Photos
Marmaris
The following assessment of Marmaris is based upon our own experiences and therefore description given here necessarily contains an element of subjective opinion, which may not reflect your own experience on another occasion.
Marmaris in short - Key Attractions
- Beautiful castle and narrow lanes in the Old Quarter
- The amphitheatre
- Huge selection of bars, clubs and restaurants
- Delicious food served in restaurants - great value!
- Great nightlife - lots of shows every night
- Excellent selection of daily excursions
- Picturesque promenade to Icmeler
- Beautiful yacht marina
- Very long beach
- Excellent selection of water sports
About Marmaris
Marmaris - this very popular Turkish tourist destination lies in southern Turkey (Mediterranean coast) approximately 90 minute drive from Dalaman airport.
Marmaris has everything a holidaymaker may need on holiday. During a day you have a variety of options to choose from: you can sunbath on a very long beach, try some of the water sports or go on a boat excursion which you can purchase from the marina or hundreds of travel agents located on almost every street. In the evening you will find a huge selection of bars and restaurants serving delicious food and in the night you can spend hours watching shows, enjoying life music, drinking or watching football in numerous clubs situated along the beach and throughout the town. It is really great place to go on holiday.
What to see and do?
The beach and water sports
Very long beach stretches along the southern part of the town. On the beach you will find a countless number of sun beds which you usually can use free of charge as long as you buy a drink in one of the beach bars along the promenade. Since the beach is not genuinely sandy the sand has to brought from elsewhere and levelled before the tourist season commences, therefore if you come before the season the beach may appear not very attractive. It tends to be packed with holidaymakers in the high season, therefore, if you like some quiet spots, you may try to walk towards Icmeler to find some. Furthermore the beach closer to Icmeler seems to be more attractive. Along the beach you will find a huge selections of water sports where you could hire a boat, jet ski or try parasailing.
Icmeler walk
If you are not rushing anywhere and love walking you may like to walk along the 9 kilometre beautiful promenade to Icmeler. It is a very nice walk and really worth the effort!
Excursions
Marmaris offers a an excellent variety of excursion. You may buy the excursions in the marina directly from boat owners, from countless number of travel agents located throughout the town or from your representative. A list of excursions usually include and is not limited to: all inclusive boat trips, Dalyan - Caunos Boat Trip, Turkish Bath, Turkish Night, Moonlight Cruise, Jeep and Quad Safaris, Scuba Diving, Village Tour, Rafting just to name a few. Excursions are usually not expensive (comparing to the UK prices) and sometimes include unlimited drinks and lunch - really great value for money! For the exact details please speak with your local travel agent.
Interesting places
In Marmaris you will not find too many historic sites. However, if you like exploring historic places you may go for a stroll through the narrow lanes in the Old Quarter and also visit small castle. The admission costs 3TL. From the castle walls you can enjoy beautiful view over the yacht marina and Marmaris coastline. Another interesting place to visit is the amphitheatre where you can relax in the shade and enjoy panoramic view over the town.
Dining out
Eating out in Marmaris will be a big thing as the food served in restaurants is simply delicious. Marmaris offers a huge selection of bars and restaurants serving variety of cuisines from almost each part of the world. Although, you can find a restaurant on almost every corner, the majority of restaurants are located in the marina, along the promenade to Icmeler and along the main road.
Due to a number of restaurants it seems almost impossible to taste a meal in each, even during a fortnight holidays. Furthermore, once you have found nice place you really would like to return there again and again to have the same meal or to try something new prepared by the same chef. We have chosen and listed below two excellent restaurants which we would definitively recommend to everyone and the most importantly we would return again.
Otel Yunus Restaurant - this stylish seafront restaurant serves an excellent local and international cuisine. It is located on the promenade to Icmeler (see the above map for the exact location). Apart form the excellent food it has a bunch of very friendly waiters (best regards to Louie and rest of staff from Geographic Adventures!) who take care of you and ensure that you are not overcharged on your bill. You may settle the bill by cash or a credit card. In our view it is an excellent place to have a relaxing evening meal.
Kibele Restaurant - this corner restaurant is located on the main road - in the close proximity to Romance Hotel (please see the map for the exact location). The restaurant serves fantastic food, has a very good chef, very friendly waiters (best regards to Ender from Geographic Adventures!) and not too expensive menu. As they accept credit cards you do not have to have cash with you. You can really enjoy the evening there listening to gentle Blues and Jazz.
Nightlife
Loud disco music, live shows (Robot show, Michael Jackson and belly dancing etc.) and live music - Marmaris has it all - which will guarantee that you will not be bored at night! Along the beach you will find a number of great clubs and bars.
Published on 26th June 2010
By Arek Zasowski
Photographs by Viola and Arek Zasowski
Few random useful points
Money withdrawal - in Marmaris you will find plenty of ATMs also HSBC ones.
Money exchange - be careful when you exchange money in the town. It happens that some people will deliberately try to cheat you and give you considerably less that you should receive. Always use a calculator in your mobile phone etc. even if you do not need it as it will show that you are aware how much you are about to receive.
Money exchange - it is usually a safer to exchange money in your hotel.
Topless sunbathing - we have seen a lot of topless sunbathing tourists on the beach, therefore, I would assume that that topless sunbathing is permitted in Marmaris.
Supermarkets - to save money you may consider buying food / water in supermarkets which are a lot cheaper than in small shops plus the price tags are printed on the shelf so you know that you are not overcharged (please refer to the above map for the exact location of supermarkets).
Photography - if you would like to have a lovely photos taken of you and your partner you may contact very professional and friendly photographer Barış Bodur (tel +905542518669). We have seen his work and have to admit that his photos and albums are really stunning! - Best regards from Geographic Adventures!
