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Marmaris City Guide

A Glimpse into History

Marmaris, a district of Muğla, holds the distinction of being the province’s second most populous area after Bodrum. Strategically located at the confluence of the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean, its natural boundaries—with the Datça Peninsula to the west, Ula to the north, Balan Mountain, Karadağ, and Günlük Hills to the east, and the Mediterranean to the south—form what is considered the world’s longest natural harbor. This unique geographical feature has undoubtedly played a significant role in its historical development and continued popularity.

Location

Marmaris is conveniently located just an hour away from Muğla city center and Dalaman Airport (DLM). For those arriving from overseas, Dalaman Airport serves as the main gateway. Marmaris is approximately a two-hour drive from Bodrum and a mere 45-minute ferry ride from the beautiful Rhodes Island. Its distance from other major Turkish cities includes Istanbul (813 km), Denizli (183 km), Aydın (151 km), Izmir (271 km), Bursa (578 km), Kocaeli (721 km), Eskişehir (541 km), and Ankara (643 km).

When to Visit?

Marmaris enjoys a Mediterranean climate, making it a popular choice for summer holidays. However, with mild temperatures extending through spring and autumn, it’s a fantastic destination for much of the year. The sea temperature remains high enough to swim for 7-8 months annually.

Marmaris experiences hot and dry summers, while winters are mild and rainy. The region is predominantly sunny throughout the year, similar to the rest of Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines. The highest rainfall occurs during the winter months.

• Average Annual Temperature: 18.8°C (65.8°F)

Here are the monthly average minimum and maximum air temperatures in Marmaris:

• January: 6-16°C (43-61°F)
• February: 7-16°C (45-61°F)
• March: 8-18°C (46-64°F)
• April: 12-22°C (54-72°F)
• May: 16-26°C (61-79°F)
• June: 21-34°C (70-93°F)
• July: 26-37°C (79-99°F)
• August: 24-37°C (75-99°F)
• September: 18-33°C (64-91°F)
• October: 15-27°C (59-81°F)
• November: 12-20°C (54-68°F)
• December: 8-18°C (46-64°F)

Accommodation and Holiday Options

Marmaris consistently ranks among Turkey’s top holiday destinations, attracting a significant number of both local and international tourists each year. The town boasts numerous five-star hotels renowned for their world-class quality. Beyond these luxury options, Marmaris offers a wide array of apart-hotels, villas, and guesthouses, ensuring there’s a suitable accommodation for every budget.

Most lodging options in Marmaris are conveniently located along the coastline. Popular areas for accommodation include Marmaris center, Uzunyalı, Siteler, Armutalan, and İçmeler. If you want to be close to Marmaris’s vibrant nightlife, staying in the center is an excellent choice, as it also provides easy access to key attractions.

Marmaris hotels are known for their high-quality service and modern amenities, catering to various budgets. As a key hub for summer tourism in Muğla, Marmaris offers a wide range of activities. You can enjoy your dream vacation in comfort at hotels offering scenic rooms, an eco-friendly and child-friendly environment, and top-notch service. Accommodation types vary, from luxurious 4- and 5-star all-inclusive resorts to charming boutique hotels, cozy apart-hotels, and budget-friendly guesthouses. Among these, all-inclusive luxury resorts are particularly popular due to the extensive facilities they offer, including aquaparks, waterslides, and lively animation programs.

Must-See Attractions

Marmaris, one of Turkey’s most significant tourism centers, offers a wealth of attractions both in its center and surrounding areas. The region has been home to diverse civilizations since ancient times, leaving behind numerous historical sites to explore. With its holiday amenities, rich history, and stunning natural beauty, Marmaris is a must-visit destination in Turkey. We recommend dedicating 3-4 days to fully experience the area, but you might find yourself wanting to extend your stay to get lost in the exquisite beauty of its surrounding coves. You won’t want your Marmaris holiday to end!

In Marmaris, where countless shades of blue and green meet, there are many places to visit. Your priority should be to explore and enjoy its beautiful beaches and coves. Marmaris and its surrounding towns boast world-renowned beaches and bays, some of which are absolute must-sees. Here are a few of them: İçmeler Beach, Turunç Public Beach, Cleopatra Island/Sedir Island Beach, Uzunyalı Beach, Kızkumu Beach; Bördübet Bay, Kumlubük Bay, Boncuk Bay, and Hisarönü Bay.

Getting Around

Getting around Marmaris, one of Turkey’s most important holiday regions, is quite easy. Minibuses (dolmuş), public buses, taxis, and rental cars are the most common options for reaching nearby towns. Regular minibus services operate between Armutalan, Beldibi, and İçmeler. For longer distances to nearby districts and other cities, you can use the buses departing from Marmaris bus station. Here are some distances to nearby towns and districts: Ula (41 km), Datça (75 km), Köyceğiz (57 km), İçmeler (10 km), Gökova (32 km), Kumlubük (24 km), Turunç (21 km), Orhaniye (30 km), Selimiye (70 km), Bozburun (75 km), Söğüt (60 km), Karacasöğüt (35 km), Çamlı (25 km).

Marmaris and its surroundings offer numerous places to explore on foot or by bicycle. Many of these areas are also suitable for mountaineering and rock climbing for nature enthusiasts. The canyons of İçmeler, Beldibi, and Yerkesik-Sarnıç village, in particular, are excellent for canyon tours and rock climbing. Additionally, rocky areas suitable for climbing can be found in Armutalan and Çiftlik Bay. Cycling enthusiasts can make their holidays more active by exploring the Marmaris-İçmeler coastline, Günnücek, Yalancı Boğaz, and Paradise Island from Marmaris center. Other suitable cycling routes include the Gökova coastline (between Karacasöğüt and Bördübet), Hisarönü, Orhaniye, Selimiye, Bozburun coastal strip, and the village roads of Bayır and Söğüt.

Another popular mode of transport in Marmaris is ferries and boats. Ferries are particularly favored for trips to Rhodes Island. The distance between Marmaris and Rhodes Island is 25 nautical miles, with the journey taking approximately 1 hour. Ferries depart from Marmaris at 9:15 AM, and return trips from Rhodes are at 5:00 PM. Boats located at the Municipal Pier in Marmaris center are preferred for daily tours to nearby coves.

Local Delicacies

During your visit to Marmaris, you’ll have the opportunity to taste a variety of delicious dishes from both Aegean and Mediterranean cuisines. Marmaris boasts restaurants offering excellent examples of Turkish and international cuisines (including Chinese, Italian, English, and Indian), with a strong emphasis on seafood.

For fish and seafood in Marmaris center, you can choose from restaurants around the pier and marina. In İçmeler, Turunç, Akyaka, Çiftlik, Orhaniye, Selimiye, Bozburun, and Söğüt Saranda, you can sample the finest examples of Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine. In areas close to the center, such as Armutalan and İçmeler, village-style dishes like gozleme (savory Turkish flatbread) and various types of mantı (Turkish dumplings) are popular. Roadside and seaside restaurants around Çamlık, Bayır, Çiftlik, Turgut, and Orhaniye also successfully serve local delicacies.

Marmaris cuisine heavily features seafood and olive oil dishes. Due to widespread olive cultivation in the Aegean region, most dishes are prepared almost exclusively with olive oil. Additionally, vegetable cultivation is well-developed in Marmaris, so green salads are included with almost every meal.

Some unique local flavors you must try in Marmaris include:

• Sürha: A dish made from goat leg bone, traditionally served during important events like weddings, circumcisions, and engagements.
• Laos, Sinarit, Trança, Kefal, Mercan (Steamed Fish): Large fish prepared as a stew, known for their “seven spices” flavor.
• Mumbar Dolması: Stuffed intestines.
• Mereng: An empty meringue (similar to a French meringue).
• Kabak Çiçeği Dolması: Stuffed zucchini flowers, an indispensable local delicacy.

Before leaving Marmaris, don’t forget to buy some of the region’s world-famous pine honey.

Nightlife

Marmaris, being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Aegean region, ensures a lively atmosphere day and night during the summer. The frequent calls of yachts and boats on “blue cruises” to Marmaris also contribute to the increase in modern establishments and a vibrant nightlife in the area.

In Marmaris, especially around the Netsel Marina, you’ll find numerous bars, discos, and nightclubs. Nights spent listening to music and dancing in Marmaris can certainly liven up your holiday. The Bar Street, running parallel to the Marina, offers venues catering to every taste. Similarly, bars are available in the Marmaris İçmeler and Armutalan areas. Beyond bars with hip-hop music and various dance shows, there are also “Turkish Nights” specifically organized for foreign tourists.

Here are a few examples of the most popular bars and discos that brighten up Marmaris’s nightlife:

• Club Arena: One of the first places that comes to mind when talking about Marmaris nightlife, Club Areena is also known as the region’s largest nightclub. With a capacity of 2000 people, it’s a top choice for tourists visiting Marmaris, thanks to its entertaining dancers and lively music. Don’t forget their famous foam parties!
• Crazy Daisy: Crazy Daisy nightclub is just as famous as Club Arena. It’s a favorite among holidaymakers who want to party with a DJ until the early hours of the morning, and there’s no entrance fee.
• Joy Club: One of Marmaris’s most entertaining nightclubs, Joy Club promises its guests music, dancing, and fun until dawn.
• No Bambu: Located in the Turunç area, outside of Marmaris’s center, No Bambu particularly satisfies visitors looking for quality music. No Bambu can be chosen for a pleasant evening accompanied by music and drinks.

Festivals and Events

Marmaris is one of the tourist regions in Turkey that hosts the most festivals. Especially maritime and yacht festivals attract many people to Marmaris every year. If you happen to be there during these festivals, you can join in and have a great time.

• Marmaris Maritime and Spring Festival: Organized annually by the Marmaris Municipality in May, this festival features sports activities and tournaments, and yacht races. Concerts, street performances, exhibitions, and panels are also popular parts of the festival.
• International Marmaris Yacht Festival: As one of the first regions that comes to mind for yachting in Turkey, Marmaris hosts the International Marmaris Yacht Festival every May. The festival is organized by the Marmaris International Yacht Club and attracts numerous gulets, yachts, and motor sailors each year. Running for about 20 years, the festival holds significant importance for Turkish maritime and tourism.
• International Marmaris Yacht Charter Show: This show is also organized by the Marmaris International Yacht Club every May.
• Marmaris Cinema Festival: The Marmaris Cinema Festival is held annually at the end of June and beginning of July. The festival attracts participants with its slogan “7 Films, 7 Directors.”
• International Marmaris Yacht Races: Organized annually by the Marmaris International Yacht Club in November, the International Marmaris Yacht Races attract numerous boats from Turkey and around the world. The race has been held for 20 years and gains more interest each year.