Selimiye Beach

Selimiye Beach is the kind of quietly spectacular place that sneaks up on you. The bay curves like a half-moon, cradled by pine-clad hills, with water so clear you can count every pebble under your toes. Sailboats idle at wooden jetties, the village hums softly with clinking cutlery and the odd rooster, and sunsets paint the marina in copper and rose. It’s still blissfully low-key compared to the big-name resorts nearby, which is precisely why travelers fall hard for it. You come for a swim and stay for the rhythm: morning swims from petite piers, lazy lunches of meze and fresh fish, an afternoon siesta, then a twilight stroll along the seafront. If you’re chasing a beach that balances comfort with authenticity, Selimiye Beach in Marmaris’ Bozburun Peninsula is a bullseye. The sheltered bay keeps the sea calm, making it great for families and unhurried snorkel sessions. And because it’s a lived-in village as much as a holiday spot, you’ll find local bakeries, boats chugging to nearby coves, and friendly greetings on every corner. In short: Selimiye Beach is Turkey’s soft-spoken coastal gem.

Where and How to Get There?

Selimiye sits on the Bozburun Peninsula, southwest of Marmaris, in Muğla province. By road, it’s roughly 37-45 km from Marmaris depending on your route close enough for a day trip, far enough to feel like a hideaway. Drive the scenic peninsula roads via Orhaniye and Turgut; the last stretch drops into a gorgeous natural harbor with bobbing yachts and a tidy waterfront.

If you don’t have a car, minibuses (dolmuş) link Marmaris with Selimiye, typically via Orhaniye. Services are more frequent in summer; ask at Marmaris Otogar for the day’s schedule or look for the Bozburun–Selimiye line. Taxis and private transfers are easy to arrange if you’re arriving late or with luggage. Once you’re in the village, everything is walkable the “beach” is a series of small pebbly patches, wooden platforms, and hotel jetties along the promenade.

Visit Information

• Best time for Selimiye Beach: Late May-October for warm seas and long, golden evenings. July-August is liveliest; June and September feel wonderfully unhurried.
• Beach type: Mostly pebbly shallows with wooden decks and small piers; water is crystal clear and typically very calm thanks to the sheltered bay.
• Family-friendly factor: High-Minimal waves, easy entry points, plenty of café-backed sunbathing decks, and shade from umbrellas or tamarisk trees.
• Swimming & snorkeling: Excellent visibility; bring water shoes for pebbles. Mornings are glassy-calm for long swims across the inner bay.
• Facilities: The waterfront is lined with cafés, boutique hotels, and beach clubs; restrooms and showers are usually tied to the establishment you’re using.
• Boat days: Daily boat trips run to coves like Aquarium Bay and to historic Bozukkale (Loryma). You can join shared tours or charter a small boat for a private hop between bays.
• Public vibe: Selimiye is a real village first, resort second expect fisherman’s skiffs, grocery stores, and locals sipping tea alongside visitors.

Entry Fees

There’s no ticketed “public beach” gate in Selimiye. Access to the shoreline is free, and you’re welcome to swim from public areas and small pebbly pockets along the promenade. Most people, however, base themselves at a café, boutique hotel, or beach club with a jetty or deck. In that case, you’ll either rent a sunbed/umbrella or meet a per-person minimum spend policies vary by venue and season. If you prefer completely free, just bring a mat or chair and use the open stretches between jetties.

Other Nearby Attractions

• Orhaniye & Kızkumu (≈16 km): Famous for its “walking on water” sandbar where the shallows stretch across the bay. It’s a fun photo stop and a different beach mood from Selimiye’s decks and piers. Combine it with a late lunch by the water.
• Turgut Waterfall (≈10 km): A shaded cascade tucked in the forest near Turgut village perfect for a cool dip after a beach morning. Jeep safaris often pause here, but you can just drive yourself for a calmer visit.
• Bozukkale / Ancient Loryma (by boat): A wide, protected bay guarded by dramatic Hellenistic-era fortress walls. Swim off the boat, lunch at simple waterside tavernas, and hike up to the citadel for sweeping Aegean views. It’s one of the peninsula’s most evocative day trips.
• Bozburun (≈9 km): A low-key harbor town known for traditional wooden gulet boatbuilding. Stroll the waterfront, watch craftsmen at work, and linger over ice cream before looping back to Selimiye for sunset. Buses run between the two villages.
• Hisarönü Gulf viewpoints: The peninsula is stitched with pull-offs that reveal turquoise-to-ink gradients and islets sprinkled across the gulf. Even a slow, scenic drive between villages is a highlight in itself.

A Few Tips to Love Selimiye Beach Even More

• Start early: Stake out a front-row spot on a jetty by 10:00 for the calmest sea and hush.
• Linger late: Sunsets are spectacular; book dinner on a seafront terrace to watch masts silhouette against pink skies.
• Pack light gear: Water shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, a mask and snorkel, and a light cover-up will see you through beach-to-taverna days.
• Go by boat at least once: Even a half-day hop reveals tiny coves and translucent “aquarium” stops you can’t reach by road.

If your Turkey plans include Marmaris or the Bozburun Peninsula, make room for a day (or three) at Selimiye Beach. Come for the clear, pool-calm water; stay for the village pace, seafood dinners, and easy boat days. And if you do swing by, tell me which jetty became your favorite this is one beach you’ll be daydreaming about long after you’ve shaken the pebbles from your sandals.