Turkey / Bodrum / Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

— Ancient Ruin

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Last updated: August 2026 Read time: 3 min

Location Tepecik, central Bodrum

Hours 08:30–17:30 (closed Mondays) 08:30–17:00 (closed Mondays) Closed Mondays Last entry: 30 minutes before closing

Ticket price from $3.50

Typical visit 30–45 minutes

Nearest transport 5–10 minute walk from Bodrum marina or castle

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus — The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a monumental tomb built around 353-350 BC for Mausolus, a Persian satrap of Caria, and his sister-wife Artemisia II, once ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Only foundations and scattered fragments remain today, now an open-air archaeological site in central Bodrum.

Why visit the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus? (Mausoleum at Halicarnassus)

Designed by Greek architects Satyros and Pythius of Priene, the original structure stood approximately 45 meters tall, its four sides decorated with sculptural relief work by four different Greek sculptors — Leochares, Bryaxis, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus. Ancient writers ranked it among the Seven Wonders not for its size alone but for the beauty of its design and decoration, giving rise to the word “mausoleum” itself as a generic term for a grand tomb. An earthquake eventually toppled the structure, and its stones were later repurposed by the Knights of St. John to build Bodrum Castle — meaning much of what once stood here is now, in effect, standing a short walk away in a different form.

Source: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

What should I know before visiting?

What remains is limited to foundations, scattered fragments and a small on-site model showing the structure’s original appearance — set expectations accordingly.
The site is small; most visitors spend well under an hour here.
Some travelers report the entrance fee feels high relative to what’s actually visible on-site — worth knowing that this is a common reaction, not a design flaw in your visit.
Wear sturdy shoes; the ground is uneven and rocky in places.

How much are tickets and what are the hours?

Admission runs approximately €3 (roughly $3.50). Open daily except Mondays, 08:30-17:30.

How do I get to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus from Bodrum center?

The site sits in Tepecik, a 5-10 minute walk from Bodrum marina or the castle along the town’s narrow streets, or reachable by local dolmuş along Turgut Reis Caddesi.