BODRUM
The history of Bodrum, formerly known as Halicarnassus, dates back to BC. It dates back to the 1200s. B.C. Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century and is known as the “Father of History”, was born in Halicarnassus. The Mausoleum of King Mausolos (350 BC), considered one of the 7 wonders of the world, is also here. The only building that has survived from Bodrum in the classical age is the Ancient Theatre. This theater, with a capacity of 13,000 people, is one of the oldest theaters in Anatolia and today hosts art lovers in Bodrum in many shows and concerts. When it comes to Bodrum, one of the first places to see is the Savior St. Peter (St. Peter) Castle. It is one of the best preserved works in the world with its history dating back to the Middle Ages. Myndos Gate, where Alexander the Great entered Halicarnassus, is another must-see.
ANTALYA
Antalya, Turkey’s fifth most populous city, is located in the west of the Mediterranean Region and was established between the Gulf of Antalya and the Western Taurus Mountains. It is also the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast. For the first time, Antalya was used as a settlement by the King of Pergamon, Attalos II in 200 BC. Hadrian’s Gate, built during the Romans, is very famous.
The city of Antalya has become the largest sea tourism center of Turkey, which has developed rapidly after 1980 due to favorable climatic conditions and tourism activities. The record in the number of incoming tourists belongs to 2014 with 12.5 million tourists. In addition, Antalya is the host of the 2015 G-20 Summit and Expo 2016.
BENCILIK
Bencik is a bay on the Hisaronu side, at the narrowest part of the peninsula that separates the Hisaronu Gulf from the Gokova Gulf. BC In the 550s, the people of Knidos began to dig in the narrowest part of one kilometer in order to unite the two seas for defense against the Persian army that came to the Datca Peninsula and to turn the peninsula into a complete island; but they could not succeed and had to leave Knidos to the Persians.
BOZBURUN
Bozburun, which is calmer than Marmaris’s Turunc and İcmeler bays, attracts the attention of visitors with its natural beauties and vegetation; It is a fishing town famous for its honey. With its small but charming port, it is an indispensable stopping point for Blue Cruises. Its virgin sea is surrounded by many coves. In the past, sponges were mined along the coasts of this region, but nowadays, the local people have given up sponge diving because it can not provide good income and it is a dangerous business with old techniques. Instead, gulet boats started to be built.
CLEOPATRA (SEDIR) ISLAND
This island, which has a tiny beach that you can’t find anywhere else, and an extraordinarily clear water, is almost an open-air museum. You can see the city walls, the temple from the Dorians (later converted into a church), the 1,500-seat ancient theater and domed structures. On the Cleopatra Beach on this island, there is a very special sand that is understood to be found only in the deserts of North Africa, and according to rumors, Mark Antony had brought from Egypt by ships for Cleopatra. You can take a walk among the ruins of broken columns filled with ancient writings or old stones decorated with reliefs.
DATCA
Datca, BC. It was founded in the VII century by the Dorians who came from the Aegean islands and settled on the south coast of Ionia. Because of its humidity-free and oxygen-rich air, Historian Strabo said, “If God wants the servant he created to have a long life, he leaves it to the Datca Peninsula.” he said. It is said that 500 years ago, Spanish pirates left the leprosy patients on the ship to Sarı Liman Bay while they were passing by the coast of Datca, and the lepers who were left to die were healed thanks to the abundant oxygenated air of Datca. Located on the Southwest coast of Turkey, Datca; It is a unique town with its large and small coves, deep blue sea, abundant oxygenated air and natural beauties.
DEMRE (MYRA)
Demre, one of the touristic districts of Antalya province, takes its name from the river. Demre was known as Myra in Lycian times. Myra is also known as the home of St. Nicholas, who later turned into the figure of Santa Claus. It was called Kale until it was renamed Demra in 2005. The majority living up to the 1920s were Christian Greek people. Later, with the exchange between Turkey and Greece, the people were forced to migrate to Greece. Abandoned Greek villages in the region still bear the traces of this migration. You can see these traces in Demre, Kaş, Kalkan and Kaya, which has completely turned into a ghost village. After this migration, a small Turkish farmer community settled in this region. Nowadays, the region is one of the most touristic attractions, but tourists of the Christian faith flock to visit the tomb of St. Nicholas.
EPHESUS
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city located on the western coast of Anatolia, within the borders of the Selcuk district of today’s İzmir province, and later an important Roman city. B.C. It was founded in the 10th century by Attic and Ionian colonists. It was one of the twelve cities of Ionia during the classical Greek period. B.C. It developed well when it came under Roman rule in 129. The city is famous for the temple of Artemis, which is one of the 7 wonders of the world and was founded around 550 BC. M.S. It was damaged or destroyed by the invasion of the Goths in 268. It is uncertain whether it was rebuilt or repaired, as the later historical findings are not conclusive. Ephesus is one of the 7 churches of Asia mentioned in the Revelation section of the Bible. It is also said that St. John wrote the Bible here. Ephesus, which was also the city of one of the Christian Consuls in the 5th century, is also known as a large gladiator cemetery. Ephesus ruins are visited by both local and foreign tourists.
FETHIYE
Fethiye, known as Telmessos in ancient times, meaning the land of lights and famous for its oracles, is the most important city of Lycia, one of the Anatolian Civilizations, on the western border with Caria. Fethiye; It stretches along the coast in a semicircular shape, sheltered by 12 Islands.
GOCEK
Gocek, located at the farthest point of Fethiye Bay, at the foot of the mountains covered with pine forests and overlooking the 12 Islands of the bay; Although it is newly developing in the field of tourism, it has become a world-renowned marina brand. A stroll in the marina will give you pleasure with its many bars and restaurants so that you can see many different boats, large and small, moored in the port. The fact that it is only 30 km from Dalaman Airport is also a great advantage for tourists. The Bay of Skopea is an ideal place for yacht cruises, with the 12 Islands and many sheltered coves it offers. On Tersane Island, you can see shipwrecks, which are ancient ruins from Byzantine monasteries to the ancient shipyard. There is also a famous restaurant here, which makes anchoring at night a pleasure. Although it is called 12 Islands, there are many more islands than this, and you can visit an island every day with pleasure and ease during your holiday.
SHIELD
Kalkan is located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and is an important tourist destination. There are many historical sites such as Tlos and Kekova and beautiful beaches such as Patara and Kaputaş beaches in the region. Until the 1970s, Kalkan was an important place for sea traders, as it was the only port. Although it lost its former importance with the construction of the Fethiye road, it was revived later with the development of tourism in the region. A British newspaper, The Independent, has listed Kalkan among the best tourist destinations, especially for those looking for a romantic vacation.
KAS
Kaş is a small fishing town connected to Antalya and Kaş is one of the leading centers of our country, especially in terms of diving and yacht tourism. The town is located on a hill descending to the turquoise coast in southwestern Turkey. Kas was founded by the Lycians and its old name is Habesos or Habesa. With its deep blue sea and jasmine-scented narrow streets, Kaş is a pretty cute town. There are many guesthouses to relax after a day of scuba diving, quiet cafes serving home-cooked food, and small bars.
KEKOVA
Kekova, also known as Caravola, is a small island near Demre, a town of Antalya, overlooking Kalekoy and Ucagız. Kekova was taken under special protection by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry on January 18, 1990. During this period, swimming and diving were forbidden in Kekova and could only be done with special permission from the state. Later, these bans were lifted in regions other than sunken martyrs.
KNIDOS
Eudoxos, the great astronomy and mathematician of the history, Doctor Euryphon, the famous painter Polygnotos, the most famous sculptors of the period Skopas and Bryaxis from Faros, the architect of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, which is considered one of the seven wonders of the world, Sostrates, and the physician Ctesias, who saved the Persian King from a relentless disease, lived here. . Doctor Euryphon and his students established the second largest medical school of its time in Knidos. The sundial, developed by Eudoksos and the great invention of the period, can still be seen in Knidos today. The city, which hosted the famous nude Aphrodite statue in antiquity and was famous for its brothels in those times, has become a frequent destination for sailors and Arab traders from distant lands. Walking on the beach is ideal to see the ruins of the city.
MARMARIS
Marmaris; It was founded on the ancient city of Phyckos, one of the Carian cities, and remained under the rule of various civilizations. The most important work that can be seen today is Marmaris Castle, built in 1577. There is also an Ottoman mosque and an eight-room caravanserai with an arched top. The ruins of the ancient period are on the Asar Hill, a low hill in the north of the city. Marmaris, which is one of the most important touristic centers of Turkey, has a large marina as well as a colorful nightlife.
OLUDENIZ
Oludeniz is a summer resort in the Fethiye region. It is the most photographed beach in the Mediterranean. Oludeniz, which has the consistency of a blue lake, has taken its place among the top 5 beaches in the world by receiving the blue flag with its sea that contains every shade of blue, pebbly beach and has been taken under natural protection by the state.
