Antalya vs Bodrum | Bodrum Or Antalya Which Is Better 2024?

Turkey has many coastal, scenic, and tourist cities, such as Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir, Ankara, and Bodrum. On the one hand, this variety makes Turkey more attractive; on the other hand, it causes some tourists to need help choosing a tourist destination and selecting a suitable city to visit Turkey and its tourist places.

During my trip to Turkey, I visited both Bodrum and Antalya, and I have lived in each of these cities for a while; that is why I am aware of the differences between these two cities, and I can guide you in choosing one.

For this purpose, I will compare these two cities regarding sightseeing, historical places, airports, security, entertainment, weather, and travel costs. If you are interested in knowing more about these things, read this article till the end.

First, I will examine these two cities separately and then compare them. If you are in a hurry and want to get all the information in the shortest time, pay attention to the following table:

 Introducing Bodrum city

Before I examine Bodrum vs Antalya, it is better to get to know these two cities. The city of Bodrum in Turkey is one of the regions with good weather, and a traveller’s destination for summer trips, which is located in the west of Turkey.

Bodrum City is located in the Muğla province of Turkey and has an area of ​​about 686 km. This small town is next to the Aegean Sea, and the reason for its name is that it is located at the lowest point in Turkey. The beautiful nature of this coastal city attracts many travellers and welcomes them every year.

This city has a Mediterranean climate and is quite hot in the summer and cold and moderate in the winter. The best time to travel and explore this city is spring and summer.

The neighbourhood of Bodrum with the Aegean Sea has become one of the advantages of this city. By travelling to this city in the summer season, you can enjoy water sports, swimming and sunbathing and have a great time there.

Sightseeing places in Bodrum

1. Bodrum Castle
2. Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology
3. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
4. Halicarnassus Theater
5. Myndos Gate
6. Zeki Muren Arts Museum
7. Maritime Museum
8. Lazy Day at the Beach
9. Pedasa
10. Windmills

Introducing Antalya city

It is said that this city was built around 150 years before Christ by a person named Attalus II, and according to archaeologists, it dates back to 300 years before Christ. Regarding the geographical location of this city, it is surrounded by the Taurus mountain range and is located in the coastal valley. Its area is 1417 square kilometers.

Antalya has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. There are water falls and unique sightseeing spots and promenades in this city, and you can use its luxury hotels, amenities, shopping centers, and even its luxury restaurants.

Sightseeing places in Antalya

1. Old Town (Kaleiçi)
2. Old Harbour
3. Antalya Museum
4. Hadrian’s Gate
5. Aspendos
6. Termessos
7. Perge

Antalya vs Bodrum

You should pay attention to some general points when choosing between Antalya or Bodrum.

First, Antalya is very big, and when you choose an area or hotel to stay, you will most likely spend most of your time in the same hotel and area. But since Bodrum is smaller, leaving your hotel and accommodation area is much easier, and you can explore its entire area.

Another point is that the quality of the beaches in Antalya is better than those in Bodrum for recreation and relaxation. Of course, Bodrum also has a series of beautiful beaches worth visiting, but Antalya’s beaches are better.

Another point is that Bodrum is a city that most English tourists travel to, and that is why it has a special and pure atmosphere. But Antalya usually attracts tourists from around the world, such as Russia, Eastern Europe and Iran. Another issue is that Bodrum’s climate is moderate, and its air is generally slightly cooler than Antalya’s. Antalya has a longer hot season and a drier climate, while Bodrum is greener.

Antalya is more suitable for people looking for nightlife and entertainment, and I recommend Bodrum to those looking for relaxation.

Examining the historical places of these two cities

Bodrum has many extraordinary ancient places. One that can be mentioned as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world is the Mausolus Tomb. On the other hand, Antalya has a series of beautiful historical places in its city center. Also, many ancient cities, including the ancient city of Aspendos and Perge, are located near it. Considering this, if visiting historical and ancient places is your priority, these two cities are similar.

Bodrum and Antalya airports

Fortunately, both cities have good airports. Bodrum and Antalya have special airports, and their airports also have good access to hotels in the city. It should be noted that Antalya airport is about 50 minutes from the city center, and Bodrum airport is about 30 minutes.

Checking the security of these two cities

Is it safe to travel to Antalya? Does Bodrum have enough security? One of the most important factors that affect the choice of travellers is the security of their desired destination.

The security of these two cities is so high that one of the reasons why I say that Turkey is safe for solo female travellers is due to the security of these two cities. So don’t worry and book your Antalya or Bodrum travel with peace of mind.

Checking the entertainment of these two cities

Antalya has a unique nature, and it is possible to experience various entertainment. Outside Antalya, several mountains with cable cars offer fantastic views. At the same time, many waterfalls, and rivers are located near it. Moreover, Antalya’s beaches also have ideal sunbathing conditions.

If you want to compare Antalya or Bodrum Beach, I should mention that in the center of Bodrum, the beaches are not as good as the public beaches of Antalya. But fortunately, there is an area called Gümbet near Bodrum, whose beaches are unique.

Many coastal towns in Bodrum Peninsula have excellent beaches with extraordinary nature. Another point is that most luxury hotels in Bodrum and Antalya have private beaches, which usually have ideal conditions in both cities.

Checking the weather conditions

Antalya and Bodrum attract many travellers, and their weather conditions are important for tourists. Due to the special Mediterranean climate in Antalya, the seasonal changes proceed slowly. In the whole city, the weather is moderate and warm, and in winter, it rarely happens that the temperature drops below 5 degrees Celsius.

The weather in Antalya is sunny most of the year and has mild winters. The best time to travel to Antalya is summer. The climate of Bodrum is hot in summer with a cool breeze, and in winter, it is mild and humid. The temperature reaches 32 degrees above zero in summer and 14 degrees above zero in winter. It rains in Bodrum most of the year. The best time to travel to Bodrum is in spring and autumn.

Is Bodrum more expensive than Antalya?

Above, I examined the difference between Antalya and Bodrum and introduced these cities’ sightseeing and tourist places. The cost of travelling to Bodrum is lower than Antalya.

At the end of the line

I all know that all cities in Turkey are beautiful and are considered tourist destinations for travellers from different countries. In this article, I mentioned the features of two spectacular cities, Bodrum and Antalya.

I presented information about both cities’ historical and sightseeing places and their weather. You can decide which city to travel to by comparing these two cities’ features, differences and facilities. If you have had the experience of travelling to both cities, please leave us your comments.