10 Must-See Places in Bodrum

Bodrum is a trendy seaside town located on the Southern Aegean Coast. Once an Ancient Greek city, it was known as Halikarnassós.

Today, Bodrum is as modern as it can be, with many restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs as well as large hotels, boutiques and resorts. However, the old town of Bodrum and the beautiful white summer houses retain their ancient charm. 

Bodrum’s coast is among the most beautiful on the Turkish Riviera and is popular with gulet cruises, private boats, and yachts. In fact, Bodrum marina is amongst the most popular in Europe.

All kinds of travellers can enjoy Bodrum, whether they are looking for luxury or adventure. Yet anyone visiting Bodrum must see the ten places on our list. So, read on! 

1. Bodrum Castle

Bodrum Castle is the most popular tourist attraction in Bodrum. It was built in the 15th century by Knights of St John and features four towers built for four nations; English, French, Italian and German. After Ottomans seized the castle, they changed the chapel into a mosque and added a minaret. The view from Bodrum Castle is marvellous, and the castle itself is pretty well-preserved. 

2. Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Within Bodrum Castle, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology houses ancient discoveries found in shipwrecks or fished out from the sea. It’s the perfect tourist attraction for families as it is both fun and educational. The museum also exhibits a tomb of a Carian princess and a chapel that displays artefacts from the Mycenaean Age.

3. Bodrum Amphitheatre

Built during 4th century BC, Bodrum Amphitheatre is a very well-preserved Greco-Roman style open theatre. It features beautiful views over the mountains and sea and hosts music and cultural events to this day.

4. The Ruins of Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

Not much is left of Mausoleum of Halicarnassus today, but it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This impressive, 46 metre tall tomb was built for King Mausolus between 353 and 350 BC. It’s worth a visit when you are in Bodrum and there is a replica of the tomb to help you imagine what it looked like in its heyday. The tomb was designed by the Greek architects Satyros and Pythius of Priene and was destroyed by earthquakes over the centuries.

5. Bodrum Windmills

If you are up for a hike, Bodrum Windmills sit on top of a hill overlooking Bodrum and the Greek island of Kos, with gorgeous views of the Bodrum-Gumbet peninsula. Some of the windmills are well-preserved, others show more tear. Still, they are cute whitewashed stone structures, reminding us of simpler days.

6. Yalikavak Marina

Yalikavak Marina is where the super wealthy travellers and locals dock their yachts, shop, and visit restaurants. Needless to say, many tourists just come here to see what all the fuss is about, but even if you aren’t really interested in luxury, it’s a place to visit. A similar marina can only be found in the likes of Mykonos, and Yalikavak Marina is the place to go for celebrity spotting.

7. Bodrum Old Town

The most-visited place in Bodrum is unsurprisingly the old town. The narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed cottages wrapped with vine leaves, ice-cream shops, bazaar and marina maintain the look of the fishing village it once was. The old town is also the best place to go for shopping, and it’s where most well-known live music venues are.

8. Bodrum Yalıciftlik Beach

Bodrum is full of good beaches but sometimes they can get too crowded. Yaliciftlik Beach is a pebble beach open to the public with a crystal clear sea. It’s a bit out of the way, which is why it doesn’t always get as crowded. It’s close to the most beautiful coves in Bodrum and one of the best hotels in the area: Bodrum Park Resort.

9. Zai Bodrum

Zai Bodrum has a beautiful atmosphere and is the ultimate culture hub in Bodrum. Zai Bodrum offers it all, whether you just want to work a little bit, read a book or discover a new artist. So when in Bodrum, visit the library and the art gallery in its premises, and wind down with a glass of chilled wine and a book in its gardens. Zai also hosts film screenings and live music events.

10.  Cove-Hopping with a Gulet Cruise

Gulet, which is inspired by wooden fishing boats and was first built in Bodrum, is the perfect vehicle to explore the Bodrum peninsula. You can join a day trip or book a gulet cruise to visit the most amazing coves such as the Aquarium Cove, Meteor Pit, and Kleopatra Cove in Bodrum. 

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