Questions people ask before their first Bodrum trip
From tap water to beach fees, the Kos ferry to tipping — the 15 questions visitors ask most, answered briefly. We wrote the answers ourselves; the app’s audio guide draws on the same information.
Professional narration is on its way; for now your browser’s reading voice reads the text to you.
- When is the best time to visit Bodrum?
- Can you drink the tap water in Bodrum?
- Do the beaches charge?
- Card or cash, and what is the currency?
- What should you eat in Bodrum?
- How do you get from Bodrum to Kos?
- How do boat trips work and what do they cost?
- How do I get a tourist SIM card?
- How do you stay safe in the Bodrum sun?
- Are there dangerous creatures in the sea?
- What is there to do in Bodrum with children?
- What to do in Bodrum on a rainy day?
- How should you dress to enter a mosque?
- Do you tip, and how much?
- How does the Karia Guide app work?
When is the best time to visit Bodrum?
The swimming season usually runs from May to October. July and August are the hottest and busiest; June and September are warm but calmer. After October the museums and ancient sites are still a pleasure.
Can you drink the tap water in Bodrum?
Tap water is not usually drunk here; everyone uses bottled or carboy water. It is cheap in shops and kiosks, and in summer it is wise to carry a bottle with you.
Do the beaches charge?
Public beaches are free to enter — Bitez, Ortakent-Yahşi, Karaincir and Akyarlar among them. Beach clubs charge for a sunbed and umbrella, or ask for a minimum spend.
Card or cash, and what is the currency?
The currency is the Turkish lira. Cards are widely accepted in restaurants, shops and supermarkets; cash helps at neighbourhood markets and small kiosks. Dolmuş minibuses take no cash — you need a contactless card or a MuğlaKart.
What should you eat in Bodrum?
Bodrum classics: çökertme kebab, samphire (deniz börülcesi), fresh fish and wild-herb mezes. In the evening the fishing villages serve meze in meyhane style; by day look for olive-oil dishes and mandarin sweets. The app lists the gastronomy stops.
How do you get from Bodrum to Kos?
Ferries to Kos leave from Bodrum Castle Harbour, the Cruise Port and Turgutreis; the crossing takes roughly 20–45 minutes depending on the boat. Kos is in Greece, so passports are checked at the port. Our transport guide has the details.
How do boat trips work and what do they cost?
Day boat trips leave from the harbour in front of Bodrum Castle through the season; they usually set off in the morning, stop in the bays for a swim and return in the late afternoon. Ask about the route, duration and price before boarding.
How do I get a tourist SIM card?
You can buy a tourist SIM with your passport at any operator shop; there are branches at the airport and in town. A phone brought from abroad works for 120 days; for a longer stay it needs IMEI registration.
How do you stay safe in the Bodrum sun?
In high summer the sun is fierce between 11:00 and 16:00: shade, a hat, high-factor sunscreen and plenty of water help. Ancient sites have little shade, so early morning or late afternoon is far more comfortable.
Are there dangerous creatures in the sea?
Jellyfish are rarely a problem here. What to watch for are sea urchins on rocky entries; on stony stretches such as Gümüşlük a pair of water shoes makes life much easier.
What is there to do in Bodrum with children?
With children the shallow, sheltered bays are easiest: Bitez, Ortakent-Yahşi, Karaincir and Akyarlar. The castle and its Underwater Archaeology Museum also hold their attention. Ask me “where can I swim today” to see which bay is calm right now.
What to do in Bodrum on a rainy day?
Rainy or very windy days are made for museums and indoor stops: Bodrum Castle and its Underwater Archaeology Museum, the museums in Milas, the old hans and the bazaar. Ancient sites are lovely too, but the stones get slippery in the rain.
How should you dress to enter a mosque?
When visiting a mosque, shoulders and knees should be covered, women cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door. During prayer times keep the visit short or wait. Beachwear is not welcome in the town’s streets either.
Do you tip, and how much?
Tipping is not compulsory; in restaurants around 5–10% of the bill is usual. In cafés leaving the small change is enough, and taxi fares are normally just rounded up.
How does the Karia Guide app work?
When you come near a place the app tells you, and you listen to its story in your own language. You can pick places from the map or the routes, and download the audio to listen offline. The “Bodrum Today” section shows the wind, the markets and the sunset.
For buses, fares and ferries in detail see Getting around Bodrum · Questions about Karia Guide