World destinations

Marmaris – The best and cheep tourist summer holiday place in Turkey

Marmaris is a famous tourist destination and a small port city on the Mediterranean coast, located in the southwest Turkey.

Lying on a large bay encircled by pine covered hills, Marmaris enjoys one of the most beautiful settings of any Turkish resort. While little is left of the sleepy fishing village that Marmaris was just a few decades ago after a construction boom in the 1980s, Marmaris still retains its charm due to the exceptional natural beauty of its location.

The town’s population is about 30,000 (2000) and is estimated to reach 300,000 – 400,000 people during the tourism season.

Zaliv Marmarisa
Marmarisa

You can get flights to Dalaman, the nearest regional airport which is 100 KM away from Marmaris. Coach transfers are 1 1/2 hours. Airport is served by many operators such as thomsonfly, flythomascook, EasyJet and Turkish airline OnurAir. Transfers are easily arranged on-line and there are frequent bus connections which correspond to the arrival of domestic flights provided by Havas costing 30 YTL single.

(Havas bus tranfer times are detailed outside the airport terminal building). Tourists from the UK have to buy a Turkish multiple entry visa at the point of entry costing £10 (Bank of England Notes Only) which are valid for 90 days entry and visits of up to 90 days.

Šetačka zona Marmarisa
Pedestrian zone in Marmaris

There’s plenty to do in Marmaris. Lovely beaches, lots of bars and restaurants, plenty of shopping with fabulous bargains if you don’t mind wearing fake designer labels. Marmaris has lots for families too. Great inexpesive boat excursions can take you out round the bay and to neighbouring towns like Icmeler and Turunc with all inclusive food and drinks all day for as little as 25YTL.

Gradska plaža Marmarisa
City Beach Marmaris

Marmaris also has two water parks and local travel agents offer a range of trips to Dalyan, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Ephesus and other popular locations in Western Turkey. Another worthwhile trip is to Mugla, the regional capital which can be reached by frequent bus service from Marmaris Bus station (Otogar) for 12YTL.

Journey time through the mountains is about 1 hour and is well worth the effort as Mugla is a real Western Turkish town not affected greatly by tourism. The town of Marmaris is not just for the package holiday visitor, as a trip to the harbour area will confirm. There you can see yachts costing $10 million and rub shoulders with those who can blow $1000 on a pair of sunglasses in the exclusive upmarket designer harbour shopping area. Marmaris is primarily a resort that caters for British holidaymakers but recently has become popular with Russian and other Eastern European visitors

Marmaris is famous for its fantastic nightlife. For pre partying drinks many small bars along the beachfront offer the perfect place to watch the warm sun set. There are a selection of good clubs along the beachfront which play a variety of music and cater to different tastes. For hardcore partiers Bar street is where the party’s at. Located in the old town this street has over 100 bars and clubs ranging from rock bars to Club arena, a huge outdoor nightclub with foam parties. All are open to at least 4AM.

Beware when drinking in Bar Street as prices are much higher (15-20TL for a spirit and mixer) than those along the beach front. Entry to most clubs is free and there are periods when there are special offers available. You can have a daily cruise taking you around the turquoise coves, mountainous shoreline, ruins of ancient cities, and a cave (the only entrance of which is from the sea) surrounding Marmaris.

Just take one of yachts (which have a capacity of 20 people) which can be found all along the promenade of the city centre, you can easily recognize them by their touts and boards. Book or buy a seat at least one day beforehand. Such an excursion cost about 20 YTL per person in summer 2001 (including a meal, except drinks).

For more: Weather forecast in Marmaris

Mugla Arhitektura
Mugla

Many of the local tour companies offer trips such as: Turkish night – entertainment night with tradidional Turkish food, dancing and entertainment including belly dancers.
Jeep Safari – drive around mountains surrounding Marmaris and visit villages, waterfalls and picturesque beaches. Turkish baths – a traditional Turkish bath (Hamam) with sauna, body peel, foam massage and oil massage.

Tvrđava
Fortress
Centralna plaža
Central beach

Also, trips to further afield such as Pamukkale, Lycia, Dalyan turtle beach and mud baths, etc.

Yacht charter in Marmaris Windward Islands, one of the world’s largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to luxury yacht in the Aegean Sea, operating from 9 offices worldwide (USA, Spain, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Honk Kong and Dubai).

Drvored Eukaliptusa

 

Likijske Grobnice

 

Turski tepisi
Carpets
Shopping center
Shopping center

So, if you choose Marmaris, that will be good decision for you holiday in Turkey!

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