Going out and
shopping trips from Lavanta Hotel

Yalikavak

If you just would like to try somewhere other than Lavanta Hotel’s excellent restaurant, there are many restaurants in Yalikavak:  we would  recommend Cardakoglu (in the centre), Deniz and Cimen Tepe. They mainly serve fish and of course the famous starters:- Turkish Meze. Table wines are excellent and inexpensive  (white vines: Cankaya or Villa Doluca, red vines Yakut or Villa Doluca; the rose is also excellent . If you tell to the waiter that you are from  Lavanta Hotel  he will be sure to look after you well. Bars are open late in the season.

Bodrum                

For real nightlife you will need to go to Bodrum (15 km or 10 miles from Lavanta) where there is a big choice, including the "supposedly" biggest open air disco in Europe and hundreds of bars that are open till late in the night (or early in the morning). Restaurants we recommend are Epsilon (in town) and Kocadon (on the water front).

Gümüşlük                

For fish lovers  the village of Gümüslük is a must. Here you can find fresh fish available in many different restaurants where you can eat right next to the water in a wonderful atmosphere amidst delightful surroundings. You should try to be there in time to see the sunset. Recommended restaurant: Mimosa (when you are at the sea shore turn right walk until you find the last restaurant in the row).

Göltürkbükü

Göltürkbük (Türkbükü) is the up and coming 'scene' of 2001 and frequented by Turkey's rich and famous.This is the place to see and be seen and the  prices at the 'in' restaurants, bars and hotels reflect this recent popularity. There are a number of more modest family restaurants still offering good value for money but if you  notice a large group of paparazzi taking photographs of glamorous people, don't expect to find a cheap drink and a sandwich. This is the place to take your binoculars and study the yachts at anchor if you are into 'people spotting'.  

Some shopping tips

Tas Design, on the road from Yalikavak to Bodrum on the left hand side before the roundabout where the options are right to Turgutreis and left to Bodrum is an elegant shop with tasteful furniture and nice souvenirs.    

Dalyancı is on the road from Yalikavak to Bodrum, after the road turns to the left towards Bodrum, on the right hand side. Dalyancı a local painter working mainly with fish motives and has recently opened  this interesting shop offering paintings and also nice souvenirs.

Other good buys are, of course carpets, textiles and silver.