Marmaris

Marmaris is one of the prettiest port towns in the province of Muğla. In fact, it is considered the gem of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and is popular with couples, families, as well as with groups. 

On Ferryhopper, you will find useful information about your vacation in the Turkish city: beaches, local delicacies and ferries to / from Marmaris. Take a look at the available ferry routes to Marmaris and book cheap ferry tickets on Ferryhopper with just a few clicks!

People walking and biking on the promenade in Marmaris, Turkey

Holidays in Marmaris

In Marmaris, the Mediterranean meets the Aegean. In the last 50 years, the bustling vacation town has taken off. With more than 250,000 visitors in the summer, Marmaris is one of Turkey’s largest resorts. 

A holiday in Marmaris means discovering dreamy beaches, pristine coves, uninhabited islands, and historical sites. Marmaris also has an enjoyable entertainment scene thanks to its numerous upscale restaurants and vibrant bars. Moreover, its truly great location on the stunning Turquoise Coast makes it an ideal base for excursions. 

Since Marmaris has pretty much all you could want from a Mediterranean holiday, it should be on every avid traveler’s bucket list.

How to get to Marmaris

Reaching the city is easily possible by car, train, plane and, of course, by ferry. 

At the moment, the main ferry connection between Greece and Marmaris is served through the infamous and cosmopolitan island of Rhodes.

If you want to travel by plane, at a distance of about 100km, Dalaman Airport is the nearest regional airport to Marmaris. The airport has regular charter flights from multiple European cities during summer. To reach Marmaris from the airport, visitors can take public transportation or arrange a private transfer i.e. taxi or rented car.

Another alternative is to fly to Bodrum airport and then travel by car or bus for about 1.5 hr to get to Marmaris. 

For those who prefer the bus, you will find many local bus companies traveling to Marmaris from major Turkish cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, as well as close districts such as Bodrum.

What to do in Marmaris

Marmaris is quite a popular summer destination for travelers wanting to mix some sightseeing into their beach vacations. 

Take a walk around Marmaris’s main marina, known as Netsel Marina. Gaze at the huge yachts, eat at one of the many chic cafes and restaurants, and go souvenir hunting. The Grand Bazaar is another perfect destination for shopaholics. 

Marmaris is a great place for adventure and nature lovers. Just 6km from Marmaris town you’ll find Marmaris National Park. This stretch of coast, rich in flora and fauna, is best explored from a boat. Alternatively, you can arrange jeep tours, ATV tours or horse riding. 

Furthermore, there are around 50 dive sites accessible from Marmaris and Galleon is one of the best, thanks to the ruins of a Hellenistic-age ship that sank there. 

Marmaris is great for families too. Take a boat trip to the Dalyan River Delta and to neighboring towns like İçmeler and Turunç. You can also visit kid-friendly attractions like Marmaris Water Park and Marmaris Aqua Park. 

End the day and rejuvenate your skin with a traditional Turkish steam bath and massage at local establishments like Ottoman Turkish Bath. 

Tip: if you’re looking for Instagrammable spots in Marmaris, make sure to visit Turgut waterfall. The combination of blue and green in this waterfall is breathtaking.

People walking past shops at the Grand Bazaar in Marmaris

Beaches in Marmaris

You can find sandy beaches with crystal clear waters only a few kilometers from the town of Marmaris. Most of them are lined up with great restaurants, cafes and bars, and are fully organized for visitors. Don’t forget to try surfing or other kinds of water sports! 

Here are the 7 most beautiful beaches in Marmaris to check out:

1. Uzunyali: also known as Long Beach, Uzunyali is a centrally located 10km stretch of sand. The pedestrian-only promenade is jam-packed with cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops. 
2. Icmeler: formerly a fishing village, Icmeler has rapidly gained popularity as a holiday resort. Just 15 minutes away, it mesmerizes beach-goers with its fine, golden sand and turquoise waters. 
3. Turunç: located on the west of Marmaris, this is a Blue Flag beach easily accessible by minibus (dolmuş) or sea taxi boat. Its calm waters attract many scuba divers. 
4. Kumlubuk: very close to Amos beach, Kumlubuk is famous for its great panorama, fine soft sand and restaurants. 
5. Iztuzu: one of the highlights of a boat trip along the Dalyan Delta is Iztuzu beach. Iztuzu is an environmentally protected 4.5km long beach due to the presence of rare loggerhead turtles (caretta caretta).
6. Sedir Island: located in the Gulf of Gökova, Sedir Island has gained popularity thanks to Cleopatra beach. Cleopatra is characterized by golden sand and turquoise waters. We recommend visiting the island in the morning, as it gets overcrowded later during the day. 
7. Akcapinar: located nearby Akyaka in the Gulf of Gokova, Akcapinar is one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world. The pine covered hills offer a great view to the gulf below. 

Umbrellas and chairs available at a beautiful sandy beach in Marmaris

Sightseeing and Activities in Marmaris

The best way to experience Marmaris to the fullest is to explore its picturesque streets and discover its most hidden corners. 

Here are some attractions in Marmaris not to be missed:

• Marmaris Castle and Archaeology Museum in the old town
• Marmaris Harbor
• Jinan Garden
• Eski İbrahim Ağa Cami, an ancient archaeological mosque
• Atatürk Statue, a monument to the first president of Turkey
• Ruins of Kaunos in Dalyan

A bronze mermaid statue in the waterfall at Fountain Square in Marmaris

Nightlife in Marmaris

Marmaris is definitely a magnet for nightlife lovers!

If you’re looking to party during your stay in Marmaris, Bar Street is the place to go. Located in the old town across the busy bazaar, this street has over 100 bars and clubs that stay open until the early hours. From amazing laser shows to fun foam parties, we recommend checking what’s on so that you don’t miss out on any special events.

For pre-partying drinks, visit the Long Beach area. As well as restaurants for dinner, there are lots of bars and clubs catering to different tastes. 

If you’re looking for more tranquil entertainment, you can enjoy a romantic dinner at one of the many traditional Turkish taverns with live music from local artists.

Food in Marmaris

Marmaris offers a variety of delicious local as well as international meals (mostly British), in more than several hundreds of restaurants. In general, the cuisine in Marmaris and other Mediterranean regions are rich in vegetables, herbs and fish. 

Here are some delicious dishes that we recommend you try during your stay in Marmaris: 

• gevrek (a giant bread polo called simit for breakfast)
• yayla (rice soup with mint)
• sujuk (spicy Turkish sausage)
• kuzu güveç (classic lamb casserole dishes)
• kokorec (spiced offal wrapped in lamb’s intestine)
• gozleme (pancake)
• eggplant jam

Tip: for a romantic dinner make sure to visit Ney restaurant, set in a quaint 250-year-old Greek stone house and offering delicious home cooking.

Villages in Marmaris

If you are planning to stay in Marmaris a bit longer we would also recommend visiting nearby destinations to explore cultural sites and natural attractions. 

Ferryhopper suggests visiting the following villages and towns around Marmaris: 

• Datca: located 78km away from Marmaris, Datca is a great place if you want to escape the crowds. It has many beautiful coves and bays (Palamutbuku, Hayıtbuku, Mesudiye). On the tip of the peninsula, the remains of the ancient city of Knidos can be found.
• Bozburun Peninsula: the pine-covered peninsula is blessed with lovely bays and is home to numerous waterfalls and coves. During your trip, you can’t miss the unique Kızkumu beach (“Maiden’s Sand”), where visitors can easily walk 600m towards the open sea. 
• Akyaka: about 20km from Marmaris, Akyaka is famous for its local architecture, natural beauty and for its traditional Turkish dishes. 

Orhaniye village and Kizkumu beach seen from above

Tips for Marmaris

Here is everything you need to know for a perfect stay in Marmaris:

• You can convert your money in the local currency of Turkish Lira.
• Visitors who want to do a lot of hiking and sightseeing would do better to visit Marmaris in the spring or fall because the summer months are too hot for such activities.
• Make sure to visit markets with a lot of change and keep receipts of purchases you make, in case there has been any overcharging. 
• Drinking tap water in Marmaris is not recommended since it is chlorinated. This means that it’s also better to avoid drinks with ice.

Useful information about Marmaris

In Marmaris, you will find everything you might need for a pleasant trip, such as car rentals, ATM machines, pharmacies, a post office, and a wide range of medical services available. 

For food, at the end of the main road, before the harbor and marina, there is a large supermarket named Tansas that has a wide variety of goods, even from international brands. 

As for accommodation, there are several options throughout the city, such as luxury hotels, apartments, holiday homes, and villas. In the center of Marmaris you can find lively hotels, while in the Armutalan area, where the local government has prohibited the playing of music after midnight, you may find more laid back hotels.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Marmaris

Here are some useful contact information for your trip to Marmaris:

• Marmaris Tourism Information: +902524121035
• Marmaris State Hospital: +902524121029
• Marmaris Municipality: +902524121005
• Dalaman International Airport: +902527925555
• Marmaris Police Station (Head Office): +902524178155
• Police Emergency: 155
• Marmaris Medical Emergency: 112

Transportation in Marmaris

The easiest way of getting around is using the dolmus minibus service. Dolmus buses in Marmaris are color-coded. The buses running within Marmaris have a green band across them, while the buses running between Marmaris and Icmeler have orange bands. 

Even though these buses have assigned stops, they usually follow the old system, which is to get on and get off anywhere. It is also worth knowing that dolmus lines operate till 02:00 especially in the high summer season.

Moreover, if you want to travel to other cities and towns in Turkey such as Bodrum, Antalya and Fethiye you’ll be able to find numerous buses from the Marmaris Otogar bus terminal. 

Taxis are available on the meter, but they are considerably more expensive (prices are negotiable however). Taxi boats to Icmeler and Turunc are also popular among holidaymakers.

Ports in Marmaris

Marmaris Port is situated towards Gunnucek national park, about a 15 min walk from the city center. In order to reach the entrance of the port, you can take the dolmus buses with pink stripes on them and a sign that says “ YALANCI BOGAZ.” There’s also a taxicab station at the port. 

Marmaris also has a smaller marina for private yachts, Netsel Marina. 

Passengers arriving at Marmaris have access to a modern terminal with restaurants, duty-free shops, ATMs, restrooms, and tourist information. The terminal building also houses immigration and customs, making the entire entry process into the city simple and speedy.

Marmaris ferry, schedules and tickets

The port of Marmaris can be reached by ferry from the island of Rhodes in Greece with the ferry company Sea Dreams. Keep in mind that on most ferries it is not possible to embark your vehicle. 

On Ferryhopper's Map of ferries, you can find out more about the available ferry routes from Marmaris, so that you can easily and conveniently plan your ferry trip. 

Here are some more details on the ferry connection to Marmaris: 

• Ferry Rhodes - Marmaris: the route from the port of Rhodes to Marmaris is seasonal and available 1-2 times per day during summer with sailing durations from around 1 hr. 

Tip: visit our relevant blog post to find out extra details on Turkey - Greece ferry routes.

Dazzling pink sunset sky snapped over Marmaris, Turkey

Where to book ferry tickets to Marmaris

Book cheap ferry tickets to Marmaris online on Ferryhopper with no extra fees. Find all the information you need about ferries to Marmaris, compare companies, trip duration and ticket prices, and organize your holidays in Marmaris in just a few clicks.