Bodrum Castle

Bodrum Castle, AKA the Castle of St. Peter, is one of the most prominent features and recognisable landmarks in the region. It’s situated on a rocky outcrop, overlooking the harbour and marina. It dates back to the 15th century when it was constructed by the Knights of Rhodes during the crusades too. There are five towers in total, clad in nearly 250 coats of arms of the knights who served here. You can wander up to the top and take in the stunning, 360-degree views.

It’s handy to know that it also houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which we’ll come onto next…

Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology

For a taste of history, head into Bodrum Castle and you’ll have lots of different exhibitions to check out, spread over three floors. The space was once used to store items that had been collected in underwater archaeology missions and has more recently been transformed into a modern museum. Artefacts include everything from pottery and ceramics to fascinating urban shipwrecks.

It’s free entry for anyone under 18 and, for adults, it costs around £5 for a ticket.

Bodrum Harbour

The buzz of Bodrum Harbour is not to be missed. Whether you visit day or night, it’s the perfect place to wander around, watch swanky yachts bob up and down in the water, and swing by a waterfront bar for a cocktail. There’s also a handful of shops to browse or you could simply take a seat and enjoy the sunshine. It’s a great spot for people-watching!

If you’re looking for a day offshore, there are plenty of boat trips that you can hop on from here.

Spend a day at a waterpark

Ready for a fun-packed day filled with thrills and spills? There are a handful of waterparks with plenty of attractions to keep the whole family entertained. Think water slides, gigantic lazy rivers that snake around the parks and pools for swimming and relaxing.

Take a break from the slides and kick back on a lounger, before heading to a restaurant or snack bar for a tasty lunch. Don’t forget to try a delicious Bitez ice cream that’s filled with natural fresh fruits – they’re a delicious way to cool off after a day in the Turkish sun!

Bodrum windmills

The seven windmills of Bodrum are among the other famous sights in the region. They sit on the Bodrum Peninsula, between Bodrum and Gumbet Bay, and date all the way back to the 18th century. They were still in use to help grind flour up until the 1970s and have since laid derelict. As you can imagine, sunrise and sunset look especially picturesque in the background here.

To reach them, you have to walk a little way uphill but, once there, you can snap some unique holiday photos and selfies in front of them.

Bodrum Ancient Theatre

This brilliantly preserved ancient theatre, often referred to as the Theatre at Halicarnassus, dates back to the 4th century BC. It was later enlarged almost 600 years later to seat about 13,000 spectators! You can explore the site for free and wander around at your leisure. Or if you’re looking for something extra-special, grab a ticket to one of the concerts they host in the summer here!

Snorkelling and scuba diving

Beautiful sandy bays? Tick. Clear blue, warm water? Tick. Lots of colourful underwater life to spot? Tick! Bodrum’s Aegean waters are the ideal place for snorkelling and scuba diving. And with plenty of PADI-certified dive schools peppered along the coast, it’s primed for beginners too. Explore the shore or head further afield to hidden-away coves and see what you’ll discover!

Gumbet Beach

Enjoy the kilometre-long stretch of sand on this central beach that curves around Gumbet’s bay. Take your pick from a huge number of loungers and umbrellas or head to the public areas and roll out your towel. There’s a handful of cafés and beach clubs backing the seafront, so you won’t have to stray too far for lunch, a cocktail, ice-cold beer or glass of fine Turkish wine. If you want a bit more peace and quiet, make a beeline for either edge of the beach where there are less sunbathers and more space to spread out.