Plan a Marmaris yacht charter with sailing turkey gulets. Discover Cleopatra Beach, Bozburun and Selimiye; swim, dine and enjoy lively nights. Begin or end your turkey boat holiday in Marmaris and cruise the Turquoise Coast in comfort.
Marmaris is a natural-harbour city on the Turkish Riviera, and its expansive marina makes it a true yachting playground. Many blue-water routes start or finish here, so it’s a frequent embarkation point for sailing turkey gulets and coastal voyages. In summer the town buzzes with international visitors, drawn by a lively nightlife scene, a handsome waterfront and easy connections—there’s even a busy ferry link to nearby Greek islands.
Although its earliest history is hazy, archaeological evidence ties Marmaris to the Carian civilisation from at least the 6th century BC. Overlooking the bay stands the castle—taken by Alexander the Great for its strategic position—later rebuilt in the 16th century by Ottoman Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent for his Rhodes campaign. Restored again in the 1980s, it now serves as a museum with galleries and exhibition halls that trace the region’s maritime and cultural past.
Visitors find plenty to fill a shore day when their gulet docks on the Fethiye–Marmaris route: national parks, browseable old-town lanes, fortress views worthy of a fantasy epic, and after sunset, a bar and club scene that keeps the tempo high. All of this slots neatly into a relaxed turkey boat holiday.
Calm and well-protected, Kumlubükü ranks among the prettiest coves around Marmaris. Day boats and Turkey sailing vessels drop anchor here for quiet swims, long lunches and time ashore. A handful of small hotels and summer homes dot the shoreline, and the bay is especially noted for its excellent seafood restaurants.
Unspoiled nature, glass-clear water and crisp air define Bozburun, a renowned centre for traditional boatbuilding where many wooden gulets are still crafted. After a big night out in Marmaris, this is the reset button—calm, low-key and restorative. Add Üç Taş, Aquarium, Bozukkale and Direkbükü to your chart as well—these crystal-clear stops appear on most Marmaris routes and are prized by snorkellers and divers for their rich marine life.
Backed by pine-clad mountains, Turunç sits on the Bozburun Peninsula and blends easy beach hours with hiking trails, jeep safaris and excellent scuba. It’s a staple stop for any marmaris yacht charter or coastal sailing plan.
On Sedir Island (Cleopatra Beach), Hellenistic- and Roman-era remains fringe a shore of pale-gold sand and remarkably clear, shallow water. Many Fethiye–Marmaris blue-cruise routes time a swim stop here to enjoy the postcard-perfect beach and shoreline ruins in one go.
A star of the Hisarönü Gulf, Selimiye has become a must-see on blue-cruise routes and sailing turkey gulets adventures. The village combines a quiet, well-sheltered anchorage with excellent waterfront restaurants. Use it as a springboard to Kamelya Island, Love Island, Bencik Bay and Rabbit Island for a day of gentle hops between gorgeous coves.
True to its name (“Paradise Bay”), Cennet is for travellers chasing a quieter corner of the coastline. It’s the exhale before returning to town—swim, sun, read and simply watch the colour of the sea change through the day.
Spreading along a narrow peninsula linked to the mainland by a slim isthmus, Datça is a classic address for a turkey boat holiday. Spacious bays, secret beaches and a string of small seaside villages—many with simple piers—make it ideal for dropping in from the water to sample local life and nature.
Marmaris ranks among the liveliest sailing turkey gulets destinations after dark. Bars and clubs stretch along the waterfront and down the famous Bar Street, where cocktails, live DJs and dance floors keep energy high until late. The harbour-front promenade is perfect for sunset drinks before diving into the night; early evening often brings traditional dance shows and belly-dancing at local restaurants, then it’s on to big-name clubs with international DJ sets, elevated stages and laser shows. All of it is an easy stroll from the old bazaar and central moorings, so you can step off the boat and straight into the action.
