The turquoise coast where pine forests tumble into the bluest sea
The province that holds Turkey's most beautiful coastline, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean across hundreds of bays, beaches and pine-backed coves.
This is the heart of the Turquoise Coast. Bodrum and its peninsula, the long thin arm of Datca reaching into the Aegean, the river town of Dalyan below its rock tombs, and the blue lagoon at Oludeniz are all within the same province. Most trips combine a few of them rather than picking just one.
The water is the whole point. Blue cruises set out from Gocek and Marmaris through the Gulf of Fethiye, the clear river at Akyaka drifts down to the sea, and the wild turtle beach at Iztuzu stays undeveloped. Rent a boat, follow the coast, and let the bays set the pace.
Eight places worth your time. Tap a photograph, the map will follow.
The protected lagoon at Ölüdeniz, turquoise water enclosed by a sand spit and forested mountains, is the most photographed natural landscape in Turkey. The lagoon itself is a national park with an entry fee; the adjacent Belcekız beach is free. Paragliding from Babadağ Mountain (1,969m) directly above gives a long descent over the bay, the flight with the most airtime in Turkey.
A steep-sided valley between Ölüdeniz and Faralya, reachable only by boat or a difficult footpath down the cliff. Home to dozens of butterfly species, including the Jersey tiger, around a stream that ends at a quiet beach. Day boats run from Ölüdeniz in summer. A waterfall walk leads inland from the shore.
A long thin peninsula stretching west into the Aegean, where the Mediterranean meets the Aegean. Quiet villages, small coves and the ruins of Knidos at the very tip. Old Datça town, with its stone houses and bougainvillea lanes, is beautiful for an evening walk. Far fewer crowds than Bodrum or Marmaris, and a slower pace.
A long sandbar between the Dalyan river delta and the open sea, and a protected loggerhead turtle nesting site. Development is banned, so the beach stays wild: no hotels, just sand, sea and the river mouth. Reach it by river boat from Dalyan or by road to either end. Best in the early morning or late afternoon in nesting season.
A river town with the spectacular rock-cut Lycian tombs of Kaunos carved into the cliff above the water. Boats chug down the reed-lined river for a full day of ancient tombs, the İztuzu turtle beach and the Sultaniye mud baths and hot springs. One of the most relaxed bases on the whole coast.
A small, smart marina town ringed by twelve islands and dozens of quiet bays, the launching point for most Gulf of Fethiye blue cruises. No big beaches in town; the appeal is the harbour, the pine-backed coves reached only by boat, and a calm, low-key evening scene along the waterfront.
A short, spring-fed river at Akyaka, so clear you can watch the fish and reeds along the bed. Small boats drift its length under plane trees, past waterside restaurants, to the point where it meets the Gulf of Gökova. Akyaka itself is a quiet town of traditional Ula timber houses and a favourite for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
One of the deepest canyons in Turkey, cut 300 metres into the mountains southeast of Fethiye. A walkway leads in over the cold rushing river to a point where you wade through the icy water between towering walls. Best from late spring to autumn once the snowmelt eases. Cool even in high summer, with simple trout restaurants at the entrance.
Mugla's food is Aegean coastal cuisine at its best. Wild herbs foraged from the hillsides, fish and octopus from the sea, olive oil from the slopes around Milas, and vegetables from the fertile inland plains. Lunches are long, mostly outdoors, often right on the water.
A few Michelin tables on the Bodrum peninsula, plus the çökertme, seafood and Aegean home cooking from the food guide above
In a quiet valley outside Yalıkavak, Chef Serhat Doğramacı's farm-based kitchen earned a Michelin Star and Green Star, built on protected local products and ancestral techniques. Wood fire, fermentation and over 150 geographically marked ingredients. Bodrum's most exciting table. Book well ahead.
A pioneer of Turkey's farm-to-table movement, holding its Michelin Star three years running. Aegean and Anatolian memory through modern technique: local prawns with lemon, charcoal-roasted octopus, smoked ice cream with kazandibi. Bodrum's reference kitchen.
A family-run seafood restaurant on Bodrum's Kumbahçe shore, run by the Bozçağa brothers and one of the most respected seafood tables in the country. Sea snails in herb cream, lightly smoked eel, raw and cooked plates from short local supply chains. Now also a Green Star kitchen.
A Bodrum institution across from the marina, famous well beyond its pizzas for one of the best çökertme kebabı in town: thin hand-grated potatoes fried crisp to order, beef tenderloin and garlic yogurt on top. The dish that defines the Bodrum kitchen, done properly.
A local favourite in Bodrum town for traditional Aegean home cooking. Stuffed zucchini flowers, olive-oil artichokes, wild herb mezes and grilled fish, the exact dishes from the food guide above. A short walk from the castle, proper prices, proper food.
Tables on the sand in Gümüşlük, facing the sunken Greek city of Myndos across the bay. Grilled fish, cold olive-oil mezes and a long wine list. Sunset dinners here are unforgettable. Book a table for after eight in summer.
Best known in Fethiye as a dessert house, but the kitchen turns out an excellent çökertme kebabı too. A relaxed, family-friendly spot for an evening meal followed by tel kadayıf or one of the milk puddings. Easy and consistent.
Tables on the beach at Ovabükü out on the Datça peninsula. Sea bream, grilled octopus and a short list of Aegean wines, with a swim straight from your table after lunch. The natural stop if you make it out to Datça. A perfect slow afternoon.
The classic Mugla experience. Four to seven nights aboard a traditional wooden gulet, sailing from Bodrum, Marmaris or Fethiye. Swim in quiet coves, eat meals on deck, sleep under the stars. Book as a group charter for the best value.
Tandem paragliding from the 1,969-metre peak of Babadağ, landing on the beach at Ölüdeniz around 40 minutes later. Arguably the most scenic paragliding flight in the world. All skill levels welcome with licensed instructors.
Turkiye's most famous long-distance trail winds for over 500 km along the coast through pine forests and ancient ruins. Day sections from Fethiye or Oludeniz are easy to do unguided. Spring and autumn are perfect.
A full-day boat tour from Fethiye around the twelve small islands just offshore. Swim stops, lunch on board, snorkelling in clear coves. One of the best quick introductions to the coast if you are not doing a full cruise.
At the very tip of Datca peninsula sit the ruins of the ancient city of Knidos. Two harbours, a theatre, the site of the famous Aphrodite statue. The drive along the peninsula is half the reason to go. Lunch in Datca on the way back.
The long sand strip at Iztuzu is a protected nesting ground for endangered loggerhead turtles. Visit the rehabilitation centre or take a boat from Dalyan. Swimming permitted outside nesting hours. A moving visit.
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