The Route of Saint Paul

Ancient Marmaris, Physicus, was an important stage on the Anatolia-Rhodes-Egypt trade route. The city's museum is placed in the 16th century citadel, built by Suleyman the Magnificent. Pine forests cover the mountains which surround Marmaris, the shore line being a white line of sand and rock which separates green from blue. The beach areas sparkle providing visitors with a perfect opportunity to dive, snorkel and swim in relaxing conditions.

The shopping district of Marmaris abounds with colorful bazaars and markets. You can find leather, copper and brass wares, jewelry and onyx carvings amongst many other objects. Turkish carpets, textiles and embroidery make good handcrafted souvenirs, and the locally produced pine-scented honey is superb.

The Marmaris Netsel Marina: one of the largest and best-equipped marinas in Turkey, and the Marmaris Albatros Marina make Marmaris (together with Bodrum) one of the finest starting/ending points for the Blue Voyage on the Aegean Coast.

At Ekincik, a delightful yacht-mooring, you can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this area and the friendly hospitality of its people.

Delikli Island lies right off the coast, southeast of Ekincik. Yachtsmen enjoy a change of pace when they anchor at the island and take a smaller craft excursion into the Dalyan Delta. The Delta, with a long, golden sandy beach at its mouth, is a nature-conservation area and a refuge for sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) and blue crabs. At a bend in the river, high on the cliff face above, you can see the fascinating ancient harbor city of Kaunos, with its magnificent Roman tombs carved into the rock.

The Gulf of Gocek, with the friendly Club Marina set in a yet another beautiful pine forest, is one of the Mediterranean's best sailing spots. Dotted with islands and indented with many coves, its land and seascapes are irresistible. The ruins of Arymaxa, an ancient city at the southern tip of the gulf, lie at the edge of the azure waters. Opposite, on Tersane Island, stand Byzantine ruins, including those of the ancient shipyards. From the Gulf of Gocek sail on into Fethiye.