Holidays in Turkey: Marmaris

The sunny city of Marmaris is very popular among those categories of holidaymakers who prefer all-inclusive resorts. For this purpose, all conditions are created here. The bay of Marmaris is on the border of the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea, so there are often boat trips. The location of the city is also a striking advantage of this resort: it is surrounded by mountains and pine forests on one side, and the blue water on the other. However, besides the impeccable beaches and sea there are many other options that can diversify your holiday and make it unforgettable.

Boat rides

This resort has gained its popularity among tourists largely due to the beautiful bay. Therefore, the most successful way to view all its beauty is a boat trip. Here you can view all excursions in Marmaris, during which there are stops for swimming. Moreover, for many tourists this city is the starting point from which they depart on a multi-day sailing trip on a gület (Turkish wooden yacht).

Old Town

It is definitely worth taking the time to visit the Old Town area. Marmaris Castle and its surroundings are the main historical attractions of the resort. The castle was formerly used as a staging ground for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent’s Ottoman troops as they recaptured the island of Rhodes. Nowadays, there is a museum with ancient artefacts from the ancient and medieval times found in the region. Besides, there is an amazing view of the bay.

Rhodes

This Greek island is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands and is only one hour away by the ferries that ply in its direction daily during the holiday season. This short day trip is extremely popular with tourists. In the city of Rhodes, located on the island, all the sights are in close proximity to the drop-off point, so you can visit all the interesting places in one day. The most important of all the attractions of the city is the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everyone can walk through its cobblestone alleys that lead to the dramatic Palace of the Grand Masters.

Beaches

The best beaches of this resort are located outside the city: Turunç (20 kilometers away from the city) and Icmeler (10 kilometers away from the city). The water here is cleaner and the coastline is quite shallow, making this place very popular with holidaymakers with children. The beaches provide for renting deck chairs, and there are various cafes and restaurants on the beach. You can get to this beach by shuttle bus, but the fastest way is the “water cab”, which constantly moves between the harbor and the beaches throughout the day.

Marmaris National Park

This park covers much of the rocky, wooded shoreline of the bay. Many people are content to explore these areas from afar during a boat ride, but you can go on a hike into the park itself. There are jeep tours, ATV tours, and horseback riding available. There are many animals and birds, as well as rare species of plants.

Diving

Quite popular entertainment in Marmaris is diving. There are about 50 places where tourists regularly dive to get acquainted with the local underwater world. There are no coral reefs and tropical fish, but on the bottom you can see many ruins of the classical era. The most interesting dive is at Galleon Cove, where you can see the rocky seabed, decorated with amphorae and the ruins of a sunken ship from the Hellenistic era.