20 beaches · 174 km of coast
Bodrum Beaches and Bays
The peninsula has around 174 km of coastline and every kind of shore — sand, pebble, rock and hidden cove. These are the twenty worth knowing.
South Coast or North Coast?
The single most useful thing to know about swimming in Bodrum is which side of the peninsula you are on. The south coast — Bitez, Ortakent, Akyarlar — is sheltered from the prevailing wind and generally calmer, which is why families gravitate there. The north coast — Türkbükü, Gündoğan, Torba — is exposed to the meltemi, which is exactly why the windsurfers and kitesurfers prefer it, and where the luxury beach clubs cluster.
The sea is comfortable from June to October, reaching 26–27 °C in July and August and holding 22–25 °C to the end of September. Sheltered bays run warmer than the open sea. The nearest beach to the airport is at Torba, 33 km; Bardakçı Bay is within walking distance of Bodrum town; the farthest are around Turgutreis and Gümüşlük at 56–59 km.
The Twenty Beaches
⚠ For information only; compiled from internet sources, accuracy not guaranteed. Check the official source.
| Beach | Where | Shore | Facilities | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitez | Bitez | Sand and pebble | Full | Windsurfing centre among tangerine groves; shallow and family-friendly |
| Ortakent-Yahşi | Ortakent | Sand | Full | The peninsula’s longest sandy beach; shallow, calm, good value |
| Karaincir | near Akyarlar | Sand | Medium | Fine sand and turquoise water, largely unspoilt; Greek islands across the water |
| Gümüşlük | Gümüşlük | Sand and pebble | Medium | Fishing village over ancient Myndos; walk to Rabbit Island, famous sunset |
| Türkbükü | Türkbükü | Pebble and sand | Full, luxury | Beach clubs and sun decks over the water; expensive |
| Torba | Torba | Pebble and sand | Good | The closest good beach to the airport; calm bay, clear water, good diving |
| Gündoğan | Gündoğan | Pebble and sand | Good | Quiet bay among orange groves; village market on Sundays |
| Akyarlar | Akyarlar | Sand | Medium | South-western tip; windy, ideal for kitesurfing, Kos visible across |
| Bardakçı Bay | Bodrum town | Sand and pebble | Full | Walking distance from the centre; hotel and public beach together |
| Bağla Bay | near Güvercinlik | Sand | Limited | A hidden bay with natural sand and clear water; reached by car |
| Aspat Bay | near Ortakent | Pebble | Limited | Below the ruins of Aspat Castle; rocky shore, good snorkelling |
| Paradise Bay | Kızılağaç | Sand and pebble | Medium | A popular boat-tour stop; busy in high summer |
| Kızılburun | near Turgutreis | Pebble | Limited | Named for its red rocks; little known, rich underwater life |
| Meteor Crater | Gökçeler village | Rock | None | A genuine meteor crater filled with salt water; known for its mud |
| Pedasa Bay | near Konacık | Rock and pebble | None | A hidden bay on the way up to Pedasa; nothing there but the sea |
| Göltürkbükü | Göltürkbükü | Pebble and sand | Full | Where Gölköy meets Türkbükü; beach clubs and private beaches |
| Mazı | Mazıköy | Pebble and sand | Medium | A quiet fishing village beach with local fish restaurants |
| Kadıkalesi | near Turgutreis | Sand | Good | Long sandy beach beside ancient ruins; water sports and sunsets |
| Camel Beach | Ortakent | Sand | Full | Family beach known for camel rides; wide sand, shallow water, slides |
| Aquarium Bay | near Gümbet | Rock and sand | Limited | Water clear as an aquarium — the peninsula’s best snorkelling, usually by boat |
Practical Notes
- 1
What things cost
Public beaches are free. Sunbed and umbrella prices vary by area, and beach clubs may charge an entrance fee or set a minimum spend. Türkbükü and Yalıkavak are the most expensive stretches of coast.
free or paid
- 2
Getting there
Most beaches are reachable by Muttaş bus or dolmuş from Bodrum bus station. The hidden bays need a car, and a boat tour is the only sensible way to see several in one day.
bus, car or boat
- 3
Safety in the water
The main beaches are lifeguarded. Choose a shallow, sheltered bay for small children, watch for sea urchins on rocky shores — water shoes are worth it — and use a high-factor sunscreen.
SPF 50+
- 4
Timing
Weekends fill up with domestic visitors, particularly on the beaches nearest the town. Monday to Thursday is a different experience on exactly the same sand.
go midweek
Bodrum Beaches — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best beach in Bodrum?
It depends what you want. Ortakent-Yahşi has the longest sand and suits families, Bitez is the windsurfing bay, Karaincir has the clearest water, Gümüşlük the best atmosphere, and Aquarium Bay the best snorkelling.
Which beach is closest to the airport?
Torba, 33 km from the terminal and about 35 minutes by road. It is a calm north-coast bay with clear water, which makes it a good choice after a late-arriving flight.
When is the sea warm enough to swim in Bodrum?
From June to October. The sea passes 20 °C in May, peaks at 26–27 °C in July and August, and is still around 22 °C at the end of October.
Are Bodrum beaches free?
Public beaches are free to use. Sunbeds and umbrellas are charged, and beach clubs often have an entrance fee or a minimum spend — highest in Türkbükü and Yalıkavak.
Can I reach the beaches by public transport?
Most of them, yes — Muttaş buses and dolmuş minibuses run from Bodrum bus station to every town on the peninsula. The hidden bays such as Bağla and Pedasa need a car.
Related Pages
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