ABOUT MARMARIS

Marmaris is truly the Jewel of the Turkish Riviera. It is Turkey's most sophisticated and multi-faceted resort. Located where the Aegean sea meets the Mediterranean the beautiful bay is famous for its yachting and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Marmaris is originally a Greek word meaning glittering and shining and this is a very apt description. Nowadays it offers abundant accommodation ranging from small pensions (guest houses) to luxurious 5 star hotels. Hundreds of restaurants, shops, tours, and other entertainment ensure that you will never be bored.

The beaches of Marmaris are not the greatest in the world but are more than adequate for children and adults alike. The sand is mostly black sand and a bit gritty. Marmaris’s beaches are not very wide and the top half is covered in sunbeds and umbrellas which you can rent for a nominal fee if the hotel/restaurant does not provide them. Many hotels in Marmaris have private beaches and some even ship in very good sand from other areas. The sea is warm, crystal clear and perfect for swimming. There are some fabulous beaches within half an hours drive, so if beaches are your thing, visit Cleopatra Island where the sand is said to be the best in the world.

The famous Bar Street of Marmaris is just what it says, a street chock full of night clubs of every description which are open until 4 am.

The beautiful harbour water front hosts many restaurants and bars where you can relax and take in the spectacular view. Netsel Marina is an important yachting centre full of romantic restaurants, shops and boutiques. One look at the yachts in the harbour will tell you that Marmaris is a stylish and cosmopolitan resort. The traffic-free promenade stretching from the marina all the way round the bay to Icmeler. It has a sophisticated 'Riviera' feel to it, vaguely reminiscent of St.Tropez.

There are many beautiful islands and villages to visit. Gulets are the local boats used for boat trips and provide food and drink and a wonderful day out. All kinds of water sports are available on the beaches, diving and SeaScooter Safari are very popular, check to make sure the dive company have the correct qualifications.

During the Winter you will find a different Marmaris from the high season. Quieter, more intimate where you will be welcomed into the warm and friendly local and ex-pat community. Many tourist prefer winter to summer and return every year to continue the deeper friendships provided by the more relaxed and timeless atmosphere. You can still get a tan and the water is always warm enough for swimming so Marmaris is a great winter destination.

We know you will thoroughly enjoy your visit here, not least because of the wonderfully warm and welcoming local people.

MARMARIS EXCURSIONS

One of the advantages of choosing Marmaris as your holiday destination is the number of activities available when sitting around a pool or lazing at the beach side begins to pale. There are activities ranging from a few hours to a full day and tours involving a day to several days.

Staying in Icmeler or Marmaris couldn't be perfect without daily trips around... Seascooter Safari, Boat Trips, Village Tours, Jeep Safaris, Horse Riding, Rafting, Diving, Paragliding, visiting Ephesus and Hierapolis, Turkish Baths, Beach Parties, Turtle Beach, Shopping in Mugla Market exploring Gokova Gulf.

ABOUT ICMELER

Just 9km west of Marmaris, Icmeler is a well-planned, purpose-built resort with a cosmopolitan, international flavour. Lying at the foot of lush green mountains, Icmeler has a stunning beach flanked by well-kept gardens full of jasmine and oleander. When you have had your fill of lazing around on the sand, you can burn off some energy on a wide range of water sports or learn to scuba dive at the European Diving Centre. The beach can be crowded in high season, but it’s easy to escape if you take a boat trip around the bay and seek out one of its deserted beaches.

A walk along the coast from Icmeler to Marmaris is particularly lovely in the evening, as the sun sets over the water. For a complete change of scene, you can spend a day in Mugla and explore the picturesque winding streets of its old Ottoman Quarter and pick up a bargain or two in the bazaar area.

Of course Icmeler has plenty of shops of its own, including scores of jewellery shops selling gold and silver at knock-down prices. Icmeler’s indoor market is good for fake designer clothes, silver jewellery and music, and on the main square of Icmeler  you will find more jewellery as well as carpets and original designer clothes. If you’re looking for souvenirs, take a wander along the banks of the river by the Hotel Marti, which are lined with stalls selling an assortment of crafts and knick knacks. And don’t miss the weekly market opposite the post office (PTT), which offers lots of good buys and specialises in local foods.

If you feel like some activity in the evenings, there is plenty of choice. There is only one night club - Abone near the Police Station - but lots of the town’s bars have a lively atmosphere and stay open until late. Heaven Bar opposite the European Diving Centre has a good disco and Deniz Kapisi next to the jetty is the place to go if you like karaoke. For a wider choice, Marmaris is only next door.

THE GULF OF GOKOVA

Lying on the south coast of the Bodrum peninsula, the Gulf of Gökova is a fascinating corner of Turkey, offering lovely views with charming combinations of colors. The translucent and deep waters of the Gulf of Gokova,on the southern shore of the Bodrum peninsula vary from the darkest blue to the palest turquoise, and the coastline is thickly wooded with every hue of green. In the evening, the sea in the Gokova Gulf reflects the mountains silhouetted against the setting sun, and at night it shimmers with posphorescence. The mountains shelter the setting sun under hues of red and yellow. If you would like to witness all these beauties, there are opportunities to take a yacht tour along these coastlines, and a boat trip on this gulf will make your holiday as beautiful as the place itself.