"Villa Julia" is the ultimate location to unwind and enjoy non-commercial Turkey. The Villa can accommodate up to 15 guests and is available for "self catering rentals", but it comes with a lovely discreet lady who comes in every day; starting early she cleans the beach, pool, and garden, before washing up, cleaning rooms, doing laundry, and generally keeping sand and flower petals out of the house. She also helps organise extras such as assistance cooking, day trips, or whatever.
The Villa has breathtaking views, 6 air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms, a roomy kitchen, a home from home reception area, an extensive terrace, balconies, a swimming pool, table tennis, barbecue, wifi, a rowing boat, a double canoe, and a garden opening onto a sandy beach and a jetty.
Villa Julia nestles on the edge of Sögüt Köyü, a rural village, which is set at the head of a spectacular bay and flanked by the mountains of the Loryma peninsula, an important area in ancient times and some of the most wild and unspoilt countryside on the south west coast of Turkey. Enjoy snorkelling over ancient pottery, sailing, canoeing, boating, walking, archeology, fishing, beautiful bays, islands, a rich flaura & fauna, superb local food at excellent restaurants, colourful markets, and the wonderful, hospitable, friendly locals. For more detailed local information, please read on:
The Villa has breathtaking views, 6 air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms, a roomy kitchen, a home from home reception area, an extensive terrace, balconies, a swimming pool, table tennis, barbecue, wifi, a rowing boat, a double canoe, and a garden opening onto a sandy beach and a jetty.
Villa Julia nestles on the edge of Sögüt Köyü, a rural village, which is set at the head of a spectacular bay and flanked by the mountains of the Loryma peninsula, an important area in ancient times and some of the most wild and unspoilt countryside on the south west coast of Turkey. Enjoy snorkelling over ancient pottery, sailing, canoeing, boating, walking, archeology, fishing, beautiful bays, islands, a rich flaura & fauna, superb local food at excellent restaurants, colourful markets, and the wonderful, hospitable, friendly locals. For more detailed local information, please read on:
Söğüt Köyü is just under an hour’s drive from Marmaris. It is a village made up of 8 hamlets, the villagers cultivate and gather over a huge land area and likewise the fishermen work near and far. The village centre is about 35 minutes walk uphill, but a lift can be taken with the dolmus minibus (see below) or a car can be arranged.
Bozburun – is about 10 to 15 minutes away by road, has a yacht harbour and more facilities which will be mentioned below.
Buses & Dolmuses (mini buses) – There are various buses in and out to Marmaris at various times every day.
Taxis & Minibuses– A 14 seater air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers costs about £120 one way, and an 8 seater air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers costs about £100 one way (we recommend a local driver who is really reliable, knows the way, and does most of the transfers with never a complaint... he stops en route for shopping at supermarkets if guests have the energy and inclination to stock up) . There are also shared transfer minibuses between Dalaman and Marmaris and they can be booked online. Local minibuses can be hired for day trips or shopping.
Car Hire - Most of the major car hire companies have outlets at Dalaman airport and in Marmaris, they can be contacted online. Cars, scooters and quad bikes can also be hired in Bozburun. Cars can be hired from Marmaris and delivered to the Villa at competitive rates..
Local Boats - can be hired with their skipper for exploring the bays and islands or for going to Bozburun by day or in the evening.
Local Market Days – Söğüt – Monday
Bozburun – Tuesday
Selimiye – Wednesday
Marmaris - a variety on different days (they change so check near the time)
Shops –
Söğüt - The nearest shop is next to the Octopus Restaurant on the fishing jetty and there are Nurcan's and Sami’s, with more comprehensive stocks a short stroll along the road away from the sea. All are open from early until late, Nurcan and Sami’s will deliver. There are several general stores in the village centre and a few little shops scattered in the other hamlets. Some of the general stores are greengrocers who have lorries that do the market circuit and deliveries can be arranged. In the village centre there are a butcher and a fishmonger, who will deliver, and a pastane (cake shop) and pharmacy. Fish can also sometimes be bought from fishermen .
Bozburun has a variety of shops for clothing, jewellery, etc., all are refreshingly laid back compared to those in the big towns. There are several supermarkets, butchers, a fishmonger, a pharmacy and a petrol station.
Marmaris has everything including bazaars and big supermarkets with a wide range of products (such as Carrefour and Migros)
Söğüt Restaurants – There are some good restaurants around the hamlets, run by local families. Most do not seem to have written menus, so it is worth asking for prices when you order.
Within a short stroll are the following (going from the nearest and to the furthest, all are different and are run by local families - it is well worth strolling along to see them all:
The Keci Buku (Goat Bay) - Brand new in 2019, working hard, and with more ideas all the time. The restaurant is the only one on our side of the river and their jetty is on the other side.
The Kuçuk Ev (The Little House) - now obscured by a house, but they offer pizzas and a smaller range of home cooked food, or whatever you fancy if you order in advance, they are cheaper, their service is good and they deliver to Villa Julia.
The Badem Cicek - (the Almond Flower) - good home cooked food
The Mavi Beyaz - (the Blue White) - more good home cooked food
The Kaptan-ı Derya - and more good food, run by family from Taslica (on the mountain above Söğüt)
The Captain's Table - good food, good value, and run by Sabit and his family, popular for many years
The Octopus – at the end of the fishing quay – a wide range of good food, good location, very professional.
The Söğüt Ağacı Cafe- (the Willow Tree Cafe) - something different - coffee, cakes, art, and lots more
Around the village hamlets: There are more restaurants than I can list, many of a high standard, so take a look at TripAdvisor. Some that our guests have enjoyed for many years are:
The Deniz Kızı (The Mermaid) – by the sea in the hamlet of Cumhuriyet (Saranda) – another excellent restaurant – they will send a boat to collect guests and return them.
The Manzara (The View) – set high on a hill overlooking the bay and towards, Simi and Datça – family run in a stunning location with great sunsets, a gastronomic experience that you may have to book days ahead for..
The Palamut – high in the village opposite the main spring and under a huge plain tree, it enjoys views down the valley and sunsets over distant hills – a quiet village restaurant where amongst other things they do a delicious “Kavurma” – a bit like a casserole/stir fry on what looks like a flat wok over a little burner.
The Village Lokanta – a small restaurant in the village centre, on the right as you go up past the statue of Ataturk – serves good traditional cheap lunches from whatever is in the fridge and on the cooker.
The Fish Shop - serves economical fish fillet or kofte (meatball) sandwiches
Bozburun Restaurants – There are many restaurants from the exclusive and expensive to the modest lokantas and pide/pizza places
Petrol/Diesel – The nearest pumps are at Bozburun.
Medical Facilities - Söğüt has a small clinic and doctor. Bozburun has a larger one and an ambulance.. Marmaris doctors can be called and can usually be at the Villa within the hour, and there are very good private hospitals in Marmaris such as the Ahu Hetmen. The nearest Pharmacy is now in Söğüt and the one in Bozburun stays open for long hours.
Post – Söğüt has a Post Office agency with a yellow post box on the wall outside, it is on the right opposite the Pastane.
Telephones – There is good mobile phone coverage nearly everywhere (remember to let your mobile phone company know that you will be roaming) BUT beware of roaming charges!!
Internet – Villa Julia has wifi and so do most of the restaurants. There is an internet cafe in Bozburun and most restaurants there have wifi.
Banks & Change Offices – The nearest ATM is now nearby at the fishing jetty and there more in Bozburun. Many restaurants and businesses accept credit/debit cards, and some will accept payment in foreign currency notes (undamaged) Please note that exchange rates offered in the UK and inside Dalaman Airport outside the terminal. (Remember to inform your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans so that they do not block the cards due to "unusual activity".) It is a good idea to bring more than one card in case one gets eaten by a machine... trying to get it back would waste precious time and could be frustrating or useless. When withdrawing Turkish Lira cash, some ATMs will offer to convert it into a £ sterling figure or you can accept the transaction in local currency and let your home bank do the conversion - it generally accepted that it is more economical not to accept the conversion to sterling. Some bank machines charge for the withdrawal and will quote a %fee, but not all will charge a fee.
Walks – There are beautiful walks, from strolls to hikes, including the "Carian Way" which goes right past the villa. There are fantastic walks all around the villa and all over the peninsula, but stout shoes or boots are recommended and it can be quite scratchy on the legs. A variety of archaeological sites can be visited.
Water Sports - may be available locally, it changes from year to year, but if not in Orhaniye. The villa has a rowing boat and a double canoe for the use of its guests.
Diving - is available at Selimiye
White Water Rafting - is available on the Dalaman river
Horse Riding – is available at Hisarönu , on the way to Marmaris
Taslica, Serçe & Loryma (Bozukale) – Taslica is a village on the top of the peninsula, still behind the times. From there a dirt road runs down the centre of the peninsula with spectacular views, past the ruined old village and past many other signs of the ancient important heritage of the region. The road ends at Serçe, a bay with a restaurant and tables set under trees. From here a fishing boat can be taken to Loryma a large fortification from 430 BC guarding a large bay – the boat makes a charge or if you eat at one of the restaurants there they will come and collect for free.
Village Tours - a minibus can be hired to do a tour of the peninsula villages, please ask for more details.
Bozburun – is about 10 to 15 minutes away by road, has a yacht harbour and more facilities which will be mentioned below.
Buses & Dolmuses (mini buses) – There are various buses in and out to Marmaris at various times every day.
Taxis & Minibuses– A 14 seater air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers costs about £120 one way, and an 8 seater air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers costs about £100 one way (we recommend a local driver who is really reliable, knows the way, and does most of the transfers with never a complaint... he stops en route for shopping at supermarkets if guests have the energy and inclination to stock up) . There are also shared transfer minibuses between Dalaman and Marmaris and they can be booked online. Local minibuses can be hired for day trips or shopping.
Car Hire - Most of the major car hire companies have outlets at Dalaman airport and in Marmaris, they can be contacted online. Cars, scooters and quad bikes can also be hired in Bozburun. Cars can be hired from Marmaris and delivered to the Villa at competitive rates..
Local Boats - can be hired with their skipper for exploring the bays and islands or for going to Bozburun by day or in the evening.
Local Market Days – Söğüt – Monday
Bozburun – Tuesday
Selimiye – Wednesday
Marmaris - a variety on different days (they change so check near the time)
Shops –
Söğüt - The nearest shop is next to the Octopus Restaurant on the fishing jetty and there are Nurcan's and Sami’s, with more comprehensive stocks a short stroll along the road away from the sea. All are open from early until late, Nurcan and Sami’s will deliver. There are several general stores in the village centre and a few little shops scattered in the other hamlets. Some of the general stores are greengrocers who have lorries that do the market circuit and deliveries can be arranged. In the village centre there are a butcher and a fishmonger, who will deliver, and a pastane (cake shop) and pharmacy. Fish can also sometimes be bought from fishermen .
Bozburun has a variety of shops for clothing, jewellery, etc., all are refreshingly laid back compared to those in the big towns. There are several supermarkets, butchers, a fishmonger, a pharmacy and a petrol station.
Marmaris has everything including bazaars and big supermarkets with a wide range of products (such as Carrefour and Migros)
Söğüt Restaurants – There are some good restaurants around the hamlets, run by local families. Most do not seem to have written menus, so it is worth asking for prices when you order.
Within a short stroll are the following (going from the nearest and to the furthest, all are different and are run by local families - it is well worth strolling along to see them all:
The Keci Buku (Goat Bay) - Brand new in 2019, working hard, and with more ideas all the time. The restaurant is the only one on our side of the river and their jetty is on the other side.
The Kuçuk Ev (The Little House) - now obscured by a house, but they offer pizzas and a smaller range of home cooked food, or whatever you fancy if you order in advance, they are cheaper, their service is good and they deliver to Villa Julia.
The Badem Cicek - (the Almond Flower) - good home cooked food
The Mavi Beyaz - (the Blue White) - more good home cooked food
The Kaptan-ı Derya - and more good food, run by family from Taslica (on the mountain above Söğüt)
The Captain's Table - good food, good value, and run by Sabit and his family, popular for many years
The Octopus – at the end of the fishing quay – a wide range of good food, good location, very professional.
The Söğüt Ağacı Cafe- (the Willow Tree Cafe) - something different - coffee, cakes, art, and lots more
Around the village hamlets: There are more restaurants than I can list, many of a high standard, so take a look at TripAdvisor. Some that our guests have enjoyed for many years are:
The Deniz Kızı (The Mermaid) – by the sea in the hamlet of Cumhuriyet (Saranda) – another excellent restaurant – they will send a boat to collect guests and return them.
The Manzara (The View) – set high on a hill overlooking the bay and towards, Simi and Datça – family run in a stunning location with great sunsets, a gastronomic experience that you may have to book days ahead for..
The Palamut – high in the village opposite the main spring and under a huge plain tree, it enjoys views down the valley and sunsets over distant hills – a quiet village restaurant where amongst other things they do a delicious “Kavurma” – a bit like a casserole/stir fry on what looks like a flat wok over a little burner.
The Village Lokanta – a small restaurant in the village centre, on the right as you go up past the statue of Ataturk – serves good traditional cheap lunches from whatever is in the fridge and on the cooker.
The Fish Shop - serves economical fish fillet or kofte (meatball) sandwiches
Bozburun Restaurants – There are many restaurants from the exclusive and expensive to the modest lokantas and pide/pizza places
Petrol/Diesel – The nearest pumps are at Bozburun.
Medical Facilities - Söğüt has a small clinic and doctor. Bozburun has a larger one and an ambulance.. Marmaris doctors can be called and can usually be at the Villa within the hour, and there are very good private hospitals in Marmaris such as the Ahu Hetmen. The nearest Pharmacy is now in Söğüt and the one in Bozburun stays open for long hours.
Post – Söğüt has a Post Office agency with a yellow post box on the wall outside, it is on the right opposite the Pastane.
Telephones – There is good mobile phone coverage nearly everywhere (remember to let your mobile phone company know that you will be roaming) BUT beware of roaming charges!!
Internet – Villa Julia has wifi and so do most of the restaurants. There is an internet cafe in Bozburun and most restaurants there have wifi.
Banks & Change Offices – The nearest ATM is now nearby at the fishing jetty and there more in Bozburun. Many restaurants and businesses accept credit/debit cards, and some will accept payment in foreign currency notes (undamaged) Please note that exchange rates offered in the UK and inside Dalaman Airport outside the terminal. (Remember to inform your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans so that they do not block the cards due to "unusual activity".) It is a good idea to bring more than one card in case one gets eaten by a machine... trying to get it back would waste precious time and could be frustrating or useless. When withdrawing Turkish Lira cash, some ATMs will offer to convert it into a £ sterling figure or you can accept the transaction in local currency and let your home bank do the conversion - it generally accepted that it is more economical not to accept the conversion to sterling. Some bank machines charge for the withdrawal and will quote a %fee, but not all will charge a fee.
Walks – There are beautiful walks, from strolls to hikes, including the "Carian Way" which goes right past the villa. There are fantastic walks all around the villa and all over the peninsula, but stout shoes or boots are recommended and it can be quite scratchy on the legs. A variety of archaeological sites can be visited.
Water Sports - may be available locally, it changes from year to year, but if not in Orhaniye. The villa has a rowing boat and a double canoe for the use of its guests.
Diving - is available at Selimiye
White Water Rafting - is available on the Dalaman river
Horse Riding – is available at Hisarönu , on the way to Marmaris
Taslica, Serçe & Loryma (Bozukale) – Taslica is a village on the top of the peninsula, still behind the times. From there a dirt road runs down the centre of the peninsula with spectacular views, past the ruined old village and past many other signs of the ancient important heritage of the region. The road ends at Serçe, a bay with a restaurant and tables set under trees. From here a fishing boat can be taken to Loryma a large fortification from 430 BC guarding a large bay – the boat makes a charge or if you eat at one of the restaurants there they will come and collect for free.
Village Tours - a minibus can be hired to do a tour of the peninsula villages, please ask for more details.