Yalikavak Sleepy Turkish Village: a fishing village on the Bodrum Peninsula of Turkey

Yalikavak is now a resort on the Bodrum Peninsula that attracts people looking for a relaxed and laid back holiday far away from the clubs and nightlife of Gumbet and Bodrum.

Tourism in Yalikavak is based round the two streets leading from the Mosque to the harbour. The bays on both sides of the harbour are lined with hotels and pensions. Because of the sea breeze these are kept cool even in the height of summer.

By day the streets are quiet as visitors lie on the beach or shelter in the shade of the bars. But as soon as the sun sets and the lights go on, Yalikavak comes out to play. A couple of discos cater to younger holidaymakers but most of the tourists spend their evenings in the excellent waterfront restaurants, famous for their freshly caught fish. Afterwards they head to the bars and taverns where the sound of conversation is as noisy as it gets.

Yalikavak is an ideal base for exploring the area by boat and several of the Gullets in the harbour offer Aegean trips including lunch, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. They depart daily at 10.30 and return at 6pm. Destinations include the sunken city of Myndos, Gumusluk and Rabbit Island. On Saturdays there's a special trip to the weekly market at Turgetreis.

As an alternative to a sea cruise there is the nearby ghost village of Sandima. People of Greek descent used to live here but were repatriated to Greece in 1922 during a population exchange between the countries.

When I first visited Sandima it had no electricity or running water and only one inhabitant, an old man who refused to budge. Since then a few people have attempted to breath life back into it including an artist and his wife who have opened a little gallery and café.

Taxi's will happily take you or you could walk there in 45 minutes by taking the track up the side of the mosque. Then you can explore the ruined buildings at your leisure.

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