The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Muğla
Muğla is both the name of a city on Turkey’s southwestern coast as well as a province that comprises a large area along the Aegean coast. Apart from tourist summer hot spots such as Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye, the province also has plenty of natural wonders and archaeological sites. We take a look at the best.
Bodrum Castle
Museum
Bodrum Castle
Bodrum’s castle is the city’s most important landmark and towers over the area in all its medieval splendor. The castle, built in the 1400s, served the medieval Catholic military order of the Knights of St. John and was known as the Castle of St. Peter. Nowadays, it is a museum that houses an impressive collection of ancient shipwrecks discovered in the Aegean.
Bodrum Castle, Çarşı Mahallesi, 48400 Bodrum, Muğla Province, Turkey, +90 252 316 25 16
Butterfly Valley
Butterfly Valley
You’ll have to get in touch with the Butterfly Valley Management before you head off to this nature reserve that is only accessible by boat from Belceğiz Beach in Ölüdeniz. An absolutely stunning paradise, where the mountains seem to emerge from the deep blue sea, greets travelers who are accustomed to living in simple tents or bungalows.
Butterfly Valley, Uzunyurt Mahallesi, 48300 Fethiye, Muğla Province, Turkey
Gemiler Island
Church, Ruins
Gemiler Island
You can either take a Gulet tour or rent a private boat to get to this remote destination, inhabited solely by Byzantine ruins. The remains of churches from the 4th and 6th centuries AD continue to hide amongst the flora and fauna of the island, and archaeologists believe that this locale may have been the site of the tomb of Saint Nicholas.
Gemiler Island, Okul Sok. 4/A, 48300 Fethiye, Muğla Province, Turkey
Ölüdeniz
Ölüdeniz
Turkey’s famed Blue Lagoon is famous for its turquoise and aquamarine colors, of which people have photographed countless times. Quite the tourist hot spot, the area got its name for its adamantly calm waters, even when a storm is surging. Ölüdeniz is also one of the best places in Turkey to go paragliding.
Belceğiz, Ölüdeniz Tabiat Parkı, 48340 Ölüdeniz-Fethiye, Muğla Province, Turkey
Letoon
Letoon
Located in the Fethiye district of Muğla in the village of Kumluova, Letoon was the sanctuary of Leto, the goddess of womanly demure and motherhood. Having once been the region’s most important religious center, the ruins of Letoon continue to inspire wanderers with an avid interest in history.
Arifler Mahallesi, Fethiye Kaş Karayolu 65. Km., 48360 Fethiye, Muğla Province, Turkey
Sedir Island
Sedir Island
This beautiful beach has become famous for its sand, composed entirely of seashells. As legend has it, the sand was transported via ships from North Africa so that Cleopatra and Anthony could enjoy the beach. The perfectly shaped organic sand is, thus, protected by the government in order to prevent theft.
Sedir Island, Alparslan Mahallesi, Atatürk Cd. No:11, 48640 Ula, Muğla, Province, Turkey
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus are often overlooked but signify one of the world’s most important aesthetic wonders. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the mausoleum was once 148 feet (45 meters) high, with all four walls adorned with sculptural reliefs. The giant tomb, constructed between 353 and 350 BC, was for Mausolus, satrap of the Persian Empire, and his wife, Artemisia II.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Tepecik Mahallesi, 48440 Bodrum, Muğla Province, Turkey
Babadağ
Babadağ
One of the best spots in Muğla for hiking and paragliding, Babadağ is a mountain with a peak of 1,969 meters (6,460 feet). Known for its limestone composition and the lush flora and fauna, Babadağ is a natural wonder close to the sea, which makes it perfect for hiking and paragliding with an unforgettable view.
Babadağ, Karaağaç Mahallesi, 48340 Fethiye, Muğla Province, Turkey
Kaunos
Kaunos
Another striking excavation site, Kaunos belonged to ancient Caria and later on to the Lycian Empire. Once an important seaport around the 10th century BC, the city was later abandoned after being captured by the Turkish tribes and the malaria epidemic of the 15th century AD.
Kaunos, Dalyan Mahallesi, 48800 Ortaca, Muğla Province, Turkey
Kayaköy
Kayaköy
This famous ghost town near the populous summer town of Fethiye was once itself a thriving community of Muslims and Christians that lived in harmony until the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. Nowadays, the churches, homes, and shops of Kayaköy are in a state of dilapidation but continue to tell their story of better days.
.jpg){kind=link}
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.