Bodrum is an exciting city for events, concerts, exhibitions, and local traditions. These are the ones to watch out for:

• Bodrum International Film Festival (March) - a festival celebrating all things film and cinema, with four categories including short films, feature-length films, documentaries, and directorial debuts.

• Bicycle festival (May) - a festival with live music, peformances and actitivites to encourage a 'greener Bodrum,' as people are encouraged to embrace the cycling way of life for the month.

• International Bodrum Dance Festival (May) - one of the biggest dance festivals in Europe, celebrating all types of dance - a great chance to watch a variety of different performers.

• The Ballet Festival (July–August) - a three-week long festival which allows you to watch and enjoy ballet performances from all over the world.

• Gümüşlük International Classical Music Festival (July–September) - a series of classical concerts from famous and upcoming artsts over the course of two months, held in the fishing village of Gümüşlük.

• Pedesta Festival (August–September) - an annual festival which has been held for over 20 years, with local music shows, folk dance performances, competitions and nature walks.

• The Traditional Wooden Boat Races (October) - taking place on the third Sunday every October, the Bodrum Sailing Club hosts a wooden boat race where locals and tourists gather to watch the fun.

Nightlife in Bodrum is all about variety, whether you’re seeking quiet drinks by the sea or somewhere to dance the night away. These are the places to add to your list:

• Club Catamaran - a unique floating nightclub on a ship that sails out to sea - the number one place to be for a night you’ll never forget.

• Kule Rock City Bar - step into Bodrum’s live rock music scene, with slow rock and heavy rock as the evening goes on.

• Moonlight Bar - the most laidback beach bar you can find in Bodrum, topped off with unbeatable views of the coast.

• Veli Bar - an iconic music location established in 1977, with top drinks and music that’ll keep you dancing all night long.

The food in Bodrum is a blend of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, plus plenty of seafood, of course. These are the dishes worth trying:

• Sebzeli Döner - meat roasted on skewers with seasonal veg and various sauces

• Mandalina Lokum - Turkish delight made from local mandarins

• Çökertme Kebab - a type of kebab made with beef and served alongside garlic yogurt and fried potatoes

• Çiçeği Dolması - stuffed courgette flowers that have an assortment of fillings, including meat and vegetables

• Bergamot Reçeli - Bergamot jam - one of the city’s specialties

Looking for a place to dine in Bodrum? Check out these top restaurants:

• Otantik Ocakbaşı - known for its traditional Turkish fare and grilled meats, from shanks to kebabs.

• Limon - set in the most beautiful location across green gardens, this cafe serves up something for everyone.

• La Pasión Restaurante Español - located in a pretty courtyard, this classic Spanish restaurant offers a whole menu of traditional tapas.

• Iki Sandal - situated in a gorgeous old stone house with harbour views, offering a deliciously creative menu.

• Orfoz Restaurant - recognised as one of the city’s best fish restaurants, serving a menu that’ll make your soul happy.