After one whirlwind day exploring the gorgeous town and bay of Marmaris, it was time to look further afield to see what other delights the region around the town had to offer. We awoke to this stunning day, and the beautiful view set the tone for the day.
First order of business was breakfast, which lay a short drive away at the locals’ favourite, Mavi Pide. We were being treated to a traditional Turkish breakfast, with everything from pine honey to gozleme to tahini to olives to eggs – plus what looked like a million different cheeses! As the dishes kept coming my eyes nearly fell out of my head. I wanted to try as much as possible – but where to start?!
Turkish tea 
The beautiful setting of Mavi Pide by a gently babbling stream 
Peekaboo Turkish coffee! 
Sweet dish of a sweet bread with honey, tahini and almonds – incredible 
Just love this colour scheme! Stuffed with all those goodies, we hit the road. Today we were visiting a few different villages around Marmaris, each known for a different industry. The villages along the coast are also popular tourist spots, both for internal and foreign visitors. All the villages are easy to drive between and it made a great day trip checking them out! 
Our first stop after breakfast was the beach resort of Kizkumu. There weren’t any sunbathers on the shore today – unsurprising with a stiff breeze rippling the water! But a couple of fishers were casting their lines out into the bay. Our guide, Ozlem, told us the story of the bay, which has a natural low path running across it just below the waterline. Apparently a daughter of the king fell in love with a lowly fisherman and, as is often the case, their love was forbidden by her father. The girl and her fisherman met regularly on the shore of Kizkumu, and she would always signal it was safe by shining a lamp for him. One night, the king sent his soldiers to intercept them. The girl and her lover ran into the waves to get away from them and miraculously, a path rose below them, allowing them to escape. The waters were too chilly for me to want to test it for myself, but it was incredible to see from above! 
That water colour… amazing! 
Can you spot the path? 
The industry the nearby town of Bozburun is known for its gulet construction – the traditional two-masted schooners found everywhere in Turkey. Nowadays the traditional style sits alongside fast, modern yachts. I got to clamber up onto the scaffolding around a huge new gulet and I loved the symmetry and lines of the skeleton of the ship! No nails are used in the construction, meaning every piece must sit just right. 
The evil eye medallion protecting the ship 
Our lunch stop was Selimye, one of the biggest towns around Marmaris and very popular with locals and visitors to the region. Just looking at this gorgeous bay cradling the town, it’s not hard to see why! 
We were visiting the famous restaurant of Sardunya, known as a celebrity hangout as well as a local favourite. Set on and out above the water, you really couldn’t beat the table views! 
Appetisers – yum more eggplant! 
Someone was really hoping some fish would fall… and I was hoping he would fit in my handbag!
Fresh fish for lunch, served by the sea – perfection! #twofeetinmarmaris A photo posted by Jessi (@jessi2feet1world) on
We drove the winding roads back towards Marmaris, stopping in at a few incredible viewpoints along the way. I loved the contrast of the green and gold cliffs with the beautiful turquoise waters – so stunning.
Another brief stop was afforded to the picturesque village of Bayir, where honey and tea making were the chief enterprises.
It was an incredible day touring the region of Marmaris – which stop was your favourite?
For more posts from beautiful Marmaris, click here and for more information on Marmaris, click here
My stay in Marmaris was in association with Go to Turkey UK and the Marmaris Municipal Authority but all opinions are my own – and I’d return in a heartbeat!
