Fun Things to do in Bodrum Turkey[10 Best Places to Visit in 2022]

Snakes in Turkey | Luxury Hotels in Bodrum

Bodrum is a city in Turkey, located along the Bodrum Peninsula, which stretches across the country’s southwest coast to the Aegean sea. As a beach town, Bodrum offers plenty of spectacular views and wildlife for you to enjoy on your stay. While the twin bays at Bodrum are certainly a sight to be seen, they are not the only activity on offer in this part of Turkey. Bodrum, Turkey is an excellent place for the whole family to enjoy and can also cater to the more romantic requirements of couples. The area has an array of excellent sights, activities, and days out for you to enjoy and is a great place to jet off on your next vacation. 

Bodrum spans 650mk/2 and has an average temperature of 34 degrees celsius and 34% humidity. This makes Bodrum perfect for lounging in the sun but certainly cool enough to enjoy an adventurous day out or embark on a brand new activity. This article will walk you through the 10 best places to visit in Bodrum 2022.

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The Bodrum Castle of St Peter

First up is The Bodrum Castle, also known as the Castle of Saint Peter. This stunning Castle is located between two sheltered, rocky bays in Bodrum, making it the perfect fairytale setting for this beautiful Castle. 

It is thought that Bodrum Castle was first used by the Byzantines in the middle ages and was then handed over to the Turks.

The Bodrum Castle was built under the order of the Knights of St John in the early 15th century A.D. Since its construction, Bodrum Castle has seen a number of battles and wars and has been a residence for the Turks, Suleiman the Magnificent, the Italians and is now home to the Bodrum Museum of underwater archeology- one of the best archeology museums in the world! 

Despite its numerous invasions, Bodrum Castle still contains much of its gothic architecture and features all of the original towers that were constructed on the site. Bodrum Castle has towers inspired by the French, Italian, Spanish, German, and English. You will also notice an array of various coats of arms above the entrance gates, designed by the numerous knights that once resided in the castle. 

Bodrum Castle is an excellent way to mix up your beach holiday and delve into Turkish history. Visitors are welcome to visit the castle during the day and walking tours are available to purchase if you wish. 

Camel Beach in Bodrum peninsula

Also known as Kargi Bay, Camel Beach is one of the nicest sandy beaches in the Bodrum peninsula. The beach is excellent for swimming and offers blue waters throughout most of the year. Camel beach is easily accessible by road and is just a short walk away from Bodrum town so, is an excellent day out for anyone staying nearby as you won’t need to hire any transport. The beach is popular with tourists and has many activities on offer for the whole family to enjoy. You could spend a day soaking up the sun or maybe hire a boat and take a cruise along the coastline. 

If you are up for an adventure, there is a glorious hiking route along the coastline that goes from Kargi Bay to Bagla- another sandy beach in Bodrum Peninsula. As its name suggests, Camel beach is home to a friendly family of mellow Camels, who earn their keep through tourist Camel rides. There really is no better way to explore Turkey than by riding a Camel! Kargi Bay also offers a great range of trinket shops, restaurants, and Cafes for you to enjoy on your visit.

Milta Bodrum Marina 

If you are looking for a great place to spend a romantic evening in Turkey, the Milta Bodrum Marina is the perfect place to go. Milta Marina is said to be one of the best Marinas in the Mediterranean Sea and looks absolutely stunning at sunset with the sun bouncing off of the water and lighting up the sails of the boats. This idyllic setting makes Milta Marina an excellent location for holiday date nights or an evening stroll in the Turkish sun. 

Milta Marina has a fantastic range of seafood restaurants for evening dining as well as a few stylish bars and cafes. If you are on a family holiday to Bodrum, the Marina is home to the Bodrum Open-Sea Yachts club which often organizes sailing courses for young people along with regular races that are always fun to watch.

You can also hire your own craft to take out into the Mediterranean sea for the Marina and the area has its very own 24hr ambulance service to keep you safe while at sea. 

Water parks in Bodrum

For an action-packed family day out, why not visit one of the many water parks that are located in Bodrum? The area is known for its Aquaparks, with great weather making it the perfect place to have a day of splashing around in the open air. Many of the water parks located in Bodrum are connected to holiday resorts but allow day visitors to use their facilities. 

Bodrum Aquapark 

The Bodrum Aquapark is the biggest water park in Bodrum peninsula and is an incredibly popular location for families. The park covers an area of 35,000 square meters and has many rides, activities and restaurants for you to enjoy during the day. 

Bodrum has Pirates Inn Cactus Aquapark

Pirates Inn Cactus Aquapark is an entertainment center where you and your family can spend the entire day indulging yourselves in fun. The water park is located in the Tilkicik Bay of Bodrum and covers 4,500 square meters. At the park, you will have full access to nine different slides, games, entertainment, aerobics, and relaxing sun terraces. 

Leleg Yolu, hiking trail in Bodrum 

Sometimes the best holiday activities are the more simplistic ones that encourage you to step away from modern amenities and immerse yourself in nature. For those of you who are fit and healthy, Bodrum has a number of excellent hiking trails, the best being Leleg Yolu. The Leleg project is a recent hiking initiative that has marked the best routes to walk along in Bodrum.

The Leleg is a series of nature walks in an easy-to-follow route that will take you through all the best sites in Bodrum. 

The paths in the Leleg trail go through the uninhabited territory, so will leave you with no call reception for much of your hike. This is an excellent way to encourage yourself and your family to switch off your phones and enjoy each other’s company.

Make sure to plan your route before you set off so that you are not stranded without any reception or way of knowing where you are. Also, make sure to pack some hiking boots alongside your holiday bikini so that you are properly equipped for this trail. 

As you complete the route, you will be delighted by the beautiful views of Bodrum and the local wildlife that you will see. You may also find the odd beauty spot, perfect for taking those holiday family photos or Instagram snaps!

For new hikers, there are signposts dotted along the route that will lead you to where you need to go. Hiking is the best activity to do if you’re looking for a cheap yet exciting day out. 

Bodrum has a Happy Beach.

Happy Beach Bodrum is a DJ, dance beach- the perfect place to let your hair down and have some holiday fun. The beach itself is covered in golden sand and the waters are always blue, inviting visitors for a dip! The happy beach is mostly known for its beach bars and restaurants, which serve up some delicious snacks, cocktails, and seafood dishes for you to enjoy. 

The happy beach is a lively tourist beach, filled with groups of people drinking, dancing, and having a good time. This is the best place to go if you’re traveling with friends and want to have a great night out!

You can sit back on the sun loungers and take in the waves while sipping on a delicious cocktail or wait until sunset when the DJ starts to play and the whole beach comes alive with dancing. 

Even if you’re not the party-animal type, Happy beach is a stunning stretch of coastline that is a sight that every tourist must-see. If you go early in the morning, you will be able to experience the beauty of this beach without the noise of tourists.

The happy beach is particularly beautiful at sunrise when you will be almost alone on the sands. 

Bodrum has Avalon luxury spa 

No holiday is complete without a back massage or facial. For those staying in the Bodrum area, the Avalon luxury spa is the perfect place to escape the excitement of the city and unwind after a long day.

Avalon is a traditional Turkish bath with decorative pools, saunas, massage suites, and steam rooms for visitors to enjoy. When you step into the baths, you will be surrounded by stunning carvings that decorate the walls and ceilings of the building and you will have spectacular sea views out of the large glass windows. 

If you want to make the most of your visit, we would recommend booking a package, which is the perfect way to relax whilst in Bodrum.

The spa offers a selection of fantastic packages to suit your needs including Turkish baths, Avalon detox package, Avalon zen package, and a Spa manicure. The spa also offers a gym to its guests which features everything that you may need for a great workout! 

It is best to book packages and treatments in advance as the Spa is incredibly popular among both locals and tourists. The spa is for adults only so, it’s the perfect opportunity to get away from your kids!

You are welcome to visit the spa by yourself or as a couple (with a friend or partner) so that you have someone to share this blissful experience with. 

Bodrum also has Myndos Gate

Located in the eastern corner of Bodrum, Myndos gate was constructed in the 4th century BC and is one of the oldest buildings in Bodrum Peninsula. Years ago, Myndos was the entrance gate to the ancient city of Halicarnassus.

The gate stood strong against many invasions, including one by Alexander the Great. It is thought that the iconic invader could not pass through the deep trench at the front of the gate. Myndos Gate is the only remaining structure of the ancient city and clearly marks where the 7km city was once situated. 

Tourists are free to visit the gates during their visit to Bodrum as long as you are respectful and try not to cause any damage to the ruins. At the gate, there are three entrances that lead into a courtyard, this courtyard leads out to parts of the ancient city of Bodrum. 

Myndos gate is a great place to visit if you are interested in Turkish history. The gates are some of the oldest of their kind and represent what life was like thousands of years ago. From the gates, you will be able to take in spectacular views of Bodrum and the many beaches which stretch across the coastline, making it a great place to see the whole of Bodrum city. 

Pedasa Antique City of Bodrum

Another hike to add to your to-do list whilst in Bodrum is the hike to the ancient city of Pedasa. Pedasa was once a great Lelegean city and was considered to be one of the most important areas in the city for sea trade.

To this day, you will find some of the Vineyards that were planted in the original city- the wine from Pedasa was extremely valuable in ancient times. When it was built, the residents of Pedasa managed to stand very strong against invasions from Persians, and Alexander the Great and the city flourished between the 11th and 6th BC. 

Fast forward to the modern-day, in 2005 plans were put forward to uncover many of the historical artifacts that remained at the Pedasa ruins, and excavations began to expose more of the city. Over time, architects managed to uncover many of the ancient roads, walls and even buildings that once stood in Pedasa and the city is now a popular spot with tourists wanting to learn more about Turkish history. 

To get to Pedasa, you must hike along a scenic trail that will lead you through many of the beauty spots of Bodrum. The view from the top of the ancient city is glorious and the hike is definitely worth it to witness these ancient city ruins for yourself. 

Heaven of Bodrum – Karaada

Karaada, meaning ‘black island’ in Turkish, is a small island at the entrance of Bodrum that is famous for its mineral water springs. There are plenty of boat trips available from Bodrum to the island, which is only 6km from the mainland and is one of the biggest islands in the Bodrum coast. 

Karaada is very popular for yachting, thanks to its calm waters and divine location. It is also a great place for hiking, sunbathing and exploring a part of Turkey that is slightly less mainstream. The island is small compared to Bodrum itself however, you will still find a quaint jetty where you can buy yourself snacks and drinks. 

The mineral springs are located within a cave on the island. The springs are the perfect place to bathe whilst in Bodrum and are usually quiet, compared to the busy beaches along the Bodrum coast. The mineral springs are hot, which means that the waters at Karaada island are warm. It will feel like you’re sitting in a hot tub!

Karaada island makes the perfect day out for families, friends or couples and has plenty to offer. A good idea is to pack up a picnic and hire a boat to take you to the island for a day. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Bodrum Turkey