Sedir Island has everything for a pleasant exploration tour as well as sea pleasure

Cedrai Ancient City, or Sedir Island as it is commonly known, is located in the east of the Gulf of Gokova (Keramos, Kerme) Gulf within the borders of the Ula district of Mugla. It is the largest of a trio of islands filled with ancient ruins located in the bay. The ancient name of Sedir Island is Kedrae or Cedrae. It is thought that the island and its surroundings, which the local people call Sedir Island, were covered with cedar trees (Cedrus) centuries ago, so the island was called Cedrae. But today, the island and its surroundings are covered with maquis, olive and pine trees. Cedrae was one of the important cities of the Carian civilization.

In some sources, it is mentioned that the Carian king families spent their summers on this island. In the following centuries, the island was considered one of the important towns of the Rhodian peria (opposite side). Settlement on Sedir Island developed on the east side of the isthmus that divides the island into two.The city’s theater, sanctuaries, residences, harbors and many other important civil and religious buildings are located on this walled area. The necropolis area, the port and some of the other civilian structures are on the mainland on the east side of the island. The vast majority of the ruins that survive today, both on the mainland and on the islands, belong to the Eastern Roman period.

Turkish incursions into the Caria region intensified from the end of the 11th century AD, and the city came under Ottoman rule in the first quarter of the 15th century AD. With its sandy beach length of approximately 800 meters and its rich natural texture integrated with archaeological remains, the island is a first-degree archaeological site, a first-degree natural protected area and also a special environmental protection area. The many towers and city walls made of smooth cut stone, the Temple of Apollo and the church built later, the well-preserved theater, the agora and the ruins of the ancient harbor of Sedir Island are worth seeing.The beach, known as Cleopatra Beach, is under protection due to its sands consisting of limestone droplets formed in a special way.

How to Get to Sedir Island?
The closest settlement to Sedir Island is Çamlı village of Marmaris district and the fastest transportation to the island is provided from the port of Çamlı village. In addition, the island can be reached by day trip boats from the Akyaka neighborhood of Ula district.