Bodrum is one of the most popular beach destinations in Turkey – both for Turks and foreigners. “Bodrum” can refer to either the town of Bodrum itself or to the Bodrum peninsula which includes many other small bays and villages.
Bodrum is the biggest town on the peninsula and has the most to offer in terms of hotels, shops and restaurants. However, each town has its own character and any town can be a good base for exploring the broader area. The peninsula is a perfect place to spend your beach vacation: it has sandy beaches, rocky coves, plenty of sunshine, and stunning scenery.
Bodrum has a bit of a reputation for being the heart of the “party scene” in Turkey. You will find some of this in the town of Bodrum itself and also in the town of Türkbükkü on the north side of the peninsula. If you have no interest in visiting nightclubs while you are in Bodrum, don’t worry, its also very easy to avoid.
Getting around Bodrum
If you plan to travel around the peninsula then it is helpful to have your own rental car. A car will allow you to easily explore different towns and beaches on the peninsula and get into Bodrum to see the castle or visit the restaurants. Depending on your plans, however, you might not need one. If you plan to just veg out at your hotel during your stay then a car probably isn’t necessary. If you are staying at a hotel close to Bodrum town you also don’t need a car – you will be able to walk or take short taxis to sites and restaurants in Bodrum. You can also take taxis or the dolmuş (a shared minibus) to spots around the peninsula (like the Turgutreis market) – just keep in mind that taxis from Bodrum out to Turgetreis can get pretty pricey.
Getting to Bodrum
Bodrum Milas airport (BJV) is the closest airport to the peninsula. Turkish airlines, Pegasus airlines and Atlas Jet all run daily flights to / from both Istanbul airports. Several European charters and discount carriers, such as Easy Jet, also run flights directly into BJV from various cities in Europe.
The Bodrum airport is about 40 kms outside the city of Bodrum and 55 kms from Turgutreis. If you are renting a car in Bodrum you can rent from Avis or Hertz at counters in the airport. Taxis from BJV operate on fixed fares depending on your destination. There is a board with the fixed fares posted outside the taxi stand – make sure you check the fare before you get in a taxi. The taxi meter will run but the fixed fare should be much less than the metered fare. Havaş shuttle buses also run from BJV to the bus terminal in Bodrum town. The ride lasts about 45 minutes and costs 17.5 lira per person.
Bodrum peninsula towns
The town of Bodrum is on the south side of the peninsula, near the peninsula’s eastern edge and starting point. As you head west from Bodrum and make your way clockwise around the peninsula you will encounter Gümbet, Bitez, Akyarlar, Turgutreis, Gümüslük, Yalikavak, Gündoğan, Türkbükü and Torba. Each of these waterfront towns has unique character and is full of hotels and vacation homes.
Gümbet
Located in the bay just west of Bodrum, Gümbet is almost an extension of Bodrum itself. The advantage of staying in Gümbet is that you can get to shops and restaurants in Bodrum pretty easily (via taxi, dolmuş, or even on foot). Gümbet has its own beach and plenty of hotels. I have never stayed in Gümbet but my impression is that it tends to have cheaper accommodations.
Turgutreis
- I have traveled to Turgutreis several times with my family over the years and I love it. It’s the second largest town on the peninsula after Bodrum and thanks to its location on the far western edge of the peninsula it gets FABULOUS sunsets.
- The town built a brand-new marina in recent years (run by the same company that runs the one in Bodrum). It has some nice shops like the one in Bodrum and is a nice place to stroll around.
- The town also recently built a paved esplanade that heads from the center of town for a few miles north hugging the coast. It makes for a lovely walk if you are staying in any of these hotels north of town and want to get to the city center.
- Turgutreis is famous for its weekly pazar (market) which takes place every Saturday. If you are planning to spend time in Turgutreis make sure you are there on a Saturday! They have the traditional fruit and veggie market like what you will encounter in other parts of Turkey as well as a textiles market (which is what draws most of the tourists). Both sections are usually pretty crowded. The textiles section has everything from towels to tablecloths to European soccer jerseys. Popular items include knock-off designer shirts and my brother’s favorite – fake designer beach towels (Gucci, Louis Vuitton). It’s a fun experience to explore and haggle. Even if you aren’t staying in Turgutreis you can take a day trip to the Saturday market from other towns on the peninsula (tour operators offer packages or you can take the dolmuş).
Türkbükü
Türkbükü, on the north side of the peninsula, is where the rich and famous come to play. You will see ridiculous yachts pulled into the harbor and can party all night with pop stars and celebrities at Türkbükü’s beach clubs. These characteristics led the New York Times to dub Türkbükü the “St. Tropez of Turkey.”
Gümüşlük
Gümüşlük is a small, charming village about 10 minutes north of Turgutreis. The town sits on top of the ancient city of Myndos and some ruins are still visible. The famous thing to do in Gümüşlük is to walk from the coast in town through the water to Tavşan adası (Rabbit island). The water is pretty shallow and you can usually make it across without water going too far above your knees. It is probably best done in a swimsuit though to reduce the risk of your clothes getting soaked. Gümüşlük is one of the smallest / quietest towns on the peninsula and has fewer hotels / restaurants / shops, etc. For some this will make it an ideal vacation destination!
