Bodrum is one of the most suitable resorts for those who prefer active holidays. Because of the convenient location of the city, tourists can quickly get to most of the attractions of Turkey.
The ancient city of Ephesus
The city of Ephesus is located at a distance of 4 km from the village of Selcuk.
Travelers mainly come here to see the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But there is much more to see here: the settlement was founded as early as the 10th century BCE, and its centuries-long history has left its mark on its appearance.
Excursion route
The main highlights of the excursion route include:
Celsus library;
stadium on Peony Hill;
Hadrian's temple and gates, gates of Hercules;
Fountain of the ruler Trajan;
several houses from antiquity;
as well as the house (temple) of the Virgin Mary, located near the main complex.
Opening hours. The city is open for visiting: from 8:30 to 19:00 during the high season (April to October), from 8:30 to 17: 00 in the low season (November to March).
Price to its territory: from 60 TRY.
Hotels nearby
For exploring Ephesus, it is sufficient to allocate one day. For those who would like to stay in a hotel nearby, the following accommodations are recommended:
How to get there
First, you need to take a bus to Selçuk, which takes about 2 hours. Then, take the scheduled bus "Selçuk – Pamucak," which arrives at the station every 30-60 minutes, depending on the season.
An alternative is to take a taxi (starting from 70 TRY). The driver will not only take you to the open-air museum but can also help you explore the surrounding areas.
Pamukkale Natural Complex
Snow-white travertine terraces Pamukkale, a gift from nature itself, attracts thousands of travelers every year. They owe their appearance to salt deposits from hot thermal springs saturated with calcium.
For the excursion, it is recommended to bring bathing essentials as you can swim in Pamukkale's pools all year round.
Excursion route
In addition to splashing in the water, the excursion program includes:
the ancient city of Hierapolis;
lake (pool) Cleopatra;
Düden waterfalls located in Antalya.
Price for a day trip: from 50 USD for an adult and from 20 USD for a child. The price of the excursion route for two days is from 80 USD. The trip costs the same, during which you can see both Ephesus and Pamukkale.
Duration of the excursion. The program takes the whole day and usually lasts from 6:00 to 20:00. The one-way trip takes about 3 hours, so you should definitely take enough food and water with you.
Dalyan Natural complex- Dalaman
A trip to Dalyan, located on the shores of the Aegean Sea near the city of Dalaman, is intended for those who appreciate beach relaxation and balneological resorts.
Excursion program
The excursion route boasts the following entertainment:
many sanatoriums with medicinal waters and mud;
the opportunity to ride a pleasure boat along the mouth of a local river;
original fishing, during which there is a high probability of catching a huge blue crab;
the opportunity to see huge turtles on the beach and the places where their eggs are laid;
exploring the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos.
Fee: from 30 USD for an adult and from 15 USD for a child.
How to get there: by taxi or transfer from Dalaman airport after a domestic flight from Bodrum or as part of an organized excursion.
Hotels nearby
If you want to improve your health and stay in Dalyan thoroughly, you should take a closer look at the following local hotels:
Dalyan Tezcan Hotel;
Club Alla Turca;
Caretta Caretta Hotel;
Yakut Apart Hotel;
Palmeden Hotel.
Other excursions in Bodrum
In addition to mini-tours to historical values in Bodrum, you can choose the following options for excursion routes:
relaxing holiday on a yacht (from 35 USD);
extreme speed jeep ride on safari (from 40 USD);
stunning diving in the Mediterranean or Aegean seas (from 45 USD).
It is more convenient to purchase excursions at travel agencies or book them online. The most expensive option is to buy routes in hotels.
