In the center of Bodrum Peninsula, along the main highway there is this considerably large village of Ortakent which is famous for the attractive 17th century 'tower houses' unique to the area. These tower houses were built by locals for defensive purposes especially to protect themselves from the dangers coming from the sea. The  oldest house is the Mustafa Pasa tower house built  in 1601.The house, which is built over the rocks, has three floors. The house did not have any windows and doors at the lower floors was approached by a draw bridge. The main living quarters which were situated over the ground floor are the most richly decorated parts of the house.

Ortakent Beach  and Yahsi Beach are located  next to Bitez following the coastline  towards  west. After the Ortakent Yalı( beach), visitors arrive very large beach known as Camel Beach which is popular with families and  boats doing daily tours. The boats  frequently call at this beautiful beach where visitors enjoy not only  this sandy beach, water sports but also camel ride. Many beach side cafes and restaurants providing inexpensive meals  throughout the day.

The name 'Ortakent' means 'Middle town' and, lying in the centre of the Bodrum peninsula on the main Turgutreis-Bodrum  road, Ortakent is ideally central base from which to explore the region.

The beach is long and wide, with cooling off-sea breezes which provide relief from the intense summer heat and speed up the tanning process.

Between the beach and the village lies a green, fertile valley with fig, olive and mandarin trees, and neat market gardens typical of the agricultural backbone of this area.

When passing through the village, it is worth making a short detour to see the seventeenth century 'Mustafa Pasha tower', built for defensive purposes, and one of the best surviving examples of this