The Most Sincere Bodrum Recommendations - 2026

Kuytu Bahçe is celebrating its 8th anniversary this summer! Over the years, as our garden and breakfast have grown and developed, our experience and local knowledge of Bodrum have also matured. Naturally, we now have a good understanding of many things, from the best spots to swim to hidden culinary gems.

We often receive questions about Bodrum from our guests, and we always try to recommend places we ourselves love to visit. So we thought, "Why not turn this into a blog post and add it to our website?" And that's exactly why you're here! :) Below, we've compiled our favorite Bodrum spots that we frequently visit and always receive great feedback on. Enjoy:

We'll start with the most frequently asked question when leaving Kuytu Bahçe.

Question 1) Where can we go to the beach after leaving here?

Aktur: Our first answer is as clear as the first question; Aktur Main Beach. Located exactly between Bitez and Yahşi beaches, Aktur is one of the oldest residential areas in Bitez, and access from outside is free. Yes, you can just walk in and there are many different beaches within it. As a family with children, we prefer Aktur Main Beach, which is practically a social hub for kids. Finding a parking spot can be difficult, especially during peak season, but we tolerate it because the sea is perfect. The sea is one of the best in Bodrum, there's a large cafe and service area, the service and food are good, and the prices are normal compared to most places in Bodrum.

Çakır Motel: The beach in Ortakent - Yahşi Bay is generally excellent, and there are many nice cafes side by side. You can go to any of them, but we especially love the beach at Çakır Motel. There are sun loungers on the beach, the food on the menu is delicious, we especially love their lahmacun (Turkish pizza), and the prices are very reasonable for these flavors and service. This place, run by our dear Uncle Hasan and his son İbrahim, is very much one of our favorites.

Kefi: If you're looking for a more beach-style, stylish place with music and good cocktails on the Yahşi side, Kefi Beach is one of the classic addresses. It offers different usage areas with both the large grassy area in the back and the sun lounger area on the beach in front. This is for those who want better service, to try different cocktails, to catch happy hour, and to dance to loud music in the evening.

Question 2) Where would you recommend for dinner?

Bağarası: Similar in style to Kuytu Bahçe, it wouldn't be wrong to call it an Aegean tavern set under mandarin trees. If you want to breathe the spirit of Bitez, try different seasonal mezes, and receive good service, Bağarası should be your first choice. With its skewers cooked over mastic tree, liver, octopus keşkek (a type of stew), and unique mezes, it's one of our favorites. Give our regards to Chef Mustafa and his father, İsmail Dayı. Reservations are required. 🙂

Kiracı: If you want a place in Bodrum center, Kiracı is our first recommendation. Owned by two brothers from Bodrum, Arda and Andaç, this place is located on one of Bodrum's most beautiful streets. The mezes, appetizers, service, and music are top-notch. My favorites are the mint-infused green beans and the Metin Oktar potatoes. If you go, enjoy your meal in advance, and even better, let us know, maybe we'll come too! Reservations are, of course, necessary. 😛

Müdavim: Some people prefer a tavern with a view. This is the place for them. You can enjoy your mezes and sip your raki at the tables on the beach or on the balconies of the three-story building, overlooking Bodrum Castle. One important piece of information about this place, which has a wide variety of mezes and appetizers, is that it was the house of the late Sadun Boro. You can even visit his room on the second floor, right next to the tables. Of course, reservations are required.

Question 3) What hotel would you recommend?

At Kuytu Bahçe, we're used to guests arriving with their suitcases and having breakfast before the hotel check-in time. Of course, some of our guests suddenly show up or don't like their hotel and want to change. Some are still looking for a hotel for their next vacation. Since we have our own home, we don't have much hotel experience, naturally. However, the hotels our friends stayed at and were satisfied with are: Değirmenburnu Residence, Dorman Suites, Eskichesme Hotel, Moonshine Hotel.

Question 4) Besides the sea, where else can we go?

Bodrum means the sea, especially in the midday heat, the best thing to do is swim, let's admit that. However, if you're looking for something different, visiting Bodrum Castle early in the morning or in the late afternoon is one of the best options. It's not just any castle, it's a place with many different museums inside, where you can spend a full 1.5-2 hours. Of course, it also has the most beautiful view of Bodrum. However, if you're going in the heat, a hat or umbrella is a must to protect yourself from the sun. You can also end this trip with a delicious kumpir (baked potato) at the Bodrum Denizciler Derneği Cafe.

Question 5) Where should we go for evening entertainment?

Here's the very end of it all. That's a straightforward question. There are many correct answers, of course. However, our go-to place in Bodrum Center for years has been Körfez Bar. We love its street, its music, its now-friendly staff, its DJ, and its dear owner, Hasan. Let's call it our home. 🙂

For live music, the Bodrum Marina Yacht Club has remained the same for years. You can find their weekly schedule on their Instagram page; it's still one of the best options for the center. This summer, its counterpart in Ortakent is Savor Bodrum, formerly known as La Bohemme. Many bands we always enjoy listening to, like Yol Project, also perform at Savor.

This summer, we'll also add Zai, which has transformed Bodrum's Bitez area into a cultural/arts hub. With so many valuable artists and theater performances, it's hard to choose which one to go to; they have such a packed schedule. If you're someone who thinks adding a concert to your summer vacation would be a good idea, we suggest you take a look at their Instagram account.

Question 6) Are there any breakfast places in Bodrum center where we can eat something to eat on bread?

Yes, there is Chives. :) On Mondays when Kuytu Bahçe is closed, we also visit Chives, one of the first places that comes to mind when you think of delicious sandwiches. Whether served on bread or in a croissant, both options are very tasty. It's one of the ideal places for a quick breakfast. Those who want a traditional Turkish breakfast should go to us, those who want delicious sandwiches should go to Chives.