Fancy a sun-kissed holiday on the Turkish peninsula? Bodrum has got you covered. Capture the essence of Turkey with its majestically-blue beaches, ancient historical sites and heaps of good food. Whether it’s watersports galore or dynamic night-life scenes, the Bodrum region offers something for everyone. Speak to one of our advisers and see what the hype is all about.
Situated on the Western Aegean coast of Turkey, Bodrum is a thriving fishing port and tourist centre that has grown to have a permanent population of some 30,000 people. 270 km South of Izmir, on the Bodrum Peninsula, it faces the Greek island of Kos and overlooks the entry into the Gulf of Gokova.
The closest airport to Bodrum is the Milas–Bodrum Airport (BJV), also known as Bodrum Airport. Other airports that serve the Bodrum area include Dalaman Airport (DLM) and Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) in Izmir.
The typical flight time from London to Bodrum is just over four hours. Call us for all flying options.
Situated on the south-west coast of Turkey, Bodrum has a year-round warm and sunny climate. Sunworshippers are best served during the summer months when temperatures regularly pass 30℃, perfect for relaxing on the beach under a shady umbrella. For those who want to enjoy more active pursuits, such as cycling and walking, then autumn and spring are perfect as the heat reduces to a pleasant 16 degrees whilst rainfall is still minimal.
This Turkish Riviera offers a wealth of adventures, thanks to its perfect location. Whether it’s island hopping to charming coastal resorts like Alanya or exploring the remains of ancient civilisations, Bodrum is a treasure trove of history and culture. Check out some of our favourite things to do in Bodrum.
There are many superb places to eat in Bodrum with Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine at the top of the menu. Holidaymakers can choose from a wide variety of kebabs, mezes and popular sweets such as baklava and Turkish delight. Turkish cookery makes use of common, local ingredients and blends them to make delicious and hearty meals. Expect to find dishes containing lamb, olive oil, chickpeas, potatoes and tomatoes, all imaginatively spiced with cumin, paprika, mint and thyme.
Turks LOVE their tea so much they may have up to eight glasses a day! We’re talking herbal, fruit tea, and black tea – yes, the traditional, British breakfast tea is also on the menu in authentic Turkish cafes, although you may need to request the milk!
Raki is one of Turkey’s traditional drinks, also referred to as Lion’s Milk, or aslan sutu, made from grape pomace of wine blended with aniseeds. This alcoholic beverage is the national favourite, often consumed during a BBQ or while eating fish.
Efes Pilsen is the most popular beer here and ranks high, winning a dozen of awards in the industry. There are a variety of spin-offs for your taste buds to choose from, including Efes Dark, Efes Light, and Efes Ice.
Music is a massive part of the Bodrum lifestyle. The complexity of the traditional Turkish music comes from masses of influence including Persian, Arabic, Balkan and Ottoman. The music is still played now at weddings and noble events, consisting of instruments of the davul, a type of drum, and darbuka percussion among woodwind instruments such as the ney, kaval, or zurna.
If you're into music and looking for engaging events, Bodrum hosts numerous festivals in the peninsula; The Bodrum International Ballet Festival, Bodrum Jazz Festival, Idil Biret Music Festival, the International Bodrum Dance Festival, and the iconic Bodrum Music Festival – offering all the criteria for each music genre!
Football is the national sport and is played everywhere in Turkey. Local matches are played between September and May, usually hosted on a Friday evening and you can obtain tickets easily in local shops. In Bodrum, many bars show games on big screens, where you can also have a drink and enjoy a great atmosphere.
Hiking, mountaineering and even skiing are also popular activities.
As you would expect in a thriving tourist hot-spot like Bodrum there are ample opportunities to enjoy some retail therapy and there are several indoor malls where you can indulge your passion in a cool, air-conditioned environment. However, to get a true taste of Bodrum’s shopping scene we recommend you try out the many markets, bazaars and backstreets of the old town. Here you will be lured into quirky boutiques, bookstores and leather shops by exuberant owners offering tea and bargains. Among the kaleidoscopic chaos of the bazaars, hunt down hand woven carpets, jewellery, leather and copper goods as well as natural sponges and glass ornaments. We suggest that you at least set aside one evening to explore this vibrant part of Bodrum culture and enjoy this fun shopping experience.