The Bozburun Peninsula: A Local’s Guide to Selimiye, Bozburun and Söğüt
ReactTwenty minutes south of Marmaris, the big hotels disappear. The road climbs into pine forest, drops down to sheltered bays and winds through villages where old men play backgammon under plane trees and fishing boats outnumber yachts. This is the Bozburun peninsula, and for many people who know the area, it is the most beautiful part of this whole coast.
It is also a place that rewards slowing down. The villages are linked by curving roads and a limited bus service, and the best moments come from a long lunch by the water or a swim in a quiet cove rather than a checklist of photo stops. After nine years living in Marmaris, this is how I would explore it.
The peninsula at a glance
| Place | Best for | Character | Bus fare from Marmaris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orhaniye (Kızkumu) | The famous sandbar, a swim | Quiet bay on the Hisarönü gulf | 103 TL (~$2.10) |
| Turgut | Waterfall, village life | Small inland village | 112 TL (~$2.25) |
| Selimiye | Waterfront dining, small hotels, boat trips | The liveliest village, still tiny compared with Marmaris | 158 TL (~$3.20) |
| Bozburun | Harbour life, sailing, wooden boatbuilding | A working harbour with an unhurried centre | 179 TL (~$3.60) |
| Söğüt | Sea views, seafood, peace and quiet | Hillside village above a wide bay, facing the Greek island of Symi | 158 TL (~$3.20) |
Getting there
By car
A car is by far the easiest way to explore, letting you stop at viewpoints, beaches and villages as you please. Bozburun is about 60 km from Marmaris and Söğüt about 50 km, but the roads are full of bends and climbs, so allow well over an hour to either. Drive carefully, especially after dinner, and do not plan a tight connection for your return.
By bus
Two municipal (MUTTAŞ) routes serve the peninsula. You pay on board with a Muğla Kart or a bank card.
Route 10-11 (Marmaris to Bozburun) runs via Hisarönü, Orhaniye (Kızkumu), Turgut and Selimiye, about 60 km.
| Departures from Marmaris and from Bozburun | |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | 07:00, 08:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:30, 18:30 |
| Saturday and Sunday | 08:30, 10:30, 12:30, 15:30, 18:30 |
Route 10-13 (Marmaris to Söğüt) runs via the Turunç junction, Osmaniye, Bayır and Çiftlik, about 50 km. It has far fewer departures:
| From Marmaris | From Söğüt | |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 17:30 | 06:55, 09:30, 12:00, 16:00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | 10:00, 14:00, 17:30 | 07:00, 12:00, 16:00 |
Note the last bus back from Söğüt leaves at 16:00, so a day trip there by bus gives you only a few hours. The two routes are separate, so combining Söğüt with Selimiye or Bozburun by bus means going back through Marmaris. Timetables change during the year; check the MUTTAŞ website before you travel.
2026 bus fares
| From Marmaris to | One way | Return | Approx. USD (one way / return) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hisarönü | 80 TL | 160 TL | $1.60 / $3.20 |
| Orhaniye / Kızkumu | 103 TL | 206 TL | $2.10 / $4.15 |
| Turgut | 112 TL | 224 TL | $2.25 / $4.50 |
| Çiftlik | 123 TL | 246 TL | $2.50 / $5 |
| Selimiye | 158 TL | 316 TL | $3.20 / $6.40 |
| Söğüt | 158 TL | 316 TL | $3.20 / $6.40 |
| Bozburun | 179 TL | 358 TL | $3.60 / $7.25 |
These are full adult fares with an electronic card. Students, teachers and passengers aged 60-65 pay less.
What to see and do
Orhaniye and Kızkumu
The first stop for most people. At Orhaniye, a narrow sandbar runs hundreds of metres into the bay just below the surface, so people appear to walk on water. The water around it is warm and shallow, ideal for children. Watch out for boats and do not assume every part of the sandbar is shallow. More in our guide to the best beaches in Marmaris.
Turgut and its waterfall
Just inland, the village of Turgut has a small waterfall and natural pools, a cool stop on a hot day. The flow is strongest in spring and early summer.
Selimiye
Selimiye is the best all-round base on the peninsula: a crescent of small hotels, pensions and restaurants along a sheltered bay, with tables almost in the water. The shore is a series of platforms and small beaches rather than one long public beach, and some restaurants ask you to order to use their sunbeds. Above the village, the ruins of ancient Hydas make a short, rewarding walk.
Boat trips: day boats leave Selimiye for the coves around the peninsula. Shared full-day trips cost around 1,500-2,000 TL ($30-40) per person, depending on the route, lunch and drinks. Private boats are priced per boat; get the total in writing. For tips on choosing a boat, see our guide to Marmaris boat trips.
Food: at Bahtiyar Restaurant on the Selimiye waterfront, breakfast costs 500 TL ($10) per person and cold meze around 300 TL ($6) each in 2026.
Bozburun
At the end of the main road, Bozburun is a working harbour village famous for building traditional wooden gulets, and you can often see hulls taking shape in the boatyards. Walk the harbour, watch the fishing boats come in and have lunch by the water. Swimming is from rocky platforms and small coves rather than a sandy beach, with wonderfully clear water.
From Bozburun or Söğüt, a private boat (or a long hike on the Carian Trail) takes you to the Hellenistic harbour fortress of Loryma at the tip of the peninsula; there is no proper road to the bay. It is a highlight for anyone interested in history.
Food: at Calm Restaurant, fish and chips or a portion of grilled meatballs costs 750 TL ($15) in 2026. Whole fish and seafood are priced by weight, so ask the price per kilo first.
Söğüt and Bayır
Söğüt spreads across a hillside above a wide bay, with views across to the Greek island of Symi. It is known for seafood and is the quietest of the three main villages: perfect for a long, slow meal. On the way, the bus and the road pass through Bayır, where the village square is shaded by a huge, ancient plane tree, and Çiftlik, one of the loveliest bays near Marmaris.
Where to stay
- Selimiye if you want the widest choice of small hotels, restaurants and boat trips.
- Bozburun if you love sailing, harbours and village life.
- Söğüt for a quiet hillside setting, sea views and seafood dinners.
Most accommodation is in small family-run hotels and pensions. Book early for July and August, particularly for waterfront rooms, and check whether breakfast is included. For a comparison with staying in Marmaris itself, see where to stay in Marmaris.
A one-day route from Marmaris
By car:
- Leave Marmaris by 08:30. Stop at Kızkumu for a morning swim before the crowds.
- Continue via Turgut (waterfall) to Selimiye for coffee and a walk along the waterfront, or a short climb to Hydas.
- Drive on to Bozburun for a long lunch by the harbour.
- If you still have the energy, return via Söğüt and Bayır for the views.
By bus: take the 08:30 bus on route 10-11, get off at Kızkumu for a swim, then continue to Selimiye on the next bus for lunch, and return to Marmaris in the late afternoon. Or take the 10:00 bus to Söğüt and be back at the stop for the 16:00 return.
A full boat trip on top of all of this is too much for one day. If you want both, stay a night in Selimiye.
2026 budget examples
| Item | 2026 price | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Marmaris-Selimiye, return | 316 TL | ~$6.40 |
| Bus Marmaris-Bozburun, return | 358 TL | ~$7.25 |
| Bus Marmaris-Söğüt, return | 316 TL | ~$6.40 |
| Shared boat trip from Selimiye | 1,500-2,000 TL | $30-40 |
| Breakfast in Selimiye | ~500 TL | ~$10 |
| Cold meze, per dish | ~300 TL | ~$6 |
| Main course in Bozburun | ~750 TL | ~$15 |
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October are ideal: warm sea, quiet roads and pleasant temperatures for walking. July and August are hot and busier, with higher demand for rooms and boats. From late October, many small businesses close or cut their hours, so check what will be open. More in our guide to the best time to visit Marmaris.
Practical tips
- Save both outward and return bus times before you leave Marmaris.
- Carry water, sun protection and shoes with grip for village lanes and rocky shores.
- Bring some cash; small restaurants and kiosks may not take cards.
- Ask for the price per kilo before ordering fish.
- Fill up with fuel in Marmaris; petrol stations are few on the peninsula.
- Respect fire warnings in the forests during dry summer months.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Selimiye, Bozburun and Söğüt in one day?
By car, yes, with an early start and short stops. By bus, it is impractical, because Söğüt is on a separate route with only a few departures.
How much is the bus from Marmaris to Bozburun?
179 TL (about $3.60) one way and 358 TL ($7.25) return with an electronic card in 2026.
What time is the last bus back from Söğüt?
16:00, every day. On route 10-11, the last bus from Bozburun leaves at 18:30.
Which village is best for a first stay?
Selimiye, for its choice of small hotels, restaurants and boat trips. Choose Bozburun for its harbour, or Söğüt for peace and quiet.
Do I need a car?
Not to reach the villages, but a car makes exploring several of them in one day far easier.
Are the beaches free?
Public shores are free, but many waterfront spots belong to hotels or restaurants that ask you to order or pay for a sunbed. Ask before settling in.
Plan more days out
For other trips, see our guides to the Datça day trip, the Dalyan day trip and things to do in Marmaris. For the bigger picture, start with the Marmaris Travel Guide.
