Marmaris Holidays 2024/2025
A transportation hub, a nightlife centre, a picturesque throwback to historic Turkey, a beach paradise and an All Inclusive Turkey holiday hotspot – Marmaris has many faces. Whichever one you decide to visit up close, you’re sure to enjoy a getaway bursting with action, energy and excitement.
Marmaris Holiday Deals
The best of the Turkish coast
The unblemished stretches of sand which make up the coastline have been accredited with Blue Flag status, while the crowning jewel of Marmaris Castle sits above the shoreline in imposing splendour. In fact, it was from here that the famous admiral Horatio Nelson organised an assault on the French at the tail-end of the 18th century, meaning there is plenty for history buffs to explore as well.
Marmaris’ strategic location on the Turkish coast makes it the ideal hub for taking a cruise or catching a ferry to locations further afield. The picturesque marina – particularly dazzling at night-time – is near some of the clearest waters you’ll ever set eyes on, making for some spectacular scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities.
Get wet 'n' wild
Marmaris Beach has been given Blue Flag status for its cleanliness and excellence, meaning you’re guaranteed a top-notch sunbathing experience. For more active beachgoers, this sheltered bay is the perfect place to try your hand at any number of adrenaline-fuelled watersports including parasailing, jet-skiing, water-skiing and sailing.
Underneath the waves, the scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities are immense, too, with a variety of colourful sub-aquatic flora and fauna on display.
Back on dry land, you can still get wet at one of the town’s fantastic waterparks. Atlantis and Aquadream jostle for tourist custom by offering unique thrills and spills, ideal for a fun-filled family day out.
Step back in time
Marmaris’ popularity may have sky-rocketed in recent years, but its heritage stretches back much further than that. The earliest signs of settlers date all the way back to 3,400BC, while the Greek historian Herodotus chronicles the existence of a castle on the site since 3,000BC. The stronghold was built in 1522 on command of Suleyman the Magnificent, and the region also played host to Admiral Nelson during the Napoleonic Wars.
For a completely different site of historical importance, head to Nimara Cave on nearby Heaven Island. It’s long been a place of worship and is thought to have been dedicated to the goddess Leto, mother of Artemis and Apollo in Greek mythology. All of these attractions make Marmaris the perfect destination for history buffs seeking Turkey holiday packages.
Try out your bartering skills at the Carsi Market
When you’re in the mood for a bargain, the tented bazaar in Marmaris Old Town is the perfect place to snap up some souvenirs. The stalls sell everything from leather accessories and fresh produce to jewellery and ornamentation. Haggling is standard here, so you’d better get practising if you want to secure a bargain price.
While the eclectic Carsi Market is conducted every single day of the week, there’s an alternative bazaar every Thursday at G Mustafa Muglali Caddesi . Here, you can stock up on the latest fashions with branded sportswear and stylish pieces – but beware of the genuine fakes if you’re looking for the real deal.
Let your hair down
No guide to Marmaris would be complete without a nod in the direction of its famous after-hours scene. As one of Turkey’s top nightlife hotspots, Marmaris has a wide array of clubs and bars geared towards a younger crowd, with the majority of the action centred around Bar Street and its offshoots. Party-goers can keep the alcohol flowing and the dancefloor jumping until the early hours of the morning.
If you’re in search of a more sedate evening experience, there’s a surplus of excellent eating establishments and low-key cocktail lounges here as well. The area surrounding Netsel Marina is especially popular with couples and groups looking for an intimate meal followed by a more relaxed evening of live entertainment, with plenty of shisha bars available as well.