Bodrum on foot – Halicarnassus between castle and windmills

Beneath the white houses of Bodrum lies Halicarnassus, the city of King Mausolus and of the historian Herodotus. We walk from the harbour through the bazaar to the site of the Mausoleum, follow the ancient city wall to the Myndos Gate and climb to the theatre, which overlooks the whole bay and the castle.

Highlights

• Ancient theatre overlooking the bay and the castle
• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus – site of one of the Seven Wonders
• Myndos Gate and the city wall of Mausolus
• Windmills above Bodrum with views of both bays
• Old town, bazaar and harbour promenade
• Pick-up from hotel, cruise port or airport optional

Full description

In the 4th century BC Halicarnassus was the capital of the Carian king Mausolus. He surrounded the city with walls and built temples, a theatre and a harbour; after his death his wife and sister Artemisia raised a tomb so magnificent that his name became a word: the mausoleum. Today its site shows the foundations, column fragments and the entrance to the burial chamber – enough to understand why antiquity counted it among the Seven Wonders.

From the Mausoleum we follow the wall west to the Myndos Gate, where Alexander the Great besieged the city in 334 BC; the moat in front is still visible. On the slope above the town lies the theatre for about 13,000 spectators. If you like, we continue by car or on foot to the windmills between Bodrum and Gümbet. Back in the old town there is time for the bazaar, the harbour promenade and a coffee facing the castle.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Harbour and bazaar
  Iskele Square in front of the castle, lanes of the old town, bazaar.
• 2 · Mausoleum
  Foundations, building parts and burial entrance of the Wonder, small museum on site.
• 3 · Myndos Gate
  West gate of the city wall with moat, site of Alexander the Great's siege.
• 4 · Ancient theatre
  Theatre from the time of Mausolus, panorama over bay and castle.
• 5 · Windmills
  Viewpoint between Bodrum and Gümbet, depending on time and wishes.

Included

• 4 hours private, state-licensed guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day
• Headsets for groups of 16 or more
• Walk through the old town, Mausoleum, Myndos Gate and theatre
• Transfer with vehicle and driver from hotel, cruise port or Bodrum airport, if booked

Not included

• Entrance fees (Mausoleum, theatre)
• Drinks and snacks
• Transfer, optional: €120 + €10 per person
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

With a booked transfer we pick you up at your hotel in Bodrum or on the peninsula, at Bodrum cruise port or at Bodrum-Milas Airport (BJV) and bring you back there. Without transfer we meet on Iskele Square in front of the castle.

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Route to the meeting point (Google Maps): 📍 Iskele Square

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Comfortable shoes – Cobblestones and a climb to the theatre.
• Sun – Start early in summer; bring a hat and water.
• Castle – The Castle of St Peter with the Underwater Museum is a separate tour – both can be combined in one day.
• Cruise guests – Please state ship and time in port; we plan the return to the ship with ample buffer.