Bodrum International Ballet Festival
Ballet companies from all over the world come to Bodrum, 22 kilometres from Akyarlar, to give their interpretation of classics like Carmen and Don Quixote. You don’t have to know your pirouettes from your chassés to appreciate the performances. The setting at the 15th-century castle by the seafront makes them all the more enchanting.Akyarlar’s village centre has a handful of excellent home-grown restaurants offering fresh fish and seafood specialities. It's by the shoreline, too, so you can do dinner al fresco beneath a starry sky. If you want a bit more variety, Bodrum’s Restaurant Alley is a 30-minute dolmus bus ride away. This vine-shaded street has back-to-back outdoor restaurants, plus authentic live music and impromptu displays of Turkish dancing.
Read MoreThursday is market day in Akyarlar. Here you can pick up take-home souvenirs like cushion covers and shawls, along with some tasty picnic treats. But for the full shopping experience, you’ll need to go to Bodrum. The place has a textile market on Tuesdays, while the craft shops dotted around town sell leather goods and jewellery. And for big-name designer brands, go down to the marina.
Read MoreThe hotels serve up an international menu, but it’s worth seeking out the local Turkish cooking. Around the bay you’ll find a clutch of restaurants that deal in local specialities like lahmacun – a kind of Turkish pizza – and borek, a crispy filo pastry. Meanwhile, you’ll find that kebabs turn up even in the fanciest restaurants – they’re a world away from the ones you get back home, though.
Read MoreAkyarlar’s beach is small but has a well-deserved reputation for its fine, powdery sand. Kids will love building sandcastles and splashing in the shallow, warm sea. And there are loungers and a few watersports for grown-ups. The westward-facing views aren’t bad, either. If you linger until dusk you can watch the sun wash out of the sky over the Greek island of Kos, five kilometres off the Turkish coast.
Read MoreIt only takes 40 minutes to cross the Aegean Sea to the Greek island of Kos. Ferries leave from Turgutreis, 10 kilometres from Akyarlar. You’ll dock in the capital, Kos Town, and won’t have to go far to see the sights. There’s a waterfront castle and Medieval walls, plus the famous plane tree of Hippocrates. Locals claim it was planted by the ancient Greek doctor, who used to teach under its shade. Close to the harbour there’s a good choice of shaded restaurants for a spot of lunch.
Read MoreAkyarlar leaves the foam parties and all-nighters to Bodrum – this is a low-key resort with a low-key nightlife to match. Most of the after-dark entertainment is geared around the hotels, which lay on discos, karaoke and live acts. But if you’re looking for something livelier, head to Turgutreis, 15 minutes away. Here, Bar Street comes with DJs, or there’s live music at the marina.
Read MoreYou can get from nearby Turgutreis over to the Greek island of Kos in about 40 minutes by ferry. You’ll dock in the capital, Kos Town, by the Medieval castle. From here, you’re in the zone to explore the old town, which has a museum and basilica to root around, along with lots of ancient ruins. And come lunchtime, you’ll find plenty of Greek tavernas.
Read MoreAkyarlar Beach has become the region’s top windsurfing destination, thanks to the breezy afternoons here. If you’re up for giving it a go, the hotels will sort you out for equipment and lessons. And if that doesn’t appeal, there’s always jet-skiing, waterskiing, sailing or paragliding. The clear, warm waters around here make for some top-notch snorkelling, too.
Read MoreYou’ll find the full cocktail menu at this ever-popular bar in the centre of Turgutreis. Nab a pew on the big outdoor terrace, which is ideal for a bit of people-watching. Resident DJ Ricky Jordan plays an eclectic mix that takes in everything from rock to techno to local music, while the regular Turkish nights see bellydancers and live acts taking to the floor.
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