Marmaris holidays
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Marmaris holidays

Suppose you’re looking for a Mediterranean paradise with beautiful beaches and a vibrant nightlife. In that case, holidays in Marmaris could be for you! This buzzing port city is surrounded by picturesque olive groves and perfumed pine forests, giving it a distinctly Turkish feel. It’s an ideal choice for a family or romantic holiday, no matter what you’re into.

To see how the other half live, take a stroll along the Netsel Marina and admire the million-pound yachts that bob, glistening in their moorings.

Alternatively, get your haggling head on and flex your bargain-hunting muscles in the local bazaar, where there are plenty of gems to discover. Pick up souvenirs for yourself or loved ones back home and remember your Turkish holiday forever. Those travelling with little ones will appreciate the family-friendly beaches in Marmaris. More adventurous travellers can enjoy snorkelling in the caves that pit the coast.

Things to do

Marmaris is an ideal destination for sun-seekers, boasting two main beaches with plenty going on all year round. These are Marmaris Urban Beach and Marmaris Long Beach; we recommend visiting both to choose your favourite and make the most of your Marmaris holiday.

Marmaris is also home to several exciting waterparks, like Atlantis, where kids and adults alike can enjoy plenty of fun in the sun. Slide and flume or splash and swim, there are activities and attractions to suit all ages at the waterpark. Why not book a boat tour? Taking off from Marmaris’s main harbour, these excursions are an idyllic way to see the coastline and promise to create memories you’ll treasure forever.

Ancient history

Beyond the beaches, you’ll find plenty of other things to do in this slice of paradise. History buff? Head up to Marmaris Castle for a taste of times gone by. There’s an informative museum here too, so you can learn a little about the destinations’ history and enjoy every moment that little bit more.

Beaches

Urban Beach is the busiest beach in Marmaris for good reasons, offering a spectacular sweep of golden sand and calm, warm waters. Sip something cool as you lounge in the sun, then enjoy a dip in the sea amongst the exciting atmosphere of this beautiful spot. Long Beach is a little lesser-known, but it’s a firm favourite for many. Enjoy access to convenient cafés, bustling bars, and some tempting restaurants close to this picturesque beach, where it’s easy to spend the entire day of your Marmaris holiday.

Marmaris’ shores are home to a mix of shingle and sandy beaches with warm shallow waters, ideal for families with children who love to paddle. You can rent sun loungers and relax in the beautiful weather before taking a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear sea. There are other beaches just minutes away, like nearby Icmeler, which offers a much quieter setting, perfect if you’re searching for peace on your holiday.

Festivals

Marmaris has several family-friendly festivals happening throughout the year. If you time it with this in mind, you may find your holiday packed with vibrant celebration!

October is racing month in Marmaris, which means visitors can enjoy all the excitement of the region’s biggest sailing event, International Race Week. Watch as hundreds of yachts race across the water in a bid to be crowned champion. This is an exciting few days, with a buzzing atmosphere and plenty going on.

Marmaris loves its beaches. So it should come as no surprise that during both festivals, the shoreline comes alive with live music and parties playing late into the night. If you’re searching for a holiday with a vibrant nightlife, plan your trip to Marmaris alongside one of the city’s festivals to get more from your visit.

Turkish culture

Visit in May to experience the Marmaris Maritime and Spring Festival. The streets will be lined with entertainment and competitions like photography exhibits, basketball games, cutest dog contests, and folk dancing. Sound like fun? There’s more! Head down to the beach for extravagant sandcastle and boat building competitions. Visitors are even welcome to join in with the traditional Turkish picnic, a communal celebration you’re sure to remember.

Vibrant nightlife

Aside from the stunning beaches and restaurants, Marmaris has a vibrant nightlife with plenty to enjoy whatever your taste. Enjoy watching your favourite teams play or discover something new when you visit one of the many sports bars in Marmaris, which always boast a lively atmosphere. There are many live music venues in the city too, so enjoy a taste of the local talent for a memorable night on holiday.

The neatly named Bar Street is where you’ll find a vast array of packed-out bars and nightclubs, perfect for those wanting to dance the night away. Most places stay open until the early hours of the morning, so your evening can go on for as long as you can!

Food & Drink

If you’re looking for something a little more family-friendly, discover Marmaris’ choice of beautiful restaurants. Many of the city’s eateries stay open late, serving delicious food and stunning views, so you can easily make a night of your meal.

Discover elegant seafood spots dotted around the harbour, a perfect choice for dinner any night. Turkish cuisine boasts plenty of fresh grilled meat and seafood, while vegetables are also essential centrepieces. Whether you’re keen to sample something new or prefer to stick to your home comforts, you’re sure to find a perfect eatery in Marmaris. If you feel like moving on, you’ll find lots of sleek cocktail bars nearby offering a relaxed atmosphere and expertly-made drinks.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations including: Antalya | Bodrum | Dalaman | Dalyan | Fethiye | Hisaronu | Icmeler | Istanbul | Izmir | Kalkan | Olu Deniz | Ovacik | Turunc

 

Map of Marmaris

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10°C to 28°C

Enjoy a warm, Mediterranean climate, with cool winters and hot summers here. For the best tan-topping-up weather, book your break between June and September, when the temperatures hover in the mid-20s, peaking at around 28°C.

View live forecast

Between four and four and a half hours.

Flights here land at Dalaman International Airport, which is roughly an hour and 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of the resort.

Types of holidays in Marmaris

Marmaris is best for...

Night-owls: If you’re looking for world-class parties, head for ‘Bar Street’ in the centre of town. Here, you’ll find bars and clubs, offering everything from dress-code evenings to foam parties and live music. Bars open late in the evening and stay open until early in the morning.

Diving: Marmaris holidays Turkey are set where the Mediterranean meets the Aegean Sea, creating outstanding conditions for snorkelling and scuba-diving. Explore colourful coral reefs and get up, close and personal with shoals of shimmering fish in clear blue waters.

Families: Beyond the beautiful beach, there are plenty of days out for those travelling with children. Enjoy the watery rides and slides at the Atlantis Waterpark or head to the town centre by night and enjoy a family dinner, while watching the colourful dancing fountains.

Fast facts for Marmaris

Language: The official language spoken here is Turkish. While the locals seem to have a good grip on most European languages, it’s worth a packing a phrasebook or downloading an app, just in case.

Currency: You’ll need to exchange your pennies and pounds for Turkish Lira before jetting off on your holiday.

Local time: This part of Turkey is two hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Flights land at Dalaman International Airport, which is roughly 95km from the city centre.

Flight time from UK: Between four and four and a half hours, depending on where you fly from

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found here https://www.marmaristown.com/marmaris-travel-info.asp.

Visas and health: If you’re a British Citizen and you’re travelling to Marmaris for a holiday, you will not need a visa unless you are planning on staying for more than 90 days in a 180-day period. If you need any more advice on Turkey visas, or entry requirements - please visit FCDO website for the latest guidance.  

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Getting around Marmaris

By dolmus: While the bus services in and around this city are in good order, the preferred method of transport is the dolmus. These are minibuses which leave from the city centre and stop when requested. Dolmus services tend to stop running at around 2am

By taxi: Taxis are plentiful and can be hailed from the roadside or booked in advance. Be sure to agree on the fare with your driver before getting in.

By water taxi: If you want to travel further afield to Icmeler or Turunc, you’ll be able to catch a water taxi from the seafront. 

Events in Marmaris

Marmaris Spring Festival: Book your Marmaris holidays in May and you could catch the spectacular Maritime and Spring Festival. There are plenty of activities on land and at sea, including yacht races, sporting events, street theatre and live music concerts.

Marmaris Cinema Festival: Film buffs and those with an interest in World Cinema should book travel here in June, when the Film Festival rolls into town. With seven different films, by seven different directors, held over seven days, it’s a week’s worth of reel-to-reel relaxation!

International Marmaris Yacht Festival: Mid-May sees the biggest event in the local, maritime calendar. Wander through the markets, live music and street performers to the marina and you’ll see an astonishing collection of pristine yachts and boats from all over the world.

 

Marmaris weather

This beautiful city is position between the Mediterranean and Aegean means it gets the best of both climates. Expect long, hot summers and cool winters, with the rain starting to fall as the autumn arrives, around October. The heat peaks in July and August, with the temperature climbing into the mid-20s and dips into single figures in December and January. 

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