The port town of Bodrum lies along the scenic Aegean coast and reflects both a historic and burgeoning modern and luxurious culture. Once an ancient Greek city, Bodrum has seen many peoples and cultures over the centuries, from the Persians to the Romans to the Crusaders. Today, the town is characterized by its traditional white houses, vibrant waters, beach clubs, yachts lining the marina and energetic nightlife.

GETTING THERE & AROUND
Milas–Bodrum Airport serves both Bodrum and Milas, operating flights to and from many European hubs, with shuttles and buses connecting travelers to Bodrum city center. For North American travelers, connect through İstanbul (IST), an hour-long flight from Milas– Bodrum Airport. In Bodrum, most of its public transportation relies on local shared taxis, or dolmuş, privately owned minibuses. Bodrum port offers ferries to other nearby Turkish and Greek ports and islands.

LODGING
Maxx Royal Bodrum
Perched on a private peninsula with sweeping ocean views, this resort features private villas and all-suite accommodations. The luxury extends to a private beach, six pools, Maxx Wellbeing Centre, Scorpios’ first international outpost from Greece, a modern Spanish restaurant, seafood venue and Turkish eatery.

METT Bodrum
Rooms boast views of Bardakçi Bay, balconies, and polished and modern amenities. A stay here also includes access to a private beach area, three restaurants, a sea-view bar, indoor and outdoor pools, spa, salt room, saunas, and gym.

Senses Hotel
Embracing Bodrum’s classic white architecture, this elevated hotel sits high on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, offering accommodations with balconies or terraces, a bright restaurant, outdoor pool, snack bar and breakfast buffet.

DINING
Beynel Bitez
Warm and welcoming and with returning diners year after year, this Bib Gourmand establishment has developed a loyal following thanks to its authentic and seasonal dishes including lahmacun (Turkish flatbread), signature kebab and kokoreç (a seasoned lamb or goat dish).

Linam Restaurant
Traditional coastal Turkish cuisine is perfected here in dishes like calamari, kebabs (especially the Adana kebab), crab and house wines. The restaurant also offers indoor and outdoor seating.

Tuti
One of Bodrum’s most prominent fine-dining restaurants, Tuti’s talented chefs expertly craft Aegean and Mediterranean flavors into outstanding dishes, while diners indulge in both incredible plates and city and sea views from the terrace.

ATTRACTIONS
Beaches
Popular beaches like Bitez Beach make for an ideal day soaking up the Mediterranean sun and cooling off in the water. This Blue Flag-certified cove offers shallow waters and a calm atmosphere. For a livelier experience, Gümbet Beach is great for watersports. This crescent- shaped coast features calm waters.

Bodrum Castle (or Castle of St. Peter) and Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 15th century, Bodrum Castle is now home to Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, featuring discoveries and shipwrecks in the Aegean Sea. Shipwrecks featured in the museum include the 12th-century B.C. Finike- Gelidonya shipwreck and 14th-century B.C. Kaş-Uluburun shipwreck, which contained a seal of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti and jewelry.

Halicarnassus
The ancient Greeks called Bodrum Halicarnassus, and ruins of the former city can be visited today, including the theater and acropolis. The city also was home to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, destroyed in a series of earthquakes from the 12th to 15th centuries. It was the last surviving of the six destroyed Wonders of the Ancient World.

GT PICKS
Have you heard of the “Bodrum boom?” Social media — particularly TikTok — set off a frenzy of hype (deservedly so) for the destination, dubbed “the new Ibiza” in recent years. If you’re still looking for inspiration for your trip after scrolling your newsfeed, Global Traveler loves the seasonal outpost of Gigi Rigolatto at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum. This year marks the second summer for the beach club and restaurant, which joins locations in Paris, Saint- Tropez, Dubai and Rome.