Bodrum Turkey: The Land of Eternal Blue
In southwest Turkey, along a particularly vibrant stretch of turquoise sea, lies the site of Halicarnassus, home to one of the ancient wonders of the world.
Today, not much remains of the site itself.
Instead, you’ll find a bustling seaside port that beckons travelers with its boutique-filled, whitewashed streets and impossibly blue waters.
Bodrum: The St Tropez of Turkey
Thanks to its position along the Turquoise Coast, Bodrum is Turkey’s flashy seaside getaway. In recent years, the popular cruise port has become a tourism magnet for the rich and famous. With its yacht-filled harbor, the picturesque seaside town boasts boutique-lined streets, high-end hotels, and aquamarine bays.
Bodrum is the most fashionable seaside escape along the Turkish Riviera. People often liken Bodrum to the glitzy town of St Tropez in France. Or the chic island of St Barths in the Caribbean.
The old town’s narrow, picturesque streets seamlessly merge into terraces and hip bars. Traditional music cafés stand beside modern nightclubs. The town exudes a pleasant ambiance, with its photogenic harbor and perfectly positioned historic castle.
While the beaches around town didn’t initially strike me as breathtaking, the area’s impossibly blue waters won me over. The saturated hues rivaled those that I’d encountered in Milos Greece and Malta’s Comino Island.
Things to See in Bodrum
Bodrum offers a mix of historical landmarks and natural escapes.
Though the town contains one of the most important archaeological sites of ancient history, the ruins today leave much to the imagination.
During our stay along the Turkish Riviera, we didn’t manage to check off all the must-see attractions. Instead, we spent most of our time strolling through downtown, soaking in the waterfront views, and enjoying a boat tour to Orak Island.
Mausoleum of Helicarnassus
The legendary Mausoleum of Helicarnassus—one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World— was a monumental tomb built around 350 BCE for Mausolus, a Persian ruler. Celebrated for its grand scale and intricate carvings, the structure blended Greek, Egyptian, and Lycian architectural elements
You won’t be able to visualize the once-magnificent temple by visiting its ruins. Its few scattered remnants are about as intact as those at Ephesus‘ Temple of Artemis. Of the Seven Wonders, only the Pyramids of Giza remain intact.
Although the Mausoleum of Helicarnassus now consists of a few scattered rock fragments, its legacy endures. The term “mausoleum” has become synonymous with grand tombs.
Unfortunately, we never actually made it to the site during our stay in Bodrum. While we had every intention of stopping by, we ran out of time before our flight back to Istanbul.
Bodrum Castle
Bodrum Castle, also known as the Castle of St. Peter, is a medieval fortress that stands guard over the city’s yacht-filled harbor. Built by the Knights Hospitaller in the early 15th century, it served as a stronghold against Ottoman forces.
The fortress showcases a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. Its walls contain stones from the nearby Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which partially explains why you’ll see so little of the ancient archeological site in the present day.
The castle is also home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which features artifacts recovered from Aegean shipwrecks.
Bodrum Amphitheater
The Bodrum Amphitheater, an ancient Greek venue from the 4th century BC, is carved into the hillside overlooking the Aegean Sea. It once accommodated up to 13,000 spectators.
Restored in modern times, the amphitheater now hosts concerts and cultural events, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich history and artistic heritage.
Like the Mausoleum, we planned to visit the amphitheater but had to forego it due to time constraints and toddler nap schedules.
Bodrum’s Streets and Alleyways
Bodrum’s bustling streets reminded me of those on the Greek Islands. While not as heavily tourist-driven as Santorini, the town felt comparable to Paros or Naxos.
We enjoyed wandering aimlessly along Bodrum’s main drag, exploring boutiques, and browsing souvenir shops.
The Windmills of Gumbet
The windmills of Bodrum lie just west of town, between Bodrum and Gumbet. The seven abandoned windmills date back to 18th century. Once vital to the area, they remained in use until the 1970s.
From the windmills, you can enjoy panoramic views of both Gumbet Bay and Bodrum Bay.
Once again, we skipped this top Bodrum attraction due to limited time.
Bodrum Boat Tour
I think most people would agree that the turquoise sea is Bodrum’s #1 draw.
So when my parents offered to watch Elio for the afternoon, we siezed the opportunity to join a boat tour sans toddler.
Orak Island
Orak Island, located off Bodrum’s coast, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and tranquil beauty. An uninhabited gem, the island features stunning pristine coves perfect for sailing and snorkeling.
Tour operators often call Orak Island the “Turkish Maldives.”
While I wouldn’t expect the Maldives to resemble this Mediterranean island, the comparison to its crystalline waters makes sense.
Around Bodrum, you’ll find numerous tour agencies offering excursions to Orak Island and its surroundings. Since the island is only accessible by boat, joining a tour is the best option unless you have a private yacht.
Bays in Bodrum
Homer once called Bodrum the “Land of Eternal Blue.” A cruise around its bays and inlets proves why. Its waters are some of the bluest blues I’ve ever seen.
Our tour boat visited Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Red Bay, in addition to Orak Island. Each stop offered uniquely swimmable waters, with shades ranging from cerulean to cobalt.
Islands of the Sapphire Coast
A number of small rocky islands speckle the Turquoise Coast near Bodrum.
These uninhabited islands—some belonging to Greece and others to Turkey—rise barely above the surface of the water.
When we visited, we noticed that many of these little islets had Turkish flags billowing in the breeze. A quick google search indicated that these flags were likely erected to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Turkish state.
I don’t know if these flags will remain much past the centennial. However, considering the ongoing disputes between Greece and Turkey over the Dodecanese islands near Bodrum, I have the feeling that they’ll stick around for a bit.
Where to Stay in Bodrum
We stayed at Agan Pension while in Bodrum. The hotel offered a central location and clean rooms at an affordable price. A similar option is Bodrum Sade Pension. Reviewers mention its charming decor and proximity to downtown.
The Marmara Hotel in Bodrum is a luxury adult only hotel situated atop a hill, with views of Bodrum and its bays.
For a luxurious experience, The Marmara Hotel offers adult-only accommodations atop a hill with panoramic views. Meanwhile, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, located on a private beach outside of town, provides the ultimate retreat for those seeking the opulence.
Bodrum Turkey Tours
Even if you only plan on staying one day in Bodrum, I suggest you spend at least some of it out on the water.
So unless you are traveling around the Turquoise Coast in your private yacht, you’re probably going to join a boat tour.
Plenty of agencies around town sell day trips to Orak Island and the Bodrum coast.
The tours to Orak Island each seem quite similar to one another. When we traveled to the area, I booked the tour in-person, one day in advance.
Additionally you can join a private day tour of the city if you’re keen on seeing Bodrum’s top sites in a day. This is a particularly attractive option for cruise ship visitors who have limited time in the area.
When to Visit Bodrum
The best time to visit Bodrum, Turkey, is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October). During these months, the weather is pleasant and sunny. The shoulder months also allow you to enjoy Bodrum’s attractions without peak season (July and August) crowds.
We visited Bodrum in September and encountered beautiful weather during our stay.
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Bodrum wasn’t initially part of our Turkey itinerary. Instead, it was a place that we found ourselves in briefly due to logistics. After road tripping from Cappadocia to Ephesus, we needed a place to spend a day or two before flying back to Istanbul.
It turned out to be a great choice.
Though we didn’t tick off all of Bodrum’s must-see attractions, the glitzy seaside town provided the perfect counterbalance to our monument-filled journey, offering relaxation and a chance to swim in the “Land of Eternal Blue.”
