Marmaris National Park

Natural Park

One of Turkey’s largest national parks — red pine and sweetgum forests dropping to coves, home to Paradise Island and the prehistoric Nimara Cave.

Encircling Marmaris and covering much of the peninsula, Marmaris National Park is one of Turkey's largest. Its cover is chiefly red pine forest, interspersed with sweetgum (liquidambar) trees — which grow naturally only in this region of the world — and a rich maquis fabric. Where the forest meets the sea, cove follows cove, making the park matchless for both walking and swimming.

The park's best-known corner is Paradise Island (Cennet Adası), joined to the mainland by a narrow causeway; walking its paths, the panorama of Marmaris Bay opens out. The Nimara Cave on the island lifts the park beyond an ordinary forest: excavations here have revealed traces of settlement and votive finds reaching back into prehistory.

The Günnücek section, only one kilometre from the town centre, is considered the park's "hidden paradise." It takes its name from the sweetgum tree, known locally as "günnük," which grows abundantly here; across roughly 26 hectares, sweetgum and pine forest, shallow coves and small ponds sit together. Thanks to the migratory birds that stop here especially in spring, it is a rewarding spot for birdwatching and photography.

Because of fire risk, lighting fires is forbidden; leaving no trace is essential. Note: the days and hours the Günnücek section is open to visitors can change seasonally and it may at times be closed; we recommend confirming the current situation before setting out. It combines into one route with Marmaris, Kızkumu and the Turgut Waterfall.