The best area to stay in Bodrum
Are you heading for Bodrum, the Saint-Tropez of Turkey? Find out where to stay in Bodrum!
Located on a small peninsula in the south-west of Turkey and bordered by the Aegean Sea, Bodrum extends around a port in the Gulf of Kos. Bodrum – once called Halicarnassus in ancient times – is a highly frequented summer tourist destination. With 88,075 inhabitants but nearly half a million people in the middle of summer: safe to say, accommodation will easily be sold out so it’s better to book your accommodation in advance to stay in Bodrum! Its heavenly beaches with crystal clear waters attract millions of Turkish and foreign tourists every year. Whether passionate about history – the city is an ancient open-air museum – or sleepless party-goers, they come to spend their holidays in this Turkish gem.
Bodrum is a perfect destination for sunbathing all year round. The city is especially world famous for concentrating a large number of ancient remains, like the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Find out about where to stay in Bodrum to make your stay an unforgettable one.
Downtown Bodrum
Photo credit: Flickr – Dennis & Patty
The city centre is characterized by its two parallel bays, the marina, the seafront and its bustling activity. In the middle, you can’t miss the Bodrum Castle, a medieval monument built in a Frankish architectural style from 1404 to 1522. In downtown Bodrum, the atmosphere is lively and festive, which means it can also be noisy during evenings. Most of the city’s bars, nightclubs, and restaurants are concentrated along the waterfront. If you’re young and can afford it, you won’t get bored. The area is known to attract the cream of Istanbul’s bourgeoisie: expect to come across a rather well-heeled population! In the centre, you will be charmed by the narrow streets lined with a myriad of shops, giving the city a real cachet.
Downtown Bodrum has more to offer than just shops, restaurants and nightlife. Bodrum is home to many landmarks and cultural hotspots, including the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the ancient theatre (with 13,000 seats!), the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the excavations of the Temple of Mars, the historical shipyard (transformed into a public garden). This is the best place to stay in Bodrum if you want to be in the heart of the city’s teeming life. However, be prepared: during the summer, accommodation rates are indexed to the standard of living of Istanbul! Last but not least, some zealous vendors may try to convince you to rent what they claim is cheap accommodation: don’t listen, and move on!
The surroundings of Bodrum
Photo credit: Flickr – Eser Aygün
If you’re looking to stay in Bodrum in a more peaceful area, away from the city’s dusk-to-dawn, frenzied nightlife, it’s best to find a place to stay in Bodrum outside the city centre. For example the Gümbet quarter, where you will find everything you need (shops, bars, restaurants), a wide range of accommodation options and beaches to relax and swim. Want to do something unusual? Why not go snorkelling for a day!
Main photo credit : Flickr – neiljs
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Taz Le 24/05/2019 à 12h31
Hi we are going to Bodrum in June and would like to stay in a quite pretty area where would you suggest.
Looking for a classy hotel with character.
Gabriel.S Le 24/05/2019 à 12h49
Hi There!
If what you are going for is someplace calm and fit for holidays we would recommend the neighborhood of Gümbet. You will be close enough to the city to walk there, but you will also be away from the noise and agitation. Otherwise the area of Bitez will be a little further out so you’ll want to take the bus there to get downtown, but it will also be a little quieter and will have less commercial activity. Depending on the exact dates and on your budget you’ll find a pretty wide selection of recommendable hotels, Bodrum has a thriving hospitality industry and several places should fit your bill as Bodrum tends to be a rather upscale resort and many hotels have both charm and elegance. For places in Gumbet you can see a selection of places here, for Bitez you can look here.