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Where to Visit
Marmaris Castle
Thought to have been constructed by the Ionians, this small castle on the
hill was repaired during the time of Alexander the Great. It was widened and
repaired again by Suleyman the Magnificent 1522, during which time his
200,000 troops attacked and seized the island of Rhodes.
The castle opened as a museum in 1991, after restorations that took ten
years. It has seven galleries, and has a collection of archaeological,
historical, ethnographic and nautical exhibits. The views of the city are
wonderful, with a wonderful panorama day and night.
Marmaris Museum
 Marmaris
Castle is nationalized on 1979, and restored between 1980 and 1990. Marmaris
Museum, is facilitated within Marmaris Castle, and opened for visitors
officially on 18th May, 1991. There are seven galleries within castle, two
of these are used as warehouses. One gallery is Archeological pieces of arts
hall. Third gallery, which is ethnographic hall is organized as Turk house.
Fourth gallery is organized as the room of Castle Commander. There is also
an exhibition hall within the museum.
Taşhan and Kemerli Bridge
The bridge, 10km along the Mugla road in the Iskelebasi region, was
constructed by Suleyman the Magnificent, and has arched bridges built from
stone and brick.
ANCIENT CITIES
 Physkos
It is possible to see the ruins at Physkos, an important harbour city of the
ancient Caria region, on the Asar hill north of Marmaris. The old city walls
dating back to the Hellenistic period are still fairly intact.
Loryma (Bozukkale)
 The
ruins at Loryma, once part of the foundations of Rhodes, was founded
originally in the region known as Oplosica (artillery smith), the waterside
thicket on the southwest of the Bozburun peninsula 40km from Marmaris. The
most impressive structure in the settlement area is the well-preserved
reinforcement at the entrance of the bay at Burunbasi. Nine rectangular
towers, made from smooth rock-cut masonry, are built at the edge of Rhodes
(Rodos) island. Today, only the balcony tower at the northern end can still
be seen.
Amos
The ancient ruins of Amos are accessible from the Asarcik hill, northwest of
Kumlubuk bay. Amos dates back to the Hellenistic period, and is composed of
a hillside amphitheatre, a temple and statue pedestals. Surrounded by
ramparts dating back to the same time, this amphitheatre is in good
condition, with its seating area, side walls and stage with three chambers.
Excavations in 1948 by Prof. Bean revealed four inscriptions, which
mentioned three rental contracts, thought to date back to around 200BC.
There is a minibus running from Turunc to Kumlubuku which passes through
Amos.
Cedrae (Cleopatra or City Islands)
The ancient ruins of Cedrae in the island of Saray, date back to the
Hellenistic Roman era. What is known as the City Islands is comprised of
Orta Island and Kucuk Island. The remains of the ramparts can be easily seen
from the distance.
The island took its name from the rumour that Cleopatra swam with the
locals in a small bay at the northwest of the island. Furthermore, she was
supposed to have entered the sea with Mark Anthony, the sands of which were
transferred from Northern Africa via ships by Anthony – which may be true as
this type of sand is only seen in Egypt.
The remains of buildings surrounded by ramparts on the east of Saray
island date back from the Roman and Hellenistic period, and the small
amphitheatre is in the best condition. The Christian Basilica was
constructed over the pedestals of the Apollo Temple, belonging to Dors.
There is an Agora on the west of Saray with inscriptions suggesting that
athletics festivals devoted to Apollo were organised in the region. There
are Necropolis ruins at Kucuk Island, as well as column reliefs.
Hydas
The rampart ruins dating back to the Hellenistic era lie in Hydas, 35km from
Marmaris along the Erine-Bybassios road, with a square planned monument to
the south.
There are rampart ruins, remaining from Hellenistic Era in Hydas, 35 km.
away from Marmaris on Erine - Bybassios road route, and a square planned
monument, at south of these ruins. There are several tombs around a
watchtower, 3 km from Hydas. The ancient region of Hydas was founded in the
Selimiye bay (Kamisli Bay) north of the Bozburun peninsula.
Erine
The ruins of Erine are 3km from the Hisaronu village, 20km southwest of
Marmaris, and date back to the Hellenistic and Roman period.
Castabus (Pazarlık)
Near the village of Hisarlik are the ancient ruins of Pazarlik, a holy site
which can be reached from Mount Eren with an hour’s climb from Hisaronu
plains. The temple is on a purpose-built platform dating back to 4th century
BC. Apart from the Temple, only the ruined amphitheatre in the south can be
defined.
Saranda (Söğüt)
Near the village of Sogut, 45 km of Marmaris, Saranda still has the
characteristics of being a continuous settlement during the Hellenistic,
Roman and Byzantium periods, the latter of which clearly has remains today.
Bybassios
What remains of the ancient city of Bybassios can be seen in the village of
Orhaniye, on the Erine road towards Bozburun, southwest of Marmaris. The
ruins of the ramparts are found inside the forest.
Euthenna (Altınsivrisi)
The reinforced ramparts surrounding the settlement area, in the west part of
the Cedrai-Marmaris line, are in very good condition. There is also the
extension of an ancient wharf. The ruins can be reached along the
Karacasogut road.
MAUSOLEUMS and MOSQUES
Sarıana Mausoleum
The mausoleum, in the district of Sariana, has a bird's eye view of the city
and has a new mosque adjacent to it. Before the Rodos expedition, it was
here that Kanuni had visited Fatma Ana (Sariana) who was famous for her
predictions,. After she gave him a positive response, he commenced the siege.
Before his departure from Marmaris, thousands of Ottoman soldiers left on
their journey after a nourishing breakfast of the milk from Sariana's cow.
İbrahim Ağa Mosque
Constructed by Ibrahim Aga in 1789 in the Kemeralti district, its most
striking architectural feature is the huge dome.
BEACHES and PROMENADES
Cennet Island
The peninsular island of Cennet, a 30 minute boat journey, is covered with
forest and has accommodation and restaurants. It is a popular stop for
cruise and tour boats throughout the season, as is suitable for swimming and
eating.
Fosforlu Cavern
This natural cavern is a popular stopping point for sailing tours going on
to Turunc and Kumlubuk, offering clean, green waters ideal for swimming.
Mineral Spring
Famed for its drinking water which used to be considered good for the
digestive system, the Sultaniye Kaplicalari thermal springs and mud baths
lie 10km from the province, close to Dalyan. It is a popular area, with
beach and facilities for tourists, and can be reached via boat or road from
Koycegiz or Dalyan.
Turunç
 Once
a tiny farming and fishing village, Turunc has developed since the late
1980s into an upmarket tourist resort, with hotels, villas and restaurants.
The village, on the east coast of the Hisaronu peninsula, is 21km from
Marmaris and accessible by road and sea. Its main attraction for Turkish and
foreign tourists is its stunning location, and 500m beach of course sand
with a backdrop of pine-tufted cliffs.
Kumlubük
The village, 6km by road from Turunc, is also accessible by boat from
Marmaris and boasts a large beach which is one of the best in the area. The
water is clean, and there are good facilities nearby.
Çiftlik
 The
bay of Ciftlik is accessible via a two hour boat journey from Icmeler. This
once-isolated village and beach is now being developed for tourism, with a
holiday village and hotels. It is especially favoured by sailors as a good
spot for their yachts, and its course-grained sands and waterside
restaurants are increasingly popular. The village has a small island within
the bay, is also a favourite with jeep-faring safari tourists.
Turgut (Waterfall)
The 10-metre high waterfall is 35km from Marmaris and accessible from Turgut
village via a 15-minute trek.
Bozburun
Best known and utilised for its yacht harbour, boat-building and repairs,
the village of Bozburun has a stunning setting and is also famous for pine,
flower and thyme honey. Its isolated location and peaceful atmosphere has
attracted people escaping city life, and is especially popular with Turkish
tourists. There are buses from Marmaris, 50km away, which makes a pleasant
day trip, and there are many interesting walks in the surrounding
countryside. Although there are no proper beaches, it is possible to swim
off the rocks. There is a revered 1000-year old tree, one of the oldest in
the country. The village gets more crowded during the International Bozburun
Gullet Festival, 26 – 28 October.
Günnücek
The Gunluk Forest, with rarely seen species of plants, is 2km from Marmaris.
Sigla oil, which is collected from the trees, is used in the pharmaceutical
and perfume industry. The area is a natural promenade, with shallow waters.
Yalancı Strait
This land, which is 8 km. away from province, had gained its "Counterfeit
Strait" name after a ship captain who supposed here the strait which goes to
bay at a stormy weather, ground of his ship. You should absolutely see this
region, where there are wooden built Gulet shipyards.
YACHTING
 A
natural harbour, Marmaris Bay has three marinas with 1100 capacity, and nine
yacht yards with 1200 capacity. Various festivals are organised in order to
develop yacht tourism in the region, and the town is the focal point of Blue
Voyages. The main activities are the International Yacht Festival during the
second week of May, and the week-long International Marmaris Yacht Races at
the end of October.
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FETHIYE
BODRUM
MARMARIS
ANTALYA