Orhaniye

Orhaniye is a small village set in a beautiful bay, surrounded by pine clad mountains. There is a marina, a few small Pensions, Restaurants and Shops. Most villagers are farmers and grow their own fruit and vegetables and get their dairy products from their own animals. Many villagers are keeping Bee´s, the area is famous for its pine honey.

Orhaniye is a natural port. In the Bay the sea is always as flat as a millpond. The colors of the sea and the forest mingle together. Do not be surprised if you see people walking in the middle of the sea. The movement of the sand dunes has created a sand bank that divides the bay into two, starting from the coast. You can walk 600 meters into the sea from the dune known as Kızkumu. Legend tells that a girl, who wanted to meet with her lover on the other shore,walked through the sea with her skirt filled with sand. Orhaniye was a major settlement and a safe port in ancient-times.

In the middle of the bay there is small island with the remains of an ancient castle, believed to belong to the ancient city of Baybassos.

There are many fortresses of different sizes dotted around the area. One small fortress on a large rock within the village was built by people living in the ancient city Baybassos. Water was brought to the city from a waterfall in the village of Turgut by aqueducts and an underground pipe system. The ruins of the ancient cities of Kastabos and Erine are also near Orhaniye.

We recommend the restaurant of Dogan Motel and a swim on its private beach. Have a drink at the bar or, an unforgettable diner while watching the sunset to round up another beautiful day in Orhaniye.

Orhaniye is 22 km from Marmaris, the nearest town. There are buses from Orhaniye to Marmaris and back several times a day and almost every hour in summer time.