Things to do in Bodrum

The town’s centrepiece is the Castle of St Peter, built by the Knights of St John over a Selçuk fortress between 1437 and 1522. Inside, the various towers house a Museum of Underwater Archeology, which comprises several different display halls. These include the Glass Wreck Hall, complete with a 33m-long Byzantine ship dating to 1025, the Uluburun Wreck Hall containing nautical remains from three ancient wrecks, and the Carian Princess Hall.

Immediately north of the Castle of St Peter lies the bazaar, from where you can stroll up to Türkkuyusu Caddesi to see what’s left of the Mausoleum, the burial place of Mausolus, ruler of Halicarnassus from 376-353 BC and the origin of the word mausoleum. This is one of the most fascinating things to do in Bodrum. Searching for Bodrum holidays? We recommend staying at Salmakis Resort and Spa for a wonderful stay.

Bodrum is packed with places hugging the shoreline, and offers numerous opportunities to dine in the dark on the sand. Many places are complacent and pricey, but there are a few gems to be found if you dig a little. Piknik is one of the best-value places in town, so many of your fellow diners here will be locals. Try the spicy Adana kebab for a real treat. They also do a full range of pide, Turkish pizza, a flatbread with various toppings. Burgers and pasta dishes are also available in plenty of food joints.

Known for its huge party scene, Bodrum has plenty to offer in terms of nightlife. Head to Hadigari, a Bodrum stalwart that still pulls in 2000-odd punters on summer nights. Find it at the marina and dance till daybreak under the stars. Alternatively, find Halikarnas at the far end of the bar strip. This renowned nightclub has an entry price to match its reputation. However, the place is enormous, the atmosphere electric, and varied themed shows will keep you on your feet until dawn. Enjoying the nightlife is one of the best things to do in Bodrum for sure.

Children may enjoy a visit to the English Tower, packed with armour and with trophies of war adorning the medieval-themed cafeteria. Another potential kids’ hit is the knights’ dungeons below the Gatineau Tower, where taped groans and mannequins attempt to evoke the horrors which transpired here. The inscription above the door declares Inde Deus Abest (“Here God does not exist”) - even more chilling when you realise that it was put there by monks.

What to do in Bodrum? Make the most of its glorious beaches is the easy answer! Gümbet, 3km (2 miles) west, is effectively a suburb of Bodrum, with a long, if gritty, beach and a youthful, hard-drinking, largely British clientele. Bitez, the next bay west some 10km (6 miles) from town, attracts an older crowd. It offers a windsurfing school and mooring for yachts. Ortakent, straddling the main highway west of Bodrum, has an old tower house dating from 1601 and access, through mandarin orchards, to the longest beach in the area, Yahşi sahil. There are plenty of water sports opportunities in Bodrum too. Think scuba diving and snorkeling aplenty. Try something new while you’re in Bodrum!