Located on the south-west corner of Turkey, the Bodrum region has something for everyone, from beaches and water sports to culture. The region is made up of a small peninsula with the Mediterranean Sea at its southern coastline and the Aegean Sea at the north. The region is very diverse with a multitude of things to see and do and it also has many different beaches to choose from, all with their own unique

Bodrum Castle

characteristics. The regions beaches stretch for miles along the coastline with many blue flag beaches where you know the waters will be clean and safe. Some of the best known beaches are Turgetries, Gumusluk, Akyartar and Karaincir but there are also lots of smaller beaches that are hidden away and are just waiting to be discovered! The area is steeped in history with many sites and ancient ruins to visit, including Bodrum Castle, the Amphitheatre, the site of King Mausolous’ Tomb, the underworld city of Mindos and if you travel a bit further there is the ancient city of Ephesus and the amazing calcified rocks at Pummukale. Not to be missed on your holidays to the region is a visit to the famous Turtle Beach at Dalyan where you can experience the cleansing mud baths which the whole family will enjoy.

Pummukale

If you are looking for the unspoilt, more traditional Turkey there are the beautiful fishing villages of Yalikavak, Kadikalesi and Turgutreis on the regions north-western coast. These small resorts on the coast offer visitors a taste of local life in the area without all the touristy trappings. Holidays in these resorts are great for sitting back and relaxing at the beachfront tavernas whist watching the small fishing boats as they make their way out to see in the mornings before returning home to the picturesque working harbours in the evenings.

If you are looking for lively nightlife then you should choose Gumbet. This is one of the liveliest nightlife destinations in the region, with a long sandy bay lined with hundreds of clubs and bars.

Bitez is the place to be for water sports enthusiasts. The beach here attracts windsurfers from all over the world as it offers perfect wind conditions for sail-based water sports. Due to the crystal clear warm Mediterranean waters there are plenty of other water sports on offer including scuba diving, snorkelling, water-skiing and jet-skiing. A trip on a traditional

Bitez

wooden gulet is a great way to explore the coastline and the islands of Kos and Rhodes.

The Old Town of Bodrum is the hub of culture in the region with narrow cobbled streets, old wooden houses and ancient historic sites.

The Bodrum region plays host to many festivals and events throughout the year, most of which are held in Bodrum itself. These include the Bodrum Diving Festival and the Bodrum Bicycle Festival in May, the Bodrum International Film Festival in June, the Bodrum City Festival and the D-Marin Turgutreis International Classical Music Festival in July, the Gumusluk International Classical Music Festival in August and the Bodrum Cup Wooden Yacht Festival in October.

The Bodrum region enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, the best in the country. Spring sees temperatures between 21-26C and up to 11 hours of sunshine a day. This is a great time to visit as the cooler temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, walking and cycling. June, July and August are much hotter with temperatures around 30-34C. This is not only the most expensive time to visit but is also way too hot for many people as the temperature often reaches the high 30′s and low 40′s. Autumn sees temperatures dropping to an average 25-30C with winters seeing temperatures around 14-20c with the chance of some rainfall. Bodrum town is a good choice for a winter sun holiday but visitors should bear in mind that at this time of the year the smaller resorts like Kadikalesi and Yalikavak close down for the winter.