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Bodrum is a busy resort town on the Aegean, built around a crusader castle and the remains of ancient Halicarnassus, with beach villages spread across the peninsula. Passenger ferries cross from here to the Greek island of Kos, and there are also sailings to Kos from Turgutreis at the western end of the peninsula. This guide covers what to see in town and how to use Bodrum as a ferry base.
Short answer
- Where to stay: Bodrum town, around the castle and Kumbahçe, if you want to walk to the ferry. Bitez for a quieter beach base; Turgutreis if your boat leaves from there. See where to stay in Bodrum.
- Top three sights: Bodrum Castle with the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, and the ancient theatre.
- Getting to the ferry: Kos sailings from Bodrum town use the harbour that operators and local press call Bodrum Cruise Port, on the east side of the castle. Walk, take a taxi or a dolmuş (shared minibus).
- How many days: One full day for the town and its museums, plus at least one more for Gümüşlük and a beach.
- Best months: May–June and September–October, when the ferries are still running and the crowds are thinner.
Things to do
Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology
The castle was built in the early 15th century by the Knights Hospitaller and dedicated to St Peter. It is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List. The museum inside has been open since 1964. Highlights include the Uluburun shipwreck from the Late Bronze Age (14th century BC), the Serçe Limanı glass wreck hall, an amphora collection and the Müsgebi necropolis hall.
Check hours carefully. In October 2026 the ministry’s turkishmuseums.com page lists 08:30–17:30 for the winter period (1 October to 1 June) and 08:30–22:00 for summer, while the English section of the same page describes a different day-and-evening session schedule dating from June 2025. Because the official page contradicts itself, ring the museum or check muze.gov.tr before you go. The current entry fee could not be confirmed from an official source.
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
This was the tomb of Maussollos, the Carian satrap, built in the 4th century BC and counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The word “mausoleum” comes from it. The monument, roughly 50 metres high, was brought down by an earthquake in 1304; the Knights later reused its stones in the castle, and much of its sculpture was taken to the British Museum in the 19th century. What you see today are the foundations and a small exhibition hall that opened in 1982.
As of October 2026, turkishmuseums.com lists the site as open 08:30–17:30 and closed on Mondays, with the ticket office closing at 17:15 in winter. The same page gives admission as 3 euros for foreign visitors and 200 TL for Turkish adults; non-Turkish children under 8 enter free.
Ancient theatre
The theatre of Halicarnassus sits on the southern slope of Göktepe, the hill behind town, and dates from the 4th century BC. According to Go Türkiye it now works as an open-air venue for about 3,100 people, hosting concerts and festivals, and it is about 750 metres from the castle. From the upper rows you see the bay and the castle together. No official source for visiting hours was found.
Myndos Gate
According to Bodrum Municipality, the gate was part of the city walls built under Maussollos in the 360s BC and is one of the two monumental gates of ancient Halicarnassus. It has two large towers and an inner courtyard. The ditches in front of it were part of the defences against Alexander the Great’s siege in 334 BC. Tombs from the Hellenistic and Roman periods surround it. It stood on the western side of the ancient city as one of its main entrances.
Zeki Müren Arts Museum
The house in Kumbahçe where the Turkish singer Zeki Müren lived from 1980 to 1996 opened as a museum on 8 June 2000. It displays his stage costumes, letters, personal belongings and his own watercolours. It is a good stop if you are curious about Turkish popular culture. Ask the Muğla provincial culture and tourism directorate for current hours.
The windmills
Eight stone windmills, thought to date from the 18th century, stand on the ridge between Bardakçı Bay and Gümbet. A February 2025 news report described them as neglected and at risk of collapse, so enjoy the view from outside rather than going in.
Gümüşlük and ancient Myndos
Gümüşlük, at the western tip of the peninsula, is a fishing village built over the ancient city of Myndos. Foundations are visible in the shallow water between the bay and Rabbit Island (Tavşan Adası), and on calm days you can wade across through knee-deep water. The surrounding hills are protected, which has kept building limited. It is about 22 km from Bodrum and a popular place to watch the sunset.
Bitez
About 7 km from town, Bitez is a crescent-shaped bay backed by mandarin orchards. The water is shallow and usually calm, which suits young children, and the afternoon wind makes it a windsurfing spot. The public section of the beach is free; beach clubs charge for loungers.
Gümbet
About 3 km from town, Gümbet has a long sandy beach and is one of the busiest bays in summer, with jet skis, parasailing and paddleboarding on offer. Early mornings are the quietest time.
Yalıkavak
About 26 km from Bodrum, Yalıkavak is the largest settlement on the north coast and is known for its superyacht marina. The beach is sandy and shallow and the promenade is pleasant for an evening walk once the day boats come back.
Ortakent-Yahşi
About 15 km from town, Ortakent-Yahşi has one of the longest beaches on the peninsula, mixed sand and pebble, with Blue Flag status. It is calmer than Gümbet, especially in the morning.
Getting to the ferry port
Which port: Passenger ferries and catamarans from Bodrum to Kos leave from the harbour known as Bodrum Cruise Port; some operators also write the departure point as Bodrum Castle Harbour (Kale Limanı). It is on the east side of the castle. Sources disagree on the distance from the centre: some say a 10–15 minute walk, others about 2 km. If you have heavy luggage, take a taxi or dolmuş; booking platforms say a taxi from the centre takes about 5–10 minutes.
Leaving from Turgutreis: Turgutreis–Kos sailings use the D-Marin Turgutreis marina. Ferryhopper says the marina is about a 5-minute drive from Turgutreis centre, with dolmuş services and a taxi rank.
Parking: Parking near the port is mentioned by several sources, but spaces can be scarce in summer. Fees and multi-day parking could not be confirmed from an official source; if you plan to leave a car while you visit Kos, ask your ferry operator where to park.
Tickets: You can buy tickets on operators’ websites, through agencies and at offices near the port. In summer, do not leave it to the last minute. This route carries foot passengers only; for car ferries see taking a car to the Greek islands.
How early: Booking platforms advise arriving at least 60 minutes before departure because of passport control. The time printed on your ticket or given by your operator is what counts.
Before you leave for the port:
- Check your passport is with you and valid for long enough.
- Confirm the departure point on your ticket: Bodrum town or Turgutreis.
- If you are returning to Bodrum the same day, note the last ferry back and allow for passport control on arrival.
- In summer the roads near the harbour get busy, so allow extra time for a taxi.
For operators, crossing times and timetables, see the Bodrum to Kos ferry guide. Other routes are on the ferry map.
Getting there
| From | Options | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Milas-Bodrum Airport | Havaş, MUTTAŞ, taxi | About 35 km to Bodrum town |
| Bodrum bus station | Intercity coaches | Torba junction, Torba district |
| Around the peninsula | Dolmuş minibuses | Routes to Gümbet, Bitez, Turgutreis, Yalıkavak, Gümüşlük |
Airport: Milas-Bodrum Airport is about 35 km from Bodrum town. Havaş airport buses are timed around flights, and MUTTAŞ, run by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, also serves Bodrum. Taxis wait outside arrivals. Check journey times and fares with the operators, as no current official figure was found.
Flying in and crossing the same day: It can be done, but allow for the drive from the airport, summer traffic and passport control at the port. Spending a night in Bodrum before the crossing removes the risk of missing the boat.
Bus station: Bodrum’s new intercity bus station opened in 2021 at the Torba junction in Torba district, replacing the old station in the busy centre. Ask your coach company where you will be dropped.
Driving: Parking in the town centre is hard in summer; leaving the car at your hotel and taking a dolmuş into town is usually easier.
A day before or after the crossing
Morning: Start at the castle; the shipwreck halls of the Museum of Underwater Archaeology are easier to see before the crowds arrive. Then walk to the Mausoleum, remembering it is closed on Mondays.
Afternoon: Climb to the ancient theatre for the view over the bay, then head west to the Myndos Gate. For a swim, Gümbet and Bitez are a short dolmuş ride away.
Evening: Go to Gümüşlük for sunset, or stay in town and spend the evening around Kumbahçe and the marina. If your ferry leaves early the next morning, staying near the harbour makes things easier.
Coming back from Kos: If you return in the afternoon, the same plan works in reverse; just watch the closing times at the castle and the Mausoleum.
When to go
Bodrum is very crowded in summer, especially in July and August. Ferries to Kos are also most frequent in summer: booking platforms say sailings run daily, especially in high season, while some individual operators only sail a few days a week. Expect fewer sailings in winter.
Spring and autumn are good for seeing the museums and beaches with fewer people. Seasonal beach clubs and boat trips may close towards the end of the season, so if you plan to swim, check that facilities at your chosen bay are still open.
Museum hours switch between summer and winter schedules on 1 June and 1 October, so do not plan an October visit around summer hours. For which routes run in which months, see the ferry season calendar, and for budgeting see trip cost.
FAQ
Where does the Bodrum to Kos ferry leave from?
Sailings from Bodrum town leave from Bodrum Cruise Port, on the east side of the castle. Sailings from Turgutreis use the D-Marin Turgutreis marina. Check your ticket for the departure point.
How long is the ferry from Bodrum to Kos?
Sources give roughly 20 to 45 minutes depending on the vessel, not counting passport and customs checks. Current times are in the ferry guide.
Can I take a car from Bodrum to Kos?
According to booking platforms, the boats on this route are passenger catamarans and do not carry vehicles. See taking a car to the Greek islands for routes that do.
Is there parking at Bodrum ferry port?
Parking near the port is mentioned, but fees and long-stay conditions could not be confirmed from an official source. If you are leaving a car for a few days, ask your operator or hotel.
How far is Bodrum from the airport?
Milas-Bodrum Airport is about 35 km from Bodrum town, served by Havaş and MUTTAŞ buses and taxis.
Is the Mausoleum open on Mondays?
No. As of October 2026, turkishmuseums.com lists the Mausoleum as closed on Mondays and open 08:30–17:30 on other days.
Opening hours and prices change; check the official source before you go.
Sources
- Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology – turkishmuseums.com (accessed Oct 2026)
- Bodrum Mausoleum – turkishmuseums.com (accessed Oct 2026)
- Bodrum Ancient Theatre – Go Türkiye (accessed Oct 2026)
- History of Bodrum and Myndos Gate – Bodrum Municipality (accessed Oct 2026)
- Zeki Müren Arts Museum – Küre Ansiklopedi (accessed Oct 2026)
- Bodrum’s historic windmills – Sözcü, February 2025 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Gümüşlük – Gümüşlük Festival (accessed Oct 2026)
- Guide to Bodrum’s beaches – Pegasus (accessed Oct 2026)
- Milas-Bodrum Airport – Pegasus (accessed Oct 2026)
- New Bodrum bus station opens – CNN Türk, June 2021 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Kos–Bodrum ferries resume – CNN Türk, April 2022 (accessed Oct 2026)
- Bodrum–Kos ferry – Ferryhopper (accessed Oct 2026)
- Turgutreis – Ferryhopper (accessed Oct 2026)
- Bodrum–Kos ferry – Ferryscanner (accessed Oct 2026)
- Bodrum–Kos ferry guide – feribotseferleri.com.tr (accessed Oct 2026)
