Bodrum is a family-friendly beach destination with vibrant nightlife, fantastic history and activities for all - a holiday to Bodrum will put a smile on anyone’s face.
Destination highlights
Family-friendly beach destination
Historical hotspot
Party paradise
215km of coastline in the Bodrum Peninsula
What are the best beaches in Bodrum?
Beach holidays in Bodrum are for the sun-worshippers, families seeking adventure, and anyone after a spot of relaxation. These are the top beaches you need to visit on a holiday to Bodrum:
Gumbet Beach – a lively hub for watersports and entertainment.
Bitez Beach – a firm favourite with families, offering calm waters, a full range of exciting facilities and loads of watersports.
Gumusluk Beach – a narrow stretch of sand recognised for its beauty and shallow waters, as well as the nearby village.
Ortakent Beach – the place to be for swimmers, with a long beach and clear, slightly deeper waters.
Yalıkavak Beach – a prime spot for relaxation and beach days away from the crowds.
Karaincir beach – a 2km stretch of coastline which is considered the ‘Maldives of Turkey,’ with deep blue waters and range of watersports.
What are the top hotels in Bodrum?
La Blanche Island - a five-star hotel overlooking the Aegean coast, offering a taste of the luxury lifestyle with endless amenities.
Bodrum Holiday Resort and Spa - a beachfront property of dreams, offering every facility you need to get your relaxation on.
Onderhan Hotel - a hotel set just moments from the sand and boasting gorgeous sea views, perfect for experiencing the laidback beach life you deserve.
Charm Beach Hotel - a beachfront property with the best amenities around to keep you entertained and the ideal atmosphere for living your best beach life.
Royal Asarlik Beach - privacy and luxury are what this five-star property is all about, with its own beach and a top range of activities on offer.
The Blue Bosphorus Hotel - experience ultimate tranquillity in this brand-new hotel with something for every holiday-goer, from families to couples.
Popular Bodrum hotels
Stunning Bodrum resorts
Weather in Bodrum
JAN
15°C
FEB
15°C
MAR
17°C
APR
21°C
MAY
26°C
JUN
31°C
JUL
34°C
AUG
34°C
SEP
30°C
OCT
25°C
NOV
20°C
DEC
16°C
Bodrum is blessed with a mild climate all year round, but if you really want to sizzle away in the sunshine then July and August are the best months for a visit. Alternatively, if you don't like it too hot then you can still soak up the warm temperatures in autumn.
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FAQs
How long does it take to fly to Bodrum?
It takes around four hours to fly to Bodrum from the UK.
What’s the time difference between the UK and Bodrum?
The local time in Bodrum is three hours ahead of the UK.
What currency do they use in Bodrum?
The official currency used in Bodrum is the Turkish Lira.
Bodrum is a destination famous for its picturesque and memorable coastline. Its harbour is full of private yachts and boats, some of which you can book for a tour to see and experience the coastline fully, scoping out the entire peninsula and visiting nearby islands.
Feel like royalty at Bodrum Castle
Dating back to 1402, Bodrum Castle is one of the city’s main attractions. It offers incredible views of the sea and is home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with one of the world’s most impressive collections of artefacts recovered from shipwrecks.
Market a holiday to remember
Located nearby to the castle, the market is a great cultural experience to purchase local, homemade souvenirs from fabrics to ceramics, and have a lovely mooch. There's also a vast range of restaurants, cafes and shops to explore.
Go town
For a quirky experience, take a walk around Bodrum’s old town - one of the most interesting areas of the city. Full of quaint, narrow streets and whitewashed cottages, it’s a place with a charm you won’t forget.
Try a hammam
A hammam is a type of Turkish steam bath, Bodrum is the perfect chance to experience one whilst on holiday. There are several hammams in the city to choose from to get your relaxation on.
What events can I go to in Bodrum?
Bodrum is an exciting city for events, concerts, exhibitions, and local traditions. These are the ones to watch out for:
Bodrum International Film Festival (March) - a festival celebrating all things film and cinema, with four categories including short films, feature-length films, documentaries, and directorial debuts.
Bicycle festival (May) - a festival with live music, peformances and actitivites to encourage a 'greener Bodrum,' as people are encouraged to embrace the cycling way of life for the month.
International Bodrum Dance Festival (May) - one of the biggest dance festivals in Europe, celebrating all types of dance - a great chance to watch a variety of different performers.
The Ballet Festival (July–August) - a three-week long festival which allows you to watch and enjoy ballet performances from all over the world.
Gümüşlük International Classical Music Festival (July–September) - a series of classical concerts from famous and upcoming artsts over the course of two months, held in the fishing village of Gümüşlük.
Pedesta Festival (August–September) - an annual festival which has been held for over 20 years, with local music shows, folk dance performances, competitions and nature walks.
The Traditional Wooden Boat Races (October) - taking place on the third Sunday every October, the Bodrum Sailing Club hosts a wooden boat race where locals and tourists gather to watch the fun.
Where's the best nightlife in Bodrum?
Nightlife in Bodrum is all about variety, whether you’re seeking quiet drinks by the sea or somewhere to dance the night away. These are the places to add to your list:
Club Catamaran - a unique floating nightclub on a ship that sails out to sea - the number one place to be for a night you’ll never forget.
Kule Rock City Bar - step into Bodrum’s live rock music scene, with slow rock and heavy rock as the evening goes on.
Moonlight Bar - the most laidback beach bar you can find in Bodrum, topped off with unbeatable views of the coast.
Veli Bar - an iconic music location established in 1977, with top drinks and music that’ll keep you dancing all night long.
What’s the food like in Bodrum?
The food in Bodrum is a blend of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, plus plenty of seafood, of course. These are the dishes worth trying:
Sebzeli Döner - meat roasted on skewers with seasonal veg and various sauces
Mandalina Lokum - Turkish delight made from local mandarins
Çökertme Kebab - a type of kebab made with beef and served alongside garlic yogurt and fried potatoes
Çiçeği Dolması - stuffed courgette flowers that have an assortment of fillings, including meat and vegetables
Bergamot Reçeli - Bergamot jam - one of the city’s specialties
Looking for a place to dine in Bodrum? Check out these top restaurants:
Otantik Ocakbaşı - known for its traditional Turkish fare and grilled meats, from shanks to kebabs.
Limon - set in the most beautiful location across green gardens, this cafe serves up something for everyone.
La Pasión Restaurante Español - located in a pretty courtyard, this classic Spanish restaurant offers a whole menu of traditional tapas.
Iki Sandal - situated in a gorgeous old stone house with harbour views, offering a deliciously creative menu.
Orfoz Restaurant - recognised as one of the city’s best fish restaurants, serving a menu that’ll make your soul happy.
Key facts about Bodrum
Flight Time
4 hrs
Time Difference
+2 hrs
Currency
Turkish Lira
Language
Turkish
Will COVID-19 affect my holiday to Bodrum?
We are currently closely following the COVID-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Bodrum on the FCDO website.
Do I need any vaccinations to visit Bodrum?
We’d advise you to speak to a healthcare provider about the up-to-date vaccinations needed before you book your trip.
Do I need to pay tourist tax on my holiday to Bodrum?
There is currently no tourist tax in Bodrum.
Observing Ramadan
Please be aware that the Islamic holy month of Ramadan will take place between 10/03/2024 and 09/04/2024. During this time, eating, drinking and smoking will be restricted to the hours between sunset and sunrise, and visitors are expected to observe these practices in public spaces as a sign of respect, meaning many cafés and restaurants will close during the day, restrictions on alcohol sales may be in place, and hotel dining for non-Muslim guests may take place in private rooms. Playing music, dancing, and eating in public areas may also be restricted during this time.