The province of Mugla belongs to one of the best holiday regions of Turkey. Beautiful holiday villages, comfortable hotels and motels, cosy pensions, impressive ruins of past civilizations, and landscape like paradise are the attributes of this region. The famous holiday cities of Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca, Koycegiz, and Fethiye are all in the borders of this province. Mugla, the province centre, with its traditional houses, is a picture of a typical South Aegean city.

Bodrum:  (See our "About Bodrum" page)

Marmaris

Situated on a bay, backed by rugged pine clad mountains with an elegant palm lined promenade leading to a busy marina, Marmaris is one of the most attractive maritime parklands, ideal for water sports and sailing. Marmaris also makes an excellent starting point for the "Blue Voyage" tour of the Aegean coastline. In May, the Marmaris Yacht Charter Show offers the opportunity to meet captains and their crews and to sail with the craft of your choice to explore the spectacular beauty of southern Turkey.

The clear sea is warm enough for swimming from early May to late September. Horseback riding and tennis are also available. Sample some typical Turkish cuisine, "meze", in one of the marina restaurants and drink Raki the traditional Turkish way, over ice and diluted with water. Later, stroll along the brightly lit promenade and indulge at one of the colourful ice cream vendors. Energetic entertainment at a lively bar or dancing until dawn at a sophisticated disco will end a perfect day. Shoppers should be aware of the many good buys in the boutiques, the colourful bazaars and markets. You will find excellent leather or suede goods, copper and brassware, jewellery, and onyx objects. Turkish carpets, textiles and embroidery make a good handcrafted souvenir, and the locally produced pine-scented honey called "Cam Bali" is excellent.

Physkos is the ancient name for Marmaris which was on the important Anatolian- Rhodes- Egypt trade route. Suleyman the Magnificent had the 1 6th century citadel built, the remains can still be seen today.

The pleasure-seeker should not miss Ataturk Park, to the east of Marmaris, where a shallow beach, extending to the bay provides safe swimming. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find the Frankincense tree and delight in its heady aroma.

Environs of Marmaris

Tourists have developed the strip between Marmaris and Golenye Icmeleri into a vacation land of their own style. The scenery at Golenye Icmeleri is magnificent, as the hazy mountains of the interior slope down to sandy beaches. Under blue skies, the sea is clear and ideal for all types of water sports. Many find this area so irresistible that they stay longer than planned. Driving down from the high mountains into the village of Turunc the scene opens out onto the spectacular blue waters beyond this natural harbour. The village itself is small and scattered around the bay, with most of the restaurants bordering the beach. There are a few bars and restaurants farther back from the water's edge with superb views and fresh fish which is always available. Turunc Bay offers the perfect mountain where sea combines for a holiday surrounded by rich, natural beauty. At Kumlubuk, you can find secret treasures and a turquoise paradise on the southern side of the bay, while the ancient city of Amos is located on the northern slope above the bay. Loryma, at the tip of the Bozburun Peninsula, where the ruins of the ancient harbour and castle can be seen, can be reached by boat. The northern shore of the peninsula is deeply indented with natural quiet bays and the waters are dotted with islands, ideal for those who want to" get away from it all". Sedir Island, in the Gulf of Gokova is the ancient Cedrai. There are old city walls, a theatre and temples, which can be visited by taking a car from Marmaris north to Gelibolu Bay and then by boat. While stretching on the golden strand, lift your eyes to the panoramic mountain scenery across the bay, an unforgettable view. Located in the inner most point of the gulf is the village of Gokova with houses that extend up the mountainside. Restaurants built over bubbling, fresh water streaming from the mountains make the perfect setting for holiday repose. Gokova Park provides a break from the sun with its towering pine trees and cooling breezes.

Datca

Rare and beautiful in setting, the Datca Peninsula, bedecked with breathtaking scenery, provides a natural division between the Aegean Sea Gokova Gulf) on the north and the Mediterranean Sea Hisaronu Gulf) on the south. Along all the 75 km from Marmaris to Datca the road winds among trees, with lovely views over the deep blue sea. There are many places for campers to stop amidst lovely scenery, or for the less adventurous, comfortable holiday villages. At Datca you will find whitewashed buildings hung with bougainvillea. The marina is on the northern bay, while the southern bay is preferred by swimmers. A tourist will find it hard to be bored as around the marina are bars, cafes and a wide selection of shops. Take your time browsing for your special " take home" gift. Some shops stay open well into the evening to prolong the temptation to purchase one more item. Relaxing over a pre-dinner drink and then a delicious meal in a friendly restaurant is a popular way to spend the evening hours.

Of course there is fresh fish and classical Turkish cuisine. With your remaining energy walk a bit and find a disco to your liking, continuing one day into the next.

Travelling out of Datca by road or boat you can find unspoiled bays and golden sandy beaches all to yourself. Kargi is one of the most popular ones.

Go to the end of the peninsula (38 km from Datca) and visit the ancient Carian city of Knidos, described by Strabon as "a city that was built for the most beautiful of goddesses, Aphrodite, on the most beautiful of peninsulas." Knidos is especially famous for its Aphrodite of Praxiteles, which was one of the most beautiful sculptures of antiquity. Once famous as a centre of art and culture in the 4th century BC, the city had two harbours: one on the Aegean and the other on the Mediterranean. Overlooking these two harbours are the remains of a circular temple dedicated to Aphrodite and in the arcaded way are white marble heart-shaped columns.

Koycegiz

The town of Koycegiz, beside a lake of the same name, is in a nature and wildlife preserve. The lake is joined to the Mediterranean by a natural channel, along which the tiny village of Dalyan can be reached by a road shaded with aromatic frankincense trees. The maze of waterways is easily explored by boat and you can immerse yourself in this peaceful dream world. Fresh fish is a specialty on the menus of the restaurants that line the waterways. Sunset and the fading light over the grasslands are followed by the moon to embrace the solitude of the evening. High on the cliff face, at a bend in the river above the fascinating ancient harbour city of Caunos, are some unique, magnificently carved rock tombs. The Dalyan Delta, with a long, golden sandy beach at the mouth, is a nature conservation area and the natural preserve for sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) and blue crabs. Ekincik a turquoise bay, is a delightful yacht stopover. Enjoy the peaceful, breathtaking beauty of this unspoiled area and the open, friendly hospitality of its people. Only a half-hour drive from Dalaman Airport is Sarigerme with its wonderful sandy beaches, and a delightful holiday village discreetly situated in the surrounding pine forest.

On the way to Fethiye, the road winds up and down hills through a heavily wooded region giving occasional glimpses of the sea with an islet or two basking in total serenity. The Gulf of Gocek with a friendly marina, is one of the best sailing spots in Europe. Dotted with islands and indented with many bays, it is irresistible. Arymaxa, at the most southerly point of the bay, is an ancient city. Its ruins lie at the edge of the blue waters creating an atmosphere of timeless beauty. Opposite, on Tersane Island, are Byzantine ruins including those of the ancient shipyards.

Fethiye

Fethiye, 135 km southeast of Marmaris, has an important marina and overlooks a beautiful bay strewn with islands. This popular resort has great charm and beauty. The houses look down on the little port from a hill crowned by the ruins of the fortress built by the Knights of Rhodes. At Fethiye, ancient Termessos, there are numerous Lycian rock tombs cut out of the cliff face, with carved facades reproducing the buildings of those far-off times. The most remarkable is that known now as the Tomb of Amyntas, which probably dates from the 4th century BC. Swimmers will find themselves on the popular Calis Beach, 4 km west of Fethiye, or on Sovalye Island, opposite the town, which is a blaze of blooms in the springtime.

Winding through the mountains on the way to Belcegiz Bay you will find cosy guest houses sure to please those who long for natural mountain scenery. Explore the Belcegiz Bay and the beautiful Blue Lagoon (Olu Deniz). The calm, crystal clear water is ideal for swimming and other water sports. The Blue Lagoon is one of the best places in the world to do absolutely nothing except soak up the sun in incredibly beautiful surroundings. For those who prefer camping, Belcegiz Beach is recommended. Kidirak has a beach surrounded by intoxicating scenery and a shady park, while on Gemiler Island, there are Byzantine ruins tucked among the pine trees. To the south of Kidirak Beach lies Koturumsu Bay, reachable only by boat. A marvellous natural wonderland awaits anyone who travels here. Beyond a lovely beach, there is a forest, waterfalls and a valley, filled with hundreds of varieties of butterflies.

About 65 km from Fethiye, in a southeast direction near Kinik are the ruins of Xanthos, an important Lycian capital in a splendid natural setting. Letoon, nearby, was formerly an important religious cult centre There are three temples dedicated to Leto, Artemis and Apollo.

Wandering among remarkable ruins of ancient times, sailing in a fresh breeze over the blue waves, or just lazing idly on a beach of golden sand, however you dream of spending your holiday, you will find what you are looking for on this, the loveliest stretch of the Turkish coast.