6 Best Sights in Marmaris, The Turquoise Coast

Sedir (Cedar) Island, also known as Cleopatra Island, is about a 30-minute drive north of Marmaris, and then a boat ride into the Gulf of Gökova. Here you can explore the ruins of ancient walls and a Roman theater, but you can't walk or lounge on the island's beach, which is now fully protected. Local tour guides will tell you that its rare sand–made from tiny egg-shaped, luminously white pearls–was brought here by Marc Antony for Cleopatra. Enjoy views of it while swimming before the impressive escarpments of Mt. Kavak. Various Marmaris-based tour operators run day trips here; prices run around 140 TL a head. Alternatively, drive to Çamlı village and catch one of the "dolmuş boats" (80 TL return) that shuttle back and forth to the island.

Marmaris has its own crowded beach, but many prefer to take a water taxi or minibus to this cleaner, somewhat quieter stretch in the nearby resort town of İçmeler, 8 km (5 miles) down the coast and backed by high, tree-covered mountains. Rent a beach chair and sit amid the palm trees for only 15 TL on the public beach, or nab a spot at one of the many beachfront bars and restaurants. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

A modest, crenellated, 16th-century citadel near the Netsel Marina is one of the few historic sites within Marmaris town, and it has splendid views of the city, sea, and mountains. First built by Süleyman the Magnificent, then shelled to bits by the French in the First World War, the castle was rebuilt in the 1980s. A small museum gives context to the region's importance in antiquity with displays of sarcophagi, pottery, and other finds from area archaeological sites such as those at Knidos.

This large cave dappled with stalactites and stalagmites is tucked away in the forested hills of Yıldız Adası (Star Island), which is linked by a causeway to the mainland south of Marmaris town. To reach the cave, follow the signs off the road to a rocky path and then up a set of wooden stairs. Most of the “island” is part of Marmaris National Park and can be explored via a variety of steep but scenic hiking and biking paths.

The city's best achievement is a 10-km (6-mile) seafront promenade that stretches all the way from the easternmost marina known as Netsel, past the old castle, along the palm-lined main boulevard of town, out between the beach and the fancy hotels that line the coast, and then all the way west to the outlying resort of Içmeler. Along the way are cafés and bars at which to pause for refreshment or to take in fine views of sea and mountains. For 15 TL, you can ride back in one of the deniz taksi (shared water taxis) that run up and down the coast in season (usually April–October).

This pleasant resort town is only about 19 km (12 miles) from Marmaris. Come for the bustling Monday market where you can shop for local produce and trinkets or lounge on the free sun beds at the pretty Blue Flag beach. With a car, you can reach the little-known ruins of Amos, about 4 km (2.5 miles) up into the hills, with sweeping views over the bay. A water taxi will take you to Turunç from the Marmaris seafront promenade in season; a 20 TL dolmuş also runs from central Marmaris.