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Bodrum Castle & Underwater Archaeology Museum

Last updated: August 2026 Read time: 3 min
Bodrum Castle St Peter tower, built by the Knights of St. John
Location Bodrum Town harbor
Hours 08:30–19:00 (summer) 08:30–16:30 (winter) Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
Ticket price from $22
Typical visit 2–3 hours
Nearest transport Walkable from Bodrum marina and bazaar

Bodrum Castle St Peter — Bodrum Castle, also called the Castle of St. Peter, is a 15th-century fortress built by the Knights of St. John using stone salvaged from the ruined Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. It now houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, including the Uluburun Shipwreck — the oldest shipwreck ever discovered.

Why visit Bodrum Castle? (Bodrum Castle St Peter)

Construction began in 1402 under the Knights Hospitaller (Knights of St. John), who built the fortress partly from stones taken from the already-ruined Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Each of the castle’s towers carries the name of the nation whose knights built and defended it — English, French, German and Italian — a detail that reflects the multinational character of the crusader order. Inside, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology spans 14 galleries built around shipwreck excavations recovered from the surrounding Aegean seabed, most notably the Uluburun Shipwreck, dating to roughly the 14th century BC and considered the oldest shipwreck ever discovered, its cargo including copper ingots, gold jewelry and a scarab bearing the personal seal of Queen Nefertiti.

Source: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

What should I know before visiting?

  • Wear comfortable shoes — the castle has uneven stone steps and walkways throughout.
  • Allow at least 2-3 hours to see both the castle grounds and the museum halls properly.
  • Climb the English Tower for the best panoramic view over Bodrum and the marina.
  • An audio guide is typically included with admission and worth using for the museum’s shipwreck context.

How much are tickets and what are the hours?

Admission runs approximately €20-23 (roughly $22-25), including the castle grounds, audio guide and Underwater Archaeology Museum. Open daily, 08:30-19:00 in summer (April-October) and 08:30-16:30 in winter, with the ticket office closing 30 minutes before closing.

How do I get to Bodrum Castle from Bodrum center?

The castle sits directly on Bodrum’s harbor, walkable from the marina and old bazaar streets in central Bodrum Town — no transport needed if you’re staying centrally.

Bodrum Castle: Interesting Facts

  • Construction began in 1402 under the Knights of St. John, partly using stone from the ruined Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
  • Each tower is named for the nation of knights who built it — English, French, German and Italian.
  • The Uluburun Shipwreck displayed inside, dating to roughly the 14th century BC, is the oldest shipwreck ever discovered.

Frequently Asked Questions

The castle houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, spanning 14 galleries built around shipwreck excavations, most notably the Uluburun Shipwreck — the oldest shipwreck ever discovered, dating to roughly the 14th century BC.


Budget at least 2-3 hours to see both the castle grounds and the museum halls without rushing, given the scale of the shipwreck exhibits.

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Nearby Attractions

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus — illustrative Greco-Roman ruins, Turkey

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Bodrum Ancient Theatre — illustrative Roman theatre ruins, Turkey

Bodrum Ancient Theatre
Bodrum Blue Cruise — wooden sailing ship at sunset, illustrative

Bodrum Blue Cruise

Back to the full Bodrum guide →

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