Marmaris, Turkey
According to Zipcodesexplorer, Marmaris is one of the best resorts in Turkey, it is considered the most “European” in the country. The fact is that not so long ago, the main contingent of vacationers here consisted of the British and the Dutch, who, as you know, know a lot about quality rest. Several unconditional advantages of this resort helped them to make a choice in favor of Marmaris.
Firstly, the climate here is ideal: even in July-August there is no exhausting heat. Secondly, a calm sea – since the resort is located in a closed bay, fenced off from the open sea by an island and a peninsula, there are almost never waves here, the water “holds” well and therefore the resort is suitable for those who do not swim very well – including children. And the entrance to the sea is smooth here. And thirdly, Marmaris has a reputation as the most dancing city in Turkey – there is nowhere for an apple to fall in disco bars in the evenings. And here is also a stunningly beautiful harbor, in which snow-white yachts and pleasure gulets are laid up.
Beaches of Marmaris
The beaches in Marmaris occupy the entire coast from the resort center to Icmeler. The coastal strip is not wide and is separated by a road from the street with cafes, restaurants and hotels. All beaches are sandy with a gentle entrance to the sea, equipped with changing cabins and toilets.
The municipal city beach is not clean and quite crowded. But the beaches of Icmeler (7 km west of Marmaris) and the beaches of the northern side of the Cennet Peninsula and Kumlubuk Bay are cleaner. Turunc Bay is marked with the Blue Flag. The Uzuniali area between Marmaris and Icmeler is also popular for its beach and long promenade. Another beach that is definitely worth a visit is located in the village of Orhaniye. It is notable for the underwater spit “Kizkumu” (Kizkumu) 600 m long, which divides the bay into two parts. Even if you go far, the depth will be very small.
Many beaches in Marmaris belong to hotels, entrance and sun loungers with umbrellas for guests are free. On municipal beaches, sun loungers and umbrellas are conditionally free: you have to buy a drink at the beach bar. The same scheme works if you want to visit the hotel’s private beach without being a guest. As for the wild beaches, the most famous is the Uzunali beach, located between Marmaris and Icmeler. It is very beautiful there, and there are practically no people.
Diving
There are about 50 dive sites in Marmaris and its surroundings, teeming with ancient ruins. The main places for diving: Kutyuk Cape, Dzhennet Island, Kadyrga Lighthouse and Kargy Island, Cape Sary-Mehmet, Kechi Island Lighthouse, Inje Burun Lighthouse on Ildyz Island, Haitly Cape, Abdi Reis Bay, Yazih Rock, Aksu Bay. Marine life here is represented by sardines, tuna, octopuses, crayfish, moray eels, cardinal fish. On some dive sites, fragments of amphoras come across.
One of the most popular diving sites is Basa Cave. Experienced divers will probably get bored here, but lovers of underwater photography will like it: it is very beautiful here.
Dive centers offer both individual and group dives. The cost of two dives of 20-30 minutes – an average of 100 TRY per person. This amount includes instruction, instructor accompaniment, actual dives, insurance and rental of a complete set of equipment. Those who wish can take a dive course and get a PADI certificate – this is an opportunity in most dive centers (you need to check in advance).
Shopping
Going to Marmaris for branded clothes and shoes is not a good idea. The choice is small even in shopping centers, prices are high, there are many fakes.
From Marmaris it makes sense to bring local leather and suede products (jackets, belts, bags and wallets), ceramics, gold and silver jewelry, hookahs, figurines, wooden souvenirs. Keep in mind that in Marmaris you are unlikely to buy some rare antiques. And if the seller claims the opposite and demands suspiciously large amounts of money for their goods, ask for a certificate confirming the authenticity of the product.
Shopping centers
In the very historical center of the city, next to the fortress, there is the Charshi shopping center – one of the largest in the city. Here you can buy clothes, shoes, fabrics, handmade lace, silk products, bath accessories, cosmetics, sweets, souvenirs and much more at low prices. Another major shopping center is located in Netsel Marina (the city’s yacht port). There are clothes and shoes of international and local brands, souvenirs and jewelry, as well as all kinds of products with a nautical theme.
In addition to Turkish sweets, Marmaris is famous for its numerous varieties of honey: from the banal flower to the thyme “virgin honey” – all this is sold in grocery supermarkets. The largest of them – Tansas – is located in front of the marina at the end of the main street of the city. Not far from Armutalan there is another excellent supermarket – Kipa. There you can buy local products, as well as “sanctioned” cheeses from Italy.
Markets
The central covered market of Marmaris is a very colorful place. It sells leather, suede products, jewelry made of copper, bronze, onyx products, original Turkish carpets, fabrics, embroideries, paintings, colorful souvenirs, local “flounder” honey with pine flavor, fresh vegetables and fruits, all kinds of products of Turkish artisans and much more. other. The bazaar occupies an entire two-level building, is open on Thursdays and Sundays, traditionally prices are significantly reduced in the evening.
In all eastern countries, it is customary to bargain in the market. This is not only an opportunity to save money, but also a courtesy ritual: by refusing to bargain, you risk offending the seller. So feel free to ask for half the price offered.
Cuisine and restaurants of Marmaris
Marmaris is a city of gastronomic international. The most diverse cuisines of the world are presented here: traditional Turkish, Italian, German, Chinese, etc. Proximity to the sea provides an abundance of fish restaurants, as a rule, all of them are concentrated in the pier area, and are also often open at hotels. The most authentic and “non-touristic” Turkish restaurants can be found in the shopping arcade area. Well, in the historical center there is everything: Italian pizzerias, Chinese noodle shops and much more.
Turkish restaurants serve beef and lamb with spices, especially popular is the isgender kebab dish – lamb in tomato sauce according to a special recipe, as well as lentil soup “Merjimek Chorbasy”. In almost all eateries you can find “meze” – many small portions of various cold appetizers. As for desserts, traditional baklava and Turkish delight are served almost everywhere. Marmaris is famous for its honey, so you should definitely try all the honey-based sweets.
Lunch at an inexpensive kebab or other eatery will cost about 30 TRY per person, and dinner at a restaurant will cost from 90 TRY for two, including local wine.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions
The sights of Marmaris are, first of all, ancient ruins and historical monuments, as well as numerous natural beauties.
One of the main visited places in the city is the fortress. Marmaris is located very well, so it is not surprising that from time to time someone aggressively claimed it. In 1522, by decree of Suleiman the Magnificent, a fortress was erected around the city, which protected it from enemies and has been well preserved to this day.
The Kale Castle houses the Marmaris City Museum. The castle itself was supposedly built by the Ionians in 1044 BC. er, and he’s curious in his own right. The exposition of the museum tells about the history of these places; ancient documents and ancient household items and art of the people who have inhabited Marmaris since ancient times are collected here.
A well-known monument of the Ottoman era is the caravanserai of the Sultan of Hafsa, built in 1545 on a narrow street leading to the castle. Previously, this place served as a roadside hotel for travelers and soldiers, and today these painted arches are home to souvenir shops and cafes of national cuisine.
Surroundings of Marmaris
Many excursions are organized from Marmaris: to the so-called Cleopatra Island (Sedir Island), the ruins of the ancient city of Kedrai and the famous Cleopatra beach; to Pamukkale with its 17 geothermal springs included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; the ancient city of Ephesus and the turtle island of Dalyan.
Sedir Island is located 16 km north of Marmaris and is notable for its beach, where, according to locals, Cleopatra herself bathed. According to legend, sand was brought to the beach by ship from North Africa. From the ancient city of Kedrai on the island of Sedir, the ruins of the city walls and the theater have been preserved.
Dalyan Island is located 80 km southeast of Marmaris and is known for its largest turtle rookery and therapeutic mud baths and beaches. Here are also the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos. It was founded in the 4th century BC. e., and today the terraces of the temple, the theater, the seaport of Agora and the Roman baths have been preserved from it.
30 km north of Marmaris is the picturesque Gokova Bay, to the west is the town of Datca, and to the east is Lake Keycheiz. The Gulf of Gokova is famous for its landscapes – hills, overgrown with pine trees and numerous bays with crystal clear turquoise water. At the very coastline at the foot of the hills is the village of Akyaka.
Not far from Marmaris, in the small village of Orkhaniye, there is another very beautiful place – Kyz-Kumu spit. Many sad legends are associated with it, but in fact it is a very picturesque sandy shore.
6 things to do in Marmaris
- Set off on the Azure Journey on a gulet, a traditional Turkish sailboat, along the standard excursion route and accompanied by a guide.
- Rent a yacht (with or without a crew) and go to sea on an individual basis – choosing the destinations to your liking.
- See the city fortress built under Suleiman the Great and the Hafza Sultan caravanserai of the 16th century.
- Look at the tourist office on Iskele Meydani next to the monument to the unknown Turkish sponge diver – get hold of booklets and information about excursions.
- Experience an adrenaline rush on the water slides of the Atlantis Water Park, 4 km southwest of the city center.
- Visit the island of Sedir, if only to run barefoot on the sand that generously covers the local beaches. The uniqueness of this sand is that it cannot be found anywhere else in Turkey – only in North Africa.
Marmaris for children
In general, Marmaris is more suitable for youth parties. However, there are many family-friendly hotels here – with playgrounds and animation, sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea. In general, the resort with children’s entertainment is not rich, but there are two water parks and attractions in shopping centers.
The largest water park in Marmaris – Aqua Dream – is located behind the Migros supermarket and covers an area of 44 thousand square meters. m (off. site). There are many different slides, including those for extreme sports, so adults will not be bored either. There are several swimming pools, cafes and bowling. Entrance – 14 TRY. The second water park – Atlantis – is a little smaller, stands right on the seashore (off. site). You can get to it on a turquoise dolmus in the direction of Icmeler. If you buy an excursion, it usually includes a transfer from the hotel. The water park has 9 slides, an artificial wave pool, a paddling pool for the smallest and several cafes.
The resort has many playgrounds, but one of the best is the one behind the monument to Ataturk. Shopping centers have children’s entertainment areas with attractions, and in the summer a small amusement park opens in the city center.
Weather
Compared to humid Antalya, the climate in Marmaris is drier, so it is quite comfortable here for those who suffer from lung diseases. Even the July and August heat is easily tolerated here. In winter, sometimes there are sub-zero temperatures, but frosts are rare, sometimes it rains with sleet. The season here starts in May and lasts until the end of October. Water for a full-fledged beach holiday warms up by June and remains warm until the beginning of November.
