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Set against a backdrop of pine-clad hills, Marmaris is one of Turkey's most popular resorts. This lively resort is part of the Turquoise Coast, named for the beautiful colour of the waters where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean Sea.
A cheap holiday choice, with a good selection of accommodation, Marmaris is also a sailing centre. Netsel Marina, a state-of-the-art yachting facility, shines out as a pretty solitary beacon of taste in town.
Cruise ships also stop here, disgorging hundreds of passengers, so it can get busy in the summer. If you need to escape, jump on a boat to Greece - Rhodes is 30 minutes from Marmaris - or head inland to traditional villages.
Beaches in Marmaris
In Marmaris, the hotels have bagged the best beach stretches. But there are so many stunning beaches to choose from - including the gorgeous one at Fethiye and one of the most beautiful bays of the Turkish coast, Gokova.
'Walk on water' at the beach of Kizkumu in Orhaniye, near Hisaronu - a sand bar extends 800 metres into the bay.
Olu Deniz is charming and relaxing and its 'Blue Lagoon' is one of the most famous beaches in Turkey.
Hop on a water taxi to Icmeler, a smaller seaside resort near Marmaris, perched at the base of beautiful pine-covered mountains.
Sightseeing in Marmaris
Marmaris is a major sailing centre, so there's plenty of opportunities for boat trips and novice sailors. The Netsel Marina is a popular place to hang out and gets particularly busy around the Marmaris Yachting Festival in May and November's Yachting Week.
A cornerstone of Marmaris' attraction is its castle. First constructed by Ionians, it has since been preserved by Ottomans, damaged by cannonball fire during World War I and is now trampled on by tourists but is definitely worth a visit.
Venture into the pine-covered hills and rambling mountains on a 4x4 jeep safari to explore the countryside.
Siliman Beach is lovely and the settlement of Selimiye is a lovely place to hang out drinking local wine, eating fresh fish and watching the sunset.
In Turunc, shop for local produce such as honey, garden thyme, and sage tea. In Gokova, check out the clusters of picturesque wooden houses built in the two-storey Ottoman style.
After all that, recharge in a traditional 'hamam', or Turkish bath.
Family attractions in Marmaris
Try the Atlantic Water Park in Marmaris with slides, rides and bowling among its many attractions.
Take the kids to Iztuzu beach, a two-mile sandbar in Dalyan that's a nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. When in Dalyan, they might like a scramble around the ruins of the ancient harbour town of Kaunos, and its famed mud baths.
Olu Deniz is known for its paragliding, so older daredevils can a tandem flight with an experienced pilot from the top of BabaDag mountain down to the beach.
Take a boat trip to Cleopatra's (Sedir) Island, made famous for the pearly white sands which the queen is said to have shipped over from Egypt.
Day trips in Marmaris
The Datça peninsula takes dedication to get to and its rugged surroundings are therefore peaceful and unspoiled. The coves of Palmut Buku, Mesudiye Akvaryum, and Kargi among others can lay claim to some of the cleanest water in the Mediterranean.
The ruins of Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, are an astounding showcase of an ancient city.
See Pamukkale, or 'the cotton castle', where 35C thermal springs cascade over a cliff top, leaving calcium deposits that form thick white layers of limestone and travertine.
Marmaris is also popular for gulet cruises - wooden motor sailing vessels – along the coast. Alternatively, catch the regular 30-minute hydrofoil service to the Greek island of Rhodes.
Restaurants in Marmaris
Mezes – the equivalent of Spanish tapas - are a must. The ubiquitous kebabis a Turkish favourite and be sure to go local by at least trying some fiery raki on a night out. In the day, sip traditional Turkish apple tea.
Restaurants in Marmaris offer all kinds of cuisine from Chinese or French, to Indian and Italian and fast food. The smarter restaurants are in the marina.
Nightlife in Marmaris
Marmaris is famed for its boisterous nightlife - much of it concentrated on Barlar Sokagi, 'Bar Street'. If claustrophobia's not your bag, leave the streets and go on a boozy moonlight cruise instead.
Or try a Turkish cultural night involving local food and a bit of belly dancing.
Shopping in Marmaris
Best buys generally include leather goods, rugs, Turkish delight, Meerschaum pipes, Alabaster chess sets, embroidery and inlaid wooden or Mother of Pearl boxes.
The biggest bazaar of the region is set in the municipality bazaar in Marmaris (Thursdays), while the Netsel Marina has some distinctly upmarket shops.
There are several craft and souvenir shops in the Ottoman building of Hafza Sultan Caravanserai, which dates back to 1545.
A cheap holiday choice, with a good selection of accommodation, Marmaris is also a sailing centre. Netsel Marina, a state-of-the-art yachting facility, shines out as a pretty solitary beacon of taste in town.
Cruise ships also stop here, disgorging hundreds of passengers, so it can get busy in the summer. If you need to escape, jump on a boat to Greece - Rhodes is 30 minutes from Marmaris - or head inland to traditional villages.
Beaches in Marmaris
In Marmaris, the hotels have bagged the best beach stretches. But there are so many stunning beaches to choose from - including the gorgeous one at Fethiye and one of the most beautiful bays of the Turkish coast, Gokova.
'Walk on water' at the beach of Kizkumu in Orhaniye, near Hisaronu - a sand bar extends 800 metres into the bay.
Olu Deniz is charming and relaxing and its 'Blue Lagoon' is one of the most famous beaches in Turkey.
Hop on a water taxi to Icmeler, a smaller seaside resort near Marmaris, perched at the base of beautiful pine-covered mountains.
Sightseeing in Marmaris
Marmaris is a major sailing centre, so there's plenty of opportunities for boat trips and novice sailors. The Netsel Marina is a popular place to hang out and gets particularly busy around the Marmaris Yachting Festival in May and November's Yachting Week.
A cornerstone of Marmaris' attraction is its castle. First constructed by Ionians, it has since been preserved by Ottomans, damaged by cannonball fire during World War I and is now trampled on by tourists but is definitely worth a visit.
Venture into the pine-covered hills and rambling mountains on a 4x4 jeep safari to explore the countryside.
Siliman Beach is lovely and the settlement of Selimiye is a lovely place to hang out drinking local wine, eating fresh fish and watching the sunset.
In Turunc, shop for local produce such as honey, garden thyme, and sage tea. In Gokova, check out the clusters of picturesque wooden houses built in the two-storey Ottoman style.
After all that, recharge in a traditional 'hamam', or Turkish bath.
Family attractions in Marmaris
Try the Atlantic Water Park in Marmaris with slides, rides and bowling among its many attractions.
Take the kids to Iztuzu beach, a two-mile sandbar in Dalyan that's a nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. When in Dalyan, they might like a scramble around the ruins of the ancient harbour town of Kaunos, and its famed mud baths.
Olu Deniz is known for its paragliding, so older daredevils can a tandem flight with an experienced pilot from the top of BabaDag mountain down to the beach.
Take a boat trip to Cleopatra's (Sedir) Island, made famous for the pearly white sands which the queen is said to have shipped over from Egypt.
Day trips in Marmaris
The Datça peninsula takes dedication to get to and its rugged surroundings are therefore peaceful and unspoiled. The coves of Palmut Buku, Mesudiye Akvaryum, and Kargi among others can lay claim to some of the cleanest water in the Mediterranean.
The ruins of Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, are an astounding showcase of an ancient city.
See Pamukkale, or 'the cotton castle', where 35C thermal springs cascade over a cliff top, leaving calcium deposits that form thick white layers of limestone and travertine.
Marmaris is also popular for gulet cruises - wooden motor sailing vessels – along the coast. Alternatively, catch the regular 30-minute hydrofoil service to the Greek island of Rhodes.
Restaurants in Marmaris
Mezes – the equivalent of Spanish tapas - are a must. The ubiquitous kebabis a Turkish favourite and be sure to go local by at least trying some fiery raki on a night out. In the day, sip traditional Turkish apple tea.
Restaurants in Marmaris offer all kinds of cuisine from Chinese or French, to Indian and Italian and fast food. The smarter restaurants are in the marina.
Nightlife in Marmaris
Marmaris is famed for its boisterous nightlife - much of it concentrated on Barlar Sokagi, 'Bar Street'. If claustrophobia's not your bag, leave the streets and go on a boozy moonlight cruise instead.
Or try a Turkish cultural night involving local food and a bit of belly dancing.
Shopping in Marmaris
Best buys generally include leather goods, rugs, Turkish delight, Meerschaum pipes, Alabaster chess sets, embroidery and inlaid wooden or Mother of Pearl boxes.
The biggest bazaar of the region is set in the municipality bazaar in Marmaris (Thursdays), while the Netsel Marina has some distinctly upmarket shops.
There are several craft and souvenir shops in the Ottoman building of Hafza Sultan Caravanserai, which dates back to 1545.
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