Marmaris Town Centre – Exploring The Old & The New

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Marmaris; there aren’t many British people who haven’t heard of this southwestern Turkish town.

Whether you consider it to be famous or infamous, Marmaris is arguably the most well-known Turkish resort in the British package holiday world.

As such, it was a tourist destination that didn’t just escape our travel radar; we actively pushed it away for a while.

And then, travels around surrounding areas forced another short stop off in Marmaris.

And from there, we realised the error of our ways…

Wandering The Centre Of Marmaris

Because we always say places become popular for a reason.

And there’s no denying the fact that Marmaris is a coastal town which is set around absolutely stunning natural beauty.

A huge, sheltered bay makes for tempting calm, turquoise Mediterranean waters surrounded by green, pine forests clinging to cliffs. And a town centre edged by the beautiful Marmaris National Park.

We’re not going to pretend to be Marmaris experts with knowledge of every nook and cranny of the area.

But if you are intending on a visit for a day trip or longer, here are some of the best things to see and do.

And if you’re like us and you’ve previously dismissed Marmaris as a summer package holiday resort party town, maybe this article will help to change your mind and reconsider…

Wander Marmaris Old Town

This is the historic heart of Marmaris and definitely the area where, when we are in town, we tend to gravitate towards.

Pedestrianised narrow alleyways climb the small hill that overlooks the marina.

Residential dwellings, holiday rentals, pretty cafes and restaurants are to be found around this area, as well as a smattering of souvenir shops and markets.

We should also say that this is where you will find the (in)famous Marmaris Bar Street.

We have only ever walked through bar street in the daytime and are always agog at the size of the bars – and their sound systems.

One of these days, we will dare to venture along that street when the sun goes down, just to see (and hear) what it’s like in action.

‘Vibrant nightlife’ may well be an understatement; especially during the height of the summer months.

But back to those pretty, narrow streets…

Marmaris Castle

As you follow the narrow inclines, you will eventually find yourself at the gates to the beautifully restored Marmaris Castle.

Paying the entrance fee to enter the fortifications that crown the hill of the old town is well worth it.

As well as being a historic castle, these walls also host the Marmaris Museum with archaeological finds from historical sites around the area.

In particular from ancient Knidos on the adjacent Datça Peninsula.

Climb the steps and follow the castle walls whilst admiring the views over Marmaris marina and the bay beyond (see our second photo, above).

Further round, the turrets frame views of the whitewashed buildings of the old town, climbing up the hillside.

And as you wander the lower levels of the castle gardens, ancient ruins are dotted around the perimeter.

Each corner hosts dark, dungeon-like rooms featuring glass display cabinets which show off more significant finds.

Although a castle has stood here since 3000 BC, much of what we see now is from the rule of Ottoman Sultan, Süleyman the Magnificent, who ordered it to be repaired as a military base in the 16th Century.

Marmaris Castle was bombarded in 1914 by French military ships and was restored to be opened to the public in 1991.

Marmaris Yacht Marina & Netsel Marina

The yacht marina promenade skirts the old town and is lined with coffee shops and restaurants.

And, perhaps surprisingly, prices around here are not those you would expect of a marina area.

It’s a lovely place to sit and while away a bit of time – grab a snack or a more significant meal at one of the a la carte restaurants or just amble along the promenade.

This is also your (dis)embarkation point if you take the Fethiye Marmaris seabus.

Follow the promenade to the east and you’ll come to the Marmaris Netsel Marina.

This is the place you need if you’re looking to take the high speed ferry over to the Greek islands of Rhodes and (sometimes) Symi.

Shopping In Marmaris

Anyone who follows this blog regularly will know that we are really not keen shoppers.

But if you do like shopping, there are oodles of shops in Marmaris selling everything you might expect to find in a Turkish touristic area.

Souvenirs, leather goods, jewellery, the inevitable ‘genuine fakes,’ dried herbs and spices.

Head to the famous Marmaris Grand Bazaar for such souvenirs where you can attempt to negotiate some good deals.

There’s a few different marked entrances; one just a couple of minutes’ walk from the marina.

And if it’s high street shopping you prefer, the streets behind the bazaar and the Blue Port Shopping Centre will see you right.

We’ve never been to the shopping centre but there’s also a selection of eateries in there.

And, apparently, great views of the beach!

For food shopping, there are local markets. Marmaris market is on Thursdays.

Beach Time

Many moons ago, back in 2010, we found ourselves in Marmaris on a grey winter’s day and the shoreline really didn’t look too appealing.

In recent years, much has changed. A walk along the promenade, these days, is really very pleasant.

From the old town and the marina and past the prominent Mustafa Kemal Atatürk statue, you first come to the Marmaris Halk Plajı (Marmaris Public Beach).

Around the Mediterranean and the Aegean, we’ve all seen the protests by people demanding free access to beaches.

And, for us, Marmaris does this free access really well.

A long stretch of golden sands with rattan parasols embedded into the ground.

Here, you can take your beach towels and whatever other beach equipment you like and set up for the day.

The beach, known as Long Beach stretches for a good few kilometres.

And, if you want a bit more comfort for your sunbathing experience, a little further along you can choose your bar / restaurant and make use of their sunbeds on the beach.

These are free to use if you eat / drink at your chosen bar. And the staff will serve you on the beach.

Walk & Cycle

Don’t worry if sunbathing is not your thing.

Walking along the beach promenade – our activity of choice – is just lovely.

And there are LOADS of places where you can stop to quench your thirst and get something to eat.

The promenade is pristine and is almost exclusively free of bikes, e-scooters and the like.

Cyclists can make use of the cycle track that follows the road and runs parallel to the promenade.

And whether you’re on foot or on wheels, you can continue until you reach the stunning İçmeler Beach, around 8 kilometres away.

On – And In – The Water

If 8 kilometres doesn’t sound like walking distance to you, never fear.

Marmaris has a fleet of water taxis.

Take yourself off for the day to İçmeler or Turunç and some of the luxury hotels are also served by those boats.

As you might expect with such a famous beach resort, you can also take yourself off on a daily boat trip and there’s a huge variety of watersports on offer.

Kids and big kids who love water slides have a choice of two water parks.

Aqua Dream Water Park is situated on a hill above Marmaris town centre so you (apparently) get great views over the bay whilst you’re sliding.

Using Marmaris As A Base

We like to think of Marmaris as a bit of a guardian.

It soaks up a hefty amount of Turkish mass tourism so that south of the town, the broader Marmaris area and the Bozburun Peninsula remain relatively peaceful.

Check out car rental locally, or take the dolmuş to places like pretty Selimiye.

Travel under your own steam or use local travel agencies to do day trips to places like Dalyan, Yuvarlakçay, Köyceğiz, Datça and Akyaka.

And, of course, those same travel agencies will offer trips like a traditional Turkish bath experience, horse riding, jeep safaris, scuba diving and the like.

Marmaris – Arrival & Leaving

• The nearest airport to Marmaris is Dalaman Airport.
• From Dalaman Airport, there are shuttle buses that will drop you at the otogar (Marmaris Bus Station) with stops en route.
• Alternatively, you can use private transfers or taxi from the airport.
• If you’re using public transport within the Muğla Province, you will arrive at the otogar by dolmuş (mini bus).
• Intercity buses also arrive at the otogar.
• From the otogar, it’s a 20 minute walk to the centre or you can take a local dolmuş or taxi.

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