MUĞLA: THE POINT WHERE JOURNEYS MEET Muğla is located in the southwest of Türkiye and is the only province with coastlines on both the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. It is an important hub where some of Türkiye’s most popular holiday routes intersect, such as Bodrum, Datça, Fethiye, Marmaris, Köyceğiz and Dalyan. With a 1,480-kilometre coastline, it has the longest shoreline in the country. The city centre of Muğla stands out with a calmer and more local lifestyle behind the busy coastal resorts. Although it is not located directly by the sea, it sits at the centre of the roads leading to the coast, ancient cities and forested areas. The city functions both as a genuine urban centre where daily life continues, and as a starting point for the surrounding holiday routes. In the city centre, you see old Muğla houses with whitewashed walls, wooden bay windows and distinctive chimneys. In the narrow streets, you find neighbourhood bakeries, coffee houses that have preserved the same local culture for many years, and small artisan shops. Rather than large shopping malls, the rhythm of city life is shaped by the market, the greengrocer, the barber and the herbalist. KÖYCEĞİZ: A DISCOVERY BEYOND THE LAKE Köyceğiz is a quiet district of Muğla, located where the Aegean and Mediterranean approach one another, on the shore of the lake from which it takes its name. It is known for its citrus orchards, sweetgum (günlük) forests and the protected lake–delta system. Köyceğiz Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Türkiye. Through the Dalyan Canal, it connects to the Mediterranean via a reed-lined lagoon system. This entire area is protected as the Köyceğiz–Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Zone. The lake, canals and delta host a rich diversity of bird species and aquatic life. In order to protect this ecosystem, organic farming practices are widely implemented in the region. A GUIDE TO EXPLORING KÖYCEĞİZ AND ITS SURROUNDINGS Köyceğiz Lake and Lakeside Promenade The heart of Köyceğiz is the lakeshore. Along the lakeside promenade, you can walk, cycle and sit at cafés and restaurants overlooking the lake. Dalyan Canal Boats departing from Köyceğiz Lake travel along the Dalyan Canal. Routes often start at the Kaunos Rock Tombs and extend all the way to Iztuzu Beach. Sultaniye Thermal Springs Located on the southern shore of Köyceğiz Lake, Sultaniye is known for its sulphurous thermal waters and mud baths. It can be reached by boat or by road. Yuvarlakçay With its ice-cold spring waters, tables set among the trees, swings and platforms over the water, Yuvarlakçay is an ideal route for cooling off, especially in the summer heat. It can be reached with a short drive from Köyceğiz town centre. Köyceğiz Centre and Lakeside Parks In Köyceğiz, you can see Atapark and the walking paths around it, small parks, children’s play areas and tea gardens by the lake. Visiting the weekly Köyceğiz market held on Mondays is also a good way to discover local products and observe daily life. Sweetgum (Günlük) Forests The sweetgum forests within the Köyceğiz–Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Zone offer lush green spaces for picnics and short walks. They are also preferred areas for nature and bird watching.