Once known as the ancient city of Halicarnassus (by the late Ottoman era), Bodrum had turned into a simple fishing village, but all that changed in the 1940s when tourism entered the fold. Nowadays during summer, this town transforms and buzzes with energy as tourists come from all over the world to soak up Bodrum's charm.

Arriving in Bodrum

If you own a yacht, the best destination marina for you is Milta Bodrum Marina, offering berths for up to super-yachts and top amenities.

Another option to reach Bodrum is by plane, and Milas Bodrum Airport is the best option in this area. Being one of the top airports in Turkey, it offers thousands of domestic and international connections, making it without a doubt the best option to reach the peninsula fast.

Weather in Bodrum

Bodrum has a hot-summer, Mediterranean climate according to the Koppen climate classification. The winter average is around 15 °C (59 °F) and in the summer 34 °C (93 °F), with very sunny spells, which makes the sailing season quite extended, from late May to mid-October. Sailing in the winter months can be problematic due to stronger, more volatile and less predictable weather.

In the summer months the coast is dominated by the meltemi, blowing mostly from North or North West in the South of Turkey, so you should regularly check the weather forecasts while sailing in this region.

Explore Bodrum

The city of Bodrum is well known for its old town and amazing beaches as well, being one of the best-known entertainment centres in the world, enhanced by its white houses with blue windows and the picturesque landscapes. We recommend visiting the following landmarks:

1. Saint Peter Castle
2. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
3. The Bodrum Peninsula Beaches
4. The Mausoleum of Mausolus
5. MyndosKapisi
6. Bodrum Theatre
7. The Old Town

1. Saint Peter Castle

Rising over the seafront, the Saint Peter Castle is probably at the top of every tourist's places to visit in Bodrum. The Knights Hospitallers of Saint John built the structure between 1402 and 1437, and knights of various nationalities were entrusted with the defence of particular sections of the walls. Among the various towers are:

•  the French Tower;
• The English Tower, with a sculpted lion on its west wall;
• The Gatineau Tower, which leads to the dungeons.

During the reign of the well-known Ottoman sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, the Saint Peter Castle passed into Turkish hands and a mosque was built inside.

2. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology

The brilliant museum located inside the Castle of Saint Peter is a must-see attraction, even if you don't have an interest in underwater archaeology. The exhibition is well organized, and the dazzling artifacts are complemented by multimedia displays.

As soon as you enter the museum, you should stop and admire the huge amphoras collection and the glass-blowing workshop that kids will just find it fascinating. Walking further, you enter the Glass Wreck Hall, which displays a 16-meter ship that sunk in 1025 AD.

The French Tower is home to another dazzling underwater find - the cargo of a classical Greek ship that sunk in the 4^th century BC.

3. The Bodrum Peninsula Beaches

If you sail around the peninsula or if you want to have a lazy day at the beach, you should know that there are plenty of options where you can enjoy a relaxing day. There is a wide variety of blue flagged golden beaches on the Bodrum peninsula, where you can also find a variety of water sports activities such as: parasailing, jet-skiing, banana boat rides, windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkelling or scuba diving. And speaking of beaches, this is our top 7 beaches worth visiting:

• Yahsi Beach
• Gumbet Beach
• Kumbahce Beach
• Bodrum Municipality Public Beach
• Bodrum Yali Public Beach
• Ortakent Beach
• Yalikavak Public Beach

4. The Mausoleum of Mausolus

The Mausoleum of Mausolus was built in Halicarnassus (the ancient name for Bodrum) by the architect Pytheos as the final resting place of King Mausolus. When finished, the impressive towering structure measured 46 meters high and was decorated with magnificent friezes by the best Greek sculptors of the day.

Even though it resisted earthquakes over the centuries, it was only finally destroyed by the Knights Hospitallers, who used its stones to build the Saint Peter Castle. Nowadays, the site is a peaceful garden setting, worthy of visiting if only just to say you've seen one of the seven ancient wonders.

5. MyndosKapisi

MyndosKapisi (Myndos Gate) is the last remaining chunk of King Mausolus once sturdy fortress walls, surrounding the ancient city for seven kilometres. For those interested in ancient history, plenty of small ruins are nearby, including a scattering of tombs and mosaic fragments, as well as the sparse remnants of a moat from the 4^th century BC.

6. Bodrum Theatre

Bodrum's ancient theatre has been beautifully restored, and the views from the upper tiers, out towards the mountains, can just be described as superb. In its best days during the 4^th century, it would have held around 13.000 spectators.

If you're visiting this region during summer, Bodrum uses the theatre for a vast program of events and concerts. Trust us, seeing a performance within this theatre is the best way of imagining how it would have been in the grand era of Halicarnassus.

7. The Old Town

Behind the castle is probably Bodrum's most interesting area, the Old Town. The narrow pedestrian alleyways here are lined with whitewashed and stone-cut cottages that look like a postcard. Much of Bodrum has been modernized, so this is one of the few parts of the town where you can still get a feel for the fishing village it once was before it was transformed by tourism. After leaving the marina in the afternoon, this is a charming place for a wander and for sure a heaven for some memorable photos.

There are plenty of cute boutiques, shops, restaurants and cafes in this area if you need to sit down, enjoy a cold drink and taste the amazing Turkish cuisine.

The last but not least of the reasons to visit Bodrum is the gorgeous sunset views. The peninsula’s west facing position lines it up as one of the best locations in Turkey. Don’t underestimate the power of watching the sun go down on the horizon while having a cold drink and contemplating life. There is something soothing about it and mesmerising.