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Where to stay

Bodrum offers a variety of great hotels for couples, families or even groups. You can also book apartments for up to 4 people and share the accommodation price between yourselves. Some of the best hotels and apartments in Bodrum include;  Aegean Gate Hotel 5*, El Vino Hotel 4*, Hotel Karia Princess 3*, Hotel Samara 4* and many more.

We strongly advise that you research the accommodation you wish to book beforehand to avoid disappointment and we also suggest you go for a 3* + rather than any 1 and 2* hotels.

Things to do in Bodrum

Bodrum is a mustering point for local boats offering tailor-made daytrips to nearby islands or the pristine beaches and seaside restaurants along the magnificent coastline. From its position between the two harbours, the 15th century crusader Castle of St Peter dominates every part of the town, now home to the fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The other Bodrum holiday attraction is the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the crumbling remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Shopping:
Like everywhere in Turkey, shopping on a Bodrum holiday is quite an adventure, with dozens of shops lining the busy narrow streets, mainly from the bus station down to the marina. Touts and vendors offer a variety of local goods, from carpets and kilims to leatherware, gold and silver jewellery, and designer clothing (much of which is fake). Look out for Turkish meershaum pipes and onyx. There is an extensive, colourful craft market in operation on Tuesdays, and a fruit and vegetable market on Fridays. Bargaining is expected and it is customary to haggle down to about half the asking price. In Bodrum some shops stay open late at night, some even all night.

Activities:
The blue Aegean waters that wash the beaches of the peninsula on which Bodrum is perched lend themselves admirably to a vast range of watersports, from scuba diving to windsurfing and jet-skiing. Local operators can be found all over the area, renting out equipment, arranging excursions or offering lessons. Aquatic thrills are also on offer at the town's two waterparks.

Those who grow tired of the sea and sand can go hiking; local walking clubs offer programmes (generally not in the height of the summer season when it is too hot). There are numerous ways to get out of town and explore the enchanting villages, bays and historic sites in the area. Either hire a car, motor-bike, or bicycle; take a boat/hydrofoil trip; book an organised excursion; a jeep safari; or simply hop on a dolmus (mini-bus). An absolute 'must' is to enjoy a hamam (Turkish bath), complete with massage, to soothe the cares away.

Be sure to reserve far in advance if you're planning to visit Bodrum during September - crowds are heavy for the annual Arts and Culture Festival. If you want to escape the crowds of the Bodrum peninsula, visit the nearby village of Gumusluk, which retains much of its original fishing-village charm.

Food in Bodrum

Warm, sultry evenings in Bodrum are best spent dining on fresh seafood or local specialities in one of the numerous restaurants. Those who prefer to stick to more familiar tastes will find plenty of the usual popular cuisines on offer too, like Italian, Thai, Chinese, Mexican and European. Renowned as the top place in town for typical Turkish is Denizhan, a little out of town between Konacik and Ortakent, easily reached in a dolmus or taxi.

You will never struggle to find a good restaurant here as they are scattered all around the resorts, especially the seafront. The food is outstanding but if you like to stick to what you are used to you will also find many places catering to you.

Nightlife in Bodrum

The nightlife on a Bodrum holiday is frenetic and varied, offering not only western-style nightclubs and discos, but also the chance to sample partying Turkish style at one of the meyhanes (there are several of these local nightclubs on the road to Konacik and Ortakent) where the crowd joins in with the local artiste, singing, dancing, eating and drinking.

Most of the bars in Bodrum's mile-long 'Bar Street' (Dr. Alim Bey and Cumhuriyet Street), offer dancing, belly-dancing shows, live music and outdoor seating (often on the beach) with a view of the illuminated castle. For clubbers the main place to be is Halikarnas, one of the biggest and swankiest open-air clubs in the world, where the entrance charge matches the volume of the music and brightness of the laser lights. There are plenty of other clubs, even one on a catamaran that sets sail late at night and takes the party out to sea until the dawn.