Sedir Island is a first-degree archaeological and first-degree natural site, as well as a special environmental protection zone. The beach is under protection by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Although Sedir Island in the Gulf of Gokova is administratively connected to the Ula district of Mugla, the transportation to the island from Marmaris is very comfortable and pleasant. It is one of the most enjoyable answers to the question. Since Sedir Island is a ruined place, that is, it has the status of a museum, the entrance fee is charged, and the entrance fee is 125 TL as of 2023. It is also possible to enter the island using a museum card. Sedir Island Ruins are open to visitors between 9am to 8pm. In winter, these hours may change.
Kedrai Ancient City
Located on Sedir Island, the Ancient City of Kedrai is a Carian city that was an important port and trade center, which later passed to the Rhodes State. According to the information in some sources for this ancient city, where development has been observed since the 6th century BC, Carian kings and their families came to this island to spend their summers.
The origin of the word Kedrai means “cedars”. This is the reason why it is called Sedir Island by the local people today. Although the island and its surroundings were full of cedar trees centuries ago, there are no cedar trees on the island today. The island came under Ottoman rule in the first quarter of the 15th century.
Among the most important ruins on this island, which contains many historical artifacts from the Eastern Roman Empire, is the 2500-seat ancient theater in very good condition. Only the foundations of the Temple of Apollo in the Doric order have survived. It is also possible to see the remains of the city walls, the remains of churches and chapels and the structures from the port in the part surrounded by walls.
Cleopatra Beach
Undoubtedly, Cleopatra Beach is one of the reasons why Sedir Island is so popular and special, with its golden sands and sea that offers very different shades of blue. The sands on this beach are so beautiful and special that they are under protection in accordance with the Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Law No. 2863. It is forbidden to take sand out of the beach in any way. You can enter the sea only from the designated place. In order to minimize the loss of sand, you cannot even lay a towel on this beach.
There is also a legend widely told by the local people about this sand, which is seen only in Crete and Sedir Island in the Aegean and Mediterranean, and emerged as a result of geological formations.
According to the legend, when the Egyptian queen Cleopatra came to Tarsus to see her lover, the Roman emperor Antonius, she saw this island and the bay. Cleopatra goes to the island immediately, and likes the bay very much. She thinks that the only thing the island lacks is sand and she has special sand brought to the island by ships from North Africa. After that period, Cleopatra and her lover Antonius always meet on this beach.
You can rent your private boat from yatkiralama.com at affordable prices. Explore and experience this magnificent island and the hidden coves around it, to Sedir Island, where Cleopatra swam in the deep blue waters and awaits its visitors with its natural beauties and ancient ruins!