Search for cheap holidays to Bodrum

The elite flock to the shores of Bodrum - you could be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous on your beach holiday in Turkey.

Gumbet beach boasts a kilometre of golden sand and its seas are host to everything from windsurfing and water skiing to scuba diving and parasailing. Make sure you set some time aside to discover what's known as the Big Reef underneath the waves.

Blue Flag Bitez beach is one of the more popular beaches on the Aegean, and not just for its shallow, blue waters. It's also the site of one of the Wonders of the Ancient World (the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus) but also home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology - just walk into St Peter's Castle, which is conveniently on the waterfront.

Ortakent is backed by market gardens and is great for holiday-makers that are bringing kids in tow - they'll be kept busy with the watersports, from kayaking and wakeboarding to sailing.

Gümü?lük Bay is another place you should plan to see on your beach holiday to Bodrum. Swim out to Rabbit Island or chow down on fresh fish lining the harbour - there are plenty of great views to be found.

Holidays to Bodrum are ideal for those seeking a pristine beach with crystal clear waters on the Aegean. The accompanying whitewashed houses and narrow streets add to its charm. There are plenty of cheap Bodrum flights, including charter and budget airlines that depart from most of the major regional UK airports and the average flying time is four and a half hours. The Greek island of Kos is only a few km away from the airport and well worth a visit, but Bodrum central is 36 km from the airport, so it's worth considering cheap Bodrum car hire. The resort is at it's most busiest between May and October when the low cost carriers and charter flights are at their peak. Outside of these months, the resort quietens significantly as holidaymakers head further south to resorts around Antalya.

The many hotels and pensions for Bodrum holidays are to be found in the resort of Gumbet. Most are just a short walk to the beach and a large variety of bars, restaurants and discos for those who want to party the night away. Gundogan offers a slower pace of life - and some of the best sunsets on the Bodrum peninsula. There are also deals to be had on villas in nearby Ovacik and some superb beachside hotels on Ortakent Yahsi Beach. Cheap holidays in Bodrum are readily available but do check the reviews, particularly on accommodation at the lower end of the scale as there is a fine line between basic and spartan.

Like other Mediterranean climates, Bodrum is best during the summer months. Temperatures are high, relaxation is king, and all the tourist facilities are open. In the same vein, however, this tends to be the high season - from July to September you'll be more likely to contend with more expensive everything, as well as an influx of other tourists. In October, the weather is still warm and dry, tourists are fewer, and prices are lower - try booking your trip for this time! While April and May do have relatively warm weather, tourist facilities are at a bare minimum. The season picks up again in December and January, but you'll have less of a beachside holiday - temperatures generally sit in the single digits.

Peak Season to Visit Bodrum

Bodrum boasts long, hot summers,/a> and agreeable spring weather. From July and up even to the middle of September, temperatures can soar to 35°C. This is prime time for travelling in Bodrum and so, of course, prices are much higher.

The seasons of autumn and winter in Bodrum are short and mild. While the weather is cooler, blue skies can often still be found. This is a good time to visit Bodrum as to avoid the summer crowds.

Sun, sand and surf - holidays to Bodrum have most of the ingredients that go into a top-notch summer holiday. Head to Gumbet Beach, and Bitez Beach for calm waters, plenty of watersports, and food and drink facilities. Other than hitting one of this Turkish resort's many beaches, there are plenty of other activities and sights for families to check out.

The largest waterpark in Turkey is an easy 20-minute drive from Bodrum's centre. With 26 waterslides and 12 pools, as well as ziplines, and even DJs and dance shows, Bodrum Aqualand has something for everyone - from the most adventurous kids, to young babies and party-loving teens!

Speaking of adventurous kids, there are loads of horse-riding companies in Bodrum, which will take you and your family into the hills to explore the area's forests, complete with magnificent views and several ruins.

With so many visitors heading to Bodrum with kids, plenty of resorts offer kids' clubs, and child-friendly meals, pools and activities. Kids will love Turkish food - often simple, with not too much spice or too many exotic flavours, it can be easily adapted for even the fussiest of eaters!

If there's anything more romantic than a seaside village holiday with beaches, intimate restaurants and relaxing resorts galore, we don't want to know about it!

Hire a boat to take you to a secluded cove - of which there are many - and you'll be able to slip straight from the vessel into the clear water below you. Break up the swimming at a little seafood restaurant in one of the small villages dotting the coastline, before heading back to town for a sundowner and dinner.

History-loving couples ought to make their way to the Mausoleum, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Here you'll find the ruins of an incredible tomb built to house local ruler Mausolus. While it was destroyed by an earthquake thousands of years ago (it was constructed around 353 BC), it is still worth visiting to imagine the wondrous structure that once towered above everything in the vicinity. The temples and ruins of nearby Ephesus are also worth the drive (around 2.5 hours).

In the evenings, make your way down to Bodrum's marina. Here you'll find a plethora of restaurants dishing up the local specialty: freshly-caught seafood, and lots of it. Score yourselves an outdoor table close to the water and watch the sun set behind the hills surrounding the picturesque bay. Romance, sorted.

You won't have many complaints about the nightlife in Bodrum - the place is buzzing! There are many fun clubs and endless tasty restaurants to explore, and there's always an exciting music venue to visit. It's not all about the nightlife scene, though. With warm temperatures after dark, you can enjoy the evening by simply strolling the harbours. People-watching is great here! Bodrum is suited to all kinds of travellers, including families. You will see little ones enjoying themselves in the evenings here in family-friendly restaurants and bars.

The most economical way to travel around Bodrum is by dolmus, mini-buses. They are an affordable mode of transport and run frequently. There is no need to buy a ticket in advance, you pay when you board. This is one of the easiest ways to travel around Turkey, as they follow a fixed route, much like the UK's bus system, proving a straightforward transportation option. Bodrum's local bus service is also comprehensive and a cinch to use.

There are many car services available - you can even hire a driver along with your car if need be!

Turkish breakfasts are a joy wherever you are in the country, and Bodrum doesn't disappoint. You can gorge on fresh vegetables, fruits, white cheese, olives, bread and jams - and that's all before you wash it down with a tea. Do as the locals do and order a Turkish coffee once you've finished eating.

For snacking, locals choose sesame simit (a mix between a bagel and a pretzel) and peynirli borek (layers of flaky pastry, spinach and cheese).

Street food is very popular in Bodrum. For a main course try an exotic take on the humble jacket potato, kumpir. It is served with an array of toppings, from sweetcorn to yoghurt and olives.

What would Turkey be without a kebab? The sebzeli döner is a speciality of Bodrum. Not the typical döner kebab we may eat after a night on the tiles, those in Turkey are served with a healthy side dish of potato and vegetables.

For those with a sweet tooth, try lokmasi (sweet balls of deep-fried dough doused in syrup) - expect to get messy!