Bodrum Holidays
Bodrum Holidays – A bustling city of contrasts
The bustling resort of Bodrum on Turkey’s south-western coast really is a city of two halves. The eastern end of the town has a long thin beach, backed by bars and nightclubs that cater very much to the British package holiday crowd. Think neon strip lighting, English breakfasts and Only Fools and Horses played on repeat. Travel westwards however and you’ll find a charming harbour with upmarket cafes and excellent restaurants, as well as a beautiful promenade that makes for a lovely evening stroll.
Compared to some of the other large and lively resorts in Turkey such as Marmaris or Kuşadası, Bodrum has managed to retain a vestige of its original fishing village charm; attractive whitewashed villas festooned in trailing bougainvillea wind their way down narrow streets towards the sea. You’ll find an abundance of history and culture in the city; this was the site of the Mausoleum of Halikarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the fragments of which can still be seen to this day. The impressive medieval Castle of St. Peter is well worth a visit and one of the city’s icons – built on a spit of land that divides the bay.
The nightlife in Bodrum is vibrant to say the least. There are numerous bars and clubs, including a 4000 capacity outdoor nightclub that regularly hosts foam parties. Or if you fancy a taste of Turkish evening entertainment, several meyhanes dot the city – local Turkish tavernas where the crowd joins in with the local performer, singing, dancing and drinking. And the attractive beaches at Gumbet and Bitez are a just short dolmus ride away.
When to go
Bodrum sees large crowds of tourists during the peak summer months, when temperatures are at their hottest. This is the most expensive time to visit. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) see cooler, more comfortable temperatures and lower holiday prices. It is wise to avoid travelling here during Kurban Bayram; an Islamic 4-day holiday that falls around February, when most Turks will go on holiday to hot resorts such as Bodrum, and the roads can become highly congested, accommodation double booked and many shops close.
There are several festivals that occur throughout the year in Bodrum. These include the Bodrum Bicycle Festival and Bodrum Diving Festival in May, the International Bodrum Film Festival in June, the Bodrum Festival in July, the Aegean Festival in July/August and the Bodrum Cup Wooden Yacht Festival in October.
The weather in Bodrum
In a country where plateaus, mountains and different seas can create some fairly unpredictable weather patterns, Bodrum has the benefit of a stable Mediterranean climate. So much so in fact that this is where many Turkish people come for their holidays! Spring sees comfortable temperatures of 21-26C, before heating up over the summer period to a sweltering 30-34C. Many people may find the intense heat of the summer a little hard to handle. September remains hot at around 30C, before cooling late in the month to mark the beginning of autumn through October, with temperatures around 26C. November – March is the winter period, with nights becoming chillier and an increased chance of rainfall. Temperatures range from 14-20C during this time.
Getting the best deal
To get the best deal on holidays to Bodrum during the peak summer months, you should be sure to book as early as possible. June-August will see the best priced rooms in the most popular hotels sell out fast, so you need to get in there quick to nab a bargain. Travelling off-peak in either spring or autumn will see generally lower prices, plus the chance to pick up cheap last-minute deals if you’re willing to book late. Avoid expensive times such as the Easter, summer and half-term school holidays if possible.
Opting to book an all-inclusive holiday to Bodrum is a good way to keep a handle on your spending, with all meals and drinks paid for upfront. Find the best prices we have to offer by looking at the deals below or alternatively by visiting our late deals offers here.
Airport and transport need to know
Visitors to Bodrum will fly into the large, modern Bodrum-Milas Airport (BJV). Built in the late 1990’s, this airport has two terminals – one international and one domestic – as well as a second international terminal under construction that’s due for completion some time in 2012. There is a good range of duty-free shops, restaurants and bars that service the Arrivals, Departure and lounge areas. You will also find cash machines, currency exchange and car hire here.
London Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, as well as Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham and smaller regional hubs like Newcastle and Bristol all offer flights to Bodrum Airport. There will be far more flights in operation over the April-October period; November-March tends to see limited services. It takes between 4-5 hours to reach the airport from the UK depending on the departure airport.
Bodrum airport is around 30km from the city centre. You can get a taxi there from outside the Arrivals Hall at the international terminal. There will be a large sign at the front of the taxi rank indicating the prices to the various resorts. Fares are on a fixed-price basis. You should expect to pay around £30 and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes. You can pre-book taxis from companies such as Bodrum Transfers. Alternatively you can book a shared shuttle taxi – typically in a minivan. This will work out cheaper at around £4 per person, but can take longer depending on how many stops have to be made. A-T-S.net provides pre-bookable shared shuttle taxi services.
You can also get to Bodrum city centre by public bus. Simply catch a Havas bus from outside the international terminal to the city centre. It takes around 45 minutes and the cost of a one-way fare is around £6.
The best beaches in Bodrum
Bodrum is the gateway city to a number of fantastic beaches that are found on the peninsula. There are beaches to suit every purpose; from bustling tourist beaches to secluded, tranquil bays. Bodrum itself however is not really seen as a beach resort; experiencing the sea here is more about dining on the harbour waterfront or strolling along the promenade at the west end of the city. There is a small beach in the east of the resort; a thin strip of sand backed by myriad bars that becomes an open air restaurant at night as tables are set up on the golden sands and meals served to tourists. But the best beach experiences are to be had by taking a dolmus to the nearby resorts a few miles west, or by hiring a car and exploring the peninsula.
Bitez beach
Around 11 minutes’ drive away from Bodrum is the gently curving sand and shingle crescent-moon bay of Bitez. The water here is calm and shallow for many metres, and there is a large number of sun loungers, parasols and hammocks that can be used for free. A promenade behind the beach has a good selection of beach bars, cafes and small restaurants, and boat trips leave regularly to explore the coves along the coast. The main draw to this beach however, and one that attracts people from around the world, is the excellent watersports scene here. With constant winds coming of the Aegean creating perfect conditions for sailing and windsurfing, this beach has one of the best spots in Turkey for sail-based watersports.
Camel beach (Bağla)
Camel or Bağla beach as it is called in Turkish is one of the most southerly beaches in the area, located on the south-western tip of the peninsula. This is a secluded, peaceful beach that is found off the beaten track and is rarely frequented by tourists. As such it is great for people who like peace and seclusion away from the madding crowds. The beach bars here are laid-back and low-key, and there are some fantastic little seafront restaurants serving deliciously fresh seafood. The beach takes its name from the camel rides that are offered by the locals to tourists along the shores. And make sure you take a snorkel; a few metres out you’ll brightly coloured fish darting between ancient underwater ruins under the waves. It takes around 30 minutes to drive here from Bodrum.
Yashi beach
Around 20 minutes’ drive from Bodrum you’ll find Yashi and her sister beach of Ortakent. Yashi means beautiful in Turkish, and this beach certainly lives up to its name with a long, golden expanse of sand that curves gently along the same coastline as Bitez in east. This long, wide beach is very popular with families, although those with small children should be aware that the seabed drops away quite rapidly after a few metres and the water becomes fairly deep. There is a good selection of inexpensive beach bars and cafes here. You can catch a dolmus to the resort from the main bus station in Bodrum to the beach.
