Activities in Bodrum

There's loads of activities in Bodrum; a huge amount of things to do and see, and to keep you entertained. See the sightseeing section for additional ideas. More information...

The Blue Cruise
The Blue Cruise is a generic term for exploring the Bodrum peninsula from the water, on a yacht or 'gullet' type boat. There are many companies operating Blue Cruises or Blue Voyages; as they are also known.

Aboard the 'gullets' there's an area to sunbathe, an a dining area for meals and obviously there's a bathroom too. The route taken will encompass coves, bays, small beaches, stops for snorkelling and swimming and doughnut or banana boat rides.

Shopping
Shopping is abundant in Bodrum, the shops stay open until the early hours of the morning for some post-dinner, and post-drinking, (definitely a bonus for the shop-keeper!) shopping. However if this isn't enough, you can shop til you drop at the bazaars Turkey is famous for, keep your eyes peeled for the comedic Rolax, or D and J fakes, there for humour purposes alone, as many of the fakes now are so similar to the originals. The local specialities include leather, silver jewelry and scarves and curtains made from 100% Milas cloth.

There's also the Oasis Shopping, Culture and Entertainment Centre, which comprises shopping, bars, restaurants and cafes, a cinema, and many other activities. The complex is vast; over 10,000 square metres. Here you can pass a whole day just exploring and sampling the delights the centre has to offer.

Popular souvenirs include carpets and rugs which are beautifully made and great value. The carpets are rugs, really, and they vary greatly in quality and price; the greater the number of knots per square cm, the greater the quality and thus, the greater the price. The rugs can be anything from 150,000 knots per square metre, to 1,000,000! A rug with a significant number of knots should last a very long time, even up a century!

Textiles such as curtains and tablecloths can also be great souvenirs, as well as the 'boncuk' - which is the stone that protects the beholder from the 'Evil Eye' until it breaks - at which point a new one is needed.

As for markets, Bodrum has them in abundance. On Tuesdays, Bodrum is host to the famous fabrics and clothing market, and Thursdays and Friday's markets sell all types of different foods. For supermarket shopping, Bodrum has Migros and Gima supermarkets, both selling a mix of imported and Turkish goods.

Turgutreis market is just 45 minutes away on a dolmus. This market is bigger than the market at Bodrum, so take your time to wander around and take it all in. Watersports
Watersports are widely available in Bodrum. More information...

Turkish Baths
Turkish Baths are hugely popular, and there's an abundance to choose from in Bodrum, including the Turkish Bath in St. Peter's Castle which has seperate areas for men and women, has a steam room, loads of foam and a fantastic massage to compliment. Click here for more information about Turkish baths...

Festivals
Early September, Bodrum is host to a Turkish Music and Arts festival, which takes place on both land and water! There's lots to keep you entertained and lots of activities to do here!

Day Trips from Bodrum
Day trips from Bodrum include Pamukkale, Ephesus and Iassos amongst others.

Other day trips include jeep safaris, which are great fun for all the family, diving and snorkelling with one of the many accredited companies, and horse riding with the Hayvansaray Horse Riding Centre - located out of Bodrum in, thankfully, a cool valley.

In May 2008, ferry trips from Bodrum to Samos island will be available, ferry trips to Kos and Rhodes are already in operation.

The ferry to Kos leaves Bodrum at 9am every day, and returns around 4pm. Tickets cost €25 per person. The journey takes around 20 minutes each way on a hydrofoil.

The ferry from Bodrum to Rhodes goes every Monday and Saturday. This journey takes just over two hours, on a hydrofoil. Tickets for both routes can be booked the day before at the harbour, or at travel agencies in Bodrum. Please note passengers traveling to a Greek island will need their passports.