Datça Peninsula

The road across the Datça peninsula has stunning scenery, with steep mountains, ravines and flat countryside. Datça is an attractive village about 90 kilometres west of Marmaris. From Körmen, just north of Datça, there are boats to the port city of Bodrum. At the Saturday market in Datça you will find food, household utensils, beautiful tablecloths and clothes. You can reach it with local transportation.

• Address:

  Datça Peninsula, Marmaris

Fethiye

This is a quiet little town surrounded by fields of fruit and tomatoes, ideal for family trips. Almynta’s tomb is the town’s symbol, and nearby there are several Lycian graves. In the market there are small fish counters where you can choose what fish you want to eat. One of Turkey’s most spectacular beaches, Ölüdeniz (the Dead Sea, meaning the Calm Sea), lies about 25 minutes by bus from Fethiye’s centre. Come here on a local bus or dolmus.

• Address:

  Fethiye, Muğla Province

Kaunos, Dalyan

Travelling eastward from Marmaris takes you along the famous Lycian coast. Near the Dalyan River, about 80 kilometres east of Marmaris, are the spectacular rock tombs of Kaunos, and untamed scenery. The Loggerhead turtle comes here to lay its eggs on the beaches. The river’s mud is used for therapeutic clay packing, which is regarded as very health-giving. You can come here on excursion bus or dolmus taxi.

• Address:

  Kaunos, Dalyan Mahallesi, Ortaca/Köyceğiz/Muğla Province

Marmaris Castle And Archaeology Museum

The little fort dating from 1522 has been restored and is worth a visit, though the most remarkable aspect is still its view of Marmaris. The museum hosts various artifacts from antiquity and several Medieval cannons.

• Address:

  Tepe, 30. Sokak, Marmaris

• Phone:

  +90 256 412 14 59

• Opening hours:

  The Museum opens at 8.30 every morning. It's closed on Monday during winter.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale really is one of nature’s wonders. There are terraces with pools, and the water runs down from one level to the next in a natural spectacle created by white lime deposits. The name means ”The Cotton-wool Fortress.” Unfortunately, too many visitors have created a lot of wear and tear on the cliffs, and now most of the pools are closed to the public. There are daily excursions here, but you can also take the local bus. The travelling time is about 3.5 hours.

• Address:

  Pamukkale, Belediyesi/Denizli

Patara & Demre

The long and beautiful Patara beach, with its protected sand dunes, is where the sea turtles come to lay their eggs. The ancient town, hidden beneath the sands, is now being excavated. Patara is best known as the birthplace of St Nicholas, also called Santa Claus or Father Christmas. You can visit his grave at Demre. Come here on the local bus or dolmus.

• Address:

  Patara Plaji, Gelemiş Mahallesi, Kaş/Antalya