Ancient stone castle with a minaret by the sea

Bodrum

Bodrum is a whitewashed harbor town on Türkiye's Aegean coast, known for its ancient history, its castle and boat trips along the peninsula.

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Bodrum is a town on the Bodrum Peninsula in Muğla Province, on Türkiye's southwestern Aegean coast. In ancient times it was Halicarnassus, home of the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and its remains are spread through the modern town. The castle above the harbor was built by the Knights of St John and now houses a museum of underwater archaeology.

People come for the harbor, the old windmills on the hill and boat trips to nearby coves. Summer is hot and dry, and the sea is warmest from June to September, when the streets and nightlife are at their busiest. Spring and autumn are quieter. The town suits travelers who want history alongside beach days or a sailing holiday. Three days covers the town, one gulet day cruise and a beach village, and more if you want the rest of the peninsula.

Bodrum in five

Set up data before you landSignal can drop on the quiet back roads of the peninsula and at some coves. Buy an eSIM before the trip and download offline maps while you still have a connection.Phones and eSIM
Ride a dolmuş between the beach villagesDolmuş minibuses run along the peninsula roads to Gümbet, Türkbükü and other villages. They leave when full, cost less than a taxi, and drivers take cash, so ask the driver the destination before you board.Getting around
Keep cash in lira for small paymentsHotels and restaurants in town take cards, but dolmuş fares, beach kiosks and village stalls often want cash. Keep small lira notes for fares and tips.Money and costs
Book your gulet cruise aheadDay cruises on wooden gulets leave from the harbor and stop at quiet coves for swimming and lunch. Book a few days ahead through an operator.Tours and tickets
Carry your passport for the Kos ferryPassenger ferries to the Greek island of Kos run from Bodrum port, and you pass passport control on both sides. Check the operator's current rules before you buy a ticket.

Things to do in Bodrum

See all attractions in Bodrum

Historic site · BodrumMyndos Gate

Historic site · BodrumBodrum Ancient Theatre

Museum · BodrumMausoleum at HalicarnassusGo early or late in the day to avoid busier periods.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BodrumPut the places you like in Bodrum on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Turkish lira (TRY)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; e-Visa online for others Read more
Emergency: 112 for any emergency, 155 police, 110 fire
Tipping: About 10% in restaurants if no service charge; round up taxis
Time: UTC+3, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Cold, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Rainy, quiet
MarchClear9 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Rainy, mild
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Spring, green
MayClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Warm, quiet
JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm sea, busy
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, very busy
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, peak crowds
SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm sea, calm
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Mild, quiet
NovemberClear10 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Quiet, rains
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Winter, closed

Average daily high and low in Bodrum, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Bodrum

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 16°
Humidity: 87%
Wind: 15 km/h
Chance of rain: 93%

Bodrum Town

11:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today20°19°93%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 93%.
Tue20°19°93%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 93%.
Wed22°18°76%Wednesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 76%.
Thu20°15°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri17°13°0%Friday: Clear. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat18°14°3%Saturday: Clear. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sun19°14°1%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 1%.

Updated 09:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY

Amount

Converted to

TRY · Turkish Lira

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Datçaabout 2 hours by carA quieter peninsula town with coves and the ancient site of Knidos nearby.
Kosunder 1 hour by ferryA Greek island reached by passenger ferry from Bodrum port. Carry your passport.
Milet and Didymaabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carAncient Ionian cities with a theatre at Milet and a temple at Didyma. A long half-day trip.

Before you go to Bodrum

eSIM for BodrumData on landing, offline mapsRead the guide

Travel insurance for TürkiyeCover for boat trips and clinic visitsRead the guide

Cash and cards in BodrumWhere cards work and where they do notRead the guide

Stays in BodrumCompare town and beach villagesRead the guide

Rules for Bodrum, checked

Whether you need an e-Visa depends on your passport. Check the official Turkish e-Visa site before you book your flight.Source
Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current limit with Turkish customs before you travel.
Cover shoulders and knees and take off your shoes in mosques. Women may be asked to cover their hair in some mosques, so carry a scarf.
Dial 112 for any emergency in Türkiye. Police and fire crews also answer on their own lines, 155 and 110.

Plan around Bodrum

All of Türkiye

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Türkiye trip

Read the guide Bodrum Town

The harbor, the castle and the old town streets

Read the guide Getting around the region

Dolmuş, taxis, rental cars and ferries compared

Read the guide Money and costs

What to carry in cash, what cards cover and typical prices

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs an e-Visa and how to apply for one

Read the guide Where to stay

Town, marina and beach villages compared by price

Read the guide

Bodrum FAQ

Is Bodrum worth visiting?

Yes, for the castle and museum in the town, the harbor and a choice of beach villages that suit different moods. Nightlife is strongest in Gümbet, while Türkbükü is quieter and more expensive.

How many days do you need in Bodrum?

Three to four days covers the town, one gulet day cruise and a beach village. Add a day for Datça or the Greek island of Kos if you want a longer trip.

How do you get from Bodrum airport to town?

Bodrum's airport is at Milas, and a taxi or pre-booked transfer to the town takes about an hour. Dolmuş and bus links run too, but they are slower with luggage.

Should I stay in Bodrum Town or Gümbet?

Stay in the town for the castle, the harbor and walkable dining. Stay in Gümbet for beach access and nightlife, and take a dolmuş into town for the day.

When is the best time to visit Bodrum?

May, June, September and October suit most visitors, with warm weather and a calmer coast than July and August. Winter is quiet, and many hotels close.

Do I need cash in Bodrum?

Yes, carry some lira for dolmuş fares, beach kiosks and small village stalls. Cards work in most restaurants, hotels and shops in the town.