Bodrum Things to do: Into the Past

No matter how much time you have to devote, there’s a variety of options to build your ideal Bodrum Itinerary.  Do you want to fill an hour, or devote a whole day to delving into Bodrum past?

Whether you want buildings or ships; renovated architecture or ancient wonder ruins; or a good old nose around the former residence of Turkey’s equivalent to Liberace, all are accessible and within easy walking distance of Bodrum town centre, or a short dolmus ride away.

(Click on any of these links to jump straight to this section to read more about it)

1. Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology

2. Mausoleum

3. Amphitheatre

4. Turkish Bath at Bodrum’s Oldest Hamam

5. Visit the windmills between Bodrum and Gumbet

6. Zeki Müren Museum

7. Bodrum Maritime Museum

8. Myndos Gate

1.  Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Estimated Time:  3 hours

Visiting Hours: 9:30 to 16:30 (12:00 noon–13:00 pm some Halls are closed except The Chapel, The English Tower and The Glass Hall) / Entrance Fee: 25 YTL

The Castle has been developed into one of the world’s premiere museums of underwater archaeology.  In addition, the Castle ramparts are a perfect vantage point for viewing the hills and bays of Bodrum, and there’s also an Open Air Theatre within its walls, used for international concerts and ballet festivals.

Intriguingly, it also holds the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which has a fascinating display of artifacts retrieved from ancient shipwrecks at the bottom of the ocean.

Bodrum Castle Video

2.  Mausoleum

Estimated Time:  1 hour

Visiting Hours: 08.30am-4.30pm / Entrance Fee: 10 YTL

Built in the mid-4th Century BC, the vast tomb of King Mausolus was so opulent, that it became the moniker for a final resting place. Legend has it that his tomb stood 45 metres high and was heavily adorned with reliefs and sculptures.

Little remains of the tomb, but it’s only a short walk from Bodrum Bay, so worth a quick visit.  The Mausoleum is located in a residential neighbourhood, and consists of scattered stones and columns.  Some of which were recycled to build the Castle of St Peter, in the harbour.

Read Articles & Watch a video of the Mausoleum

3.  Amphitheatre

Estimated Time:  1 hour

Visiting Hours: 08.30am-4.30pm / Entrance Fee: Free

This structure was started during the Mausolus era, and completed during the Roman era. The lower tiers of the Amphitheatre have been restored, and the higher levels are still a work in progress. This Amphitheatre is well positioned for a panoramic view of Bodrum Bay, Harbour and Castle.

Read more articles about Bodrum Amphitheatre

4.  Turkish Bath at Bodrum’s oldest Hammam

Estimated Time:  2 hours

Visiting Hours: 07.00am-Midnight / Turkish Bath & Soap Massage ~40-60TL

Based on the exterior, your first response may be to walk straight past this 1749 hamam, but don’t let its appearance fool you. Not only is the Tarihi Bardakçı Hamam the oldest hamam on the Bodrum Peninsula, it also delivers the most authentic Turkish Bath experience.

Read more articles about Turkish Baths

5.  Windmills between Bodrum and Gumbet

Estimated Time:  2 hours

A good location for a panoramic view of the local area is from the brow of the hill that separates the bays of Gumbet and Bodrum; from here you can explore the group of windmills in the throes of renovation.  Originally used for grinding flour, these windmills were operational until the late 1960s, and then left to fall into a state of disrepair. Recently the local government realized the tourist potential of these local landmarks, and started the renovation process.

The Bodrum to Gumbet dolmus runs along Osman Nuri Cd. (Bodrum Gumbet Yolu) and you get off on Haremtan Sk. to visit the Windmills.

Read Articles about Windmills on the Bodrum Peninsula

6.  Zeki Müren Museum

Estimated Time:  1-2 hours

Visiting Hours: 10.00am-4.00pm / Entrance Fee: 5TL

Zeki Müren was a prominent Turkish singer, composer and actor, famous for his compelling voice and precise articulation of both established Turkish classical music and contemporary songs.  If you’ve had your fill of dusty relics and buildings from ancient times, why not get off the beaten track and get a slice of glamour at the Zeki Müren Museum.

Read Articles about the Zeki Müren Museum

7. Bodrum Maritime Museum

Estimated Time:  1 hours

Visiting Hours: Tue-Sun  10.00am-6.00pm / Entrance Fee: 5TL

This museum is a homage to Bodrum’s ship building heritage and includes model ships made by yacht master Ali Kemal Denizaslanı.  The museum will also display works owned by Cevat Şakir Kabağaçlı, known as the Fisherman of Halicarnassus; dresses worn by sponge fishermen in Bodrum; old anchors; fishing tools and a massive Sea Shell Collection donated by businessman Hasan Güleşçi.

Click here for a collection of 4 videos of the Bodrum Maritime Museum

Click here for an article about the Bodrum Maritime Museum

Click here for the Bodrum Maritime Museum Shell Exhibit Photo Gallery

8.  Myndos Gate

Estimated Time:  1.5 hours

Visiting Hours: This site appears to be open access with no entrance fee.

Located away from the central hub of town, just south of the main highway that leads to Turgutreis, this ancient site was the location of the bloody battle when Alexandar the Great laid siege to the ancient city of Halikarnassos. The Myndos Gate was one of the three gates that protected the ancient city wall. There are two partially renovated towers, and parts of a city wall from the 4th Century BC, as well as some roman remains and a pretty mosaic.

Click here for my Myndos Gate Article and Photo Gallery