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Bodrum: when your ship stops here

A knights castle on the harbor, the ruins of an ancient wonder, and a theatre on the hill.

Facts checked Nov 6, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Bodrum is a town and district of Mugla Province on the Aegean coast of Turkey, with 198,335 people (2023). Its ancient name was Halicarnassus. A cruise port guide says ships normally dock at Bodrum Cruise Port in Kumbahce, on the eastern side of town, about 1.5 km (4,900 feet) from the center, a walk of about 20 minutes along the waterfront. Shuttle boats run between the pier and St. Peter Castle for an extra charge, and taxis wait at the terminal.

Sources: Wikipedia: Bodrum; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Bodrum

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Bodrum Castle (the Castle of St. Peter)

    A castle built by the Knights Hospitaller in the early 1400s. It has four towers named for the English, French, German and Italian knights, and today it holds the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Wikipedia says the castle has been under renovation since 2017, so only some parts are open to visitors.

    Tip: A cruise port guide says ships arrive at the ferry pier close to the castle. Our sources give no opening hours, so check on the day.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Bodrum; Wikipedia: Bodrum Castle; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Bodrum

  2. 2. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

    A tomb built between 353 and 351 BC for Mausolus and his sister-wife Artemisia II, about 45 metres (148 feet) tall, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Only the foundation and a small museum are at the site today. Some of its sculptures are in the British Museum, and marble blocks from it are built into the walls of Bodrum Castle.

    Tip: A cruise port guide puts it about 15 to 20 minutes on foot from the castle area. Expect ruins and a small museum, not the tomb.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Mausoleum at Halicarnassus; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Bodrum

  3. 3. The ancient theatre

    The theatre of Halicarnassus was built in the 4th century BC and enlarged in the 2nd century AD. A photo caption on Wikipedia gives its original capacity as 10,000.

    Tip: Our sources do not say how far it is from the pier or when it is open, so ask locally.

    Source: Wikipedia: Bodrum

What to skip

  • Bitez beach on a short call

    A cruise port guide says Bitez beach is roughly 20 to 30 minutes each way by taxi in ordinary traffic. The castle and the Mausoleum are both within a walk of the pier, so a short call goes further there.

    Source: CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Bodrum

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Bodrum

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Bodrum, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 6, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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