Car & Van Hire - Mugla

Mugla is snuggled into the foothills of Asar Mountain. It might have a trendy atmosphere, but it’s a quiet and serene destination that’s best known for its architecture. Its natural heritage is equally impressive. You can enjoy your own wild adventure at Saklikent National Park, which has a dramatic gorge perfect for river rafting and canoeing. This is Europe’s second-largest canyon, and it offers breathtaking vistas from every hiking trail. Whether you’re planning a short walk or a challenging climb, the gorge has it all. If you have a van hire in Mugla, you can park your vehicle along the park’s western boundary.

The region offers hundreds of adventurous ways to explore the canyon. There are Jeep tours, fishing trips, shore tours and more. You might also want to stop by Patara Beach – one of the nation’s biggest coastlines. Scuba divers will jump at the opportunity to view the ocean from below. The region is, of course, at its best at sunset.

The ruins of the city of Xanthos will transport you into an ancient world. Their massive amphitheatre and funerary monuments have resisted centuries of wear and tear. The Pillar of Xanthos contains the longest Lycian inscription ever found. It’s unsurprising, then, that it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.

If you’ve always wanted to have your own Tomb Raider adventure, the Tomb of Amyntas is waiting for you. This Lycian rock-hewn grave was once the property of the Achaemenid Empire. It’s located at the end of a 15-minute hike, so don’t forget your walking shoes. Once you’ve reached the top of the staircase, you’ll enter the burial chamber. There are several smaller tombs carved into the slope. East of the town hall, you’ll also find a sarcophagus tomb and a series of battle frescoes.

The local marina offers boat trips to adventurous travellers. You can sail all the way to Cleopatra Island and Gokova Bay in under a day. This part of the city is peppered with restaurants, so take the opportunity to explore the local cuisine. Mugla’s belly dancers are a delight to watch, and you can see them on Turkish Night in Marmaris.

Turkish baths date back to the Byzantine era. They’ve been a purification ritual in Turkey for centuries, and you can experience them at Ottoman Turkish Bath spa, which melds traditional Turkish customs with trendy new therapies. You’ll leave feeling serene and rejuvenated.

Mugla is located northeast of the D550. If you’re travelling into the city from the west, you can turn into Abdi/Pikci Cd on your way in. Ataturk Boulevard covers the southwestern boundary. Zihni Derin Cd carries traffic into town from the east and continues all the way into the centre of town. You can head towards the coast via Dirgeme Yolu. Most of the city is easy to navigate, but the northern quarter is fraught with dead ends, so try to stay on the main roads.

Mugla has its own intercity bus connections, but there’s only one bus station in the city itself. For that reason, it’s best to rely on a car hire in Mugla. Enterprise has a huge range of pick-up and drop-off points. You can travel freely without covering unnecessary ground.

Mugla’s traffic is generally light, but you’ll want to avoid the city centre. Ismet Catak Cd and Abdi Ipekci Cd are both prone to rush hour congestion. If you need to head out via Zihni Derin Cd, try to schedule your trip before or after peak hours. Turkey’s rush hour falls between 7:00 and 10:00. In the evenings, it peaks at 16:00 and can continue late into the night. Mugla has a relatively dense population, but its roads are considerably quieter than major metropolitan regions. Turkish drivers can overtake erratically, though, so be alert and keep a generous following distance

There are three Otoparks in the heart of the city and several along the D525.

Street parking is plentiful, but be wary of leaving your vehicle on narrow roads where you might be parked in. There aren’t any parking ticket machines in Mugla. An employee will collect your payment. In some lots, you’ll need to leave your car keys with the lot’s attendant. You can expect to pay five to 10 Lira for two hours of parking.

Local signage does little to make the backroads less frustrating, but Google Maps should resolve the problem. Be sure to download your directions in advance because Wi-Fi access can be patchy.

Roadblocks are common. You’ll need to produce your International Drivers License, V5 registration document and insurance paperwork. Travel with your ID if your IDL doesn’t have a photograph. Foreigners can legally drive in Turkey without a local license for the first 90 days of their stay.