Itineraries for Your Trip to Bodrum
2 Days in Bodrum for First Timers
My “big break” as a travel writer came in 2011 when I won a travel writing scholarship and got to tour Turkey for a guidebook company. It wasn’t hard to fall for the country, and since then, I’ve returned several times to update the guidebook to Turkey. With its effortless mix of history, outdoor adventures, and day-trip possibilities, Bodrum has always been one of my favorite spots. You could easily spend a week exploring all this corner of Turkey offers, but two days in Bodrum is enough time to visit the highlights. This itinerary is packed with ancient history, magnificent ocean views, and traditional Turkish culture, making it the perfect introduction for first-time visitors.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a boat cruise around the Bodrum Peninsula.
Step away from the beach and head into the shaded city center to avoid the mid-morning to mid-afternoon heat.
Start by exploring Bodrum’s key attractions on a guided walking tour—the compact center is easy to get around on foot. Take in the views from the Bodrum Windmills , browse the stalls at the lively Bodrum Bazaar, and visit the hilltop Castle of St. Peter, home to the impressive Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
Start by exploring Bodrum’s key attractions on a guided walking tour—the compact center is easy to get around on foot. Take in the views from the Bodrum Windmills , browse the stalls at the lively Bodrum Bazaar, and visit the hilltop Castle of St. Peter, home to the impressive Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
The Bodrum Peninsula is also home to a growing wine scene, and Karnas Vineyards, located a short drive from the city, is one of the region’s most renowned wineries. A dinner date at the winery provides the opportunity to visit the vineyard, learn about Turkey’s winemaking heritage, and sample a variety of regional specialties from delicious farm-to-table dishes and zinfandel wines.
Get a different perspective of Bodrum with a guided Segway tour and visit any sights you missed the previous day. Glide along Bodrum Marina, pass by the city beaches, and see the ancient ruins of Myndos Gate and Bodrum Amphitheater, once part of the Greek city of Halicarnassus.
Escape the city for Etrim Village, about a half-hour drive from Bodrum, where you can immerse yourself in traditional Turkish culture. Sample tasty local dishes as you tuck into a typical lunch, learn about Turkish handicrafts such as carpet making, visit an artisan workshop, and gain insight into everyday life from your local guide.
You can’t visit Bodrum without getting on the water, so celebrate your final evening with a private yacht cruise around the Bodrum Peninsula. Set off before sunset so you can have a chance to swim or snorkel in the warm Aegean Sea, then enjoy a delicious dinner on board as you watch the sunset over the city.
