Mugla Guide

Located in the south of the Aegean Region and home to many famous holiday resorts, Muğla is one of the most beautiful cities between the Aegean and the Mediterranean. We often think of Muğla as a city we pass through on our way to holiday resorts, but in reality, it is a unique destination with its history, blue flag beaches, crystal-clear sea in every shade of blue, warm and friendly people, and lush nature.

Muğla is a city that spreads across a plain at the foothills of Asar (Hisar) Mountain, surrounded by Karadağ, Kızıldağ, Masa, and Hamursuz Mountains. Looking at its past, Muğla has a very ancient and deep-rooted history.

The history of Muğla as a settlement dates back to around 3000 BC, the Bronze Age. In ancient times, the lands of Muğla and its surroundings were known as the Caria Region. The earliest and most significant information about these lands can be found in the writings of the famous historian Herodotus.

After the region came under Turkish and Muslim rule, it began to be called the Menteşe Region. The city changed hands several times: it was taken by the Seljuks in 1080, regained by the Byzantines in 1096, captured by the Menteşeoğulları in 1284, and finally became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1390. The old part of the city, Saburhane, was a neighborhood where Greeks and Turks lived together peacefully during the Ottoman era. After the Greeks left due to the 1924 population exchange, the area preserved its original charm, and many of the houses there have been restored and are still in use today.

Today, you can see many buildings that showcase the architecture of old Muğla houses in various streets of the city center. Most of them have been restored and are still in use. The traditional Muğla houses, which are mostly made of wood, are generally two-story structures. You can find these examples of traditional architecture mainly on the slopes of Hisar Mountain. Besides traditional Turkish architecture, there are also Greek houses that have survived to the present day. Some of these historic buildings are nearly 400 years old and have been placed under protection.

Apart from the coastal tourist resorts, Muğla’s city center is quite peaceful. The locals in the city center are primarily engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, while the coastal areas thrive mainly on tourism. Until recent years, Muğla was a small, quiet settlement, but with the establishment of a university, the city has gained a younger population and become livelier. The university has also significantly contributed to the city's economy.

Muğla is a city that attracts many local and international tourists throughout the year, especially along its coastal areas. Therefore, you can find a variety of accommodation options both in the city center and in nearby tourist districts. Muğla hotels are generally categorized into those in the city center and those in holiday resorts. Hotels in the city center mainly serve as business hotels and are often chosen for business trips.

Most Muğla hotels are located in coastal districts such as Marmaris, Datça, Köyceğiz, and Bodrum, close to tourist attractions and historical sites.

Some Muğla hotels, situated a little further from the coast, offer a peaceful retreat in nature. If you are looking for a quiet and tranquil holiday, these hotels would be a great choice.

Muğla hotels operate year-round. However, during the summer months, boutique hotels in the holiday resorts tend to reach full capacity quickly. Therefore, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance.