Chasing beauty in Turkey: sunken ruins of Cleopatra’s bath
Table of Contents
Cleopatra is known for her timeless beauty. Coincidentally, there’s a lot of timeless beauty to be found in Turkey. And where better to look for it than to go chasing the sunken ruins of Cleopatra’s bath near Göcek? A hammam where she is said to have bathed on several occasions. The reason for our visit was not the hope of finding eternal beauty ourselves, but only to admire the magical interplay of turquoise waters and submerged ruins. Something about it is fascinating, even on a warm but in the end rather greyish November day.
Inside The Ruins
Cleopatra’s bath myth
As is the case with plenty of ruins, there’s a myth belonging to Cleopatra’s bath. And, as usual, there are different versions of the tale. But all have the location and Cleopatra in common. So, here we go! According to the myth, Cleopatra used to come and bathe in this bay. It is said that friends had built a Roman Bath for her here. Not all sources agree that the sunken ruins are those of a Roman Bath, some mention these are the remains of a monastery. Still, whether it was a Byzantine monastery or a Roman bath, the story of Cleopatra swimming in these waters survives. Legend has it Cleopatra visited the bay twice around 40BC, once on her honeymoon with Marc Anthony.
Scenic Cleopatra’s Bay
We Have A Weak Spot For Arches Still
Why would Cleopatra swim here? Apart from the undeniable beauty of the bay with its crystal clear waters bordered by pine tree forests? It seems hot water springs were coming from a crater lake behind the hills. The water was rich in minerals with elements such as Magnesium and Calcium proving to be healthy and embellishing the skin. Some say that even to this day, there is still some hot water released from the sand beneath the ruins. To witness it, you need to get there very early in the morning, when there is no wind yet, and the waters are supposed to be still. Word has it that if you look carefully, you’ll witness the movements in the soil.
Crystal Clear Water And Marvelous Ruins
Submerged Ruins At Hamam Koyu
How to get to Hamam Koyu and Cleopatra’s bath?
Hamam Koyu is situated between Dalaman and Göcek. The easiest way to get to Cleopatra’s bath is by boat. It is an anchorage spot for the many boat trips visiting the Göcek islands. The downside of joining a daily boat trip is that you’ll have to share the beauty with plenty more people. If you prefer to have it (almost) to yourself, go early in the morning, or very late afternoon when the day-trippers have left. Another option is to hike from Sarsala Koyu. Take the scenic route from Dalaman past Kapıkargın and Kocagöl for some pretty amazing vistas. You can park at Sarsala beach, which is lovely and very authentic and walk from there. As a bonus, you’ll find some ruins near the beach too, like an old olive cistern.
Kocagöl Just Past Dalaman Airport
Sarsala Beach, The Start Of The Hike
Scenic Route! Sarsala Is In Sight
Whether you are hiking, or you are going by boat, you have the option to get some refreshments from the restaurant in the bay opposite Cleopatra’s bath. To say it isn’t cheap is putting things mildly, but the setting is stunning, so spoil yourself!
Nice And Quiet
More Signs For Hikers Alongside The Bay
Use the map below to prepare your hike to Cleopatra’s bath. You’ll notice the hike is waymarked from Sarsala Beach. If you are hiking, consider hiking up to Lydae, an ancient city just up the hill from Hamam Koyu. It’s an untouched place with the remains of Roman and Byzantine times such as cisterns, temple walls, and inscribed columns and tablets.
Prepare your trip to Turkey
Are you thinking of coming to Turkey? Great idea! We want to help you to come prepared. Have a look at our Turkey travel resources page and make sure you order your tourist visa for Turkey online before your travels. You’ll find a direct link to the official e-Visa website, and plenty more, such as biking routes and train travel in Turkey, or what emergency number to call when needed. Play around with our interactive map of Turkey to find the best itinerary for your trip. If you like the look of Cleopatra’s bath, but you’re not traveling in this area, check out the sunken ruins of Kekova, near Antalya and Kaş.
Comment on FacebookThis place is a hiking and boating spot. It’s up to you to decide which way of transport you prefer. If you want to know how people feel about the boat trip, check out these reviews on TripAdvisor. If you have any questions, send us a message through our contact page, or join our closed Facebook group where other Turkey travelers and aficionados are ready and eager to help.
Turkey is a perfectly safe country to travel, except for these risks. Still, you should never travel without proper insurance. We love World Nomads’ travel insurance. We love their philosophy and their take on responsible travel, but also the fact that they cover popular activities in Turkey such as paragliding or balloon rides.
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Swim in the crystal clear waters, take a dive into history, and have a walk around. This is a lovely spot.
Clicking these links will take you to pages of places and products we love and we’ve tested. If you happen to book or buy something, we may earn a small commission from it, at no extra cost to you. So here’s a thank you for adding some coins to the tip-box! 😉
Göcek offers some excellent wining and dining options, and a wonderful selection of waterfront hotels.
Clicking these links will take you to pages of places and products we love and we’ve tested. If you happen to book or buy something, we may earn a small commission from it, at no extra cost to you. So here’s a thank you for adding some coins to the tip-box! 😉
When searching for flights, we like to use Skyscanner. It’s easy to use, and reliable. Find the best flights to Turkey and domestic flights that will take you all around the country here.
Do you prefer some good old road tripping? Once you get used to the unconventional driving style in Turkey, you’ll love to hit the road. After all, it’s all about the journey, and you may expect some very scenic rides! Renting a car in Turkey is easy. If you’re looking for an established car rental company that allows pick-up and drop-off at different airports, check out Europcar. They have offices all over Turkey.
Clicking these links will take you to pages of places and products we love and we’ve tested. If you happen to book or buy something, we may earn a small commission from it, at no extra cost to you. So here’s a thank you for adding some coins to the tip-box! 😉
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You may also like these posts:
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Check the weather
Never wonder about the weather in Turkey again. The Turkish climate is as diverse as the country with significant differences between the regions.
This page contains the current weather and weather statistics for all regions in Turkey.
Prepare your trip
How to order a tourist visa for Turkey?
What about public transport?
Can you skip the line at Istanbul Airports?
General Turkey travel information, essential to help prepare your trip, on one page!
Work with us
Get direct access to your target audience with a proven interest in Turkey. People call us their Turkey Bible!
Contact us for a feature on our map, a destination guide, a photo shoot, or any form of professional Turkey-related content.
Ask a traveler
Are you unsure about a destination, activity or hotel? Why don’t you ask other travelers about their experience?
We have a closed Facebook group where you can ask all Turkey-related questions. You’ll get solid advice and travel inspiration.
