Bodrum holidays

1. Sail the turquoise waves of Bodrum Bay. Board a boat to scoot around Bodrum Peninsula, visiting the region’s prettiest beaches and coves – some only accessible via water. You can sunbathe on the deck and refuel with refreshments between pitstops. Trips vary, so make sure to check specific inclusions.

2. Glimpse Bodrum’s glorious past. Crowned one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the scattered ruins at the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus from 350 BC may underwhelm – unless you’re a huge history buff. Instead, you may find visiting the ancient Bodrum Ampitheatre the best thing to do in Bodrum.

3. Hike up to the Bodrum Windmills. Although the stone windmills stopped grinding flour decades ago, the lofty site is one of the best spots to admire both Bodrum and Gumbet. Consider a trip at dawn – and reward yourself with a picnic at the top, as you peacefully scan the harbour on the horizon.

4. Visit Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Within St Peter’s Castle, you’ll come across shipwreck artefacts, plus wreck reconstructions and models. Videos show the careful recovery of the artefacts from the ocean floor. If you lose your seafaring spirit, simply enjoy the castle views.

5. Sample delicacies from the Bodrum Bazaar. You can get more than your fill of trinkets; fill your belly, too. Taste piquant olives and traditional dried figs filled with crunchy walnuts. The selection of springy, Kasseri cheeses (made from sheep’s milk) may also tempt your tastebuds.

• The carefree Bohemian vibes in Bitez make it a firm favourite among both tourists and locals. Plenty of beachgoers enjoy swimming and water sports, but you can rent a lounger and serenely observe from the shoreline. If you’re peckish, park at a café on the sands.
• One of Bodrum’s best kept secrets is Dibeklihan Culture and Art Village, near Yakaköy. Check out the open-air Ottoman ceramic exhibition or watch a classic movie at the fabulous Film Bar. The venue, open from May to October, also hosts concerts and fashion shows.
• Gümüşlük is a great, less-frequented hangout. Its shallow waters make it one of the best Bodrum beaches for families, and it has plenty of picturesque hiking trails. Bonus: Its seafood restaurants are reportedly the best. Wash down your nosh with liquorice flavoured raki.
• For more history, venture beyond the serrated hills blanketed with olive and citrus trees, to the ancient city of Pedasa. It’s now known as Konacik. Inspect the castle ruins and tour one of the vineyards.

• Once you meander along the marina and get your fill of history at St Peter’s Castle in Bodrum City, pitch up in other parts of the peninsula. Neighbouring Gumbet is a lively cosmopolitan beach resort on the east coast, famous for its water sports and buzzing al fresco restaurants. On the north coast, the seaside village of Torba offers calm waters – and a relaxed atmosphere. Its harbour also makes visiting nearby islands a breeze.
• Stay in Türkbükü to relax on the region’s top-notch beaches: think less pebbles, more sand. In addition to glamorous golden bays, it’s fringed with stylish superyachts, prestigious five-star resorts and lavish boutique shops. Yalikavak belies a similar lavish flavour, but it’s more multi-dimensional. You can cosy up in Turkish tea shops and peruse the open-air markets in the charming Old Town.
• Gundogan, like Gumusluk, is a traditional fishing village, conducive to a laidback lifestyle. Surrounded by fragrant orange groves, it makes for a great escape – with an authentic local experience.