Mugla, located on Türkiye’s southwestern coast where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet, is a city of natural beauty where history and modern development coexist. Home to 13 districts and over one million residents, the city is globally recognised for culture and tourism, featuring 1,500 km of coastline and various archaeological sites.
Strategically located and served by Dalaman and Milas-Bodrum international airports, Mugla has been a crossroads of civilisations for 8000 years. Its UNESCO World Heritage site Letoon, along with tentative list sites such as Bodrum Castle (2016), Stratonikeia Ancient City (2015), Kaunos (2014), Hekatomnos Mausoleum and Sacred Area (2012), Beçin Medieval City (2012), and Lycian Ancient Cities including Pınara and Tlos (2009), reflects the city’s deep historical significance.
Mugla’s districts showcase a balance of modern development and cultural preservation. Bodrum blends history with vibrant maritime and yachting tourism, Marmaris thrives as a lively coastal hub and cosmopolitan energy, and Fethiye offers paragliding and water sports over Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon, renowened for its calm turqoise waters. Datça, a narrow peninsula extending into the Aegean Sea, provides tranquil escapes, while Akyaka – a Cittaslow and listed in UNWTO Best Tourism Village – is perfect for windsurfing and river recreation. Dalyan features a winding river, Lycian rock tombs, Iztuzu Beach with nesting Caretta caretta turtles and the ruins of Kaunos, surrounded by orchards and scenic landscapes. Dalaman combines rivers, forests, and beaches like Sarıgerme with rural authenticity, while local villages produce citrus, olives and other traditional products, revealing the district’s agricultural heritage.
With its diverse economy, including tourism, maritime industries and agriculture, Mugla exemplifies the integration of heritage, natural resources and modern urban governance. Diverse landscapes further enhance the city’s vitality.
