Bodrum or Marmaris: the Aegean coast of Turkey for a holiday

If Antalya and Kemer seem too loud and you want more greenery, bays and yachts, look at the southwest of Turkey. Bodrum and Marmaris sit where the Aegean and the Mediterranean meet, and each has its own character. To compare them with the Antalya resorts, see Kemer, Belek or Side.

Bodrum

According to the Wikivoyage description, Bodrum is an inexpensive mass-market resort on the southern coast of the Aegean Sea. It occupies a whole peninsula, and in advertising "Bodrum" often means all the resorts from which it is easy to get to the center. The town has a rich history: ancient Halicarnassus stood here, with the famous Mausoleum.

• The resort suits a holiday with an evening life: a waterfront, restaurants and bars.
• Boat trips on yachts are popular here.
• Because of the climate the season is longer than at other Turkish resorts. May is good for walking, but the water warms later, so for swimming June to October is better, when the sea is warmer than 24°C.

Milas-Bodrum airport (BJV) is about 35 km from the town. In summer charter flights from Europe land here, and flights from Istanbul run all year.

Marmaris

Marmaris is a port and beach resort on the coast of Lycia. The town stretches along the bay and continues into Icmeler, with Turunc beyond the mountains. According to Wikivoyage, about 96,000 people lived in this settlement in 2020. The town has a convenient natural harbor, which made it a gathering point for fleets in the past, and today it is a departure point for yachts.

• Good for people who like a harbor, boat trips and evenings on the waterfront.
• The beaches in the town itself are urban, and the best bays are to be found in the surroundings.

Marmaris is easy to reach from Dalaman airport, which is about 100 km away. The Havas bus takes about 90 minutes, and taxis and private transfers are also available. Many tourists arrive on package tours and are taken straight to the hotel.

What to choose

1. Evenings, yachts, noisier: Bodrum.
2. A calm harbor and bays: Marmaris.
3. A short weekend trip: check which has the closer flight from your city.

Arrange insurance before the trip, and check fares in the HotTrip flight search.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Bodrum or Marmaris?

Bodrum is livelier in the evening and popular with yacht lovers. Marmaris is convenient for its harbor and the bays nearby.

Which airport should I choose?

For Bodrum, Milas-Bodrum (BJV). For Marmaris, Dalaman (DLM), about 100 km away.

When is the best time to swim?

From June to October, when the water is above 24°C.

Do I need a car?

It is convenient for trips to the bays, but for a hotel holiday a transfer and minibuses are enough.

Can I combine both resorts?

Yes, but the distances between them are noticeable, so allow several hours for the road.

Cover: photo by Muzin Kahraman on Pexels