Did you know Orhaniye in Muğla is more than just a dot on the map? It is a place where legends whisper on the breeze. Orhaniye is nestled in the Marmaris district of Muğla Province. It sits about 28.6 km west of Marmaris.
Prepare to be captivated by Orhaniye’s stunning environment. Picture beautiful pine forests meeting the Aegean Sea. The forests’ colours reflect in the calm sea creating a wonderful landscape. The sea in Orhaniye is nearly always calm.
Orhaniye is known for the amazing Jesus Beach. It is also called Kizkumu Beach. This beach is a popular attraction near Marmaris. It is only about half an hour from Marmaris. Turgut village is just 2.5 km away. Orhaniye village is an important tourist spot in the Hisaronu Gulf. Yachts often anchor here overnight. The natural setting is incredible with lovely beaches and pine forests.
The most amazing experience at Kizkumu Beach is walking on the sea. This natural wonder features a sandy wall rising underwater. It divides the gulf into two deeper parts. You can walk over this 600-meter-long shelf. It is only 2-3 meters wide with water less than knee-deep. Enjoy sunbathing, playing on the beach and swimming. Water sports are available. Camel riding is another fun attraction.
Kizkumu means maiden’s sand in Turkish. Legends surround this beach. One story tells of a Bybassos King’s daughter. She fell in love with a fisherman. The king disapproved. The daughter secretly met her lover at the beach. The king ordered his soldiers to catch them and kill the fisherman.
Once, soldiers chased the princess. She ran into the sea to save her lover. Wherever she ran the sea turned to sand. When the soldiers followed the sand turned back to water. One soldier shot an arrow at the fisherman but it hit the princess. Her blood turned part of the sea red.
Orhaniye is also known in the boating world. It is home to Marti Marina. Marti means seagull in Turkish. This is the largest marina outside Marmaris on the Bozburun Peninsula. Many private yachts dock here. The area offers some of the best sailing in the Mediterranean.
Orhaniye is split into two parts. There is the valley of Keçibükü and the houses along the road to Bozburun. The village stretches inland for 2 km. It features houses separated by open land. The bay has an island with castle ruins. It is believed the castle belonged to the ancient city of Bybassos.
Orhaniye’s sand spit is 600 meters long called Kizkumu or Maiden’s Beach. The princess tried to escape pirates. She filled her skirt with sand to walk on the water. It got dark and she lost her way. She ran out of sand near the shore and tragically drowned.
You can still see the remnants of her sand pathway. Walk along the sand bar in ankle-deep water. From the shore it looks like you are walking on water.
Coming from Hisarönü turn right after the Marti Marina entrance. The track is unpaved. It leads to Kaptanköy Motel Restaurant. Stroll along the beach track. This beach club features beautiful gardens a quiet beach and hammocks.
Orhaniye offers a blend of natural beauty. It has intriguing legends and modern amenities. It is a destination that enchants every visitor. The population in 2022 was estimated to be 1509.