Bodrum is Turkey's most stylish coastal destination, a whitewashed Aegean town built around a magnificent crusader castle that has attracted artists, writers, musicians and pleasure-seekers for decades. It has a character quite distinct from the Mediterranean coast resorts — more Greek in feel, with cube-shaped white houses climbing the hillsides, a lively marina scene, excellent restaurants and a nightlife reputation that has earned it the nickname the Saint-Tropez of Turkey. For Irish visitors seeking a Turkish holiday with sophistication, culture and a touch of glamour, Bodrum delivers.
Location and Getting There
Bodrum is on Turkey's south-west Aegean coast, on a peninsula opposite the Greek island of Kos. Bodrum Airport (BJV) is approximately thirty-five minutes from the town centre. The flight from Dublin takes around four hours. The Bodrum Peninsula has numerous resort areas along its coastline, each with a distinct character.
Beaches
Bodrum town has a small beach near the castle, but the peninsula's best beaches are in the surrounding bays. Bitez is a sheltered bay popular with windsurfers and families. Gumbet has a lively beach with water sports and beach bars. Turkbuku on the north coast is the exclusive option, with beach clubs and upmarket restaurants. Ortakent has long, sandy beaches. Camel Beach (Karaincir) is a natural sandy bay. The variety of beaches across the peninsula means you can try different ones during your holiday.
Turkey's coastline stretches for over seven thousand kilometres, and the south-western coast in particular offers some of the most beautiful beach scenery in the Mediterranean. The water clarity along the Turquoise Coast lives up to the name — visibility of twenty to thirty metres is common, making the region excellent for snorkelling and diving. Many of Turkey's best beaches are within or adjacent to ancient archaeological sites, creating a unique combination of natural beauty and historical atmosphere. The all-inclusive culture in Turkish resorts means many hotels have private beach sections with complimentary sunbeds, parasols and beach service — a further advantage for families who want a hassle-free day at the beach.
Things to Do
The Castle of St Peter, built by the Knights Hospitaller in the fifteenth century, dominates Bodrum's harbour. It now houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, one of the finest of its kind in the world. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — has only its foundations remaining, but the site and museum are historically significant. The Bodrum Marina is a pleasant place to stroll, with luxury yachts, restaurants and shops. Boat trips (Blue Cruises) around the peninsula and to nearby Greek islands are hugely popular. The Bodrum Peninsula has several well-preserved villages worth exploring, including Gumusluk (built over the ancient city of Myndos) with its fish restaurants right on the waterfront.
Turkey offers a depth of historical and cultural experience that few beach-holiday destinations can match. Within easy day-trip distance of most resorts, you can visit ancient Greek theatres, Roman aqueducts, Lycian rock tombs, Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches. The Turkish hamam (bath house) experience is something every visitor should try at least once — a traditional steam bath followed by a vigorous scrub and massage, leaving you feeling thoroughly rejuvenated. Shopping is another highlight, from the atmospheric bazaars selling hand-knotted carpets, ceramics, spices and leather goods to the modern shopping centres in the larger towns.
Dining and Nightlife
Bodrum's food scene is among the best on the Turkish coast. The waterfront and backstreets have excellent restaurants serving fresh fish, Aegean mezes, grilled meats and contemporary Turkish cuisine. Gumusluk is famous for its fish restaurants built on platforms over the sea. Nightlife is Bodrum's other calling card — Halikarnas (the world-famous open-air mega-club) was the original draw, and while the scene has evolved, the town still has bars, clubs and a buzzing harbour-front atmosphere that keeps things lively until dawn in summer.
The richness of Turkish cuisine cannot be overstated — it is one of the world's great food traditions. Breakfast in Turkey is a meal in itself — a typical Turkish breakfast spread includes fresh bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, white cheese, honey, kaymak (clotted cream), sucuk (spiced sausage), eggs and multiple types of jam. Outside the hotel, seeking out local restaurants for pide (Turkish flatbread pizza), lahmacun (thin crispy flatbread with spiced meat), iskender kebab and fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice is an essential part of the Turkey experience. Turkish tea, served in distinctive tulip-shaped glasses, is offered everywhere and is a gesture of welcome and friendship.
Best Time to Visit
May to October. The Aegean coast is slightly cooler than the Mediterranean side, with refreshing meltemi breezes in summer. July and August are the busiest and most expensive. June and September offer excellent conditions at better prices.
Practical Information for Irish Visitors
No visa needed for stays under ninety days. Turkish lira — ATMs give the best rate. Two to three hours ahead of Ireland. English widely spoken in tourist areas.
The Turkish lira has fluctuated significantly in recent years, which has worked in favour of visitors from eurozone countries — Turkey offers extraordinary value for money at current exchange rates. ATMs are widely available and give a fair rate, while credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants. Haggling is expected in bazaars and markets — starting at around half the asking price is a reasonable approach. Turkish hospitality is legendary, and you will frequently be offered tea (cay) in shops, markets and even casual encounters. Healthcare in Turkey is not covered by the EHIC (as Turkey is not in the EU), so comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Turkish cuisine is a genuine highlight — the quality and variety of food, from street-level simit (sesame bread rings) to multi-course restaurant meals, is consistently impressive.
Why Book with Sunholidays.ie
Sunholidays.ie is Irish-owned and IAA licensed (Licence No. T0601). Twenty euro per person deposit, monthly payments, price match guarantee. Bodrum offers a different flavour of Turkey — the team can help you choose the right part of the peninsula.
Bodrum, often dubbed the 'St. Tropez of Turkey,' combines historical charm with a sophisticated, bohemian atmosphere. Its most prominent landmark is the magnificent Castle of St. Peter, built by the Knights Hospitaller, which now houses the renowned Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Wander through the charming narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses adorned with bougainvillaea. The vibrant marina is filled with luxury yachts and gulets, and the town offers a lively nightlife scene, chic boutiques, and excellent restaurants, making it a stylish choice for Irish travellers.