Turkey Frontier
Bodrum Castle above the marina and whitewashed town

Bodrum · Things to do

Things to do in Bodrum

Experiential guides to help you plan Bodrum — how to spend your days, chosen experiences and insider tips.

Bodrum is a sailing town at heart. Between beach clubs and nightlife, its castle, ruins and boat trips give the peninsula real substance.

  1. 1

    Tour Bodrum Castle

    The Knights of St John's crusader castle guards the harbour and houses the excellent Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with cargoes from ancient shipwrecks. The ramparts give the best views over the twin bays.

  2. 2

    Take a blue-cruise boat trip

    Day boats and gulets slip out to the peninsula's coves and islands for swimming, lunch and sunbathing. A day on the water is the definitive Bodrum experience.

  3. 3

    Stand where a Wonder stood

    The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, once towered here; its ruins and the story behind them are a short walk from the centre.

  4. 4

    See a play at the ancient theatre

    The restored Hellenistic theatre above town still stages summer concerts, with the bay glittering below. Worth checking what is on.

  5. 5

    Windsurf at Bitez

    The shallow, breezy bay at Bitez is a long-standing windsurfing spot, with schools for beginners and calm water for families.

  6. 6

    Dip into the nightlife

    From marina bars to the legendary clubs, Bodrum earns its party reputation after dark. Even a harbour stroll catches the buzz.

Prefer a plain list of the sights themselves? See attractions.

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