Holidays in Marmaris

The resort is not at all suitable for a quiet and tranquil holiday. It attracts young, active, cheerful tourists who want to spend their vacation in a crowded, lively company, enjoy disco entertainment, and make new acquaintances. From the pier in Marmaris you can set off on an exciting sea voyage on a white yacht or a pleasure gulet. A few kilometers from the town center there is a yacht club – one of the largest in Turkey. The hotel base is represented by accommodations for every taste – from budget options to luxurious five-star properties. There are hotels geared toward tourists with children, despite the fact that Marmaris’s main audience is young people.

Where it is located

The city of Marmaris is located on the Aegean coast, almost at the point where it meets the Mediterranean, in a bay surrounded by mountain ranges. Thanks to its unique location, there are practically never strong waves in the bay. The city is surrounded by national parks with authentic ecosystems. The resort is approximately 80 km from the nearest airport (Dalaman Airport). A taxi ride takes just over an hour, and the bus ride – 1 hour 40 minutes.

When it’s best to go

The local climate does not favor an early start to the beach season – you should not go to Marmaris before the second half of May if you want not only to visit local disco clubs or go yachting, but also to swim in the sea and sunbathe on the beach. Daytime temperatures in May reach +26 °C, but by evening the thermometer can drop by 10–12 degrees. The water warms up to +20 °C. In the summer months the sea heats up to +26 °C. There is virtually no precipitation, and the average daytime temperature reaches +30 °C, but there is no exhausting heat as at other resorts. This feature is one of Marmaris’s advantages compared to hotter tourist destinations.

What to do

A holiday in Marmaris by definition cannot be boring. There are plenty of activities here – there are about 50 dive sites alone. The most popular spot for those who love photographing the underwater world is Baca Cave. Dive centers offer individual and group training (the cost depends on the type of course). Most of them issue a PADI certificate upon completion.

The beaches of Marmaris are not very well-groomed, but those belonging to hotels are impeccable in terms of cleanliness and comfort. If your budget does not allow you to book a room in a luxury hotel, you can find a good beach not far from the resort – in Içmeler. The trip takes 5–10 minutes (7 km).

• Yacht trips
  Tourists use the services of private yachts, taking them out to sea on an individual basis. A yacht can be rented with or without a crew. Planning the route and stops is up to the vacationers. It can be either a romantic trip or an exciting journey in a group of friends.
• Gulet excursions
  Tour agencies offer standard routes on traditional Turkish sailing vessels – gulets. Take advantage of this service to appreciate the beauty of the seascapes in the area.
• Island trips
  There are several beautiful islands in the vicinity of Marmaris that you simply must see:
  Sedir, or Cleopatra Island, is known for its amazing artificial beaches. The sand there is unique, unlike in other regions of Turkey (a similar type is found in North Africa). According to legend, Cleopatra vacationed on this island and sand was brought in for her by ship. The ruins of the city of Kedrai lie on the island.
  Dalyan is located much farther than Sedir, but is no less unique. It is visited by vacationers who want to see the ancient ruins of Kaunos, the turtle nesting grounds, and to benefit from therapeutic mud treatments.
• Suleiman’s Fortress
  Located in Marmaris. It has been well preserved despite its age – the structure was erected in the 16th century by order of Suleiman the Magnificent.
• Museum in Kale Castle
  The structure appeared at the beginning of the 11th century. Today it serves as a venue for an exhibition dedicated to the history of the city. The exhibits include documentary artifacts and antiques.
• Bar Street
  After visiting Bar Street, vacationers choose a venue for their night out that suits them in terms of concept and price. Here you’ll find both upscale, world-famous discos and small restaurants for budget-conscious tourists. The nightlife in Marmaris is radically different from that of other Turkish resorts.

Marmaris is not suitable for shopping, although it does have a colorful Turkish market offering a wide variety of souvenirs, good-quality leather goods, sweets, spices, and more.

Where to eat

The gastronomic offerings of Marmaris are quite diverse. You can taste dishes from almost any cuisine in the world and, of course, get to know the local traditional specialties in depth. The price difference between inexpensive snack bars and decent restaurants is more than fourfold. Vacationers can either save on food or acquaint themselves with masterpieces from professional chefs.

• Coco Beach
  A restaurant with good service and attractive prices for seafood, meat, poultry, and Italian desserts. Among the gifts of the sea, you should try the sea bass and king prawns. The windows of the establishment offer a beautiful view. The interior is predominantly modern in style.
• Love Boat
  A restaurant offering event organization of any kind. The emphasis is on Turkish and Mediterranean cuisines. Guests are encouraged to focus on squid, fish, shrimp, and other seafood. The service is rated very highly. The interior is excellently designed. The atmosphere is cozy and calm.

What to combine it with

Tourists prefer to combine a holiday in Marmaris with sea trips including stops at nearby islands. Depending on your preferences, a vacation at this resort can be either excursion-based or beach-oriented.