Armutlu (Marmara)

Armutlu, in the Southern Marmara|Southern Marmara Region, is the principal town of the Armutlu Peninsula, a hilly land draped with olives, cypresses, stone pines and other Mediterranean vegetation, interrupted by the occasional rocky canyon.

About Armutlu (Marmara)

Armutlu ("the place of pear", although there is no particular reason why this fruit should give its name to the town) is a seaside town on the southern coast of the peninsula of the same name, fronting the waters of the Gulf of Gemlik. According to the official statistics and the population stands roughly at 5,000, but during the season, it's a factor of that due to the influx of the holidaymakers.

Armutlu has stunning vistas over the sea, thanks to the coastal mountains of Mysia on the other side of the gulf and the mightier Uludağ|Mt. Uludağ beyond.

Weather in Armutlu (Marmara)

Armutlu experiences the Mediterranean climate which allows the nominally tropical bougainvillea to display their attractive purple flowers this far north. What is great about the sunny and rainless summers in Armutlu is that the town is almost always breezy, with a very noticeable and welcome lack of humidity. The winters are mild and rainy, rarely snowy. By April, it's already late spring here and the fragrant white lilies are all over the place in the wilder bits of the peninsula.

Orientation

Around the ferry port and there is what resembles a town square—the focus of a large conglomeration of buildings with several storeys. The cobbled streets of this part of the town, called İskele ("harbour") by the local residents, is lively during the summer, but it should feel like a ghost town off-season.

About a kilometre northwest of İskele is the hillside old town centre, where most of the full-time residents live and is called Köy ("village") by them.

Down back to the coast 1½ kilometers southwest from the village is Tavşantepe ("rabbit's hill"), another area of a group of summer houses, but less dense and less vertical than İskele, intertwined by the olive groves which provide the region's main agricultural product.

The road west from Tavşantepe abruptly ends at the gate of İhlas ("fidelity", from Arabic Al-Ikhlas, one of the chapters of the Quran and the timeshare condominiums of several huge, Sovietesque, or even Prora -like V-shaped blocks in a park setting, attracting mostly a conservative, Islamic clientele from Istanbul ad elsewhere in the nation.

Further northwest from İhlas is the Cape Bozburun ("grey point") — or the Cape Poseidon as it was aptly named by the ancients after the sea god of the Greek pantheon — the westernmost tip of the Armutlu Peninsula, marked by a lonely clifftop lighthouse.

Travel to Armutlu (Marmara)

Travel by boat to Armutlu (Marmara)

The fast ferries (deniz otobüsü, "sea-bus") provided by İDO from Istanbul's Yenikapı jetty (on the southern coast of the Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|old city) are the most convenient way of getting to Armutlu from that direction for foot passengers (1hr 25min, expect delays of up to 15 min, 220 TL). The departure frequency ranges from four times daily in summer to once daily off-season.

The frequent vehicle ferries make it no further than Yalova on this route (1hr 20min, 390 TL, plus 110 TL for each additional passenger other than the driver).

Travel by Bus

The shuttle vanes, or rather small-sized buses, run by the local transportation company Armutlu Kooperatif ply the routes from Yalova (1hr 45min, 120 TL) and Gemlik (1hr, 400 TL), about once every two hours during the daytime. In Gemlik and they start from the main intercity bus station (terminal) and also have a stop about 600 m east of the town square/central mosque, on the junction of Hürriyet Cd and the eastbound riverside street, where a vehicular bridge crosses the dry creekbed (locally known as Dereboyu Taşköprü; there is a small and inconveniently placed sign saying Armutlu Fıstıklı Minibüs Durağı at the stop, but few local residents are sure about where this stop is exactly located). On either lines and there is no need to buy a ticket beforehand as the driver or an attendant will come over to collect the fee at some part of the journey.

There are also direct buses three times daily from Bursa's bus station run by Armodies Tur. Should you happen to miss one, your best option is catching a bus to Gemlik from Bursa and transferring to an Armutlu-bound one there.

Although there is a small bus station of some sort just south of the old village, both inbound and outbound shuttle vanes make it everywhere in town, from İskele to İhlas (and vice versa), dropping off and picking up passengers as they go.

Travel by vehicle to Armutlu (Marmara)

There are two approaches to Armutlu—from Yalova (53 kilometers) via Çınarcık and Esenköy and from Gemlik (48 kilometers)—both of which wind their way through the forested mountains some elevation above the coastline, offering a very scenic ride at least to the non-drivers. Both roads have their well-maintained bits, almost up to the highway standards, as well as narrower and bumpier sections with their share of hairpin turns (the road from Yalova having slightly more of the latter, because more of it goes through undeveloped mountainous terrain, which also makes it a tad more scenic), although either can be negotiated by a standard 2WD combined with some careful driving.

Both roads connect with D575—the main highway north of Bursa, connecting it with Istanbul—at their eastern termini.

Transportation in Armutlu (Marmara)

Private shuttle vanes run between the harbour and the village and west to İhlas. The shuttle vanes run by the town council (Belediye) also cover more or less the same routes, in addition to a service up to the thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) over the mountains in the north.

The roads within the town are all uniformly well paved, although somewhat narrow in many parts and often lacking surface markings.

There is no sidewalk along most of the road between İhlas and the village, so appropriate caution as a pedestrian is in order.

See and do

Well, Armutlu isn't really a sightseeing paradise and there is no sight of especial importance that you should look after. But if you are already here, you might want to check out the historic houses—some completely wooden, some half-timbered—in the back alleys of the old village, although many are in an advanced stage of dereliction. The two-arched stone bridge just below the village, altered significantly for the modern vehicular traffic, may be another reluctant sight and the flowers hanging from pots all along the embankments and strung literally above the creekbed just downriver from the bridge are cute enough (although the polluted riverbed underneath less so).

So why then and the average traveller would ever want to visit Armutlu, you might ask. The answer is simple—for a quick dip in the sea, and, more importantly, to soothe in the waters of the thermal spas (Muslim Friendly).

The seawater in Armutlu is reasonably clean (although somewhat opaque if the waves drift ashore from the south) and you can find both sandy and shingle beaches, but you are still in the Marmara and don't expect the turquoise waters of the Lycia|Lycian coast here.

The local thermal water gives off a very sweet hue of icy blue when filled in a tub due to its mineral content and is said to heal a number of problems mainly related to the skin, but relaxing in a steamy tub without any dermatological expectations is just as rewarding. It's available in a number of hotels in town in addition to an old Turkish bath (hamam; signposted as Merkez Kaplıca, "the central thermal spas (Muslim Friendly)") in the old village. The actual springs (Kaplıca), though, are located in a very beautiful mountain valley neighbored by pine woods, 4 kilometers north of the village just off the road to Yalova and are complete with a hotel, a restaurant and another set of baths. Keep in mind that the local thermal water is not recommended for drinking—the nearby thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) in Termal south of Yalova is a better option to do that.

What to buy in Armutlu (Marmara)

Armutlu and the Southern Marmara in general, is one of the greatest producers of olive in Türkiye, so, as many shop signs around the town saying zeytinci ("olive store") attest, thit is a great place to go shopping for olive products, including many types of flavoured and unflavoured brined olives, Olive oil, Castile soap, or even shampoo!

Halal Food & Restaurants in Armutlu (Marmara)

There are various eateries and cafes around the square in İskele. Self-catering travellers will also find the stores of the national supermarket chains nearby.

The street market, where you can purchase fresh vegetables and fruits grown in the surrounding countryside, is held on Saturdays.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Armutlu (Marmara)

Armutlu (Marmara) - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Armutlu (Marmara), is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Armutlu (Marmara). This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Armutlu (Marmara) and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Armutlu (Marmara). The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Armutlu (Marmara). Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Armutlu (Marmara): A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Armutlu (Marmara).

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Armutlu (Marmara): A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Armutlu (Marmara), allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Armutlu (Marmara).

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Armutlu (Marmara), ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Armutlu (Marmara), enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Armutlu (Marmara) and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Armutlu (Marmara), stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Armutlu (Marmara), a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Armutlu (Marmara) without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Armutlu (Marmara) is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Armutlu (Marmara).

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Armutlu (Marmara) is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Armutlu (Marmara), please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Armutlu (Marmara) Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Armutlu (Marmara)

Ramadan 2025 in Armutlu (Marmara)

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Thuya Ecofarm | Agro-ecotourism certified boutique hotel, offering jeep safari tours around the peninsula of Armutlu, horse riding, organic food with Vegetarian options available, in a village inside a forest 450 m above the sea level. They also sell home-made certified organic food, no matter whether you are staying there or not.

Internet & Phones

(+90) 226 is the telephone code for the area.

Where to travel next from Armutlu (Marmara)

• Yeşil-Mavi Yo ("Green-Blue Road") is a route connecting various high meadows, lakes and waterfalls along the village and backcountry roads through the hilly spine of the peninsula all the way to Yalova. Take the road from the old town signposted west to the village of Mecidiye.

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