Top Things to Do in the Bodrum | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Bodrum

Places To Visit In Bodrum

Bodrum Windmills

The Windmills in Bodrum are one of the most picturesque attractions located at several spots across the city. The most popular site is the seven windmills on a hill overlooking Bodrum and Gumbet bay. These old windmills are built of wooden planks and stones. These whitewashed windmills, standing tall against the horizon, provide an aesthetic and quaint old countryside view. Take a short hike to the hilltop for a mesmerising sunset view. These windmills were constructed in the 18th century and were used until the 1970s to grind flour. The Bardakci Cove, Bodrum Marina, and the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology are a short way from the windmills. Read More

Camel beach is located on Kargi bay in Bodrum, Turkey. It is one of the few beaches which offers camel rides. Ride the clear waters on a jet ski or enjoy a session of paddle boating and banana boats. The beach also has a wooden jetty from which visitors can board boat tours to Black Island, Orak Island, or Red Bay. It is a fairly crowded beach with all the basic amenities and is filled with restaurants and cafes.

The coastal city of Bodrum is famous for its fresh produce and high-quality seafood sourced from crystal-clear waters. Several cooking classes across Bodrum teach the basics and secrets of this middle eastern Turkish cuisine. You can also enjoy full-day cooking workshops with visits to orchids, vineyards, and olive oil productions. Some of the popular cooking classes in Bodrum are the Gokpinar retreat centre, Erenler Sofrasi Day cooking classes, and Cooking classes in Bodrum. Turkish cuisine offers a wide variety of traditional recipes and olive oil-based dishes, which can be traced back to Ottoman Culture. Some classes even provide tours to the local fields, farmers' markets, and fisheries for an in-depth cooking experience. Read More

The Gumbet beach is a small yet crowded beach located in the Gumbet resort area close to Bodrum. The beach is known as the hub for all varieties of watersports ranging from simple paddle boating and banana boats to more thrilling sports like windsurfing, water skiing, and parasailing. The beach is a popular family destination due to its shallow waters. Several hotels, pubs, restaurants, and clubs are located right behind and offer service on the beach itself. One can enjoy snorkelling or scuba diving sessions around the Big Reef, swimming amongst crabs, lobsters, and fish. The historical site of Myndos gate is located close by. Read More

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is the final resting place of Mausolus, the 4th-century ruler of Halicarnassus. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Mausoleum was built in the ancient city of Halicarnassus, now known as Bodrum. A small model recreation of the original Mausoleum is on display. The colossal tomb was created by his sister-wife and sculpted by renowned architects and sculptors of 4th-century Greece. The site was destroyed by earthquakes and later demolished for material to build the Bodrum Castle. All that remains of the magnificent monument are a few scattered marble ruins. Today, the word Mausoleum is used to denote a monumental tomb. A 4th-century Greek theatre constructed during Mausolus’s reign is located close to the site. Read More

Myndos Gate is one of the two protective monumental entrances to the historical city of Halicarnassus. The site is located 10 minutes away from Bodrum city. Tourists can take the stone staircases which lead to the top of the two watchtowers of the Myndos gate. It offers a picturesque view of Bodrum Harbour and the surrounding hills. The Gate was a part of the ancient city wall created by Masoulus in the 4th century. Other popular landmarks in the ancient city include the Bodrum amphitheatre and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which are a 15-minute walk from the Gate. Several cafes and restaurants are nearby. Read More

The Western region of Turkey is one of the biggest olive oil producers in the world. Olive harvesting tours are a must when in Bodrum to get hands-on experience in olive production. The Yaliciftlik village on the Bodrum peninsula is known for its pine, figs, and olive trees. Pinero Farm, Karnas Vineyards, Starfarm Organik, and more are some popular olive oil farms near Bodrum. Several olive orchards and groves are located in the mountains near the ancient city of Halikarnosos. Day trips to olive oil factories and vineyards are organised from Bodrum for tourists to visit olive groves, harvest olives on farms, and enjoy Turkish cuisine. Extracted olive oil is also used in cooking, making soaps, infused oils, and more. Some farms and villages even offer overnight stays. Olive oil production in Bodrum dates back to the Roman Era when the olive tree was associated with the Greek Goddess Athena. Read More

Stratonikeia is an ancient Bronze age city located on the borders of Eskihisar village, making it an ideal day trip destination from Bodrum. One of the unique historical sites in the world, it is also known as the city of gladiators and boasts one of the largest gymnasiums of the ancient Greek world. The city has an old-world charm with Byzantine-era buildings and ancient monuments. It is home to several monumental ruins belonging to various empires across history, including the Roman, Hellenistic, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. A 2000-year-old parliamentary building with a Hellenistic calendar carved on marble is located close to the Gymnasium. Tourists also visit the town of Lagina, located close to Stratonikeia, which is famous for being the only known temple dedicated to Goddess Hekate. Several mosaics, carvings, and inscriptions from various periods can be found across the ancient city. Read More

Bodrum has some of the best Vineyards in the country, focusing on Turkish viticulture. Wine and cheese tasting tours are some of Bodrum's most sought-after leisurely activities. Vineyards are located on the outskirts, where visitors can see ancient olive trees, hilltops, and orchards to understand the process of traditional winemaking. Some of the most popular vineyards in Bodrum are the Karnas Vineyards, Vinbodrum Winehouse, the Annabelle Sarap Evi vineyards, and Garova Vineyards. The coastal town shares a 3000-year-old history of winemaking in Turkey due to its optimal soil and rich mineral base from the Aegean Sea. Read More

Bodrum has a wide variety of watersports, including kitesurfing, parasailing, paddleboarding, windsurfing, waterskiing, surfing, and many more. Bitez Beach, Camel beach, Gumbet beach, and Yahsi beach are some popular watersports beaches. Enjoy swimming, snorkelling, or scuba diving at one of these sites and witness aquatic species such as octopuses and seahorses in their natural habitats. The harbours in Bodrum also offer full-day boat tours and cruises to nearby islands and bays. Along with these natural sites, there are adventurous water parks located in Bodrum, such as Pirates Inn the Castle and Bodrum Aquapark. Read More