Cheap holiday in Bodrum
Bodrum is the stylish resort town of Turkey's Aegean coast: a medieval crusader castle above the marina, whitewashed houses draped in bougainvillea and a peninsula full of bays. Direct summer flight from Amsterdam in about 4 hours, 7 days from 540 euro per person.
✈️ Plan your trip to Bodrum →When is the best time to go?
May to October is sun-sure with warm sea. June and September are ideal: 28 to 32 degrees and pleasant swimming without the heat and crowds of high season. July and August are scorching (often 35 degrees or more) and busiest, with the highest prices. In winter it is quiet and mild around 15 degrees, but many beach bars and clubs are closed.
The best areas on the peninsula
- Bodrum Town Around the castle, the marina and the bazaar: the most to see and the liveliest nightlife.
- Gumbet Right next to town, known for its buzzing nightlife and broad beach.
- Bitez Quieter and family-friendly, with a shallow bay and palms along the promenade.
- Turgutreis and Gumusluk The west side with the finest sunsets; Gumusluk is a quiet fishing village above the sunken city of Myndos.
- Yalikavak The chic side with the Palmarina marina, designer shops and quiet bays.
Top 5 things to do in Bodrum
- Castle of St Peter The crusader castle with the Museum of Underwater Archaeology (entry around 20 euro, free with the Aegean Museum Pass) and the famous Uluburun shipwreck.
- Ancient theatre The Hellenistic theatre from the 4th century BC with about 13,000 seats and a panorama over the two bays.
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus The remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, right in the centre of town.
- Gumusluk and Myndos Wade through the shallows to Rabbit Island above the sunken ancient city and eat fresh fish by the water.
- The Bodrum windmills A free viewpoint on the hill between Bodrum and Gumbet, with the best view at sunset.
Flights, transport and car hire from the Netherlands
In summer you fly direct from Amsterdam to Milas-Bodrum (BJV) in about 4 hours, with Corendon, Transavia and SunExpress; out of the summer season you fly with a connection via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). The airport is about 36 km from Bodrum: the Havas shuttle reaches town in about 50 minutes (around 6 to 7 euro, paid on the bus). On the peninsula the dolmus minibuses (cash) are cheapest, but for the bays around Gumusluk, Yalikavak and Turgutreis a rental car is the easiest option. Compare rental cars in Bodrum to discover the whole peninsula and its bays.
What does a holiday in Bodrum cost?
Guesthouses and hostels from 25 euro, mid-range hotels 60 to 120 euro per night, all-inclusive resorts higher. Food is cheap: gozleme or street food 3 to 5 euro, a meze dinner 15 to 20 euro, fresh fish more. A rental car costs from about 20 euro per day. For a week budget from 540 euro per person including a direct summer flight.
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Frequently asked questions about Bodrum
When is the best time to visit Bodrum?
May to October, with June and September the sweet spot: 28 to 32 degrees and warm sea without the heat and crowds of July and August.
Do I need a rental car in Bodrum?
Not for the town, as the dolmus minibuses are cheap, but for the peninsula bays such as Gumusluk, Yalikavak and Turgutreis a rental car is the easiest option.
How do I get to Bodrum from the Netherlands?
In summer direct from Amsterdam to Milas-Bodrum (BJV) in about 4 hours, with Corendon, Transavia or SunExpress; out of season with a connection via Istanbul.
What does a holiday in Bodrum cost?
From 540 euro per person for 7 days including a direct summer flight; guesthouses from 25 euro and mid-range hotels 60 to 120 euro per night.
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in Bodrum?
Hotels, vacation rentals and hostels in Bodrum on the map. Click a pin for live prices and direct booking.
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