20 Out-of-Heaven Beaches in Mugla

M. Enes Gençtürk

I'm a student of translation, a learner of languages, a reader of books, a listener of songs and a wanderer lost in thoughts. My motto is: "Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." (Thanks to H. D. Thoreau for this amazing quote)

Hello, traveller! You’re probably looking for some neat destinations in Türkiye. It’s your lucky day because you are in the right post of the right blog on the right website! So, I’ll tell you the best beaches of the most paradisiacal towns in Türkiye! And, all these towns are in a very exceptional city: Mugla.

Mugla, in which there are 111 blue flag beaches, is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in Türkiye! Located in Southwestern Türkiye, Mugla is also where famous Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Dalyan, Akyaka and other extraordinary towns are located!

Sunbathing on remarkable Fethiye beaches, swimming in the sea where Queen Cleopatra bathed, visiting historical ruins around the best beaches of Marmaris, getting covered in mud while watching the famous Caretta Caretta turtles in Dalyan Mud Bath and Turtle Beach. This cute, blue city indubitably offers the therapeutic getaway you deserve!

Furthermore, it’s unbelievable how easy it is to get to this amazing city! The only thing you need to do is to fly to the airport in Bodrum, or Dalaman, and voila, you have already arrived in paradise.

Also, if you want an unforgettable experience, you should not forget to check out the plans HeyTripster offers! You can just click here and discover the perfect trip plan for you.

1. Gumbet Beach, Bodrum

Our first beach is Gumbet Beach! It is a public beach and can be a little overcrowded sometimes. However, Gumbet is unquestionably worth visiting; the water is nice, it’s near the city centre, there’re many restaurants around the corner, and you can easily socialise or taste local and international dishes.

If I had to describe the beach, I’d say that it is a little rocky, so you may need to bring your sea shoes, but other than that, it’s ideal. Also, the sea is a tad shallow, which is good for families with children.

Another pro of Gumbet Beach is its location; the beach is really close to the city centre, so if you stay in Bodrum and just want to get to the nearest beach, you can give it a shot.

2. Aspat Beach, Bodrum

Now, it’s Aspat time! A heavenly, sandy beach that is surrounded by trees. The best thing about this beach is that it isn’t usually crowded. Since there won’t be many people, you can just listen to the hypnotising voice of the sea and just chill while basking in tranquillity. And the water is literally transparent.

There aren’t many nearby shops or places that offer water sports; therefore, if you’re looking for a place you can socialise in, Aspat might not be the perfect fit for you. The sea gradually gets deeper; so, we can say it’s a good choice if you are not very good at swimming or just a beginner, as long as you’re careful.

There are buses at Bodrum bus terminal that go to Aspat, you can take them to get to the beach.

3. Yahsi Beach, Bodrum

If you’re looking for perfection, Yahsi Beach is just what you need. First of all, Yahsi Beach is a blue flag beach, so it’s a clean beach where you can swim without being bothered by dirt or rubbish. Plus, it’s a public beach, so there is no entrance fee; however, it might be a tad crowded, but not too much. So it’s a good choice if you want a place that is near to the restaurants and cafés, where you can find other people to socialize with.

A fun fact, “Yahşi” means “Nice, fine, good” in Turkish; and I believe the beach deserves its name. Also, there are lovely amenities and places where you can do water sports around, so I guarantee you’ll have a great time!

There are buses in the city centre that you can take to get to Yahsi. Since the beach is not so far from the city centre, it only takes 20 minutes to arrive at the beach.

4. Gundogan Public Beach, Bodrum

Gundogan is another blue flag beach. There is no entrance fee, and most of the facilities around will let you use their services -showers, changing rooms etc.- for free. The sea is shallow, and it gradually gets deeper, so it may be a suitable choice for families with children, as long as they’re careful.

Gundogan is out of this world with its natural crescent-like shape and transparent water. Plus, it isn’t windy or overcrowded; perfect, right? And, the sea is a little cool, so it may be the best spot for a refreshing break after a hot summer day.

If you are asking yourself “What is a great beach near me?”, then you should definitely check this one out. You can get to Gundogan by taking a bus from the city centre.

5. Paradise Cove Beach, Bodrum

Are you ready to spend some time in paradise? That wasn’t a wordplay because Paradise Cove Beach is really an imitation of paradise. Plus, it’s one of my favourite destinations. As soon as you arrive at Paradise Cove, you’ll meet beautiful nature, clear water, tranquillity and relief. I believe there is really something that makes this place so therapeutic, yet I couldn’t’ve figured it out yet; maybe you can. And good news, it’s rarely crowded. Of course, the reason for that is its location, which is not very easy to access, yet every good thing has some flaws, right?

By the way, you should fill out the HeyTripster’s evaluation form to find the best plans for your daily trips to the best beaches of Türkiye; that way, your trip to Türkiye will be unforgettable.

6. Oludeniz Beach, Fethiye

A beach surrounded by mountains and crystal blue water… Get ready for a turquoise experience! Our next destination is Oludeniz, where you can see every tone of blue! I have to warn you, this beach can be a little too crowded since it’s one of the most famous beaches in Türkiye. Nevertheless, Oludeniz Beach is really long, so there is enough space for everyone.

Some parts of the beach can be a tad rocky, while other parts are just pure smooth sand. So bringing sea shoes may be a good idea if you’re planning to walk along the beach. There is also “Babadag” nearby where you can do paragliding, which I highly recommend.

Oludeniz, which means “The Dead Sea” in Turkish, has a sad story behind its name. Once upon a time, an old captain and his son used to sail along the coast of Oludeniz bay. The father used to drop anchor and send his son to shore to bring fresh drinking water.

One day, the son spotted a beautiful girl called Belcekız on the beach. The two fell in love, and each time the boy came to the bay, he would see his lover. Sometime later, on one of their trips to Oludeniz, a monster storm swept over the bay putting their ship in danger. The son told his father of a secret lagoon that the girl had shown to him and tried to get him to steer the ship towards the entrance.

The father, having never heard of the place before, thought his son was gulling him into destroying their ship, so he could save himself and be with his lover forever. A fight broke out, and the father pushed his son into the sea where he drowned.

Belcekiz saw what happened from the cliffs overlooking the shore and became so distraught that she flung herself over the edge. That’s why locals nicknamed the lagoon “Oludeniz” and the stretch of the main beach “Belcekiz.”

Today, some even believe Belcekiz’s tears painted the water around the sandbank into so many different tones of blue and her tears are lighting the way to the entrance, and guiding ships to the safety of its inner depths.

7. Calıs Beach, Fethiye

Have you ever wondered why Caretta Caretta turtles nest on Calıs Beach? Maybe because they know how beautiful it is to watch the sunset from here. Well, our focus is not on the turtles, but if you’re lucky enough, you can see some of them during your trip. But Çalış Beach offers a really unforgettable experience for those who aren’t into turtles too!

There are numerous activities, from windsurfing to kiting, you can do. Plus, the beach is really vivid with restaurants, pubs and bars nearby. Furthermore, if you want to have an even more enjoyable day, you may want to join some tours or excursions. Isn’t there a lot to discover?

And, it’s crazy how this paradisiacal beach is pretty accessible! It’s near to the Fethiye centre; so, you can get there by just taking regular minibuses or Water Taxis.

8. Karaot Beach, Fethiye

If I had to describe the Karaot Beach in five words, I would say sea, sand, sun, serenity and turtles! Yes, Caretta Caretta turtles are endangered, so they’re kind of hard to see, except for in Fethiye, which is their natural nesting area. But you should be careful while placing your lounge chair; you wouldn’t want to accidentally crack some eggs.

Also, there is the Akgol nearby, which is inhabited by sea otters. By the way, I told you that it’s sandy, but some parts of the beach may be a little rocky; so, you may want to bring a pair of sea shoes.

Plus, Karaot Beach isn’t usually crowded, so if you want to get away from the crowd, Karaot is just what you need. The entrance fee is 10TL per person and 40TL per car.

9. Sea Me Beach, Fethiye

 

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You will not want to leave Sea Me Beach without taking hundreds of instagrammable photos! Well, as a starter, I have to say that the sea in Sea Me Beach is quite deep and may not be quite a perfect choice for families with children; but, if you think you’re a good swimmer, then you can just head there!

The place is decorated in a bohemian way, the music is cool, the beach is pretty clean, and the water is transparent. Literally paradise, right?

I recommend the sushi restaurant on the beach. The prices are fair. The entrance fee is 200 TL per person and it includes the price of the lounge chairs. Sometimes it can be too hard to find an empty one since it is usually crowded.

10. Inlice Public Beach, Fethiye

Imagine: You’re in the middle of the green, the enchanting smell of pine trees are taking you to another world, the hypnotising voice of the sea sings its most beautiful lullaby…

Welcome to Inlice Public Beach. Inlice is one of the best coves in Fethiye, and also pretty near to Dalaman, which is another town with gorgeous beaches. Inlice is suitable for going on a picnic, so you can pack up your picnic basket and head there with your friends. Plus, there are cafés and restaurants around, so you can drink or eat while basking in the warm sun.

The sea is pretty clear, yet it is wavy and might be too deep for children. Also, the beach has black, thick sand, yet you don’t need to bring your sea shoes, as it’s not rocky. There is no entrance fee; you may need to pay for lounge chairs or parasols.

And the best way to discover a beach is to know how to discover it. So, you may want to click here to see the best travel plan HeyTripster offers to you!

11. Marmaris Public Beach, Marmaris

Clean and a bit crowded; if you are around the Marmaris centre and looking for a beach where you can get refreshed, there is Marmaris Public Beach just around the corner. And, as you can guess, since it’s a public beach, there is no entrance fee, yet you need to pay an affordable price for the lounge chairs and parasols.

Plus, there are many cafés along the beach which you should visit and, their prices are also pretty fair. Even though the beach may be too crowded sometimes, it’s very clean, so if you avoid public beaches because they might be dirty, you may give this one a shot. The water is pretty warm, yet it’s fresh enough if you want to have a nice break after a sunny day.

12. Icmeler Beach, Marmaris

Our next destination is one of the most popular beaches in Mugla: Icmeler Beach! The beach attracts visitors with its golden sand and a wide range of water sports -from skiing to scuba diving- it offers.

The beach is surrounded by hills and forests, so it gives you the best of two -green and blue- worlds. The entrance is a tad rocky, so you should definitely bring your sea shoes. The water is clean and waveless; you can bask in the sun next to a crystal-clear azure sea.

Plus, the beach is cleaned every night, so it’s pretty clean. The food or beverages may be a tad more expensive than the other facilities, but they are definitely worth it. Also, there are mud baths and hikes around, so Icmeler offers you a great time.

I have been talking about pros; so, here’s a con: the beach may be overcrowded, and there are too many lounge chairs, they utterly cover the beach. So if you don’t like crowds, Icmeler Beach may not be suitable for you.

13. Kleopatra Beach, Marmaris

I’m sure you’ve heard about Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen. But, did you know that you could swim where she swam? Well, if you didn’t, then you should definitely visit Kleopatra Beach.

According to a story, Marcus Antonius, a Roman politician and general, gifted Queen Cleopatra of Egypt with Cedrea Island, which includes the Kleopatra Beach. The story says that Queen Cleopatra often used to pop down the beach and swim there. However, that’s just a story while the beauty of Kleopatra Beach is not.

The transparent water and smooth, golden sand may enamour you with its grace. But don’t forget that the sea can be a little too deep; also, some parts of the sea are very rocky, don’t forget to bring your sea shoes.

There is no entrance fee, but you have to pay for the lounge chairs or parasols. Plus, if you’d like to spend a few nights there, the area is perfectly suitable for camping. There are many ancient ruins nearby; so don’t forget to visit them and take lots of pictures.

14. Girl Sand Beach, Marmaris

Another exceptional beach surrounded by hills and forests, so that you will be in the middle of various tones of green and blue. I’m sure you will love Girl Sand Beach because it’s just like a trailer from heaven.

There are ruins of a castle nearby, which you might like to visit and watch the beach from the top of the ruins. Plus, there is a water sports centre on the beach, so it offers many activities to visitors. However, the sea might be a little too deep for children, and the beach is sort of rocky, so you should bring your sea shoes here too.

Story time! There are two legends about the origin of the name Girl Sand:

According to the first legend, a girl who wants to reach her lover fills her skirt with sand and starts moving ahead in the sea by filling it with sand. But she drowns when she runs out of sand.

The second legend is about a princess. The king of Baybassos, an ancient kingdom that ruled the area, loses a battle and his enemies capture the city, killing the king and all the inhabitants.

The beautiful daughter of the king tries to escape from the massacre. The princess comes down to the shore. However, since she doesn’t know how to swim, she fills her skirt with sand. Then a miracle occurs: as she spreads the sand into the sea, a path forms in front of her. Sadly, the princess loses her way and drowns when she runs out of sand.

Today, there is a sculpture of this girl, just at the beginning point of the shallow water area. If you go to Girl Sand Beach, you should definitely go through that tiny, narrow sand passage in the sea.

15. Turunc Public Beach, Fethiye

Turunc Public Beach might be a little too small, but it’s definitely a neat place. This modest beach is a paradise for those who want to get away from the modern world and just dive into the sea of tranquillity.

Since it’s a blue flag beach, you can guess that the sea and the beaches are very clear and clean. There are great amenities and a marina for yachts. There is also a beautiful forest where you can go trekking.

Also, there are many restaurants in the town; don’t forget to taste delicious Aegean and Mediterranean dishes. There is no entrance fee, but you may need to pay for the lounge chairs.

16. Turtle Beach (Iztuzu Beach), Dalyan

The next beach is somewhere you can swim in both the water and the mud! Turtle, or Iztuzu, is a spectacular beach with a transparent sea meeting the river Dalyan on the banks of which you can have a mud bath. Yes, the mud may smell bad, but you should give it a try since it’s healthy and good for your skin.

Plus, you can see turtles here! The beach, which is surrounded by green mountains, is one of the nesting areas for Caretta Caretta turtles. The sea may be a little cool, so it’s the best choice if you want to have a cold break after a sweltering day.

Since the water is shallow, it is suitable for families with children. Also, there are spectacular temple tombs nearby, which were built in the 4th century BCE. As a history geek, I definitely recommend you go and have a look at them.

And, a fun fact: Iztuzu Beach was voted as the most beautiful beach in the world in 1995 and in 2008. Moreover, there is a nice cafeteria where you can eat delicious Turkish dishes. The entrance fee is 30TL for cars.

17. Asi Beach, Dalyan

Asi Beach is the literal definition of a “hidden gem.” If you plan to visit it with a yacht, you’re lucky because that’s the easiest way to get there. You can get there by car as well, but it just may be a little difficult. Nevertheless, trust me, it’s definitely worth it.

First of all, the beach is so tranquil, because there are usually not so many people. The sea is turquoise, lukewarm and super clean. Plus, the place is cleaned every day by the staff, so you will not see rubbish around. There is a restaurant on the beach where you can eat delicious seafood. The prices are fair. Unfortunately, there is no camping possibility, yet you can do water sports. You have to pay an entrance fee of 39TL per car.

18. Kargicak Cove, Dalyan

Kargıcak Cove offers you sand, sea and spectacular scenery. If you want to have a tranquil day, Kargicak is just what you need, because there won’t be so many people. Unfortunately, the sea can be a little wavy and deep, so it may not be suitable for children and those who are not good swimmers.

The sea is cooler and less salty than other beaches; also, the sand is a little thick, it feels rocky, so you may want to bring your sea shoes.

In my opinion, Kargıcak is that kind of a place where you can just read a book, chill and watch the sunset; so, I recommend you bring a book. Of course, you will need a parasol to do that since it can be sweltering hot there.

Plus, if you like canoeing, you can rent one here and set off on new adventures; there are many virgin coves around Kargıcak that you can discover.

19. Ekincik Beach, Dalyan

Ekincik Beach is one of the best beaches to visit. It has an attractive azure sea, which can get deeper at some parts, so children should be careful.

There are many lovely amenities on the beach. You may eat, drink and spend time at a restaurant or café. The beach and the sea are very clean. It’s also a pretty suitable place for camping.

Plus, the Dalyan River separates the beach into two parts,. You can rent a boat and go for a tour on the river. 2 Lounge chairs cost 15TL.

20. Sarigerme Public Beach, Dalyan

Sarigerme Public Beach could be one of the best beaches in the world! It’s probably the cleanest, it’s the cosiest, and it’s the most comfortable one. There are amazing amenities and little to no crowd.

The beach is very tranquil, so you may just want to lie on the smooth golden sand and chill. Plus, you will have the opportunity of taking hundreds of picturesque photos here, so, good for your IG profile.

There is also a homey restaurant around the corner, where you should taste local delights. The sea is wavy but mostly shallow. The sand is smooth, some parts are a little rocky, but you can go without sea shoes. There are some cafés around, and the prices are very affordable.

It’s a public beach, but there is an entrance fee of 15TL. 2 lounge chairs and a parasol cost 50 TL.