City Guide

Mugla Travel Guide

Türkiye

Located where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet, Mugla is one of Türkiye's leading travel destinations, home to coastal towns such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Datca. With ancient cities, secluded bays and remarkable natural landscapes shaped by Lycian and Carian heritage, it offers everything from beach holidays to hiking and cultural exploration.

Must-See Places in Mugla

Discover the landmarks, historic sites, natural highlights, and memorable places worth seeing in Mugla.

Ancient Ruins

Ancient City of Stratonikeia

Located in the Yatağan district of Muğla, Stratonikeia was one of the important cities of ancient Caria. The site preserves traces of many periods, from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras to the Ottoman and Republican periods. Alongside its ancient theater, bouleuterion, gymnasium, temples, and monumental structures, visitors can also see Ottoman-era houses, a mosque, and the remains of a later village settlement. This remarkable layering of civilizations makes Stratonikeia not only an ancient city but also a distinctive archaeological site where centuries of continuous settlement can be explored.

Ancient Civilization
Ticketed
Outdoor

Ancient Ruins

Ancient City of Knidos

Located at the tip of the Datça Peninsula, where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet, Knidos was an important harbor and trading city of ancient Caria. Its strategic location and two natural harbors helped the city flourish through maritime trade, while Knidos also became renowned for science, art, and astronomy. The Temple of Aphrodite, ancient theaters, terraced urban layout, and remains of its harbors are among the site's highlights. Surrounded by dramatic sea views, Knidos offers one of Muğla's most striking combinations of archaeology and nature, especially at sunset.

Ancient Civilization
Ticketed
Photo Spot

Ancient Ruins

Ancient City of Kaunos

Located across the river from Dalyan in Muğla's Ortaca district, Kaunos was an important harbor city of ancient Caria. Once connected directly to the sea, the city gradually became inland as sediments accumulated in the Dalyan Delta. The remains of its ancient theater, Roman baths, agora, temples, and harbor structures reflect the city's former importance. The monumental rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs overlooking Dalyan are among the most recognizable symbols associated with Kaunos. With its archaeological remains, delta views, and natural surroundings, Kaunos offers a remarkable combination of history and landscape.

Ancient Civilization
Ticketed
Photo Spot

Ancient Ruins

Amyntas Rock Tombs

Carved into the rocky slopes overlooking central Fethiye, the Amyntas Rock Tombs are among the most remarkable surviving examples of Lycian funerary architecture. Dating to the 4th century BC, the monumental Tomb of Amyntas is distinguished by its temple-like façade carved directly into the cliff. Reached by a series of steps, the site also offers panoramic views over Fethiye and its surroundings. Combining ancient architecture with a striking cityscape, the tombs are one of Fethiye's most distinctive historical landmarks.

Ancient Civilization
Ticketed
Photo Spot

Museum

Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology (Bodrum Castle)

Located inside Bodrum Castle, the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is one of Türkiye's most important archaeological museums dedicated to finds recovered through underwater excavations in the Aegean and Mediterranean. Ancient shipwrecks, amphorae, glass artifacts, and objects related to maritime trade reveal thousands of years of seafaring history. Bodrum Castle, built by the Knights of St. John in the 15th century, is also an essential part of the museum experience.

Ticketed
Cultural Landmark
Medieval

Ancient Ruins

Kayaköy Archaeological Site

Located near Fethiye, Kayaköy is a distinctive historical settlement known for its stone houses, churches, and narrow streets spread across the hillsides. Formerly known as Levissi, it was once home to a significant Greek Orthodox community. Following the 1923 population exchange between Türkiye and Greece, the settlement was largely abandoned. Hundreds of stone houses, two major churches, chapels, and school buildings still survive today, creating a remarkable place where architecture, memory, and recent history come together.

Ancient Civilization
Ticketed
Photo Spot

Ancient Ruins

Ancient Sanctuary of Letoon

Located in the Seydikemer district of Muğla, Letoon was one of the most important religious centers of ancient Lycia. The sanctuary was dedicated to the goddess Leto and her children Apollo and Artemis, whose temples can still be seen alongside the remains of a theater and other monumental structures. One of Letoon's most significant discoveries is the famous Trilingual Inscription, written in Lycian, Ancient Greek, and Aramaic. Offering valuable insight into the religious and cultural life of the Lycian civilization, Letoon is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with nearby Xanthos.

Ancient Civilization
Ticketed
Religious Site