■ Thins to do and see in Bodrum

There are many historical and cultural points that visitors can see. Landmarks include streets, beaches, bays, museums, ancient cities, festival sites, castles, underwater museums and many more.

Pedasa Ancient City

The ancient city, which is 4 km away from the centre of Bodrum, is also known as Gökçeler Castle. There are many artefacts and relics to be seen in the ancient city where the excavations are still going on. The ancient city, which is spread over a large area, can be reached on foot, while those who wish to visit the city should take a long time. There are different trails in the city which can be visited free of charge for those who want to visit the city by walking. Those who want to visit the ancient city are advised to take water and food with them as there are no facilities nearby.

Bodrum Castle

Built in the 15th century, the castle is one of the strongest castles ever. The castle located in the centre of Bodrum has become the symbol of the city. The castle has been used as a church, mosque, Turkish bath and prison since the day it was built and now serves as a museum. The castle, which was built in a square shape, has 5 towers and the highest of the towers is 47.50 meters high. In case the castle is under siege, 14 cisterns were built inside the castle to meet the water need. The castle, which was restored in 1960, is now used as the Bodrum Underwater Archeology Museum and artefacts from the wrecks in the region are exhibited here. Entrance to the castle is not free of charge but museum cardholders can visit for free. Bodrum Castle Visiting Hours: April 15, October 2 08:00 / 19:00 October 3 to April 14 08:00 / 17:00 

Bodrum Underwater Archeology Museum

The museum, which is one of the few underwater archaeological museums in the world, is located in Bodrum Castle. The museum, which was opened in 1965, has one of the richest collection in the world with more than 10 thousand works exhibited in 14 different halls. In the museum where the world’s largest Islamic glass collection and wrecks are exhibited, the English tower, East Roman wreck, Turkish bath, German tower, Jewellery hall, dungeon and Uluburun shipwreck which is the oldest wreck in the world, 15 meters long and 5 meters wide are of the most important exhibits in the museum.

Extruded from the swamp of Uluburun included more than 150 glass ingots, ivory, hippopotamus teeth, ostrich eggs and turtles used for making musical instruments and vases, goblets made of gold, gold tiles, pot leaks, food seeds and many other materials. Museum represented Turkey at the Museum of the Year Award Ceremony which was held in Sweden in 1996 and was awarded the Certificate of Special Commendation. Museum cardholders can enter the museum free of charge.

Visiting hours: From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd to April 14th from 08:00 to 17:00.

Halikarnas Mausoleum ruins and open-air museum

The ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus near the port of Bodrum are the monumental tombs built by Queen Artemisia for her deceased wife Mausolus of Caria. It is known that the monumental tomb, which is one of the 7 wonders of the world, has a huge size and was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1034. Relief artefacts and sculptures from the tomb were smuggled to the British Museum in the 19th century without permission. The podium consists of four different sections, including columns, temples, roofs and statues. When the knights of Saint-Jean came to Bodrum, some of the ruined stones of the mausoleum were used in the construction of the Bodrum castle.

The remaining stones are exhibited in the area organized as an open-air museum today. It is estimated that the tunnels passing through the mausoleum, which is understood from the architectural structure that it is not a simple grave, extend to Artemis and Amphitheater.   Entrance to the Halikarnas mausoleum, which is open daily and paid, is free for museum cardholders.

Visiting hours: From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd to April 14th from 08:00 to 17:00.

Bodrum Ancient Theater

It was built in 337 BC on the slopes of Göktepe Mountain with a horseshoe plan in the centre of Bodrum. The theatre, which features the Roman period, was restored in 1960 and nowadays hosts performances, festivals, events and concerts. The theatre, which is located on the Bodrum-Turgutreis road, has a capacity of 13 thousand people and is open 24 hours a day.  

Myndos Gate

It is known that the gate, which was built in the 4th century BC, was used as the entrance gate of the city. This area, also known as Diktiri, constitutes the most important part of the city walls. Near the door, which was built between eight-meter high towers, there are also Turkish cemeteries, vaulted tombs of Hellenistic and Roman periods. There are minibuses from Bodrum centre for those who want to go to Myndos gate near Gümbet.

Bodrum Boat Trip

Bodrum boat tours are organized in many different routes and there are 4 popular routes among them.

Bodrum boat tours are organized in many different routes and there are 4 popular routes among them. During the tours, while visiting the magnificent bays of Bodrum, the participants can enjoy sunbathing, swimming and having fun while seeing all shades of green and blue together. During the boat tour in Bodrum, Meteor pit, Kara (Black) Island, Aquarium, Tavşan (Rabbit) Cape, Deve (Camel) Beach, Bağla Orak bays are seen.
It is recommended that those taking part in the Bodrum boat tour, including lunch services, to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, towel and spare swimwear or shorts. 
The prominent routes on the Bodrum boat tour starting at 10 am and ending at 17 pm are as follows:
* Kara Island – Poyraz Tour
* Kara Island – Deve Beach Tour
* Aquarium – Deve Beach Tour
* Oraklar Boat Tour.