Arriving by taxi or boat you'll realise that the site here is split between the mainland and the one time island to the south. The island held the residential buildings and the remains of the public buildings are on the slopes looking down on the harbour. The isthmus of land that joins the two up was originally built by the Cnidians and separated their commercial harbour from the smaller naval harbour. You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around without knowing very much about what you're looking at but, if you're interested, here are the highlights.

• Temple of Aphrodite Euploia - The probable site of what was possibly the most controversial piece of art of antiquity is reached by climbing up the steep slope above and to the north of the harbours. This temple was identified as that of Aphrodite of the fair voyages by descriptions in ancient texts and by the quantities of erotic pottery found in the area. It is here that what was believed to be the worlds first monumental free standing statue of a woman was housed, purchased from the workshop of Praxiteles in Athens. It's not too difficult to identify the circular plinth of which this statue is supposed to have stood and with a little imagination you can populate the surrounding area with the groves and gardens that surrounded the temple and indeed those who travelled by sea and by land to offer tribute to the goddess and to celebrate the rites associated with her.

• The lower theatre - An 8000 seater, facing the harbour and with the seats faced with white marble it must have been the pride of the city. Of Hellenistic construction.

• Shrine of Demeter and Kore - Further up the hill and above the bouleuterion (city hall) you'll find a terrace beneath 3 niches for statues and offerings.

• Houses and tombs - On the island there are a number of houses in recognisable forms and near the modern lighthouse, to the west of the modern lighthouse, you can find a good roman tomb.

• Demeter of Cnidus, Lion Monument - Both in the British Museum in Bloomsbury I'm afraid.

Beaches | History | Marmaris