Milas

In the province of Muğla lies a small district called Milas, containing a city by the same name. This city serves as a gateway to many nearby attractions. 
Milas is a frequent stopping point for many buses travelling through from Bodrum and the olive-clad, mountainous city of Marmaris. Many will stop to get a delicious & filling lunch in this small city. A quick internet search brings up droves of 4-5 star restaurants within the city centre. These eateries offer the most authentic Turkish food and atmosphere. Nothing better for a long journey than some fresh seafood or succulent kebab. For more information about the area visit our Bodrum destination page with other great destinations like Turgutreis.


Architectural Sights
The town is littered with 14th-century mosques, including the Great Mosque (built-in 1378), the Firuz Bey Mosque (1394) and Mosque of Orhan Bey (1330). The northernmost section of Milas houses the remains of Labranda, an ancient city long-forgotten. A walk through the ruins is free and gives splendid views of the distant mountains which surround it.


Air & Ground Transportation
The Milas-Bodrum international airport serves the area well and is a short 30km drive from the city centre. Anywhere from 2 to 4 flights to and from Istanbul leave daily. Once arriving in Milas, one can enjoy the more relaxed vibe of the city, or book a bus ride to nearby marvels.


Nearby Sights
The ancient Greek city of Ephesus is a short 2-hour bus away. The ruins of this city were believed to have been constructed in the 10th century B.C., and perhaps are the most notable Greek ruins in Turkey. It appears one rock wall stands completely free of any foundation, hinting of the city’s former glory. A further 10-minute drive from Ephesus brings those to the House of the Virgin Mary. This small innocuous stone house is the place many believe Mary might have spent her last days. Parts have been restored, and tourists can enter and see two different parts of the home. Christians and Muslims alike visit this sacred place, as they both recognize she was the mother of Jesus. Aside from the farther sites, the district of Milas itself is recognized to have about 27 different archaeological sites and ancient ruins. 
The location of Milas and its busier airport also makes it a great place to get to some of the smaller resort towns. Kuşadası and Marmaris, perhaps the most notable Aegean sea resort-dense areas, are both only a 2-hour ride away. The city of Bodrum is an even closer 40-minute ride from Milas.


Activities in Milas
Since the newer infrastructure was built to coexist with that of the much older and ancient ruins, there are two open-air type museums that have preserved the old pillars, archways and eroded lion carvings. The Milas Museum displays old artefacts and bridges, take a quick walk over to Baltalı Kapı in town and get a view of an stone archway that used to lead into ancient Milas. These buildings old and new beautifully juxtapose each other, and offer a different experience. To have a birds-eye view of thousands of years, being able to see the differences in architecture and how much has changed since is something truly unique.

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