Se hva du kan gjøre og oppleve i Marmaris

Marmaris has grown from a tiny fishing village into one of the biggest tourist resorts in Turkey. Even so, the town centre is still quite small, and in the old quarter behind the marina you can stroll around amid the delightful hustle and bustle of bazaars and street life. For a beautiful view of the Bay of Marmaris, visit Suleiman the Magnificent’s castle in the Old Town. Marmaris’ neighbouring resort, Içmeler, lies just a few miles away. Many people like to walk along the beach, which also gives you an idea of how much is happening in the boat scene, and the wide range of water sports available along the beaches. While Marmaris offers more buzz and entertainment, Içmeler boasts better beaches. It is also child-friendly and newly built. Turkey’s rich and famous people tend to congregate in the marina at Marmaris, which means there are good restaurants and great shops. During the high season, there are as many as ten thousand boats in the Bay of Marmaris, reckoned to be one of the finest bays in the world. There are several excellent long-distance footpaths in the mountains, and many opportunities for excursions amid the beautiful scenery and the little villages along the coast.

Marmaris is a popular Turkish Holiday resort with plenty to do if you like beaches, history and culture. Enjoy an authentic Turkish Hamam or visit one of the nearby towns or islands: your holiday here will be full of sun and excitement.

You can go swimming right in the middle of Marmaris, and the beach stretches all the way to the neighbouring town Içmeler. There are boats and dolmus to the beaches at Turunç, Çiftlik and Kumlubükü, and many yachts and sailing boats go there as well. Marmaris has several international diving schools. It is also possible to get to the beautiful little island of Sedir Adalari. The sand there is unique, and legend has it that it was brought here by Queen Cleopatra 2,000 years ago.

Turkish cuisine is regarded as one of the finest in the world. The Turks eat a great deal of meat, though not pork, and note that not all restaurants serve alcohol. Nevertheless, Marmaris has restaurants to suit all tastes and wallets.

Sometimes it is hard to tell a café and a bar apart. Places that serve tea and coffee during the daytime transform themselves in the evening and become part of the nightlife. What is really nice is to sit somewhere on the beach promenade, admiring the traditional gulet boats and other sailing boats while sipping some apple tea or a refreshing drink.

Night owls will find plenty of entertainment options in Marmaris. Near Marmaris Marina there is Bar Street, a place whose name explains itself. There are so many bars, pubs and discos that it’s hard to choose your favourite one, but it’s certainly fun to try. Another area with a lively nightlife, even if not as lively as Bar Street, is U, where many hotels are located as well. Step into the nightlife of Marmaris as the city shows you a beautiful other side that only happens when the moon comes out to show itself. As you walk the streets, you realize that this is s place where you can truly leave all your stress behind.

First, a brief warning: Marmaris is a big tourist destination, so you have to keep an eye on high prices and fake versions of branded goods. For instance, check that you can actually change the batteries of a watch, or it will be an expensive throwaway. Haggling is also essential. That said, it can still be a lot of fun just to wander around the bazaar that stretches over several blocks in the town centre. You will find carpets, leather jackets, tablecloths, pirated designer goods and souvenirs are all kinds. At the local market (Thursdays in Marmaris and Fridays in Içmeler) you can buy also fresh products and spices.