With beaches, boat trips and bazaars to explore, Bodrum is a brilliant choice for a sunny family getaway on Turkey’s Aegean coast. Young history buffs, particularly, will be in their element: Bodrum sits on the site of ancient Halicarnassus, and has history at every turn. Here’s where to stop off on a tour of the local hidden gems.
Stop 1: Bodrum Castle
Dating back to the 15th century, Bodrum Castle is quite the spectacle – particularly when it’s floodlit at night. It’s lived through various guises, including a mosque and prison. Today it’s the fact-filled home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
Stop 2: The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
As the name suggests, this museum delves deep into the history of anything discovered underwater – leaning on Ottoman, Roman and Maritime history. Stroll through the halls to ogle at excavated shipwrecks dating back to the 5th century BC.
Stop 3: Trata
Traditional Meyhane restaurants were once where Bodrum’s merchants ate and drank. A lot. Not much has changed – except you can join, too, and handily, kids are also welcome. Try Trata, a very local place, where you can tuck into seafood, meze, salads and the all-important local liquor, raki. Find it at Çarşı Sk. No 5 Balıkçılar Yanı.
Stop 4: Bodrum Amphitheatre
The Bodrum Ampitheatre once held 13,000 people / Image: Getty
Bring school lessons to life with a trip to the Bodrum Amphitheatre, which sits on the city’s hillside. Back in the Roman era it would have held 13,000 – now it’s a more modest 4,000 capacity, and is often used as an open-air concert venue.
Stop 5: Bodrum Bazaar
Colourful wares at Bodrum Bazaar / Image: Adobe Stock
Turkish bazaars were once the centre of trading – today they’re a place to shop, shop and shop. Swing by the textile market, where you can pick up anything from colourful fabric to knock-off football shirts and deep-fried syrup coated doughnuts.
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