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Hunt for bargains at the Sunday flea market
You can buy all your holiday essentials in the shops along the prom in Bitez. But for something a bit out of the ordinary, get up early on a Sunday morning to hunt for treasures at the weekly flea market. It’s a charmingly ramshackle affair – locals lay out their second-hand wares near the main road to Bodrum at the top of town. But with a bit of digging and haggling, you can pick up well-made and unique household goods – from clothes to vases – at bargain prices.The best food – and views – in Bitez are along the prom. You’ll find plenty of places serving Turkish specialities. Most people start with a meze – a selection of small dishes like houmous, falafel or stuffed vine leaves. For the main course, shish kebabs – meat barbecued on a skewer – are hard to resist, as are fresh seafood dishes like fried shrimp or salted sea bass – served more or less straight from the sea.
Read MoreBasically a big send-off to the cruising season, the Bodrum Cup is a regatta for local gulets – the wooden boats that zip along the coastline throughout the summer. Watch the comings and goings from the harbour, or put yourself in the thick of things by booking a place on one of the boats.
Read MoreA blink-and-you’ll-miss-it ferry ride from Bodrum takes you across the Aegean to Kos. The island’s capital, Kos Town, is easily do-able in a day. Have a wander through the winding, boutique-filled alleyways, then make a beeline for the harbour – it’s watched over by an impressive 15th-century castle.
Read MoreBitez’s sand-and-shingle beach may be small, but its calm waters and Blue Flag status have made it a hit with holidaymakers. It’s a hotspot for watersports – especially windsurfing – so there’s plenty to keep you busy if you’re not a fan of sun-baking.
Read MoreThe warm winds and shallow sea at Bitez have made it a top spot for windsurfers. There’s a windsurfing school right on the beach where you can hire everything you need, including a qualified instructor. Head out in the morning for gentler, learner-friendly breezes, then challenge yourself with the choppier conditions in the afternoon. There are plenty of other watersports options, too, from pedalos to parasailing.
Read MoreThe beachfront bars along the prom in Bitez are the perfect place to kick back with a bottle of cold Efes – the local beer – after the sun goes down. But for a big night out, Gumbet, one of Turkey’s best party spots, is just a five-minute drive along the road to Bodrum. Hop in a cab and ask to be taken to Bar Street, where you’ll find dusk-‘til-dawn nightclubs playing everything from hip-hop to trance.
Read MoreOn the outskirts of Bitez sits Turkey’s biggest waterpark, where you can zoom down 24 different slides – including the pitch-dark Black Hole and near-vertical Kamikaze – then recover from the adrenaline rush in the wave pool or giant whirlpool. Younger guests have their own special kids’ zone, complete with a baby bungee.
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