Bodrum Museums and Art Galleries

(Bodrum, Mugla, Turkey)



Castle viewBodrum has quite a few quirky museums of interest for those who can tear themselves away from the beaches and sunshine. The Underwater Archaeology Museum, within the Bodrum Castle of St. Peter, is without doubt the resort's most impressive museum and a must-see, even for those with no interest in history.

In addition, there are a couple of decent museums that display the architecture of the Bodrum region before and after the Romans. Those with a love for music should also have a look at the Zeki Müren Museum, which is something akin to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis.


Further castle picture

Underwater Archaeology Museum

Address: Bodrum Castle, Eastern Bay, Bodrum, Turkey, TR
Tel: +90 0252 316 2516
Bodrum Castle's main modern treasure is one of the resort's top attractions, displaying items from shipwrecks of the area from as far back as the 1600s BC. The big exhibit at the Museum of Underwater Archaeology is the 7th-century AD East Roman ship in the chapel, where visitors can actually walk onto the excavation site and a reconstruction of part of the ship. The other significant exhibits include the Bronze Age shipwrecks in the Uluburun Wreck Hall - with many treasures from sunken trading ships, and the famed Glass Wreck Hall - which features a Byzantine shipwreck and its ancient cargo of glassware.
Open hours: November to April, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 19:00; May to October, Tuesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Zeki Müren Museum

Address: Bodrum, Turkey, TR
Turkey's most famous singer is immortalised in the Zeki Müren Museum, much like Elvis is at Graceland. He lived from 1931 to 1996 and was also a composer and an actor, as well as being a revered singer. His compelling voice can be heard belting out Turkish classical music as well as modern songs and you can see his clothes, jewellery and cars at the museum.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - seasonal hours
Admission: charge

Fethiye Museum

Address: Bodrum, Turkey, TR
Situated in a good-looking contemporary building, the Fethiye Museum displays a fine collection of items in its Archaeology Hall and Ethnography Hall. The Archaeology Hall offers an array of statues and ceramic works, including the well regarded Young Girl's Statue, while the Ethnography Hall features hand-woven works, silver jewellery and a head scarf loom.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Milas Museum

Address: Bodrum, Turkey, TR
Milas used to be an important town of the Caria region and was ruled as Halicarnassus by Persian governors for a time. It eventually fell to Rhodes when it became part of the province of Roman Asia. The Milas Museum displays many fine artefacts from the period of the Mugla sub-province, which were once famously stored and displayed in Sakarya primary school.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - seasonal hours
Admission: charge