Milas-Bodrum Airport is about an hour drive from central Bodrum. The airport recently opened an international terminal, which allows flights from several major European cities. There are also several flights during the day too and from the major Istanbul airports (Ataturk and Sahiba Gokcen). Upon arrival to Milas-Bodrum, there are shuttle buses, taxis and rental car services that can get you to the peninsula.
Depending upon the number of travelers you are with and what sort of accommodations you are looking for, there are three choices for lodging in Bodrum: a hotel, a resort or a hostel. The nicest and most expensive resorts are generally away from the action, while hundreds of hotels dot the coastline and interior of the peninsula. One option for the more adventurous is so stay in a hostel. Many of the bars and cafes in the marina-area offer reasonably-priced bare essentials with the benefit of being right in the heart of the city. Choosing from among these options will dictate the type of vacation you have in Bodrum.
The first order of business for any Bodrum tourist is a day trip on one of the many "gulets" found in the marina area. These rustic boats tour the shore and can take you into one of the many swimming areas in the Aegean Sea. You can board a cabin cruise or hire a private boat. Be cautious as many of the group tours can be overfilled and stuffy, although they typically offer excellent food (usually included in price) and lots of dancing. The cost of a private gulet is significantly more but usually negotiable. The water is blue, clear and warm. The rides stop for swimming and provide cushions for lounging while the boat is moving.
The Bodrum Castle, found in the marina area, is the area's most prominent landmark. There are guided tours that allow you to walk inside, as well as through the underwater archeological museum that inhabits the castle. There is also an ancient theater on Bodrum-Turgutreis Road worth checking out (see reference 1). If you do your homework, you will find that many of the gulet "swimming stops" also have historical significance, such as Karacasogut and Orak Island.
Bodrum is best-known for its bars and clubs. It is home to one of the most infamous clubs in the world, Halikarnas, with its foam parties, laser lights and raucous international crowd. A few blocks away, Club Catamaran is exactly what the name implies -- a club on a catamaran. As many locals can attest, it is actually cleaner and a better place to dance than its better-known neighbor. There are also numerous smaller bars that line the marina, each with its own style. Do not hesitate to bar-hop until you have found the right place. Be aware, however, that the clubs normally do not get active until midnight or later and are open until the sun comes up.
Bodrum is also home to many excellent restaurants and cafes, which offer outdoor seating and generous portions of traditional Turkish dishes. Lamb and seafood dishes are in abundance on local menus, but do not forget to indulge in coastal Turkey's fresh fruits and vegetables. There are also various Italian, American and Asian restaurants. For drinks, Raki is the the traditional Turkish liquor and resembles sambuca or Ouzu for its liquorish flavor. Turks call it "lion's milk," and it is considered an acquired taste to foreigners.
