Marmaris, Turkey
One of the most popular destinations along Turkey’s famous Turquoise Coast, Marmaris makes a strategic basecamp for exploring the region’s top attractions. Whether you want to spot loggerhead turtles in their natural habitats, discover some of Turkey’s best beaches or spend the day on a Greek island – here are some of the best day trips from Marmaris.
1. Ephesus
Once one of the biggest and most important cities in the world, the ancient city of Ephesus dates back to the 1st century BC and a visit to the remarkably preserved ruins is a must for those visiting Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. It’s a long day trip from Marmaris, but it’s worth it for highlights like the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, the Library of Celsius, the Fountains of Trajan and the Great Theater.
2. Rhodes Island
Located just off the coast of the Bozburun Peninsula, the Greek island of Rhodes is the largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands and is famed for its UNESCO-listed old city, numerous ancient Greek and Roman ruins, and pristine sandy beaches. Less than an hour by boat from Marmaris, a day tour is a great way to visit two countries in one day.
3. Cleopatra Island
Named after the Egyptian Queen, who allegedly met her lover Marc Antony on the island, Cleopatra Island is a suitably idyllic spot and makes an easy day trip, just 30 minutes from Marmaris. Take a scenic boat ride across the Gulf of Gökova to the island, where you can stroll along the dazzling white shell sands, explore the numerous Roman ruins and enjoy swimming and snorkelling along the coast.
4. Dalyan
Just east of Marmaris, Dalyan is the starting point for cruises along the Dalyan River and boasts a number of attractions, including the ancient King’s Tombs at Kaunos, the Köyceğiz Lake nature reserve and a series of mineral mud baths and thermal springs. The highlight has to be the unique İztuzu Beach, which lies between the Dalyan River and the Mediterranean Sea, and is renowned as a breeding ground for loggerhead turtles.
5. Pamukkale
A bit further out than the other day trips, a visit to the UNESCO-listed thermal pools of Pamukkale is undoubtedly worth the effort and there’s nowhere quite like it in Turkey. A series of travertines – limestone terraces filled with natural thermal waters – that make up a dramatic snow-white landscape, Pamukkale is mesmerizing, but the real highlight is bathing in the steamy pools, renowned for their healing properties and famously used by Cleopatra.
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