Things to do in Turunc

The holiday resort of Turunc is named after the bitter orange grown in the region that’s used to make marmalade. This spot on the Turkish Riviera, 20km south of Marmaris, is close to the other smaller resort of İcmeler. The bay forms a small arc facing the east, a secluded area with the tall mountains just behind.

Turunc Beach

The crystal clear water at this Blue Flag beach is perfect for swimming and water sports. You’ll enjoy relaxing on the beach, watching the yachts and boats come and go, taking in the salty air and scent of wild herbs. Sunbeds are free and there are restaurants along the sea front. You can have a go at something adventurous like paragliding to get a bird’s eye view of the pine-covered mountains and small bays. Or go jet skiing or motor boating for an exhilarating experience. You can go snorkeling or for a reasonable fee you can take scuba diving lessons.

Turunc Village

It’s just a 30 minute walk through the village where tourists visit the gift shops, jewellers, bakeries and restaurants. Don’t miss the local market near the harbour that’s open every Monday from about 8am – 4pm and is popular with residents and tourists alike. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are sold alongside other local produce and souvenirs. The cornfields and olive groves, livestock, little stalls and houses in the surrounding countryside hark back to the days before tourism, when Turunc was just a farming village.

Outdoor Sports in Turunc

The Turunc Walks website gives details of fairly easy walks in the beautiful, mountainous region with a map and various routes: http://turuncwalks.com/ The ‘Palamut Tepesi’ (Oak Hill) region is good for walking. You can also see the area on horseback, by bike or on a 4×4 off-road safari, occasionally stopping by a waterfall for a swim.

Day Trips in Turunc

If this sounds too energetic, you can sit back and enjoy the views from a boat, diving into the azure sea now and again. The tranquil bays of Kumlubuk and Amos and the enchanting Phosphorus Caves with their patterns of light from glowing minerals in the rocks and waters, are popular destinations. There are some very interesting places near Turunc like Cleopatra Island, which has a Roman agora, churches, temples, an amphitheatre, baths and the ruins of an old harbour. The Lycian Dalyan rock tombs carved into the cliff face and the Carian ruins at Knidos in Datça are worth visiting.

Nightlife

The restaurants on the seafront have varied menus and there are several lively bars in İçmeler with music, pool tables, quiz nights, karaoke nights and sports on TV. The Meydan Cocktail Bar, Vanilla Bar and Ibrox Bar are highly rated for their friendly staff and great atmosphere. İçmeler has a few nightclubs but Marmaris is the place to be if you want to party all night. Discos and laser shows, cabaret and foam parties all draw the crowds to this region.