Archaeological Service, which is why the townscape appears cohesive to this day.The town thrived on sponge diving and shipbuilding, which made the island wealthy in the 19th century and allowed its population to grow to over 20,000. Today, around 2,600 people live here. During the day, many excursion boats arrive from Rhodes; in the evenings, it becomes significantly quieter.
    Patmos

    Patmos

    Patmos, in the northern Dodecanese, has been a monastic island for nearly a thousand years: Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos granted it to the monk Christodoulos in 1088, and the monastery still shapes its architecture, land ownership, and daily rhythm.The Monastery, Cave of the Apocalypse, and the Chora have been collectively on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999. Large hotels and noisy nightlife are rare; the island appeals more to those seeking tranquility, hiking trails, and church history.
    Samos

    Samos

    Samos is located at its narrowest point, less than two kilometers from the Turkish coast, and is considered one of the greenest islands in the Aegean. Spread across nearly 480 square kilometers are the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Pythagoreion and Heraion, the 1,434-meter-high Kerkis mountain, and the wine terraces where the sweet Samos Muscat grows.You come for the ancient ruins, the mountain villages of Ambelos, and the pebble coves on the north coast. The island is large enough for a week, without repeating any routes.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI