Marmaris İnformation

Marmaris is one of Turkey's most popular resorts, which attracts many British holidaymakers, many of whom return year after year. It is a favourite with families and young couples alike. Due to its popularity, it has grown enormously over the years, hotels rapidly filling the space between the green hills and the azure seas. It is in a stunning setting; its geography remarkably similar to that of the fjords, with pine-clad hills dropping steeply to the sea, jagged inlets and tiny rocky islets off the coast.

There is a wide choice of accommodation, from five star luxury to self-catering apartments, but the vast majority is of three star standard. What the buildings lack in character they make up for in offering value for money. Most of the accommodation is built on either side of the main seafront road, some are on the seafront itself, but many of the newer hotels are on the hillside in areas such as Armutalan.

The beach can get busy in high season, but many people prefer to stay by the hotel pool. Lined with palms, the seafront has a typical Mediterranean feel and is an ideal place for an evening promenade. Shops, bars and restaurants line the streets, vying with each other to secure your custom for dinner - each offering something more attractive than the last. There is no hassle though - the local authorities are strict about touts operating in the street, which makes for a more relaxed atmosphere.

By day, life revolves around the narrow strip of sandy beach which runs the length of the resort. Each morning boats leave from the old harbour for day trips to visit the islands and bays around the coast. The area around the harbour offers a taste of the character of the old town, overlooked by the ancient castle, which is now a museum. The Netsel marina is reached by a small footbridge, and is one of the largest and most modern in Turkey, the hangout of the jetset, who moor their luxury yachts here. The small shopping centre houses upmarket boutiques and intimate restaurants. The real bargains are to be found in the bazaar area, with hundreds of small shops offering the usual Turkish wares - clothing, leather, jewellery and handicrafts. There is a wide variety of goods on offer, and it definitely pays to look around and hone your bartering skills to get the best prices.

Marmaris really comes to life though as the sun sets. The shops in the narrow streets stay open until late and the bars and clubs are open until the early hours of the morning. It is very easy to get around, the main resort area is fairly flat so shouldn't pose too many problems for those pushchairs or wheelchairs. There are shuttle services operating in high season between Marmaris and İçmeler, as well as the ubiquitous 'dolmuş'es which run from all areas of both resorts and on to Turunç. There are also boat services between the main resorts and even late at night it is easy to find taxis.

İçmeler

İçmeler is a popular resort with families, and it is easy to see why. It is much greener than neighbouring Marmaris, with wide streets lined with threes and a relaxed ambiance. It nestles in the shelter of dramatic pine-clad mountains with a wide sweeping bay of coarse sand, where all kinds of watersports are available. The waters are shallow and calm making it relatively safe for children. The views from the beach are stunning, as it appears to be almost surrounded by mountains, dropping steeply into the sea. There is an abundance of restaurants, serving a full range of Turkish and international cuisine, plenty of lively bars and lots of shops. For those who want serious nightlife, Marmaris is just a short dolmuş or taxi ride away. There is full a range of hotel and self-catering accommodation here, including luxurious 4 and 5 star hotels set right on or overlooking the seafront. Boats head out from the bay for day-trips around the stunning coastline, taking in the tiny islets around the coast. The main resort area is flat, which makes getting around very easy, even with a pushchair or wheelchair, although some of the outlying areas are on slopes.

Turunç

Turunç is reached by a steep, winding road, which winds around the mountains from İçmeler. As you round a sharp bend, you catch your first glimpse of the resort lying in front of you, steep mountains giving way to the small bay with its sparkling waters and sandy beach. Turunç is a sleepy resort, full of character. The accommodation here is mainly small family-run hotels, with some good self-catering properties. The main street has a good selection of restaurants with a few music bars, and enough shops to cater for your immediate holiday requirements. The roads which lead down to the resort are steep, however, so it is not ideal for those who have difficulty in walking. Boats leave from the charming quayside for daytrips around the surrounding bays and there are also water taxi services to Marmaris, approximately 30 minutes away, for those who want to do some serious bargain-hunting.