Kızkumu
“Jesus Beach”: a sand strip reaching into the bay, where you walk out knee-deep among the yachts.
Orhaniye and Kızkumu
A small neighbourhood of Marmaris on a sheltered bay, with the famous sand strip where you walk out on the sea.
Orhaniye centre
Chain supermarkets and daily needs, right in the centre of Orhaniye.
Selimiye, Söğüt, Turgut, Bozburun
The neighbourhoods and bays around Orhaniye, from the harbour of Selimiye to the Turgut waterfall.
Marmaris
The centre of Marmaris district, which Orhaniye belongs to, with its marina, shops and hospital. Also reachable by public transport.
Kızkumu: walking on the sea
Kızkumu is the reason many people come to Orhaniye. A narrow strip of sand runs from the beach far out into the bay, just below the surface, so you can walk hundreds of metres into the sea with the water only around your knees. Because of this, visitors often call it “Jesus Beach”. Yachts lie at anchor on both sides, and the view back to the green hills is one of the best-known pictures of the Marmaris region. Across the bay from the beach you can see the hills of the Datça Peninsula.
The name means “girl’s sand”. Local legend tells of a young girl who carried sand in her skirt to build a path across the bay; a statue of her stands in the water at the beach. The shallow water is warm and calm, which makes Kızkumu popular with families with children.
From Maviev you reach Kızkumu in about 10 minutes on foot. Go early in the morning or in the late afternoon to have the sand strip almost to yourself.
The neighbourhood and the bay
Orhaniye is a neighbourhood of Marmaris district, on the Hisarönü Gulf south-west of the town of Marmaris. The bay is well sheltered, so it is a favourite anchorage for sailing yachts and gulets. Life in Orhaniye is slow and simple: a few shops, small restaurants and cafés, and the marina.
Maviev is in the centre of Orhaniye. Chain supermarkets are a 5-minute walk away, so you can buy bread, fruit and everything for breakfast on foot.
Beyond Kızkumu
Several other beaches and small bays are close to Orhaniye. With a car you can also explore the neighbourhoods around Orhaniye: the harbour of Selimiye, the quiet bay of Söğüt, Turgut with its waterfall, and Bozburun, known for boatbuilding. Boat tours to the nearby bays are a popular day out in summer.
Marmaris is about 30 minutes by car. There you’ll find the big marina, shops, the old town and the hospital.
Getting here
The nearest airport is Dalaman (DLM).
- From Dalaman Airport, take the Muttaş or Havaş shuttle bus to Marmaris.
- From Marmaris, continue to Orhaniye by car or by public transport (dolmuş).
If you rent a car, you can drive directly from the airport to Orhaniye. Parking at Maviev is free.
Do you need a car?
Not necessarily. The shops and Kızkumu are within walking distance, and public transport connects Orhaniye with Marmaris. A car is useful if you want to explore the other beaches and neighbourhoods nearby.