Marmaris - Datça - Marmaris

Highlights

Serçe Bay; A Byzantine shipwreck from 11th century that is exhibited in the Bodrum Museum was discovered here.

In the ancient city of Bozukkale (Loryma), there is a castle that stretches out in a rectangle with its city walls and 9 temples. The name Bozukkale means 'crooked castle' and might be associated with the fact that one side of the castle is missing. Because of its geographical situation and the narrow port entrance, the port was used by the Greek naval forces during the Peloponnese Sea Battle. Karor, the Commander of Athens gathered all the ships here before the Cnidus War in 395 B.C., and Demetrius; the son of Antigonos used this port for preparations before attacking Rhodes in 305 B.C.

Bozburun is a small fishing town. This area was popular and suitable for sponge-diving but nowadays the people of the island are no more interested in sponge-diving as it is not financially beneficial and it is dangerous. In recent years sponge-diving has been replaced by yacht tourism and nowadays Bozburun Gulets taken their place in this sector.

Selimiye Bay; what can be added to the already pantheon of words praising this amazing location. One of the most prominent and distinctive natural phenomena occurs during sunset, when the villages color changes into a deep red. There is an ancient Hellenistic castle south of the village and there is a tomb situated around 100 meters off shore. The tomb has been a guide for shipping for centuries. Selimiye offers a lighthouse, theater and monastery as well as its pristine waters and amazing local cuisine. The village is a farming town as well, and the local produce is collected and served alongside the freshly caught seafood.

In Orhaniye Bay, you will see the unique scenery of a natural tidal formation called ‘Kız Kumu’ (Maiden’s Beach). There are so many myths about this reddish sand-path going from the shore to the inner parts of the sea which are suitable for walking along. On a tiny island located in the bay, you can see the wrecks of an antique castle, a sign of an ancient city.

The beautiful bay Bencik is located at the narrowest part of the peninsula that divides Hisarönü Gulf from the Gökova Gulf but it is located at Hisarönü side. In 550s B.C. the Cnidus people wanted to dig a tunnel in the narrowest land piece of the peninsula between the Hisarönü Gulf and the Gökova Gulf as a defense line against the Persians. So, they would make two peninsulas one island and the defense easier. However, in the end, they could not manage and the city was conquered by the Persians.

The Datça Peninsula offers a natural boundary between the Aegean Sea, the Gökova Gulf on the north and the Mediterranean Sea, the Hisarönü Gulf on the south. Once a small harbor and fishing town, and dating to the Dorian times, it is still one of the most beautiful places on the region. Datça is surrounded on three sides by the sea. The heaven nature, the barren coves and the very clean sea are the variables of Datça. You'll find about 52 wonderful coves around the peninsula. You’ll have great day out to explore Datça, is beautiful streets, shopping and entertainment places, as well as have snorkeling, diving tours, swimming and relaxing at beautiful beaches and bays.