13 Best Things to Do in Bodrum, Turkey

Bodrum Castle overlooking the turquoise water of Bodrum Harbour in Turkey, with historic stone walls and Turkish flags.

We spent 6 days in Bodrum this summer, and there was a lot more to do than just sit on the beach (although we did plenty of that too!). From exploring ancient ruins and browsing the bazaar to taking a boat trip through turquoise waters, there’s a great mix of things to do in Bodrum, Turkey.

Bodrum is also only a 30-minute ferry ride from Kos, Greece, making it an easy stop if you’re travelling around the Greek islands and want to add somewhere new to your trip.

If you’re planning a visit, here are some of the best things to do in Bodrum, including a few of our favourite experiences and other spots worth adding to your itinerary.

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1. Visit Bodrum Castle

Ancient stone ruins and a carved lion statue at Bodrum Castle surrounded by pink bougainvillea. — This was one of the prettiest spots in the castle.

Bodrum Castle was one of our favourite ruins we visited during our trip across Turkey, Greece and Albania. We loved the beautiful sculptures, mosque, the stunning views of Bodrum’s harbour and the peacocks (yes there were peacocks and our kids were losing their minds with excitement lol). There’s plenty to explore, so I’d set aside some time to wander around rather than rush through.

The castle is also home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and our kids thought this part was really cool. Seeing the ancient shipwreck discoveries gave them something interesting to look at beyond the castle walls, which made the visit enjoyable for all of us.

Ticket cost: Entry currently costs €20 per person for international visitors aged 8 and over. Children under 8 enter free.

2. Visit the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Archaeological ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Bodrum, Turkey. — This is the main view of what’s left of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

If you’re already exploring Bodrum’s historical sights, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is worth adding to your list. It was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, although I’d keep your expectations in check as there isn’t a lot left to see today beyond the archaeological remains.

You won’t need more than an hour to see all of it, so I recommend combining it with the Ancient Theater of Halicarnassus, which is only about a 5 minute walk away. Beware, however, that the walk to the theatre is up a fairly steep him so I wouldn’t walk up with kids. My husband ended up going to a playground with the kids while I ran up to see the theatre, as the hill was too steep for a double stroller.

Ticket cost: €3 per person for visitors aged 8 and over. Children under 8 enter free.

Tip: Visit both historical sites together, then head back towards the waterfront to explore the shops and grab something to eat.

3. See the Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus

Stone seating and ancient column remains at the Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus in Bodrum, Turkey. — I visited in the middle of the day, and you can see how quiet it was. It was nice to explore without many other people around.

If you enjoy exploring ancient ruins, the Ancient Theatre of Halicarnassus is worth adding to your Bodrum itinerary. The theatre dates back to the 4th century BC, with rows of stone seating built into the hillside and views over the town.

When I visited in July, it wasn’t very busy, so it was nice to walk around and enjoy the views without fighting crowds. And the best part? It’s completely free to visit!

4. Take an Orak Island Boat Trip

An Orak Island boat trip was at the top of my list of things I wanted to do in Bodrum, but we hadn’t taken a boat tour with our kids and we ultimately decided against it. We ended up taking a few boat tours in Greece and Albania a few weeks later and did they loved them so this is one of our biggest regrets.

The trips typically include several swimming stops around Orak Island and nearby bays, giving you a chance to swim in crystal-clear water away from the busier beaches in town. If you have a day to spare, this is one excursion I’d seriously consider booking.

Tip: Check the trip duration and itinerary before booking, especially if you’re travelling with young children.

5. Wander Through Bodrum Bazaar

Souvenir shops in Bodrum Bazaar selling Turkish rugs, colourful textiles, evil eye decorations and handmade gifts. — So many cute little shops in the bazaar.

I’m not a big souvenir person, and I try to limit shopping on vacation since our suitcases are usually already pushed to the limits with everything we need for three kids! That said, Bodrum Bazaar is still a nice place to go for a stroll, browse the shops and see what catches your eye.

One thing I liked was that much of the bazaar is covered with tarps, so you get some shade while walking around. In the summer heat, it makes a big difference and gives you a cooler break from being out in the sun.

6. Take a Walk Along the Waterfront

Palm-lined pedestrian promenade along Bodrum’s waterfront, with boats, cafés and hills in the background. — How beautiful and wide is this walkway?

Bodrum’s waterfront walkway really impressed me. It’s incredibly wide, probably close to 15 feet across, and was clean and easy to walk along. Even in the middle of July, when the town was busy, we never felt like we were fighting through crowds or squeezing past people. It was actually a relaxing stroll, and the wide path made it easy to get around with a stroller.

There are lots of cafés and restaurants along the way, many with aesthetic setups overlooking the harbour. It’s a good place to grab something to eat or stop for a coffee while looking out over the water.

7. Swim at Kumbahçe Beach

Swimmers enjoying the clear turquoise water at Kumbahçe Beach in Bodrum, Turkey, with white buildings along the shore. — We were surprised by how clear the water was at Kumbahçe Beach, especially considering how close it is to the centre of Bodrum.

Kumbahçe Beach is a convenient spot for a swim while exploring central Bodrum. You can rent an umbrella for around 1,000 Turkish lira, but what surprised us was that the city also has free public umbrellas set up in a couple of spots along the beach.

We’d never seen that before! You can just lay down your towel under one, go for a swim and enjoy the beach without paying for a sunbed or umbrella. Honestly, it’s a pretty genius idea, especially when you’re travelling with kids and don’t want to pay for a full beach setup every time you want to swim.

8. Visit the Bodrum Windmills

The Bodrum Windmills are one of those places I wish we’d managed to visit, but with three young kids, it just didn’t work out this time. The views from the top look incredible, though, so I’d definitely add them to your itinerary if you have the time.

The old stone windmills sit on a hill between Bodrum and Gümbet, overlooking the coastline. If you don’t want to walk up, especially in the summer heat, you can take a taxi or drive close to the windmills, although parking is limited.

Sunset is the most popular time to go to get the best view!

9. Explore Bodrum’s Old Town

Woman standing beside pale pink shutters and a stone wall covered in red bougainvillea in Bodrum, Turkey. — How could I not take a picture at this cute wall?

We spent most of our evenings walking around Bodrum’s little streets, and I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Literally every street seemed to be cuter than the last. I dragged my husband and kids down so many cute streets that I think my husband must have gotten sick of me by the end of the trip 😅.

Honestly, I’d leave some time in your itinerary just to walk around and explore. You don’t need a plan for this one.

10. Visit Myndos Gate

If you want to see another piece of Bodrum’s ancient history, Myndos Gate is worth considering. It’s on the way towards Gümbet, a little outside the main town centre, and you can still see the remains of the old stone gate and city walls.

It’s free to visit and doesn’t need much time, so you could pair it with the Ancient Theater if you’re planning to explore more of Bodrum’s historical sites.

11. Try a Traditional Turkish Breakfast

Traditional Turkish breakfast in Bodrum with fresh vegetables, cheese, olives, sliced meats, bread and Turkish tea accompaniments. — The to die for Turkish breakfast at Frenk Cafe.

One of my favourite things about travelling is trying the local food, and Turkish food is one of my absolute favourites. So naturally, trying a traditional Turkish breakfast was a must in Bodrum, and it did not disappoint! The spread of fresh bread, cheeses, olives, eggs, vegetables, jams and Turkish tea is such a great way to start the day.

Our favourite Turkish breakfast was at Frenk Cafe, the most aesthetic little vintage style café with a kids’ play corner (probably the cutest little play corner I’ve ever seen, seriously). It was such a lovely spot to sit down for breakfast, and having somewhere for the kids to play was an added bonus. There was also air conditioning which was magical after exploring ruins in 40oC heat.

12. Enjoy Dinner by the Waterfront

Outdoor waterfront restaurant seating overlooking Bodrum Harbour and Bodrum Castle in Turkey. — Nothing like grabbing coffee or having dinner with views like this.

Bodrum has so many aesthetic cafés and restaurants, especially along the waterfront, and it’s tempting to choose a spot based on how it looks. But I’d recommend checking the reviews and menu prices before sitting down. Restaurants right next to each other can have completely different prices, so it’s worth comparing a few before deciding where to eat.

Be prepared for restaurant hosts to approach you as you walk by and try to get you to choose their restaurant, but don’t feel pressured. We usually checked reviews beforehand, so we already knew where we wanted to eat instead of standing around deciding while someone hovered over us trying to convince us to sit down.

If you can, time your dinner for sunset so you can enjoy the views over the water while you eat.

13. Visit Bitez Beach

If you want to spend a day at the beach outside central Bodrum, Bitez Beach is worth considering. It has a long stretch of sand, crystal-clear water and plenty of cafés and beach clubs along the shore. The water is mostly shallow near the beach, making it a good option for families.

Bitez is around 7–8 km from central Bodrum. You can take a taxi or catch a dolmuş (local minibus) from Bodrum Merkez Garaj, which is the old bus station in the town center. Look for a minibus marked Bitez. Bring cash to pay the fare, which is usually paid when you get on the bus.

Is Bodrum Worth Visiting?

Bodrum has a lot to offer, whether you’re interested in exploring ancient ruins, spending time at the beach or wandering through the little streets around town. We spent 6 days there and still missed a couple of things we wanted to do, so there’s definitely enough to fill a few days. If you’re planning your own trip, you can also check out our Bodrum cost breakdown to see how much we spent as a family of 5 during our 6-day stay.