Bodrum, the southernmost major holiday town of the Aegean, is the center of attraction of the whole region. It is famous both among Turkish and foreign travelers. The population jumped from tens of thousands of people to more than half a million during summer time. Bodrum today is home to more permanent residents than ever before. It has the extended city vibes, rather than a town it was once. Bodrum was first made known 50 years ago by the "the fisherman of Halicarnassus", poet Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli.
The "Blue Cruise", a world famous Turkish Mediterranean classic for yachting and sailing through the blue of the Aegean and the Mediterranean in wooden boats with 2-12 cabins, started in Bodrum.
Bodrum has many villages and towns spread all over its peninsula, almost all having resorts, hotels, guest houses, bars, restaurants, shops. The small village Yalıçiftlik east of Bodrum has only less resorts on the sea and is in relatively unspoilt form.
Bodrum has now an international airport in Milas which is reachable from some major cities in Europe. There are also ferries to Greek islands, Kos and Rhodes, from Bodrum. Istanbul-Bodrum is 12 hours by bus, 1 hour 15 minutes by air.
Bodrum is not one town, it is a peninsula. The city center is crowded, loud, and full of nightlife. Drive 15 minutes in any direction and you may find quieter coves, villages, and less crowded beaches. The castle dominates the harbor. The waterfront is lined with restaurants and gulets. Behind it, white houses climb the hill. Bodrum has been a resort for 50 years, but it still feels like the Mediterranean, not a theme park.
The peninsula has dozens of bays. The water is clear, the wind is reliable, and the gulets are everywhere. If you want nightlife, stay in Bodrum city or Gümbet. If you want relative peace, stay in Gümüşlük, Yalıkavak, or Türkbükü. If you want to sail, the Blue Cruise starts here.
From my visit in April: In April you can stay in city center in a calm atmosphere for less than half what you would expect to pay in high season. There are a few hotels along the Barlar Sokagi (means street of the bars). I stayed at one of these hotels. During low season it is quiet except the sporadic scooter noise during day time.
There are two coves in central Bodrum separated by the small piece of land on which the castle is built. The views from the hotel and the other side of the castle are memorable.
If you have a car, drive the peninsula road. It takes you through pine forests, past empty coves, into small fishing villages. Do not stay only in Bodrum city. The peninsula is the point.
Old Gümüşlük is a tiny village at the tip of the Bodrum Peninsula, about 30 minutes drive from city center. Its quiet is the antidote to Bodrum during off-season. However the hills surrounding Gumusluk is developed with many residential developments. The road coming from Bodrum ends in the middle of two adjacent coves separated by the tiny island you can walk to when the tide is low. Gümüşlük was the ancient port of Myndos.
The tiny island has ancient house remains along its shoreland and in the water. You can walk to the island from the beach. The fish restaurants on the waterfront are famous, be at your table before sunset. Gümüşlük is also known for its wild beach, lamb and little veal wandering during low season. See the Gümüşlük photos for the full view of the coves, the island, and the little lambs taking advantage of the beach and low tourist season.
Bitez is 15 minutes from Bodrum, known for its long sandy beach and shallow water. One of the best places in the world for windsurfing. Eat çökertme at Bitez bay.
Yalıkavak has a new marina and fish restaurants by the sea. See the sunset at Yalıkavak. Türkbükü is upscale — cafes along the sea, white villas, and expensive gulets anchored in the bay.
Gümbet is the extension of Bodrum city. More hotels, more bars, more people. The beach is sandy. Nightlife is loud. Good for younger travelers who want to stay close to the action without being directly on Barlar Sokagi.
Turgutreis is at the western tip of the peninsula. A long promenade, a large market on Saturdays, and sunset view over the water. Less expensive than Bodrum city, but farther from most sites.
The Blue Cruise started here. You can charter a gulet for a week — Bodrum to Gökova, or Bodrum to Marmaris — or join a daily boat trip to the nearby coves: Aquarium Bay, Poyraz Bay, Karaada (the cave with hot springs). A day boat trip costs about 25-35 euros including lunch.
The city itself is famous for its nightlife, with numerous bars, discos, restaurants, cafes and shops offering the most that Turkey has to offer, second only to Istanbul. You may choose to stay in a guest house or hotel in the city itself for best experiencing the nightlife.
There are numerous sports activities: diving, jetskis (allowed only in some coves), waterskiing, windsurfing (Bitez is one of the best spots), paragliding in Ören (one hour drive), and many more.
The marina has been expanded and updated. The road around the peninsula is fully paved and well-marked. Yalıkavak marina is now a destination in its own right, with designer shops and upscale restaurants. The nightlife has shifted slightly away from Barlar Sokagi toward the coastal strip near the marina, but the old street still has bars. Prices have risen, Bodrum is now a premium destination for domestic and international travelers.
The ferry to Kos and Rhodes runs regularly in summer but check the schedule before planning; it is not daily outside July-August.
Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV) has direct flights from many European cities and year-round domestic flights from Istanbul (about 1 hour 15 minutes). Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and AJet fly multiple times daily. From Istanbul by bus takes 12 hours — fly unless you are on a budget. Ferries to Kos and Rhodes run from Bodrum port in summer.
From the airport to Bodrum city center is about 45 minutes by taxi or pre-booked transfer. A taxi costs roughly 500-700 Turkish lira. Shared shuttles are cheaper but slower.
You need a car to explore the peninsula properly. The dolmus (minibus) network connects Bodrum city to the main villages — Bitez, Gümbet, Yalıkavak, Gümüşlük, Turgutreis — but service frequency drops after 8 PM. A car gives you access to the small coves between the villages, where the best swimming is. Rental cars start at about 30 euros per day in low season, 50-70 euros in summer.
For lodging in the Bodrum region please see Bodrum Hotels. For villa rentals see Bodrum Holiday Villa Rentals. For airport transfers see Bodrum Transfers.