www.mugla-turizm.gov.tr

 Muğla

City Tour:

-Leave your car in the city centre.

-First visit the Arasta (Historic Bazaar), the area behind it and the Saburhane district on the foothills of Asar Mountain. A district where Greek and Turks once lived together, it is filled with beautiful old houses that have been restored and you can find 15th-17th century mosques.

- On the way back have a well brewed tea in one of the tea-gardens.

-Then go to the Muğla Museum, though remember the museum is shut on Mondays.

-Have lunch in one of the small business restaurants. Ask for famous local dishes such as Muğla Keşkek, Çındar Kavurma and Börülce Teretoru.

-Have a handcraft tour in the bazaar. The Muğla cloth is cheap and you cannot find it elsewhere. Go to the MELSA building below the Özel İdare Building. Those who are there on Thursday could have the chance to go to the weekly local market.Apart from a wide range of cheap fruit and vegetables there are local cloths, embroided material, lace, edgings, carpets, rugs, wooden and beaten copper souvenir pieces from the Kavaklıdere region. Those who miss market can find the same items on sale at the Arasta, though prices might be a touch different.

-A half a day long trip that covers the Karabağlar Yaylası, Yaraş and Kızıldağ picnic grounds. On the Karabağlar High Plateau, four kilometres from the city, the walls of the houses are white washed, roofed with red tiles and have decorated chimneys such as those in the town centre. Do not forget to try "Kuyu Büryan" in the restaurants in the Karabağlar. Those who wish could also make use of the facilities in the Yaraş and Kızıldağ picnic grounds as a place to eat.

Day trips out of Muğla and accommodated trips

You could take one of the daily tours out of the Muğla that include accommodation. According to the distance you feel like travelling you can make your own plans or talk to a travel agent. Here are some of the places you could visit.

Ula-Akyaka-Köyceğiz-Dalyan-Sarıgerme-Göcek

Some may wish could stop at Ula a bit inland on the Muğla-Fethiye road. You can see the good work of Nail Çakırhan and the historic Ula houses he worked on, its bazaar and, if it is the right day, the Ula market. Heading towards Akyaka through the Sakar Passage at a height of 600 metres you have an aerial view of the Gulf of Gökova. A bit further up there is the mouth of a strong cold stream meeting the gulf waters below. There are beautiful hotels, pensions and forest camping grounds for those wanting to camp. There is the sea, walks along the stream banks and in the forest. For those who have the time, there is the 48 kilometres journey to Ören from the shore of the Gulf of Gökova. This trip could be described as the land equivalent of the Blue Cruise.

On the Muğla-Fethiye road you come to Köyceğiz, a peaceful and beautiful town on the shore of the lake that it takes its name from. There are the options of walking along the lake shore or taking a boat trip on the lake itself. There are some who extend the trip up to the islands and Dalyan. However, we would recommend you to reserve the Istuzu and the ancient city of Kaunos trip for Dalyan. In the boat it is enough to visit the islands, the Sultaniye thermal waters and the mud baths. There are hotels and restaurants on the lakeshore.

The Ekincik-Sultaniye Kaplicası (Thermal waters): Ekincik is one of the popular stopping points of the Blue Cruise trips. This is a beautiful village on the edge of the Ekincik Cove. It is 25 to 30 kilometres from Köyceğiz by land. On the road there are the Sultaniye thermal waters and some thermal water facilities around the lake for those seeking a health cure. The thermal waters of Sultaniye have a very high level of radioactivity. It is believed to be good for rheumatism, sciatica, skin and women’s diseases.

 Trout in the Yuvarlak Stream, rafting on the Dalaman Stream:  On the road between Köyceğiz and Ortaca, head to the mountains from the village of Beyobası on your left. The road leads you to the historic bridge of Akköprü, crossing over the Dalaman Stream. Akköprü is the place to come for those rafting on the Dalaman Stream in summer. Five kilometres along the Akköprü road there is the sign on the left for the Çınar and Pınar restaurants and after seven kilometres on the stabilised road you reach the bank of the Yuvarlak Stream. You can have food in the covered restaurants in the stream area and can have a walk around the stream.

 Dalyan: You can get to Dalyan from Köyceğiz following the road for Ortaca and then taking a turn to Dalyan from Ortaca. Dalyan is a tourism centre where you can have a full on holiday for three or four days. Since we are on the road we will spare it half a day. Have a boat trip on the channel. First start from the Köyceğiz Lake area (this depends on your choice), then have a mud bath and then go to the beach. There are labyrinth-like waterways from the lake that are interwoven with reeds. Opposite there are the tombs of kings cut into the stone. Also on offer is a visit to the ancient city of Kaunos and its necropolis before you get to the famed beach of Istuzu. The theatre on the edge of the Kaunos’ acropolis is in good condition. Among the ruins to the west of the acropolis there is remains of a basilica-type church. The rest of the ruins include the Roman bath that was attached to the temple. There is stoa in the historic port and next to it a fountain while the ancient walls and the carved stone tombs can be seen from Dalyan. In Dalyan fish is plentiful. There is always grey mullet from the local fish farms or the co-operatives. For lunch you can get boiled or fried grey mullet in the restaurants around the channel. The last stop of the boat trip is Istuzu Beach. This is the region where the endangered Caretta Carretta sea turtles lay their eggs. In summer it is used a beach and gives you the chance to swim in the sea and dry off by the lake.

Sarıgerme, Dalaman, Göcek, Fethiye, Ölüdeniz

From Muğla follow the Fethiye road towards Ortaca. Sarıgerme, which has become a popular tourism resort in recent years, is 15 kilometres from Ortaca. It has a seven kilometres long beach which is divided by the Sarıçay Stream (Yellow Stream). The island of Baba Ada (Father Island), right in front of the beach, is a popular stop for boats on the Blue Cruise. Some 850 metres inland from the beach there is the village of Osmaniye. In the village there pensions and small hotels and five star hotels in the beach area.

On the beach there are remains of the ancient city of Pisillis.

Dalaman: On the Sarıgerme to Dalaman road there is the state production farm. The Khedive of Egypt, Abbas Pasha, placed an order with the French to build a hunting mansion in the region. However, the project underwent changes and it was to be turned into a railway station but the railway never came through. Today it is used as a State Production Farm Centre. Next to it stands the Abbas Pasha Cami (Mosque). When in Dalaman visit Sarsıla Cove and enjoy the sulphurous thermal water. A popular stop on the Blue Cruise, Sarsıla Cove is 12 kilometres to Dalaman. The trip through the forest area is extremely appealing. On the road there are many sulphurous lakes linked to the sea near the Tersakan Stream (Reverse Flowing Stream). The place is very scenic.

Göcek: The resort at the end of the Gulf of Göcek, named after the gulf itself, has become a very popular tourism destination in recent years. There are three separate yachting marinas in Göcek. Around the marina in the centre there are hotels, pensions, restaurants and shops. A bit further up there is the new Göcek Yachting Marina. Right next to it there is the Swissotel.

There are daily boat trips from the central marina to the coves on the gulf and the islands. You can enjoy the sea in peaceful and abandoned coves. Those who do not take a boat trip can get to the coves via the stabilised road along the Gulf of Göcek. However, you might not get the same pleasure out of the trip as you might from being on a boat.

Fethiye: Fethiye is a popular holiday resort in the edge of the Gulf. First visit the town itself. Then go to see the ancient theatre of Telmessos in upper area from the yachting port. Up the hillside there is the Ionic tomb of King Amyntas.

Ölüdeniz: Fourteen kilometres after you leave Fethiye you get to Ölüdeniz (The Dead Sea). On the road there is Hisarönü. Either on the way or on your return stop at Kayaköy, which is a typical example of the villages that were evacuated at the time of population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the early 1920s and is now a ghost village. It is always sad to wander through empty churches and houses. In recent times multi-purposed projects have been set up to revitalise the village. Five kilometres below Hisarönü is Ölüdeniz, with its long beach, golden sand and turquoise waters.  It is also beautiful in winter. It is fun just to walk on the beach. Tlos-Yakakent-Saklıkent:  Twenty seven kilometres along the Fethiye-Antalya road, by taking a turn at the town of Kemer and driving a further 13 kilometres you come to the ancient city of Tlos while 21 kilometres after the Kemer turn you get to Saklıkent. The entrance to the excavation site is in the village of Yaka. You can have a break in the tea gardens that stretch along the road. Either have the ayran (a yoghurt drink) or tea.

On the top of the hill is the acropolis. It was turned into a castle during the time of Ottoman rule. Beneath it are the remains of Lycia era walls and tombs cut into the rocks. Below you can see the remains of the theatre, bath, palaestra and gymnasium.

A recommended lunch is ayran and stuffed flat Turkish bread called gözleme. Some may prefer the food from roadside stalls while others may chose to travel for one kilometre to dine at Yakapark. Yakapark is a beautiful picnic area under the cooling shade of monumental trees and beside water channels.

You can keep your appetite for until after your Saklıkent trip. Saklıkent is eight kilometres from Tlos. On the sides of the road there are places where you can have gözleme, ayran and sac kavurma (sautéed meat dish).

Saklıkent is a canyon that runs for kilometres. Professional mountain climbers can go deep into its recesses. You will walk along the wooden bridge on the rocky side of the full flowing stream 100 meters into the canyon. The mouth of the stream erupts with an overwhelming sound. Next to it there is a covered restaurant. You can walk in the waters of the stream and climb up the white calcareous rocks.

Denizli-Pamukkale-Hierapolis-Aphrodisias

Leaving Muğla going through Kale-Tavas to Denizli. Denizli is an industrial city with mainly textile factories, workshops and industrial markets. The closest ancient settlement to the city is Laodikeia. If you take the left turn after five kilometres on the Denizli-Pamukkale road you get to the theatre of the ancient city. The best preserved part of Laodikeia is the fountain that is decorated with engravings and statues. Although the temple, gymnasium are not in good condition, their remains can be seen.

Pamukkale-Hierapolis: This site is a natural wonder, an extraordinary scene created by water. Pamukkale-Heirapolis is the site of the famous white travertines, formed by springs of mineral laden water bubbling up through the earth. It is only nine kilometres from Denizli. Right next to it there is the ancient city of Heirapolis. Before or after seeing the ancient city you should make a visit to the Pamukkale Museum. The museum building was the baths of the ancient city. The road, with columns on both sides, had shops and the theatre running along it is in a good condition. There is a church that was dedicated to St. Philip the Apostle. At the end of the street there is the Arch of Domitian. There are also the remains of several other baths as well as a necropolis that stretches for two kilometres.

 Karahayıt:  This village is five kilometres further from Denizli. The healing waters of Karahayıt have the same characteristic as those of Pamukkale. There are a number of high quality thermal hotels in this region. The difference in the water of this area in comparison to the waters of Pamukkale is that is dyes the areas what it comes into contact with into a brick-like colour.

The underground caverns of Pamukkale are on the road from Denizli to Afyon and in the town of Kaklık you turn left towards the road to the cement factory road. Six kilometres further on you get to the Cave of Kaklık, which is open to tourist visits, allowing you to get a view of how the travertines were formed. This is very impressive.

Aphrodisias: This is an ancient settlement where archaeologist Kenan Erim spent his life excavating and restoring. Erim’s grave is also here. It is an incredible historical site. You should follow the road sign directing you there near Kuyucak on the Izmir-Denizli road. It is 37 kilometres off the main road. There is a museum in the entrance of the ancient site. You should see the museum in the beginning or end of your visit. There is the 10,000 seat theatre near to the acropolis at the entrance. Near the square there are the baths of Hadrian, in the south the gymnasium and a Byzantine church with double courtyards. The baths were dedicated to Aphrodite and Hadrian. Just near the Agora is the Odeon. The stunning Temple of Aphrodite still has 14 of columns standing. To the east of the temple is the best preserved part of the ancient city, the Tetrapylon Gate. There is also the best and largest stadium of the ancient cities still existing in Anatolia

Marmaris-Datça

 Marmaris is two hours drive from Muğla. Make a stop in Çetibeli on the road where there is an outdoor restaurant that is surrounded with water channels. On the way to or on the return trip to Marmaris stop to take a boat trip to the island of Sedir (Kedrai). There is a golden beach and the remains of the ancient city of Kedrai.

Have a pleasant day in Marmaris around the yachting marina and in the shopping centres. There are multiple choices for a place to eat or drink. Visit the museum in the castle. Those who have the time should take a one day boat trip. The voyages start between 09-11 am and last until evening.

Those staying in Marmaris for the night could take a tour of sites on the Peninsula, including İçmeler, Turunç, Bayır, Çiftlik, Orhaniye, Selimiye, Bozburun, Söğüt, Hisarönü, Bencik and could include Datça on their itinerary. If you get as far as Datça you should visit the ancient city of Knidos on the end point of the Datça Peninsula.

Kavaklıdere

Kavaklıdere is 14 kilometres from Yatağan, set amidst a pine forest. The historic town is famed for its beaten copper work, souvenirs and has an authentic marketplace. The nearby Menteşe High Plateau is also an attractive resort for summer.

Milas-Bodrum

Starting from Muğla past Yatağan you can get to Milas and Bodrum. On the road from the end of Yatağan you can reach the ancient cities of Stratonikeia and Lagina and when you get closer to Milas you can seen the Castle of Beçin, and take in a town tour of Milas (museum and monuments). On the way to Bodrum there is Güllük, Boğaziçi and the ancient city of Iasos (Kıyıkışlacık). In Bodrum itself there is the castle, which now serves as the Underwater Museum; the historic site of Halikarnassos in the centre; and the Myndis Gate. Then you could tour the coves of the peninsula, lunch in one of the bays (why not stop at either Gümüşlük, Türkbükü,or Gölköy), and for those with the time have a look at the Gulf of Gökova (Yalıçiftlik, Mazı,Çökterme) before returning.

Bafa Gölü, Herakleai, Didyma, Priene, Miletos, Kuşadası, Ephesus:

Leaving Muğla you go through Yatağan via Milas and then from the side of Bafa Lake to Didim. Just off the road there is the ancient city of Herkaleia. You could have breakfast or lunch near the lake. After a visit to Didim and Altınkum visit the Temple of Didymaion. Later you could pay a visit to the ancient cities of Miletos and Preine before heading to Kuşadası via Söke. Those who can spare the time should tour around the Davutlar region in the Güzelçamlı National Park. Pay a visit to the town of Kuşadası and its markets. Next stop is the ancient city of Ephesus. At least spare three to four hours to visit Ephesus and the Shrine of the Virgin Mary. The return trip can be made via Selçuk and Aydın.