How to Spend 5 Days in Bodrum, Türkiye

For anyone looking for a holiday destination in Türkiye that has beautiful beaches, an old town with lots of places to explore, friendly locals and yummy food, Bodrum should definitely be on your list of places to go. My husband and I spent a relaxing, sun-filled week here in June 2025 and, although Bodrum has a reputation for being quite touristy, we really enjoyed our time there.

One of the great things about Bodrum is it’s so easy to explore that you can get a real feel for the place within three to five days, so you can either plan a short break away here or include it as part of a longer trip traveling Türkiye. For this five-day itinerary, I’ve included some free time to spend relaxing by the pool or beach, to balance out your Bodrum adventure with some much-needed down time.

Day One: Afternoon at the Beach

On day one, you’ll arrive at Bodrum Airport, which is about a 40-minute drive to Bodrum town. I’d recommend booking accommodation near the main beach, which is in the heart of the action. I think the beaches near the promenade are the best in Bodrum, especially since the water is clear and a vibrant turquoise blue. These beaches are pebbly and rocky though so remember to pack some aqua shoes to make it easier to get into and out of the water.

After your transfer has dropped you at your accommodation and you’ve checked in, unpack and settle in and then head down to the beach for the rest of the afternoon for an easy start to your Bodrum adventure. For dinner, stroll along the promenade and choose from one of the many restaurants that overlook the sea. There are also a few Michelin starred restaurants around Bodrum that I would have loved to try out, if your budget allows.

Day Two: Bodrum Old Town and Marina

Day two is all about the history and charm of Bodrum. After breakfast, head to the marina and wander through the bazaar on your way, where you can browse and shop at the many different stores. Sample some delicious fresh Turkish delight or a hot cup of Turkish coffee. Chat to the locals about some places they recommend for local food or for hidden gems that most tourists might not know about.

As you leave the bustling streets of the marina shops, you’ll arrive in the area where the Bodrum castle, or Castle of St Peter, is located. Tickets to the castle were 23 euro per person when we visited, so we opted to admire it from the outside. The castle was constructed in the early 15^th century by the knights of St. John, before the area was under the rule of the ottomans.

If you’re keen to explore some more history, you can take a bus or taxi to the Bodrum ancient theatre. This beautiful theatre was built in the 4^th century BC by the ancient Greeks, and was then enlarged in the 2^nd century AD by the Roman Empire. Cultural events, including the Bodrum International Ballet Festival, and music concerts are still held at the theatre today.

To end off the day, make the journey back to your accommodation and head to one of the nearby restaurants to enjoy a meal and unwind after your long but exciting day of exploring.

Day Three: Boat Trip

Today could be spent one of two ways, spending the day on a boat that sails to Orak Island, where you get to swim in the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Aegean sea, or by taking a boat ride over to the stunning Greek island of Kos, where you can wander through quaint village streets and experience a small taste of the Greek way of life. Either way, day three will be filled with beautiful experiences that you’ll definitely want to post on the socials.

We opted for the day trip to Orak island, to make things a bit easier, because I needed a visa to visit Kos. We booked our trip through GetYourGuide and our captain and guides were super friendly, chilled out and fun. We swam in the most beautiful crystal-clear water and loved our day out at sea. I highly recommend this boat trip if you’re looking for a day of laying in the sunshine and swimming in some of the best waters of the Turkish riviera.

If you choose to spend the day in Kos instead, you can head to GetYourGuide to get return ferry tickets. This ferry leaves Bodrum at exactly 8.45am, so make sure to arrive at least an hour before to go through passport control and queues and then leaves Kos again at 4.45pm. When you arrive on the island of Kos, you can choose to spend the day at some of the stunning beaches, like Paradise beach or Agios Stefanos beach, or touring historical sites such as Asklepion and the Roman Odeon.

Day Four: Afternoon in Gumusluk

The morning of day four is free time for you to decide what you’d like to do, whether you’d like to laze by the hotel pool or nearby beach, do some more shopping at the bazaar, or even just have a guilt free lie in, consider it a little bit of ‘me’ time. When you’re ready, head to one of the local restaurants and enjoy some lunch.

Make your way to the Bodrum bus stop after lunch and take a bus to Gumusluk, where you’ll be spending the afternoon and evening. Gumusluk is a charming fishing village that is known for restaurants that line the waterfront and gorgeous sunsets. Remember to pack beach towels, swimming costumes, sunscreen and aqua shoes, because you might be tempted to have some beach time while you’re there! Gumusluk beach is a sandy beach where you can enjoy swimming and even some snorkelling.

Day Five: Relax and Head Home

Enjoy a slow morning on your last day in Bodrum. Ease into the day with a relaxed breakfast and enjoy a Turkish tea or coffee to get ready for your journey home. Depending on what time your flight leaves, you could fit in some last-minute shopping or beach time. Bodrum Airport is relatively small, and lines can be quite long, so you’ll want to arrive at the airport a good few hours before your boarding time.

A Few Tips to Keep in Mind:

Getting Around Bodrum:

The bus network in Bodrum is reliable and super affordable and will help you get around if your accommodation is a little out of town. We stayed in an area called Gumbet and had a bus stop just up the road from our hotel. The busses are comfortable and clean, but can get quite crowded during peak times. If you’re staying near the main beach or marina, most of the attractions are accessible by walking. There are many taxi and shuttle services available if you need, but those will come with a higher cost. We caught an airport shuttle between the airport and our accommodation, which was around $40 each way. You can book your airport transfer on GetYourGuide. You also have the option of hiring a car, but you’ll need to consider if your accommodation has parking available on site.

The Best Time to Visit Bodrum:

As with the rest of Europe, Turkey has its busiest and hottest season in July and August and I would highly recommend traveling there in the May/June and September shoulder periods for cheaper prices, less crowds and more manageable temperatures. Late September to early May is the rainy season in Bodrum, so just keep that in mind too.

Visiting a Muslim Country as a Christian:

Before my husband and I had experienced traveling and exploring in Türkiye, we didn’t really have any safety concerns about being a Christian couple traveling to a country that is mostly Muslim. However, with only 0.2% of the population being Christian, some of you reading this may be feeling a bit weary, but let me ease your worries, because from the moment we landed in Türkiye, people were so friendly and welcoming to us. We didn’t talk about religion or openly speak about our faith, but we were warm and friendly with the locals and received that warmth and friendliness back in return. Along the coast of the Turkish riviera, you’ll also notice a more westernized feel, particularly in Bodrum and Marmaris. We were shocked to only hear the call to prayer a few times during our week in Bodrum, compared to our visit to Istanbul and Cappadocia, where we heard it multiple times a day.

I hope this itinerary has inspired you to plan your own getaway to Bodrum and given you some guidance on the best things to do and see in this Turkish coastal town. Bodrum really is a great place to visit to experience the culture and flavours of Turkey, while still enjoying some time to relax by the ocean. It’s also a fantastic starting point of a Turkish riviera road trip that takes you along the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea all the way up to Oludeniz, Kas and Antalya - in fact we are planning to do this road trip sometime in the near future, so keep an eye out for a future blog about that one!