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On Turkey's western Aegean coast, Bodrum is a city of about 200,000 and exists within its own breeze, carrying the fragrance of small mandarin trees. Some of the biggest boats in the world flock to Turkish marinas on its glittering coastline when temperatures soar. For most, Bodrum is to Europe what sun and luxury escape are.
Hidden in this city is food that must be experienced, artists with fires burning brightly inside their bellies, and bazaars totally worth the travel. Yes, Bodrum is a place for the celebrity elite but it also has beaches and night bazaars; boutique hotels, and bespoke wineries.
Where to stay in Bodrum?
Susona Bodrum, LXR Hotels & Resorts
The Susona Bodrum, LXR Hotels & Resorts, which started welcoming guests in Bodrum's Torba area in 2020, has 70 rooms. Paths and structures at this resort have bougainvillea and other local plants growing alongside them. People who stay here can take in a wide view of the Aegean, swim in several pools, relax on a small beach, visit a spa with a hammam, and eat at many laid-back and fancy restaurants.
The Bodrum Edition
You'll find a few gleaming international hotel chains near the posh Yalikavak Marina. Mina Dilber, who started the lifestyle brand Anim Living, told T+L writer Richard Godwin, "You can party and go wild if you want — but you can also have peace and quiet if that's what you're after." The Bodrum Edition, which opened its doors in 2018, has 108 rooms. Guests can eat at several spots here, including the popular Brava, a restaurant run by Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz.
Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum
The Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, which opened in Yalikavak in 2014, has 130 rooms and looks out over Paradise Bay. This high-end hotel boasts eleven spots to eat and drink, a spa, a place for kids to play, pools both inside and outside, and even trips by luxury helicopter.
Amanruya
Amanruya, part of the Aman brand, sits in the Göltürkbükü area. This 36-room hotel started welcoming guests in 2018. Its stone pavilions lead to private gardens with swimming pools. You can also book suites, each with its own pool. The resort offers many things to do, like fishing, sailing, and trips on a traditional Turkish gulet – a wooden boat with masts.
Maçakizi
Near Yalikavak in the Göltürkbükü area, you'll find art galleries, jewelry makers, and clothing shops mixed in with small hotels. This spot shows off Bodrum's art scene, which feels more Turkish than global. The 74-room Maçakizi hotel stands out here. It first opened in the 1970s and got a makeover in 2000. Now and then, it hosts pop-up shows from the artisan shop '74Escape.
Best Things to do
Karnas Vineyards
Take a tour of the 165-hectare Karnas Vineyards, which is home to olive and grape trees. With a view of the fields, guests can dine and sample wine. The vineyard was established in 2005 by the İşmen family "to produce Turkey’s first zinfandel — a grape they fell in love with during a trip to California’s Napa Valley," as Feride Yalav-Heckeroth wrote in the September 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure. Every night, for about $100, the winery offers a daunting multicourse tasting menu paired with low-intervention and sustainable wines.
Culinary Park Foodrum
Go to Foodrum Culinary Park, located in the Bitez residential neighborhood, owned by Pelin Dumanli. Formally trained as a chef, Dumanli hosts small groups for cooking instruction and market excursions in her fully furnished kitchen.
Zai Yaşam
Keep an eye out for local arts while you're in the area. According to Ceylin Türkkan Bilge, creative director of Siedrés, a fashion label, "Zai Yaşam is a great arts center housed in five buildings," as stated in the September 2023 issue of T+L.
Pilevneli
According to Mina Dilber, an outpost of Pilevneli, one of the most well-known art galleries in Istanbul, has set up business in Bodrum in Yalikavak. "This place is really popular; one of its most exciting recent exhibitions featured pieces by innovative digital artist Refik Anadol," the speaker remarked. "There's also a fantastic gift shop. It is definitely worth visiting!
Best shopping
The night bazaars are suggested by Ceylin Türkkan Bilge "for a taste of the old Bodrum." According to Bilge, "there are two main markets: one by the sea in Göltürkbükü along the Türkbükü promenade and one around Bodrum Castle." In addition to the many bag stores, there are shops selling apparel, beaded jewelry, leather sandals produced by hand, and ankle bracelets.
Although the Yalikavak Marina is home to several premium brands, Dilber prefers stores like Misela because they provide a less Western fashion viewpoint. "One of Turkey's leading bag and accessories brands," according to her, is Misela.
According to Yalav-Heckeroth, customers can buy "wares used in the restaurant, as well as wooden furniture, all made by local craftspeople using natural materials" at Leleg Living, a boutique next to the restaurant Leleg.
One of Bodrum's many outdoor marketplaces, the Yalikavak Bazaar, is well worth a visit on Tuesdays and Fridays. Local sellers offer a variety of fresh spices, olives, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables for sale at this traditional market.
Top Dining Establishments
Beside the Zeki Müren Arts Museum in Bodrum, the Orfoz Brothers Cağrı and Cağlar Bozçağa have opened an ambitious destination restaurant called Orfoz. The tasting menu, which focuses mostly on seafood, offers a variety of locally caught fish dishes, and each meal is finished with a plate of seasonal fruit.
Bodrum Müdavim
Bodrum Müdavim, located in Bodrum's City Centre, with a captivating menu that focuses mostly on fresh seafood and a view of the 1400-era Bodrum Castle. However, some diners come only for the Raki; the restaurant has one of the best varieties of this Turkish national beverage in the city.
Malva
Under the deft direction of head chef Necmi Agac, Susona Bodrum's 72-seat Malva is a destination restaurant that specializes in micro-local and seasonal fare. The restaurant's menu is influenced by its biweekly excursions to the Yalikavak Bazaar and by the tiny rooftop garden that is located right next to the kitchen.
Limon Gümüşlük
A "particularly stylish and secluded restaurant that serves Turkish meze in a dreamy garden full of vintage furniture," Limon Gümüşlük is highly recommended by Bilge. It's located in Gümüşlük, a neighborhood in Bodrum renowned for its aromatic mandarin gardens. Get a table early so you can enjoy it before the sun sets.
Best Time to Visit: Is Bodrum a nice part of Turkey?
The summer months are Bodrum's busiest, with most hotels open from late May to the end of October. Although July and August are the busiest months of the season, the weather remains warm far into early fall—even into the 80s and 90s, in fact. If you can travel outside of the summer, it's worth exploring when crowds can be more tolerable and prices can be more reasonable.
How to Travel There
Bodrum is accessible by bus, plane, automobile, and ferry. The flight to Milas-Bodrum Airport in Bodrum takes around one hour from Istanbul. There are five to six nonstop flights every day connecting the two cities operated by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus.
Although there are buses from Istanbul to Bodrum, foreigners may find it difficult to manage the system. The ride is lengthy as well—it may take up to ten hours.
From Kos, Greece, travelers can also take a ferry to Bodrum. The ferry voyage takes half an hour or so. During the warmer months, ferries operate frequently and cost less than $30 each way.
Neighborhoods to Visit:
Most visitors will be occupied by Bodrum's bustling City Centre. This is the location of Bodrum Castle, as well as a plethora of gift stores, cafés, tiny eateries, and unexpectedly stunning views of the sea. A stroll down the winding streets provides a genuine sense of this ancient city.
Yalikavak Marina provides a glimpse into a slightly more opulent side of Bodrum life. This area offers beach clubs, fine dining, and expensive shopping. It's a glimpse of the good life, complete with boats. But without visiting this neighborhood in all its maximalist splendor, Bodrum wouldn't be the same.
Part of Bodrum, the sleepy fishing village of Gümüşlük boasts eateries by the waterfront, private beaches, and a tranquil atmosphere that sets it apart from other of the city's larger neighborhoods. It's worthwhile to go to this neighborhood to get a feel for how people live on the Aegean.
How to Navigate
Bodrum is very dispersed, so taking a cab is the only practical way to move from one place to another. Taxi stands can be found in some parts of Bodrum, such as the Marina and the City Centre, but if you intend to travel far from your hotel, you might want to think about arranging a rental car in advance with the concierge. Cash is usually required for payments to taxi drivers, so have Turkish lira on hand.
Is Bodrum better than Istanbul?
Bodrum has a terrific nightlife, historical monuments, and a laid-back, elegant attitude, making it the perfect destination for beach lovers. Istanbul, on the other hand, combines history, shopping, and city life to provide a rich cultural experience. Bodrum is a great place to unwind, while Istanbul offers exciting city exploration.
