Jutting out into the Aegean, just a few miles from Kos in Greece’s Dodecanese, is the fashionable Bodrum Peninsula, home to an increasing number of exclusive beach clubs and 5-star hotels.
The Bodrum Peninsula is defined by its indented coastline, where short drives lead to distinct bays with very different moods and outlooks.
Bodrum town remains the natural hub, its harbour and castle anchoring daily life alongside working marinas and long-established neighbourhoods.
The sea plays a central role here, whether for swimming off jetties, short boat trips or longer days aboard traditional gulets.
Be sure to take a day trip to see the ruins of ancient Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and Turkey’s showpiece of archaeology.
For a taste of the jet-set life, visit Yalikavak Marina, where superyachts lie moored beside exclusive restaurants and designer boutiques.
Often Hellenic in feel, with ruined churches, windmills and old stone houses, Bodrum Peninsula exudes its own unique charm. Its greener north side sees pine forests tumbling towards crystal-blue seas. Studded with tall crags, the south is more arid with a sandier coast, though enchanting bays and Blue Flag beaches can be found on both shorelines.
With its low-rise whitewashed houses and subtropical gardens, Bodrum is the most attractive of Turkey’s major Aegean resorts. Its harbour is dominated by the striking St Peter’s Castle. Inside, the unusual Museum of Underwater Archaeology is a showcase of historic wrecks and treasures found off the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
Maxx Royal Bodrum, on Turkey's Aegean coast, truly lives up to its name, taking all things luxury to the max with its exquisite offerings.
Located on the Bodrum Peninsula overlooking the shimmering waters of the Aegean Sea, this luxurious beachside retreat is home to beautifully designed guest suites, innovative cuisine and fabulous facilities, including trendy bars and an indulgent spa.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of undulating hills, wild cypress trees, and lapping turquoise waters, Six Senses Kaplankaya occupies a secluded stretch of Aegean coastline, just north of Bodrum. The resort’s idyllic location lies within easy reach of many wonderful archaeological sites, including two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
With its crystal-blue waters and pine-clad coastline, Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula is an under-the-radar jewel in the eastern Mediterranean. It may not stay a secret for long, however, especially with the likes of Macakizi drawing celebrities and socialites to its calm Aegean waters.