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Places to See South Aegean, Turkey

Major sights and attractions are included in this guide.

Miletos-Priene-Dydima

Bodrum

Marmaris

Datca

Dalyan

Blue Cruise

Miletos-Priene-Dydima

These ancient sites are located about 1 hour driving distance from Kusadasi and can all be visited in one day. The most impressive is Miletos, whose theater is the first eye catching monument in the region. Climbing at the top rows you will see a nice view of the overall site and how it is laid over the plain. Like many other harbour cities in the region this site is many kilometers inland now. This is due to the soil filled by the debris brought by the river. Priene is located on top of a hill and is also a large site and gives a nice view of the fertile plains down below.

Dydima, is the smallest of the three, and has a marvellous temple whose picture is decorating many travel brochures.

Bodrum

Bodrum, the southernmost major holiday town of the Aegean, is the center of attraction of the whole region. It is famous both among Turkish and foreign travelers. The population jumps from 50,000 people to more than half a milllion during summer time. This small village was first made known 30 years ago by the "the fisherman of Halicarnasus", poet Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli.

The "Blue Cruise", a world famous Turkish Mediterranean classic for yachting and sailing through the blue of the Egean and the Mediterranean in wooden boats with 2-12 cabins, started in Bodrum.

Bodrum now has many small villages and towns spread all over its peninsula, almost all having resorts, hotels, guest houses, bars, restaurants, shops ... The small village Yaliciftlik east of Bodrum has only 3 resorts on the sea and is still in its original unspoilt form.

The city itself is famous for its nighlife, with numerous bars, discos, restaurants, cafes and shops offering the most that Turkey has to offer, second only to Istanbul. You may choose to stay in a guest house or hotel in the city itself for best experiencing the nightlife.

If all you are looking for is a quiet location on or near the beach you may choose the small villages along the peninsula such as Bitez (15 minutes from Bodrum), Gumusluk or Yalikavak (both 30 minutes from Bodrum) Gumusluk is also famous for its fish restaurants.

There are numerous sports activities, such as diving, jetskis (allowed only in some coves), waterskiing, windsurfing (one of the best places in the world for windsurfing is Bitez), paragliding (now available in Oren, one hour drive from Bodrum) and many more....

Bodrum has now an international airport which is reachable from some major cities in Europe. There are also ferries to Greek islands, Kos and Rhodes, from Bodrum. Istanbul-Bodrum is 12 hours by bus, 1 hour by air.

Marmaris

Located in the southwest corner of Turkey, Marmaris is a famous destination for both Turkish and foreign travelers. It is one the most important yachting centers in Turkey. The beauty of Marmaris comes from the combination of green of the mountain sceneries of pine forests and the blue of the beautiful Mediterranean. The winding road descending to Gokova bay has one of the most breathtaking sceneries in Turkey.

There are many small bays along the peninsula that streches till Knidos, an ancient Carian cities. Accomodation ranges from top resorts to camping sites on the beaches among the pine trees. It is possible to find relaxing and isolated bays in this peninsula. In the tiny mountain villages, it is possible to find naturally grown vegetables and restaurants who serve meals done with natural ingredients.

Marmaris is not as popular as Bodrum for Turkish travelers, since its night life is not as lively as Bodrum's, though by international standarts, it has a pretty busy night life during tourist season, from April through October.

Datca

Datca is a small town at the of the peninsula named after itself. It is located about two hours of drive from Marmaris of a winding road over the mountains. It is a nice, relatively calm village mostly inhabited by the people who have chosen the place their retirement place. There are many holiday resorts along the road which connects Marmaris and Datca. And many silent bays as well.

Nice camping areas exist although part of the forest has been destroyed by fires in the last few years.

Knidos, an ancient Carian port which strong trade relations with Egypt and Phonecia, is located at the tip of the pensinsula more easily accessible by sea.

Dalyan

Dalyan is a well preserved village in the Southwest Egean

Located between Marmaris and Fethiye, two of the most famous tourist destinations in Turkey, Dalyan is one of the best preserved villages in the Mediterranean Turkey. This is due to mostly Caretta Caretta sea turtles, who come to lay their eggs in Iztuzu beach a short boat ride from Dalyan.

In the late 80's when the Turkish tourism was starting to gain popularity around the world, this small village was well known to nature activists in Europe but not as much to tourists ! By organizing publicity campaign and creating public awareness in Turkey, the Iztuzu beach and the surrounding places were declared natural preservation areas by Turkish government. So the tourism development in the immediate vicinity grew with ecological consciousness.

The beach of Iztuzu is a beautiful, a short boat ride from Dalyan. The daily cruise boats usually have two important stops before reaching the Iztuzu bay: The mud baths where you can cover your body with mud, and then wash the mud in sulfure rich bath. Then you may walk to ancient Kaunos ruins, and reaching a small hill you will see a very beautiful landscape of green and blue ! The ruins also are impressive. Then the boat will take you the beach and if you are very lucky, you may see a sea turtle while swimming .

At around 5 PM the boats (the exact time will be given by the captain) depart back to Dalyan. It would be one of the nicest day trips you can do if you are staying in Fethiye or Marmaris both about 2 hours bus ride from Dalyan.

At sunset, the mosquitos will appear and they may be embarassing. So it may be a good idea to bring a mosquito repellant or buy one at a local pharmacy. This is the only down side if you are staying overnight in Dalyan. In order not to spoil ecological balance no pesticides are used in the riverbanks we were told by the locals.

There are also many restaurants, bars and hotels in the city of Dalyan so you may spend a few days having a good time.

Blue Cruise

Bodrum is where the cruise idea is born. The Gulf of Gokova is the destination for a cruise more on the sea and nature side. Silent bays, pine forests meeting the sea in small coves is what you should expect. Unfortunately some part of the forest is lost due to fire, last year. Ancient Carian city of Kaunos may also be added to this itinerary if the cruise is done with a private charter.

Marmaris is the center for a cruise for a higher historic content. While nature and silent relaxing coves is still the key, Kaunos, is the major ancient Lycian city on this itinerary. The boat stays overnight in Fethiye harbour and this gives the opportunity to drive to neighboring ancient ruins, such as Tlos, and the canyon of Saklikent, a nice and refreshing place, as well the ancient theatre and the tombs carved in the rocky hills of Fethiye. Those who like nightlife can also enjoy the vibrant towns of Fethiye and Marmaris while the boat is anchored at those towns. There are many bars and discos, some run by foreigners from England, Australia etc. where you can dance to the tune of most recent hits !

Vacation rentals, villas and apartments

Aegean Region Guide, Turkey