Coast to Island

Where to Stay in Bodrum: Best Areas and Hotels Near the Kos Ferry

Where to stay in Bodrum: the town centre by the castle and Kos ferry port, Gümbet, Bitez, Turgutreis and Yalıkavak compared, with verified hotel picks.

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For most visitors, and especially anyone planning a trip to Kos, the best base is Bodrum town centre: the Kos ferries leave from the port right beside Bodrum Castle, and hotels in Kumbahçe and around the marina are within walking distance. If your priority is the beach, Gümbet and Bitez are the nearest resort bays, while Turgutreis on the western tip has its own Kos sailings.

We haven’t stayed at these hotels ourselves; we picked them on location, published details and guest ratings.

For timetables, tickets and crossing times, see our Bodrum to Kos ferry guide. If you want to spend a night on the island, our where to stay in Kos page covers the options, and all routes lists the other Turkey–Greece crossings.

Short answer

  • Best area overall: Bodrum town centre (around the castle, Kumbahçe and the marina). The ferry port, bazaar, restaurants and the dolmuş to the bus station are all close by.
  • Best for a Kos day trip or an early ferry: A small hotel in Kumbahçe or near the marina, roughly a 10-minute walk from the castle (for example Bodrum Sade Butik Pansiyon or Su Hotel). You can walk to the port in the morning without arranging a taxi.
  • Best for a sailing from Turgutreis: A hotel in Turgutreis close to the marina, such as Mare Marin Boutique Hotel.
  • Best for the beach: Bitez, a calmer bay a few kilometres west of town with a long seafront promenade.
  • Best for families: A town hotel with a pool and children’s pool (such as Bodrium Hotel & Spa), or a beachfront hotel in Bitez.
  • Budget tip: The cheapest rooms are in the small guesthouses and hotels of the centre, and staying there saves the taxi fare to the port. Prices rise sharply in July and August, so book early for those months.

Areas

Area Good for Distance from the Kos ferry port Vibe
Bodrum town centre (castle, Kumbahçe, marina) Night before the ferry, first-time visitors, no car 0–1.5 km, walkable Lively, historic, plenty of restaurants and bars
Gümbet Nightlife, younger travellers, budget beach stays About 3–4 km west by road Busy beach, bars, large hotels
Bitez Quieter beach holidays, families and couples About 6–8 km west by road Seafront promenade, waterside restaurants
Turgutreis Western peninsula, Kos sailings from Turgutreis About 20 km from Bodrum port; has its own Kos pier Small-town feel, marina, sunsets
Yalıkavak Upmarket stays, marina life About 18–20 km north-west by road Smart marina, restaurants, expensive
Gündoğan / Türkbükü Quiet bays (Gündoğan), chic beach clubs (Türkbükü) About 20 km north by road North coast, breezier

Bodrum town centre

Ferries to Kos leave from the port at the foot of Bodrum Castle, in the middle of town and a short walk from the bazaar and Bar Street. Kumbahçe stretches east of the castle and the marina and Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi run west of it. Stay on either side and you can wheel your luggage to the port, walk to dinner and visit the castle without a car. Dolmuş minibuses marked “Kale” or “Bodrum Merkez” run from the bus station into the centre.

The downsides are noise on summer nights, limited parking and small town beaches. Rooms right next to Bar Street can hear music late into the night; the back streets of Kumbahçe and the upper part of the marina area are quieter. This is the right area for a one- or two-night stay, for catching an early ferry and for travellers without a car.

Gümbet

Gümbet is the bay immediately west of the town centre. It has a long beach, water sports and the peninsula’s busiest nightlife. Prices tend to be lower than in the centre, and there are plenty of large hotels and apartments.

In summer it is crowded and loud, so it is not the first choice for families with young children or anyone after quiet. The port is a short taxi ride away on ferry morning, but not a realistic walk. It suits travellers who want a beach close to town and an active night scene.

Bitez

Bitez is the next bay along from Gümbet. A seafront path, restaurants with tables on the beach and wooden piers give it a calmer, more family-friendly feel than Gümbet.

You will need a dolmuş or taxi to reach the town centre and the ferry port, so for a very early sailing it can be easier to spend the night before in town. It works well as a base for families and couples planning several days on the beach with a day trip to Kos in the middle.

Turgutreis

Turgutreis, at the western end of the peninsula, is a lively small town known for its marina and sunsets. Some Kos sailings leave directly from the Turgutreis pier, so if you take one of those you can cross to the island without going into Bodrum at all. Regular dolmuş services link Bodrum town and Turgutreis.

It is about 20 km from Bodrum town, so it makes no sense as a night-before base for a ferry from Bodrum port. Check which port your ticket shows before booking a room. Turgutreis also suits travellers who want to explore the bays of the western peninsula, such as Akyarlar and Karaincir.

Yalıkavak

Yalıkavak, in the north-west of the peninsula, is built around a large superyacht marina with upmarket restaurants and boutique hotels, and is one of the most expensive parts of the peninsula. The marina is busy in the evening, while the old village centre still feels like a small coastal town.

It is far from the ferry port and prices are high. For a Kos day trip you would need a car or taxi into Bodrum. It suits couples with a bigger budget who want a few nights of marina atmosphere.

Gündoğan and Türkbükü

These two bays on the north coast have different characters: Gündoğan is quieter and family-friendly, while Türkbükü is known for its pier beach clubs and luxury hotels. The north coast tends to be breezier in summer.

Both are a long way from the ferry port and do not suit an early Kos sailing. If you are spending most of your holiday in a quiet bay, consider moving to a town-centre hotel for the night before you cross to the island.

Hotels

The hotels below are listed on Booking.com and their details were checked in at least two separate sources. We have not yet added hotels in Gündoğan or Türkbükü that meet this standard.

Bodrum town centre

Su Hotel

Bodrum town centre (marina side)

Ferry port
about a 10-minute walk from Bodrum Castle
Best for
couples, a quiet stay, the night before the ferry

A small boutique hotel with a garden courtyard, on a lane off Turgutreis Caddesi, about 7 minutes' walk from the marina and 10 from the castle. It has a seasonal outdoor pool (May to October), a free buffet breakfast and a guest score of around 9.4/10 on Expedia (October 2026). There is no on-site parking, only a paid car park nearby, and the hotel does not take group bookings for stag or hen parties.

See rates & availability

Bodrum Sade Butik Pansiyon

Kumbahçe, Bodrum town centre

Ferry port
about 650 m from Bodrum Castle
Best for
budget, the night before the ferry, travellers without a car

An 11-room guesthouse on Üçkuyular Caddesi in Kumbahçe, almost opposite the public beach and a few minutes on foot from the castle and bazaar. Breakfast is included and served in the courtyard; Kayak showed a Booking.com score of about 8.9/10 (October 2026). Rooms are small and simple, there is no on-site parking, and some guests mention noise from the busy centre.

See rates & availability

Hotel Centro Bodrum

3★

Bodrum town centre

Best for
a pool in town, small families, mid-range budget

A 3-star hotel in central Bodrum with a pool and garden; rooms look over the garden or the pool. Breakfast is included and triple rooms suit small families. Sources do not give its exact distance to the port, so check the map before booking if you plan to walk to an early ferry.

See rates & availability

Bodrium Hotel & Spa

Bodrum town centre (Büyük İskender Caddesi)

Ferry port
about 1.2 km from Bodrum Marina
Best for
families, spa lovers, travellers with a car

A hotel in the upper part of town with an outdoor pool, children's pool, pool bar and a spa with a Turkish bath, sauna and steam room. Buffet breakfast is included and there is free parking (including valet) and an EV charging point; it scores around 9.2/10 on Hotels.com (October 2026). The castle and port are walkable but uphill on the way back, so a taxi is easier with luggage for an early ferry.

See rates & availability

Antique Theatre Hotel

Bodrum town centre (Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi)

Ferry port
about 900 m, a 10-minute walk, from the ferry terminal according to Hotels.com
Best for
couples, castle and harbour views, the night before the ferry

A small hotel on a hillside opposite the ancient theatre, looking over the harbour and Bodrum Castle, with a seasonal outdoor pool and a free buffet breakfast. Superior rooms have sea views, and it scores around 8.4/10 on Hotels.com (October 2026). There is no lift, some guests find the rooms small, the walk back from town is uphill, and children under 14 cannot use the pool.

See rates & availability

Gümbet

Gumbet Hotel

2★

Gümbet

Best for
budget, younger travellers, beach and nightlife

A hotel with an outdoor pool on Şakir Esendemir Sokak in Gümbet; listings put Gümbet beach a few minutes' walk away and Bodrum Marina about 2.3 km by road. On Hotels.com breakfast is shown as an extra charge and there is no on-site parking, so check whether breakfast is included in your rate. The ferry port is a short taxi ride away.

See rates & availability

Bitez

Okaliptus Hotel

Bitez

Best for
families, couples, beachfront stays

A beachfront hotel on Bitez bay with its own beach and beach bar, about 800 m from the centre of Bitez. It has an outdoor pool, offers bed and breakfast or half board, and has rooms sleeping up to four. You will need a dolmuş or taxi to reach the ferry port in Bodrum town.

See rates & availability

Turgutreis

Mare Marin Boutique Hotel

Turgutreis (marina)

Ferry port
about a 2-minute walk from D-Marin Turgutreis marina
Best for
sailings from Turgutreis, couples, travellers without a car

A 21-room boutique hotel in Turgutreis's shopping area, a few minutes on foot from the marina and the public beach. Breakfast costs extra, the Deluxe rooms have partial sea or harbour views and the rest look onto the garden; it scores around 8.2/10 on Expedia (October 2026). There is no pool and free parking is off-site, but the location is handy for a Kos sailing from Turgutreis.

See rates & availability

Asterina Hotel

Turgutreis (Bahçelievler, beach side)

Best for
budget, a quiet stay, the beach

A 25-room hotel with a lift in the Bahçelievler neighbourhood of Turgutreis; listings put the nearest beach a few hundred metres away and mention a free beach shuttle. Some room types have sea views and there is no pool; it scores around 8.9/10 on Trip.com and 8.6/10 on Hotels.com (October 2026). Listings give the distance to the marina as anything from 0.6 to 1.7 km, so plan a taxi to the pier if you have luggage.

See rates & availability

Yalıkavak

Yalıpark Beach Hotel

4★

Yalıkavak (Plaj Caddesi)

Best for
families, couples, beachfront stays

A hotel on Plaj Caddesi in Yalıkavak, listed by Etstur as beachfront, with an outdoor pool and children of all ages welcome. It scores around 9.3/10 on Etstur and 8.4/10 on Trip.com (October 2026). The marina is about 5 minutes by car; some guests find the pool small, free parking is off-site, and listings are unclear on whether breakfast is included.

See rates & availability

Spektr Boutique Hotel Yalıkavak

Yalıkavak (hillside)

Best for
couples, families, pools and sea views

A boutique hotel on a steep hillside above Yalıkavak with four seasonal outdoor pools, a sauna, steam room and gym, sea-view suites and family rooms for four. It scores around 9.4/10 on Hotels.com and 9.0/10 on Trip.com (October 2026). The marina is about 5 minutes by car, there is no direct beach access and the hill means taxis; listings disagree on whether breakfast is included, so check your rate.

See rates & availability

Practical tips

Where the Kos ferry leaves from

Ferries from Bodrum to Kos leave from the port right beside Bodrum Castle, a short walk from the bazaar and Bar Street. Operators on the route include Bodrum Ferryboat, Dentur Avrasya and Makri. The crossing takes about 20–30 minutes on a fast catamaran and 45 minutes to an hour on a conventional ferry. Be at the port at least an hour before departure for passport control, or around 90 minutes ahead on busy summer days.

Some Kos sailings leave from the pier in Turgutreis instead, about 20 km from Bodrum town. Check which port your ticket shows.

Getting to the port

  • From the centre: Walk from Kumbahçe, the bazaar or the marina.
  • From the bus station: The new Bodrum bus station is at the Torba junction, outside the centre. Dolmuş minibuses marked “Kale” or “Bodrum Merkez” drop you close to the port.
  • From the airport: Milas-Bodrum Airport is about 36 km away. Muttaş and Havaş buses reach the bus station in 40–50 minutes; continue by dolmuş or taxi.
  • From Gümbet and Bitez: Dolmuş or taxi.
  • By car: The port area is largely pedestrianised and has no large public car park. Use the paid municipal or private car parks nearby.

Visiting Kos for the day

Kos is part of Greece and the Schengen area, so check whether your passport needs a Schengen visa (and that it is valid for the dates) before you buy a ticket. If you would like to stay longer on the island, see our where to stay in Kos guide. The ferry arrives in Kos Town, next to the old town.

When to book

In July and August, especially at weekends, the small hotels and guesthouses in the centre fill up fast. Book your room as soon as you have your ferry ticket. In May, June and September there is more choice and prices are lower.

Best months

June and September give the best balance of sea temperature and weather. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, and Gümbet and the centre are very lively at night. Ferries can be cancelled in strong southerly winds and storms, so check the operator’s announcements before you travel.

Do you need a car?

If you are staying in the centre and crossing to Kos, a car is unnecessary and parking can be a headache. If you are staying in Yalıkavak, Türkbükü or Gündoğan, or want to explore the peninsula’s bays, a car helps; dolmuş minibuses cover most of the peninsula but get crowded in summer.

FAQ

Which Bodrum hotels are within walking distance of the Kos ferry?

Look at Kumbahçe and the marina, either side of the castle. On this page, Bodrum Sade Butik Pansiyon is about 650 m from the castle, and Su Hotel and Antique Theatre Hotel are roughly a 10-minute walk from the port.

Where should I stay the night before an early Kos ferry?

In Bodrum town centre for a sailing from Bodrum port, or in Turgutreis for a sailing from Turgutreis. A morning taxi from Gümbet or Bitez is possible, but summer traffic can cost you time.

Which area of Bodrum is best for the beach?

Bitez for a quiet beach holiday, Gümbet for a big beach with nightlife. Kumbahçe in the centre has a small public beach, but the bays to the west are better for a proper beach holiday.

Is Bodrum town centre good for families?

Yes, but allow for noise and hills. A hotel with a pool and children’s pool helps, and it is worth avoiding rooms right next to Bar Street. For a longer stay, Bitez is a calmer alternative.

Are there ferries to Kos from Turgutreis?

Yes. Some Kos sailings leave from the Turgutreis pier, and the crossing takes about 30 minutes. For one of those, you can spend the night before near the marina, for example at Mare Marin Boutique Hotel on this page. Days and times change by season, so check our Bodrum to Kos ferry guide and the operator’s current timetable.

Where should I stay if I want a night on Kos?

See our where to stay in Kos guide. The ferry docks in Kos Town, next to the old town, so most hotels there are within walking distance.

Sources

More crossings