Vacation in Bodrum: The 8 Most Beautiful Attractions

The white city of Bodrum and the peninsula of the same name are a true mecca for all tourists interested in art, culture, and history. Throughout the peninsula, travelers will find numerous galleries and exhibition spaces as well as many other historical sites and great excursion destinations.

The travel bettercities.net reveals which attractions are particularly worthwhile during your Turkey vacation in Bodrum.

Bodrum is actually known for its white houses, which are reminiscent of the Greek island Santorini. However, viewed from the sea, a completely different image shapes the holiday destination: the massive St. Peter's Castle. As a result, the fortress between the town's two harbors functions as a landmark and really belongs on the bucket list for any trip to Bodrum.

And that's not just due to its imposing appearance from a distance, but also because of the discoveries travelers can make inside its walls. It is home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and numerous artists and musicians use the castle as a venue for exhibitions and events.

Behind rocky castle walls lies the unique small artist colony Dibeklihan in the hinterland of the Bodrum Peninsula. About 11 kilometers from Bodrum town center, travelers can stroll through the many small castle-like structures and admire the artworks of various local artists.

Various small castle cafes and restaurants invite visitors to enjoy Turkish coffee or a delicious meal. Anyone taking a break there can also enjoy a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains. In some shops, guests even have the opportunity to take home small handicrafts as souvenirs of their visit to the artist colony.

The shops and exhibition spaces are only accessible during the main season from May to October. In May, visitors can enter from 10 am to 7 pm, from June 1 to 15, the site is open from 10 am to 9 pm, and from June 16 to the end of September from 10 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 11:30 pm. In October, the opening hours change back to 10 am to 9 pm.

Turkey has countless historical monuments and ancient ruins at many locations, and Bodrum is no exception. Just four kilometers from the city of Bodrum, in a woodland area in the north of the peninsula, history buffs will find the ruins of Pedasa. You can reach the ancient site on foot from the small village of Konacik.

Hikers should definitely remember to wear sturdy shoes, as they have to climb numerous stone staircases up and down on the way to the ruins. Today, not much of Pedasa's former grandeur is visible.

At the time, Pedasa was considered a very important small city, surrounded by walls and towers. Pedasa's religious center, the Temple of Athena, was located slightly outside the main city. The area also had grave sites, and being buried there was considered an honor.

Right in the middle of Bodrum, tourists can find the well-preserved ruins of the Amphitheater of Halicarnassus. That is the ancient name for today's Bodrum. According to historians, the theater was built in the first half of the 3rd century BC.

What visitors can see today is no longer completely original. The theater was restored between the 1970s and 1990s so that it could still be used. As a result, it still regularly hosts events such as ballet and concerts with up to 10,000 spectators.

But even if you're not attending an event, the theater is open for visits during the day. You'll find it directly behind the marina in Bodrum.

Let's stay with the ruins in Bodrum. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is a particularly special attraction, as it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. According to legend, King Maussolos had a gigantic tomb built for himself, which stood in Bodrum until the 13th century. However, an earthquake eventually destroyed the magnificent structure.

Today, interested tourists can find the temple's remains in the heart of downtown Bodrum, with the area being accessible for free. Travelers planning to visit Bodrum in a few years can look forward to a real highlight: the original mausoleum is supposed to be reconstructed entirely in glass.

For travelers always on the lookout for an adrenaline rush, Lunapark Bodrum is a must-visit. The amusement park is part of the 'Vogue Hotel' and is situated at the northern tip of the Bodrum Peninsula, right by the sea. Of course, travelers not staying at the resort can also enjoy the park's nine rides.

The Ferris wheel is particularly popular for its breathtaking view directly onto the open sea. In addition to the Lunapark, which promises fun for all ages, there's also Candyland and a Dino Park for kids. There you will find smaller rides and many entertainment options for young vacationers aged 3 to 17.

Anyone wishing to visit this attraction has to hop on a boat, as Kara Ada, also known locally as 'Dark Island,' is situated in the sea, south of Bodrum. Well, from the Bodrum harbor, tourists board a boat and travel about six kilometers out onto the open sea to reach the densely vegetated island.

To get there, vacationers can either rent a boat themselves or book a boat tour. For independent travelers, the advantage is that one can clearly see the island from the mainland, making it easy to navigate.

Since 1988, the island has been a nature reserve and is home to dolphins, otters, and many other species. The highlight of the destination, located in a grotto on the northern part of the island, is the hot sulfur springs believed to be miraculous.

A stroll through a traditional bazaar is almost a requirement during a trip to Turkey. Therefore, the Bodrum Bazaar must be included in this overview-and on your Bodrum bucket list. In Bodrum's city center, there are three market days a week offering various goods. On Tuesdays, a wide range of textiles is for sale, while Thursdays and Fridays focus on food.

Those who don't want to adhere to the market days can also visit the Grand Bazaar in Bodrum. This covered bazaar is located in the Gümbet district, is open around the clock, and offers a great variety of bargains for shoppers.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out travel tips for all top destinations with the travel bettercities.net and find the best travel deals on our deal page.

Travel bettercities.net