When planning your Bodrum vacation, what did you put at the top of your list? The turquoise bays? The whitewashed houses adorned with bougainvillea? What if we told you there's a time capsule hidden behind 600-year-old walls, right in the middle of all this beauty? This is more than just a structure of stone and towers; it's a magical world where you can hear the whispers of history and witness the sea's millennia-old secrets.

This magnificent castle, set like a jewel between Bodrum's two azure harbors, was built in the 15th century by the Knights of St. John. But its story goes back much further. While constructing the castle, the knights used marble blocks and reliefs from the nearby Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which had been ruined by earthquakes. So, when you touch the castle walls, you are also touching the legacy of an ancient wonder. In this article, we're not just promising you a castle tour. By following our list of things to do in Bodrum Castle, you will connect with thousand-year-old shipwrecks, see the view through the eyes of the knights, and embark on an unforgettable adventure into the depths of history. Get ready, we're about to travel through time!

See the Uluburun Shipwreck, the world's oldest known shipwreck

As you walk through the castle's cool corridors, the first miracle to greet you will literally take your breath away. What stands before you is not just an old shipwreck; it is the treasure ship itself, sunk 3,300 years ago in the Bronze Age: the Uluburun Shipwreck. This wreck is considered one of the greatest underwater archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, and its story is as fascinating as the wreck itself.   

It all began in the summer of 1982 when a sponge diver from Yalıkavak, Mehmed Çakır, noticed metal biscuits with ears on the seabed. Thanks to training from archaeologists, he knew these were no ordinary rocks. Those biscuits were copper ingots, the very material that Egyptian pharaohs, Hittite kings, and Mycenaean commanders waged wars over to produce bronze, the engine of civilization. The ship was carrying a full 10 tons of copper and 1 ton of tin—the most strategic and valuable cargo of its time.   

The ship's hold was like a marketplace of the ancient world. It contained hundreds of Canaanite jars filled with valuable terebinth resin, cobalt blue and lavender glass ingots from Egyptian workshops (the oldest known glass ingots in history), ebony wood from Africa, amber beads from the Baltic Sea, and even hippopotamus teeth. This ship was a floating testament to the globalization of that era. But among all these treasures, one, in particular, will transport you directly to the Egyptian palaces: a golden scarab bearing the name of the legendary Queen Nefertiti. This tiny seal offers a powerful clue that the voyage was under royal patronage. As you explore this hall, you're not just looking at a cargo list; you're seeing how great empires traded with one another, the rich and complex networks they built, and just how fragile that entire system could be.   

Watch the view of Bodrum Marina from the castle's towers

After emerging from the 3,300-year-old depths of the sea, it's time to ascend to the sky—to the castle's ramparts. To reach the inner castle, you will pass through seven magnificent gates adorned with the coats of arms of the knights. Each gate transports you to a different layer of history. The castle was not the project of a single nation but rather a Medieval European Union. French, Italian, German, English, and Spanish knights each built their own towers, which still stand tall today.   

When you climb to the summit, the French Tower, which stands 47.5 meters above sea level, the reward awaiting you will be worth all the effort. The view from here is not just beautiful; it's the product of strategic genius. The knights did not choose this spot by chance. From here, they could control both of Bodrum's harbors, the lifeblood of the city, as if holding them in the palm of their hands. On one side lies the historic harbor where traditional wooden gulets sway, and on the other, the modern and glittering (https://www.yerelrehber.com/en/city/mugla) where superyachts from around the world are moored.   

Looking out from these towers, you are not just seeing a landscape; you are witnessing Bodrum's unchanging maritime destiny over hundreds of years. The whitewashed Bodrum houses cascading down the hills, the deep blue waters of the Aegean, and the silhouette of Kos Island on the horizon... Capturing this view, especially as the golden hour light hits near sunset, and getting lost in the magic of the moment will be one of the most unforgettable memories of your trip to Bodrum.   

Examine the thousand-year-old glass artifacts in the Glass Wreck Hall

In another corner of the castle, a treasure awaits that tells a very different story from the royal wealth of Uluburun. This is the home of the Serçe Limanı Glass Wreck, a modest merchant ship that sank in the 11th century. This ship served a purpose not unlike today's recycling trucks. Its main cargo was tons of raw and broken glass, being transported to workshops to be melted down and given new life.   

What will first strike you upon entering this hall is the admiration you'll feel for the patience and skill of the archaeologists. They have pieced together more than a million fragments of broken glass like a jigsaw puzzle, bringing thousands of elegant goblets, pitchers, and bowls back to life. You won't believe how these fragile beauties could have survived so intact at the bottom of the sea.   

However, this shipwreck doesn't just teach us about the importance of recycling in the Middle Ages. The artifacts recovered from the ship also provide incredible clues about the geopolitical structure of the time. Both Byzantine copper coins and Islamic Caliphate gold dinars were found on the ship. This shows that the ship and its merchant were trading freely between these two great civilizations, which were enemies on paper. The most concrete proof of how the unifying power of trade continued even in the shadow of wars and political conflicts is displayed in the showcases of this hall. Here, you will see not only works of art made of glass but also how two seemingly hostile civilizations could actually be so dependent on each other.   

Beyond the Castle Walls, Bodrum Awaits You

As you leave Bodrum Castle, you'll take with you not just beautiful photos but also unforgettable memories stretching from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. The unique experience the castle offers is just the beginning of understanding how deep Bodrum's history runs. Since you've come this far, continue turning the pages of Bodrum's history!

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: Complete the story by visiting the site of the legendary monument, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, whose stones were used in the castle's walls.   

(https://www.yerelrehber.com/en/explore/things-to-do/ancient-roman-theater): Sit on the steps of one of Anatolia's oldest theaters and witness both history and another magnificent view of Bodrum.   

Zeki Müren Arts Museum: Make a smooth transition from history to art by exploring the Bodrum home and sparkling world of Turkey's Sun of Art.   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much is the entrance fee for Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and is the Museum Pass valid? The entrance fee for Bodrum Castle can vary depending on the season and updates from the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism. For the most accurate information, we recommend checking the official museum website before your visit. Yes, since the castle is a museum affiliated with the Ministry, the Museum Pass is valid. Using a Museum Pass can save you money and help you avoid waiting in ticket lines.   

On average, how long does it take to tour the castle and all the exhibition halls? To properly explore the castle's courtyards, towers, and the rich collection of the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, it is ideal to set aside at least 3-4 hours. If you wish to examine every artifact in detail, read the information panels, and fully enjoy the views, you can extend this to half a day.

Source: To learn more about the significance of the cargo carried by the Uluburun Shipwreck for ancient supply chains, you can read (https://bilimgenc.tubitak.gov.tr/makale/uluburun-batiginda-3500-yillik-tedarik-zincirinin-izleri-bulundu).