A guide to Bodrum

Built between 1406 and 1522 by the Knights of St John on the neck of land between two harbours. The square-plan structure measures 180 × 185 metres, and its highest point is the 47.5-metre French Tower. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology inside holds one of the world's foremost collections of finds recovered from Aegean shipwrecks.

Tip: A Museum Pass gets you into the castle and most of the region's ancient sites without further charge.

Hours

April–October 08:30–18:30 · November–March 08:30–16:30 (closed Mondays in winter)

Address

Çarşı, Kale Cad., Bodrum

Raised in 353 BC for King Mausolus by his wife and sister Artemisia, the tomb is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Combining Greek and Egyptian architecture, it stood for roughly 1,500 years before an earthquake brought it down; much of its stone went into the building of Bodrum Castle.

Tip: Only the foundations and a few columns remain, and the major reliefs are in the British Museum — but the scale of the monument is still worth seeing on the ground.

Hours

Summer 08:30–18:30 · Winter 08:30–17:30

Address

Tepecik, Turgut Reis Cad. No: 93, Bodrum

Commissioned in the 360s BC by Maussollos, satrap of Caria, the gate formed the western entrance in the walls around Halicarnassus. This was the point Alexander the Great could not breach when he besieged the city. The Mylasa Gate, the walls' second gate, has not survived.

Tip: It is in the same neighbourhood as the hotel — an ideal place to begin a morning walk.

Hours

Open all day

Address

Eskiçeşme, Bodrum

Ships were built here for the Ottoman navy from the 1700s onwards. The restored building now hosts exhibitions and art events, and behind it lies the Ottoman cemetery with the graves and tombs of notable seafarers of the period.

Tip: Climb to the top of the shipyard — the best view of the marina is from up there.

Hours

Open all day

Address

Eskiçeşme, Neyzen Tevfik Cad. No: 5, Bodrum

On the southern slope of Göktepe, the theatre dates back to the 4th century BC and is considered one of the oldest ancient theatres in Anatolia. Reopened after restoration in 1990, it hosts concerts and performances through the summer.

Tip: The stone tiers get quite hot in the afternoon; take a thin cushion with you.

Hours

Summer 09:00–19:00 · Winter 08:00–17:00

Address

Yeniköy, Bodrum

The Bodrum house where the singer settled in 1980 and lived until his death in 1996 was turned into a museum afterwards. His stage costumes, personal belongings and the arrangement of the house itself are preserved as they were.

Hours

Tuesday–Sunday

Address

Kumbahçe, Zeki Müren Cad. No: 11, Bodrum

Open at Yakaköy since 2013, the village brings together design workshops, craft shops, an art gallery, restaurants and cafés. Alongside exhibitions, concerts and performances, the "Sandık Odası" section displays everyday objects from local life.

Hours

Daily except Monday, 10:00–20:00

Address

Yakaköy, Bodrum

Thought to have been built in the 18th century, the seven mills were used for their original purpose for a long time. Only one survives complete today; the sails of the others were damaged over the years. Their position on the ridge takes in both sides of the peninsula at once.

Tip: Go close to sunset — it is one of Bodrum's best-known spots for a photograph.

Hours

Open all day

Address

Dağbelen, Bodrum

The ancient city at Gümüşlük is held to be one of the eight founded by the Lelegians around 640 BC. Much of the city now lies underwater, and it is possible to walk over the remains in the shallows. Architectural traces from different periods can be seen side by side.

Tip: Sunrise and sunset give the best light, together with the shallow causeway out to Rabbit Island.

Hours

Open all day

Address

Gümüşlük, Bodrum

Founded after the 14th century at an altitude of 450 metres as a place sheltered from attack by sea. With its closely similar stone houses it is one of the most intact examples of the region's traditional architecture. The whole of Gümüşlük Bay is visible from the village.

Hours

Open all day

Address

Karakaya Mahallesi, Bodrum

The basilica-plan church on Küçük Tavşan Island is thought to have been built in the 2nd century BC, with additions between the 6th and 12th centuries. The island is also known as St Apostol Island because of it. Italy and Türkiye have run a joint restoration since 1996.

Hours

Open all day

Address

Göltürkbükü, Küçük Tavşan Island, Bodrum