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Introduction to Kadikalesi

Kadikalesi is a small coastal location with a few resorts and a small sandy beach. Whilst its neighbour, Turgutreis has developed and grown, Kadikalesi remains a simple and unspoilt.

There’s a small main street and a few shops, but none of the touristic chaos of other towns on the Peninsula experience.

During our first few visits to the area, we drove right through this little hamlet, but commented on the attractive lattice-work pattern on the mosque’s minaret. One day we pulled over, and followed the small side street leading to the bay. Sheep were running across the beach in front of one of the local cafes, and we instantly fell in love with this local charm.

History

• Kadi Kalesi translates to Judge’s Castle, and is named after the residence of the local area Judge from ancient times.  The remains of the building are visible on the hillside above the town.

Location

• Kadikalesi is situated in the western part of the Peninsula, nestled halfway between Turgutreis and Gümüşlük
  Approximate distances to Kadikalesi:  
  • 58km from Milas-Bodrum Airport
  • 22km from Bodrum
  • 14km from Yalikavak
  • 4km from Turgutreis
  • 4km from Gümüşlük

Getting There

• Kadikalesi runs parallel to the main road between Turgutreis and Gümüşlük, and can be easily reached by dolmuş, just look out for the mosque with the latticed minaret on the right hand side of the road that marks the start of Kadikalesi Bay.
• It’s a small town that stretches along the shore with a bike and walking path. There’s beach and restaurants down one end and side-by-side resorts down the other.

Things to do

• There’s a narrow but sandy beach, and a few of the resorts have a wooden dock.  Lot’s of this area is populated by resorts, but there are still a few quiet areas you can discover to chill out at the beach.
• The location of Kadikalesi, make it a perfect cove to enjoy water sports.  Mornings are good for beginners, as the wind starts to pick up in the afternoon
• Walk along the beach to Turgutreis
• Horseriding at Turgutreis Country Ranch

Sightseeing

• The traditional mosque, covered in wisteria, is not particularly significant, but it has a nice lattice design on it, which first inspired us to pull over and explore Kadikalesi
• There’s an old church with Greek inscriptions still visible above the doorway, and a nearby cistern on the hillside. The light up here for photography is ideal at sunset.

Eat & Drink

• The old Kekik Restaurant (which used to be one of our favorite haunts on Kadikalesi Beach) has now been taken over by the Pitos Bar and Restaurant. This bar used to be located along the road that runs parallel to the beach and was part of the Pitos Bungalow and Cabins. The accommodation is still there, but now the restaurant has a ring-side seat on the beach.
• There’s a couple of inexpensive restaurants down the road that leads from the small mosque to the beach. The family-run Cotto Cafe and Nisan Cafe both serve traditional Turkish food and are located opposite each other. There’s also a small pide cafe next door to the Cotto Cafe called Bod-Pi. I’m a big fan of the Cotto Cafe—their village breakfast is delicious and plentiful, and at lunch time Zeynep and her mum prepare inexpensive fresh vegetarian meze.

• The Korfez Restaurant has been located on their spot over-looking the water for as long as I’ve been visiting, and is a traditional seafood and meze restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. A great alternative to Gumusluk’s pricier fish restaurants.
• The colourful tables and chairs on the pedestrian area by the beach belong to the Yunuslar Karadeniz Unlu Mamüller & Cafe, and if you’re not in the mood for a full-blown meal, you can pop into their bakery for a snack instead. Read about their Turkish Breakfast.

• Along the beach, just before the Pitos Restaurant is the long-standing Yali Balik Restaurant, which is another traditional seafood and meze Turkish restaurant. When we went there for dinner, I think we were the only foreigners.

Even in the height of summer there’s a distinct laid-back feel to this sandy beach, and on hot summer days, the breeze is a welcome addition.

Quick Reference Travel Guide: Kadikalesi

Map

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This article was originally published in 2011, but has been updated with new information and republished.