Bodrum

Last update September 27, 2026

Bodrum has earned its nickname of Turkey’s St-Tropez for a solid reason, since wooden gulets glide across the turquoise bays and super-yachts are parked in marinas that were built precisely for this sort of luxury. The town is located on the Aegean coast and stretches out over two bays, with Bodrum Castle forming the focal point of the area from a rocky outcrop that is surrounded by the sea on three sides. The castle was constructed by the Knights of Saint John in the 15th century and today contains a Museum of Underwater Archaeology; when you walk through its shaded courtyards and head towards the sea-facing towers, it seems more like you are exploring than merely taking tours.

The nightlife and history are found in downtown Bodrum, but the beaches you really want are only a short drive along the peninsula. Bitez, which is five kilometres west, is long and shallow and suitable for families. Gümbet, located three kilometres out, is noisy and cheap, full of water trampolines and tourists coming on package tours, so it’s best to avoid it if you value quiet. Türkbükü replaces sand with wooden platforms above the water and attracts Istanbul’s fashion crowd at a corresponding price, while Gümüşlük, at the far western end of the peninsula, has a sunken Greco-Roman city that can be seen underwater right off the shore and also offers seafood restaurants built on stilts. Choose the beach according to the type of day you’d like, since they offer quite different experiences.

In the centre of Bodrum the nights stay late. The Halikarnas, which is one of the biggest open-air clubs in Europe, is located directly on the harbour with laser shows and international DJs, and Bar Street ensures that the atmosphere continues until sunrise if that’s the speed you like. If it isn’t, then you should stay in Bitez or Torba and simply go down to town for dinner. Regardless of your choice, Bodrum’s food scene supports this option with restaurants situated right beside the water so that you can eat while the castle is lit up across the bay.

It takes about twenty minutes to get from Bodrum’s marina to the Greek island of Kos, making it a simple extra option should your visa circumstances permit it. The houses painted white scale up the hills, the evening air is a blend of jasmine and grilled seafood, and the entire town has the effect of slowing you down regardless of whether you had intended to. If the marina’s atmosphere is what appeals to you then visit it, but don’t miss the beaches on the peninsula since it’s there that Bodrum actually shows you the reason why people keep returning.