After five action-packed days in Istanbul—tallying up 20,000 steps a day—I was happy to change the pace. For the rest of the trip, we chose a destination with a slower rhythm, sun-soaked relaxation, and a dash of coastal adventure. Of all other coastal places in Turkey, Bodrum appealed to us the most because it is said to be most similar to the Croatian coast or Greek islands.
Located on Turkey’s southwestern Aegean coast, Bodrum is more than just a beach destination—it’s a gateway to millennia of history and stunning natural beauty. Formerly known as Halicarnassus, the town is famous for being the site of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Castle of St. Peter, built by the Knights Hospitaller. But, even though we usually don’t miss the opportunity to explore the area, after Istanbul, we just wanted to rest. Luckily, Bodrum’s allure isn’t limited to its history. The crystal-clear waters, lush vegetation, and serene coves make it an ideal beach retreat location.
Booking resorts well in advance is my travel ritual. I booked three resorts seven months before the trip, with free cancelation and no prepayment options. Then, in the following months, I eliminated two due to bad recent reviews. From those, it seemed that The Royal Asarlic had perfectly balanced beach quality and excellent food, two aspects we consider non-negotiable for this kind of vacation. The price was also great – 800 euros for an all-inclusive eight-night stay for two.
Hello, Paradise!
We landed at Bodrum Milas Airport around noon, and the airport bus shuttle (Havas) whisked us to Bodrum center for just 4 euros per person. A quick cab ride of 12 minutes (about 10 euros) later, we arrived at our home for the next eight nights.
After check-in, the hotel staff gave us basic info about the resort on our way to the room. We were at the beach 30 minutes later. After a quick swim to test the waters (pun intended), we went for a tour around the resort.
Sprawling along a picturesque coastline, the hotel’s outdoor area is divided by its two distinct beach and pool areas. On the east side, the energy is palpable. The pool and beach area transforms into a lively beach club scene with upbeat music, and activities like darts and pool sports. The pool area has its own bar, while overlooking the beach below is another bar, open 24/7. The beach itself is a mix of pebbles and sand, my favorite! After a quick swim, we knew this was where we would spend most of our time.
In contrast, the west side offers a serene retreat. The beach is mostly sandy without natural shade. The adjacent pool area features a quieter ambiance, with a bar serving desserts and soft drinks. Again, we immediately knew this would be our go-to spot in the evenings for winding down and savoring the last rays of sunshine before sunset at around 7 pm.
On the west beach, we met a representative from a tour agency offering boat excursions and spent 30 minutes chatting about their various trips before grabbing a brochure. One tour caught our interest, but we weren’t sure when to book it—we wanted to enjoy a few days of pure relaxation first.
Lazy Days
For the following four days, this was our itinerary:
- Breakfast around 8h
- East Beach from 9 to 12
- East pool from 12 – 16
- West Beach from 16 – 18
- Dinner 19 – 20
- The beach bar and the entertainment area
Basically, after breakfast, we spent our mornings soaking up the sun on the east beach. It was still quiet in the mornings and the sun was not too strong. Perfect for a morning swim and reading. Around noon, we migrated to the pool area. This was our playground for the day—music, drinks, darts, and pool fun kept the atmosphere vibrant and lively. As the day mellowed, we moved to the calmer west beach. Here we found the perfect spot to soak up a bit more sun. After that, a quick shower, dinner, and back to the entertainment area. With different programs every night, we would stay until we could no longer drink or dance. Whichever happened first.
On the fifth day, we decided we could take a walk outside of the resort for a change. While it was cute with great vibes and plenty of colorful souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants, it was nothing extraordinary. People we met at the resort told us they went on different tours and mostly enjoyed them, so we debated shortly if we should book one too, but decided to stick to the boat one only. Even after five days, we still didn’t feel up to more sightseeing or walking.
Boat Tour
Finally, on the sixth day, we decided it was the boat tour day, which cost 20 euros per person, with lunch included. The lunch left plenty to be desired and everything else on the boat was very overpriced. But, being tipsy when arranging this tour, we didn’t remember we could take whatever we wanted with us; our water, fruits, and snacks. We brought nothing. Not even our wallets. Luckily, we managed to contact the guy who took our reservations and he agreed with the crew on board to give us whatever we needed and we would pay them once we got back.
The tour itself is amazing. It starts around 10 am and for 6 hours the boat cruises around making stops at different beaches and islands to swim, snorkel, and relax. There was a hot spring at the first stop, interesting caves at the other, an amazing pristine beach at the third one…and so on. The contrast between the turquoise waters and rugged coastlines dotted with greenery took my breath away more than once. Scenes reminiscent of the Greek islands and the Croatian coast. Every spot was more beautiful than the other, with crystal clear waters, lush vegetation, and some of the best views I have seen. This Aegean adventure definitely made up for the lack of sightseeing in Bodrum.
Final Thoughts
These eight lazy days at a beach resort in Bodrum provided the perfect antidote to the bustling streets of Istanbul. I am a bit sad we didn’t have the energy to explore Bodrum more, but the resort’s balanced mix of lively and serene environments, combined with great food and lush natural surroundings, made it impossible to leave.
Bodrum itself, with its deep historical roots and stunning geographical setting, offers so much more than just a beach vacation. This time, it was mostly a beach retreat, and we don’t regret it. Hopefully, there will be another chance to explore its other side as well.
Are you planning to visit Bodrum or some other coastal town in Turkey?
Check out more posts for inspiration and start planning if you haven’t already!
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