The Aegean Region - Turkey with Your Family: From Bustling Bazaars to Historic Sites - page 131

Ortakent Beach, Ortakent,
Bodrum

headland overlooking the sea. It
is small, quiet and tranquil. In
fact, it stands on the site of the
ancient city of Myndos - if you
take a boat out or you or your
children are keen divers or
snorkelers you can see the ruins
of the city that rest partly sub-
merged just off the coast. There's
an ancient theatre, lots of walls
and even a plateau covered in
mosaics to see. It is spectacular.
From Gümü @ lük, you can also
take a stroll through an
extremely shallow area of sea (it
is only a few inches deep) to a
little island populated by rabbits.
They give it its name, Rabbit
Island. The whole area is a pro-
tected historic site and is really
rather special. There are a few
small restaurants that serve fish
freshly caught by the local fisher-
men, and a little church that
dates from Roman times that is
today used as an art gallery.
Karaada Island, Karaada

★★
The second longest beach in
Bodrum after Bitez's, Ortakent
Beach is another that has been
awarded a Blue Flag. This beach
is especially popular with fami-
lies or couples looking for a qui-
eter place to relax. It has a green
plain full of lemon and orange
trees that go on for some 12km
behind it, and a selection of
upmarket hotels.
Pamuçak Beach, Ku@adası

★
A long, wide beach, the Pamuçak
Beach in Ku @ adası can usually be
found adorned with sunbeds and
umbrellas. When your children
have tired of making sandcastles
you could take them to the
Pamuçak Beach's Aquafantasy
Waterpark . Although not as big
as the other park in Ku @ adası, it
does offer some watery fun.
Pa@a, Agaçba@i and Tilkicik
Beaches, Yalikavak
Three large, sandy beaches that
nestle in coves, the Pa @ a, A g açba @ i
and Tilkicik Beaches in Yalikavak,
18km or so from Bodrum, are
always popular and lively. There
are a few restaurants dotted along
the waterside, some even putting
tables out on the beach. The area
is known for its windmills, the
symbol of Bodrum.

★

FIND

This quite small island lies just a
few kilometres off the coast of
Bodrum. It has small beaches,
coves, caves and pine tree forests
to explore, but being compact
you and your children don't have
to go too far for an adventure.
The island's mud is known for
its beauty-giving properties, but
whether you want to cover your
face in the brown sludge while
on holiday, and in full view of
your children, is another matter.
Thermal spring waters nearby do
give the opportunity for a wash
afterwards though, and, of

Natural Wonders &
Spectacular Views
Gümü@lük

★★
The little village of Gümü @ lük,
just a few kilometres from
Bodrum, perches high on a

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