Bitez is an altogether more laidback alternative.  The resort lies 7 km west of Bodrum, and has become a firm favourite with water sports enthusiasts on account of it's favourable weather conditions. In particular, windsurfing and dinghy sailing are popular activities. The village centre is located inland and remains largely untouched by tourism. The surrounding area is therefore perfect for a pleasant stroll through fragrant mandarin groves. Bitez is within easy reach of Bodrum, with minibuses departing for the resort from the main bus station every 20 to 30 minutes.


The laid-back fishing village of Türkbükü and the adjacent village of Gölköy have recently been merged into a single municipality and are often referred to now as Göltürkbükü.Situated in the greenest part of the Peninsula, the villages nestle on a sheltered bay east of Yalıkavak, 20 km from Bodrum. Göltürkbüküis like many of the villages along the Peninsula, a favoured holiday spot of the Turkish rich and famous. There are several shore-side restaurants, many of which have their own jetties for sunbathing during the day, and atmospheric dining by moon and candle light come the evening. Accommodation here ranges from modest pensions to luxury boutique hotels.             
 

 Gündoğan was formerly known as Farilya and the various Bronze Age ceramics, milling stones and stone axes found in a nearby cave are testament to the fact that here lay one of the earliest human settlements on the Peninsula. Although the beach here is narrow, it is fairly long, sandy and there is space aplenty for the sun loungers that nestle alongside the cool, clear water. Facilities for tourists include a choice of hotels, shops, restaurants and bars.            


 A sizeable resort in it's own right despite  being only 2km from Bodrum, Gümbet is known for it's lively nightlife and long sandy beach. As well as an abundance of tourist accommodation, Gümbet has plenty of restaurants, cafes, and a selection of bars and discos in line with the resort's increasing popularity. During the day, the resort's main point of focus is the beach, where you can relax and soak up the sun, or take advantage of the water sports on offer.  

 

Gümüşlük is a sleepy seaside village, which partly occupies the site of the ancient harbour city of Myndos. The semi-submerged remains of the settlement can be seen to the north west of the village. Because of it's links with antiquity, Gümüşlük has benefited immensely from strictly enforced building regulations and has thus far managed to retain it's original charm. The village is said to boast the best fish restaurants of the Bodrum Peninsula and the laidback evenings here revolve around these pretty waterside eateries. There is a small island which separates Gümüşlük's two sheltered bays, known locally as Tavşan Adası or "Rabbit" Island on account of it's sizeable rabbit population. 


 Ortakent and Yahşı lays claim to the Peninsula's longest beach and so perhaps unsurprisingly, the beach has become popular with families and locals. In spite of it's popularity, Ortakent retains it's relaxed atmosphere. The majority of accommodation is positioned slightly inland and consists primarily of small hotels, whilst there is also an assortment of shops, cafes and restaurants handy. As well as it's lengthy beach, the area is known for the fertility of it's soil and the ensuing abundance of olive, fig and mandarin trees. In terms of history, Ortakent is home to some seventeenth century "Arpranga" house. These two storey structures were built by the Greeks for defence purposes and are today safeguarded by a heritage protection order.


Turgutreis, a small town on the western tip of the peninsula, is named after the famous Ottoman admiral Turgut Reis, a statue of whom occupies a prime spot in the town-centre. As with it's neighbours Gümbet and Bitez, Turgutreis is a haven for windsurfers and there is a small stretch of beach for those wishing to enjoy the uninterrupted sunshine and clear blue sea at a more leisurely pace. The town is popular with Turkish holiday makers and second home owners and as a result, Turgutreis has its own dedicated bus station with connections not only to Bodrum but also to places as far a field as Istanbul and Ankara. There are numerous hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as the town's weekly market which takes place on a Saturday.


Torba is situated north of Bodrum, on the northern shores on the peninsula. This quiet little enclave benefits from milder winds and as a result, the surrounding area is somewhat greener than it's southern neighbours. Although there are little in the way of beaches in Torba, the sea is shallow, clean and excellent for swimming. Torba's historic past is evident from the ruins of a Byzantine Monestary dating back to the 4th or 5th century situated on the east side of the bay. A regular ferry service departs from here to the resort of Didim, with it's famed Temple of Apollo, further along the Aegean coast.


Tuzla one of the fastest growing areas on the Bodrum peninsula sits approximatley 10 km from Bodrum airport. Tuzla get's it's name from the salt lagoon which connects to the Gulf of Gulluk. Home to the Vita Park Golf course plus several propsed golf courses this region has attracted many golf lovers and property investor's to the Bodrum area. This will continue to be a popular area for investors for several years due to the amount of development offering good investment returns.


The landscape of the small but bustling town of Yalıkavak, formerly the area's main sponge fishing port, is nowadays identifiable by the windmills that have become symbolic of the Bodrum area. Although the beach here is of little significance compared to those of neighbouring resorts, Yalıkavak is within easy reach of several coves more suited to bathing. There is an attractive, bustling harbour, brought to life by local fishermen and passing yachts, as well as a sizeable selection of hotels, bars and eateries in the town centre. The town successfully manages to combine rustic charm with high quality tourist facilities.