7AM : Start the day with an early morning swim, when the water is flat as a sheet and the wooden dock at the ultra-cool Maçakızı hotel is deserted. The initial chill will give you a refreshing start to the day, and the water will soon feel warm and welcoming. After your swim, you’ll deserve a filling Turkish breakfast of cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs and lashings of tea. Breakfast holds a significant place in Turkish culture, a testament to its diverse culinary heritage.

9AM : See the most famous sight. Bodrum Castle is the town’s most popular attraction, and it can become very crowded – not to mention hot – in the afternoon. It is best to beat the crowds and arrive as soon as it opens. Make sure to buy a Museum Pass Türkiye to save both time and money: priced at about 165 euros, it is valid for 15 days at more than 350 museums and archeological sites in Turkey.

NOON : Take an arty lunch break. The best place to have a cool, calm, quiet lunch is in the restful environs of Zai Yaşam (a childfree zone, with no children under age 15). You’ll see old houses surrounded by green lawns, sculptures and artwork mainly by local artists. The food features both Turkish and international fare and great cocktails. After lunch, wander through the bookstore or check out the art at the onsite Anna Laudel gallery.

1PM : Shop surrounded by yachts. The upscale Yalıkavak Marina is filled with the finest yachts and brands from around the world. Along with the most famous international fashion houses, you can also find excellent local boutiques. There are also a plethora of places to eat, from ice cream parlours to cafes to Turkish or international restaurants for refined dining.

4PM : Walk into a time machine to see the Mausoleum, formerly one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Not much of it remains, but it is unthinkable to leave Bodrum without visiting the site. As it is exposed to the elements, it is best to go in the later afternoon, when the weather is cooler and there are fewer visitors. The Museum Pass Türkiye is valid here, helping you to jump the queue.

5PM : Get wet and wild. Cool off in the late afternoon by doing water sports. At Boges you have the choice of windsurfing, wakeboarding, sailing, waterskiing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), beach volleyball, or braving the waves on a banana boat. There are also Survivor-style obstacle courses on both land and sea, and speedboats can be rented for a fast, two-hour trip around Bodrum’s bays, where you can enjoy a swim.

7PM : Watch the sunset while sipping a cocktail by the beach. Bodrum’s favourite cocktail is the Vodka Satsuma, which was invented by a barman at the original Lucca cafe-bar in Istanbul. It is therefore fitting that Lucca now has a branch on the beach in Bodrum, in the appropriately citrusy-named Mandarin Oriental hotel. Raise a glass filled with pressed local, seasonal satsumas, vodka, and a touch of sugar as you take in the golden hues of an unforgettable sunset.

8PM : Dine at the most unique restaurant in town. At the end of the second bay in Bodrum Town, on the opposite end of the Milta Marina, lies Bodrum’s most unique spot for dining. Orfoz began as a hole in the wall, where the chef created dishes based on the catch of the day. Its fame swifty spread, and its few tables could not accommodate demand. Its new terrace location up the hill has more space and a wonderful view, and the quality has not changed.

9PM : Watch an open-air concert in an actual ancient theatre. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to be a citizen of an ancient Greek or Roman city, Bodrum allows you to experience one of their best-known pastimes: outdoor entertainment. Merge past and present by sitting in the 10,000-seat theatre at Halicarnassus to enjoy a contemporary pop or rock concert.

10PM : Drink and dance on the beach. Bodrum’s bohemian reputation has led to a very active nightlife. Once the sun sets and the air cools, things heat up. The hottest spot for drinking and dancing on the beach is Scorpios beach club, a branch of the Mykonos sensation.