For when the sun goes down - Turkey

The nightlife in Bodrum is famed for being amongst the best in Turkey and only second to that of Istanbul. Not only do international visitors revel in the fun of local nocturnal happenings, but a young, hip and moneyed crowd from Istanbul and Izmir regularly join in the festivities too. Let it be known that the Turkish people like to party late!

Many all inclusive resorts have their own on-site discos but if sipping fluoro cocktails whilst throwing shapes to cheesy 80s tunes leaves you indifferent, our best advice is to head to the centre of Bodrum, especially around the marina. Your options tend to be in the immediate vicinity of the creatively named 'Bar Street' in either Bodrum or Gumbet (less than two miles from Bodrum). The latter is cheap and cheerful and the words "all-night happy hour" and "dream boys striptease" come to mind. Also be aware that Gumbet attracts a largely British clientele while Bodrum's 'Bar Street' mixes together a crowd of tourists and locals.

Perhaps the most celebrated club in Bodrum is Halikarnas, self-proclaimed "best nightclub in the world" it is a huge open-air disco on the water's edge with great views of the Bodrum castle. With a capacity for 5,000 party goers, its regular dance and theatrical shows have been wowing the crowds for the last 31 years. Despite its popular foam parties and laser shows many complain of the club's rising cover charge and exorbitant drink prices. Club Catamaran is another well known name on the Bodrum scene - a floating glass-bottomed disco that takes a spin around Bodrum harbour in the early hours of the morning. If you can't last until 5:00am then there are free shuttles every half hour to get you back on dry land.

Should you prefer to quaff your cocktails in the company of the well-heeled locals there are many establishments where you can do so. Among them is Kuba, one of a handful of open-air bars set back from the marina in Bodrum, where those who want to see and be seen socialise around the tree-fringed stone courtyard. In the same spirit as Kuba, Fink, also located at the edge of marina is another address popular with Bodrum's trendsetters. It too boasts a lovely open-air courtyard, bordered by raised seating areas and dominated by gorgeous, gargantuan chandeliers.

Halikarnas: Cumhuriyet Caddessi, No 178, Bodrum (May-September only)
Club Catamaran: Hilmi Uran Meydani 14, Eastern Bay, Bodrum (June-September only)
Kuba: Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi No. 62, Bodrum (May-October only)
Fink: Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi No. 32, Bodrum (May-October only)

Bar Street, Gumbet: Ayaz Caddesi, Gumbet, Bodrum
Bar Street, Bodrum: Dr Alimbey Caddesi and Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Bodrum

Words by Richelle Harrison Plesse