Best Things to See and Do?

Kick start your stay by adjusting your mindset, and easing yourself into Bodrum’s pace of life.

Day Boat Trip

Every coastal destination on the Bodrum Peninsula offers a selection of day boat trips.  There’s an experience to match your needs; you just have to make a little bit of effort to select the right one.  Avoid the cheap trips touted by the Travel Agents where you could be squashed on a party boat for 70, and served a mediocre lunch.

Instead, head down to your local boat harbour (before 10am or after 6pm) and find one of the smaller, independently run boats.  Find a boat that takes a maximum of 10-12 passengers, and offer a relaxing excursion via wind and sails to propel you through the Aegean.  Guaranteed you’ll decompress from your travels, and pick up some good local recommendations from the Captain and fellow passengers.

One of my favourite recommendations is a trip aboard the Siesta, which is moored in Bitez.  Lunch was a fresh selection of traditional Turkish meze, followed by Kofe kebabs, cooked fresh on the BBQ.  Captain Zariff makes sure that each of his passengers enjoys their day – he’s a fabulous host.

Turkish Bath (Hamam)

Most of the bigger hotels have Turkish Bath facilities, offered as part of their spa services.  There’s also a couple of independent Turkish Bath’s (Bodrum Hamam and Rashid’s Hamam, Ortakent), but my favourite hamam is one used by the locals.

You’ll find the Bardakçı Hamam situated down one of the back streets of Bodrum.  It dates back to the mid-1700’s, and is the oldest Hamam in the area.  Just look past the unassuming exterior (and the “Bad” sign) and step inside for a memorable Turkish Bath experience.

This is no Spa experience!  The interior is basic and small, and men and women share the Hot Room area.  There’s no standing on ceremony, and the service can see a bit rough and abrupt – you may even feel like you’ve had a turn in a spin-cycle at the end of it.  But the massage is rigorous, adept and appropriate.  Out of all the Turkish Baths I’ve had in the local area and Istanbul, the Bardakçı Hamam is the best.

A Turkish Bath is a great way to slough-off the grime of a road well travelled, and prep your skin for a seriously deep tan.

Tour Bodrum Castle

40 years ago this castle was in ruins, but today its fully renovated and stands proudly in the centre of Bodrum Bay. As well as housing the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, it’s elevated vantage point allows for great views of the surrounding area.