Bodrum in May 2026 – is it worth going on vacation? Weather and reviews, air and water temperature, is it possible to swim, prices in hotels and excursions. What to see and do in Bodrum in early May and late spring, where to go in Turkey – says Eurotraveler.
Visually, Turkish Bodrum is similar to Greece – this is mentioned in almost every review. Low-rise buildings, whitewashed walls, blue blinds, tiled roofs, flowers everywhere – why not Rhodes?
But it is much more important that the Turkish resort climatically resembles its Greek counterpart. That is, it sees “edges” in the sense of air temperatures and rarely puts pressure on the psyche of vacationers with high humidity.
That is, in principle, it is one of the best places where you can go on vacation in Turkey. Including at the beginning of May!
Of course, here later than in Kemer or Antalya, we meet the real spring warmth. And they usually start swimming only on the threshold of calendar summer.
Although in May Bodrum occasionally sees temperatures of +30 °C. In most cases, however, the air warms up to much lower values. And the water…
However, let’s take it in order!
Weather in Bodrum in May
Not everyone thinks it’s chic. At the beginning of May, holidaymakers accustomed to the heat and loving the warm sea will not even look in the direction of Bodrum.
And don’t tell them about the low cost of tours, as well as the reasonable prices in Bodrum hotels – they still won’t go. After all, it’s much hotter in Alanya at this time!
But those who love moderate warmth and clear skies, aromas of the sea and a general feeling of freshness will like this
After all, this is the time when you can sit for a long time on the seashore, enjoying the excellent weather and not overheat, sometimes even bathe. Walk a lot, go on excursions to amazingly beautiful places in spring like the Valley of the Butterflies.
And even – why not – get from Bodrum to Istanbul or Cappadocia?!
Want more specifics? Please – already at the beginning of May the air temperature in Bodrum regularly reaches the range +21-25 °C. And as calendar summer approaches, it climbs higher and higher.
Short-term spikes in air temperatures up to +28-30 °C occur sporadically in Bodum as early as mid-May. However, they do not become, as they say today, a trend.
Therefore, even on the threshold of summer, this Turkish resort usually not too hot – all the same “twenty-five again.”
Nights in Bodrum throughout May are much cooler – from +10-12 °C at the beginning of the month to a more acceptable +14-18 °C at the end. Which, of course, prompts the sensible idea of the need to take warm clothes on vacation in Turkey.
Perhaps not particularly woolen, but quite substantial. In the form of thick jackets or windbreakers, cardigans and sweatshirts…
Precipitation
At the same time, the rain seems to be pretending – they also notice in the reviews that the bad weather almost completely “leaves the scene.” 1-2 rainy days “they don’t make the weather” in a month.
For cloudless, sun-filled periods in Bodrum in May make up the lion’s share of the month. And humidity – for many this is important – generally does not leave the corridor of 55-65%.
Daylight hours exceed 13 hours and 40 minutes at the very beginning of the month. And reaches 14.5 hours on the threshold of summer.
Here we studied – where is the sea warmer: in Bodrum or Marmaris?
Water temperature
Will be considered absolutely insufficient for acceptance sea baths – at least, inveterate holidaymakers. Those who are used to constantly vacationing in May in Dubai or, for example, in Thailand.
People who are more persistent, or less spoiled, will consider that they will not demand more and, especially, wait. Because throughout May the sea in Bodrum is perfect for swimming!
Like at the very beginning of the month, when the coastal waters are warmed up to a modest +18-20 °C. So it is towards the end, when the water temperature finally crosses the psychological threshold of +20 degrees Celsius.
By the way, it happens even more – up to +22-23 °C in especially warm years!
However, you will hardly see vacationers with children during this period. And the beaches and coastal waters are almost entirely occupied by fit couples over 40 and young retirees.
Prices 2026
for tours from Moscow to Bodrum for the May holidays start from 110-120 thousand rubles for two people for 5-6 nights – subject to early booking. The indicated amount includes not only charter flights and accommodation, but also all-inclusive (or even ultra) meals.
For independent travelers should be guided for the following amounts:
- for flights from Moscow to Milas (the airport closest to Bodrum) and back you will have to pay from 350-400 € for the passenger and his luggage. On the way in each direction you will have to spend from 8-12 hours in case of transit, and only 4.5 hours for a direct flight
- Airplanes also fly from London (for example) to Milas (direct flights, from 4 hours). And before the high beach season, round trip flights will cost ~200 € – with luggage
- A hotel room at a resort at the end of spring will cost from 70-80 € per night for two.
Moreover, for that kind of money you can stay in May even in the center of Bodrum and close to the coastline. For example, in the modest, but in our opinion, very good Bodrum Sade Pension.
Breakfast here is included in the price, the excellent location and responsiveness of the staff are praised in every first review
Usually more expensive (if you are unlucky with a promotion), but also more comfortable is the Costa Maya Bodrum hotel. Literally a city within a city that you want to return to again and again. Or, don’t leave at all during your vacation.
The hotel does not have its own beach (and this is a minus, because the city beaches in Bodrum are not very good), but it does have its own pool, and all rooms are equipped with balconies.
Guided tours of Bodrum are inexpensive – from 35 € for a 2-6 hour walk. We are sure that you will not find this an excessive price to pay for a detailed story about a city whose history goes back 2.5 millennia.
Taking part in a cruise along the local picturesque coastline won’t break the bank either. For a day trip to the uninhabited island of Orac, for example, you need to pay about 40 €.
Things to do
Even if you are a small fan of discos and nightclubs, the number of which Bodrum is far ahead of any other Turkish resort, you will clearly not be bored here! Because in addition to the cozy streets of the old city and stunning panoramas of the turquoise Aegean Sea, you will have at your disposal a number of opportunities for fun pastime.
Of course, in order to fully experience the charm of Bodrum, you must have due reverence for the ancient ruins. And have a developed imagination!
Just stones – a down-to-earth person will say. But a lover of antiquity and, in particular, ancient times, will undoubtedly feel the inherent aura of this place.
And for a long time, frozen, he will sit on the steps of a well-preserved Greek amphitheater. Imagining how they once gave performances here and the crowd applauded…
There are also several windmills preserved in Bodrum. It’s not in working condition, of course, but tourists don’t care about that.
Because the location of ancient windmills on the hill separating the old city from the Gümbet region allowed them to become the most recognizable symbol of the resort. And the view of the sunsets from here is excellent!
Where to go
It is unlikely that anyone will consider the idea original visit Pamukkale, one of the top attractions in Turkey. Moreover, this can be done either together with the excursion or independently.
The distance from Bodrum to the famous “Cotton Castle” does not exceed 230 km.
Even closer is the resort town of Dalyan, where you can smear yourself with (therapeutic?) mud and soak in the thermal baths. Nearby, tombs are carved into the rocks – from the Lycian era – anyone sailing on a boat along the river will see them.
Turtle Beach (Iztuzu) is also popular among tourists. Long, sandy, with a wonderful gentle entry into the water and shallow depth. This is where it’s good to swim in Turkey in May!
As for a trip to Cappadocia, it is best to take it if you are ready for a complete relocation. Since the distance of almost 900 kilometers between Bodrum and Goreme not only excludes, but makes such long-term sightseeing trips.
To settle in a new place, yes. Moreover, at the beginning of May the weather in Cappadocia is extremely welcoming to travelers.
And it allows you to fly in a hot air balloon without fear. The chance that it will be canceled due to strong winds is minimal!
- Is it worth going to Istanbul in May?
- How many days can it take to get from Russia to Turkey by car?
- What Turkish dishes are a must try?
© Eurotraveler
