Bitez / Ortakent

Bitez lies 7 km west of Bodrum, in the bay next to Gumbet. The winds here are particularly favorable for windsurfing and several water sports operators are based here.
The beach is sandy, with plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas for sunbathing, Away from the beach it is possible to wander through mandarin orange groves where oxen plough and life continues as before. The village itself is a 15 minute walk, or short drive, inland and remains totally unspoiled by tourism.
The only Turkish Delight (Lokum) to be made on the peninsula is made here. Dolmuses leave for Bitez every 20-30 minutes from the main bus station in Bodrum.

The broad beach is easily accessible by one of the many dolmuses in Bodrum, which will usually stop in Bitez village before running along the beachfront past a number of hotels and restaurants. Numerous jetties run out from the shore for swimming and sunbathing. Beyond the beach, reached by dry riverbeds, lie hundreds of acres of private mandarin groves tended by the citrus farmers of the area. The other name for Bitez is Agaçli ('Full of Trees'), and together with Ortakent it is the main citrus growing area on the peninsula. The beach is most popular with watersport enthusiasts and sun worshippers a like.

The shallow bay is popular with daily tour boats, which normally call in for an afternoon cup of tea or a cool beer. Campsites are set among the trees and local boats may be hired from any one of the jetties. The restaurants and bars are quite active in the evening, and with dolmuþes running late into the night Bitez offers an alternative to Bodrum nightlife.