Marmaris is a port city and a tourist destination on the Mediterranean coast, located in southwest Turkey. Marmaris' main source of income is tourism. While little is left of the sleepy fishing village that Marmaris was just a few decades ago after a construction boom in the 1980s, Marmaris still retains its charm due to the exceptional natural beauty of its location. The district's population is 35,000 and is estimated to reach 400,000 - 600,000 people during the tourism season, when the flow of people reaches critical levels.

Marmaris' nightlife rivals anything on the Turkish coast. It is also a major centre for sailing, possessing two major and several smaller marinas. It is a popular wintering location for hundreds of cruising boaters. There are regular ferry services to the Greek island of Rhodes, and large cruise ships call at the port.

Discover Marmaris… Set against a backdrop of pine-clad hills, Marmaris is a resort that combines natural beauty with an amazing enthusiasm for life. Famed for its nightlife, the most extravagant on the entire South coast, this developed resort offers the best of both worlds; the nightlife is endless, and numerous clubs and bars stretch along the coast from the elegant marina to the curve of Icmeler, the smaller resort close by. On the other hand, the surrounding countryside offers the best in culture, due to the succession of scenic roads and sympathetic villages, which lead to ancient ruins and unspoilt beaches. Perfect for all age groups, Marmaris is one of the most popular resorts in Turkey. Once you visit it, you will understand why.

History

Although it is not certain when Marmaris was founded, in the 6th century BC the city was known as Physkos, and considered part of Caria.

According to the historian Herodotus, there was a castle in Marmaris since 3000 BC. During the Hellenistic Age, Caria was invaded by Alexander the Great and the castle was besieged. The 600 inhabitants of the town realised that they had no chance against the invading army and burned their valuables in the castle before escaping to the hills with their women and children. The invaders, well aware of the strategic value of the castle, repaired the destroyed sections to house a few hundred soldiers before the main army returned home.

marmaris castle

The next important event during the history of Marmaris was almost two thousand years later, in the mid-fifteenth century, when the Ottoman Empire began to rise after the efforts of Sultan Mehmet II, who succeeded in conquering and uniting under one banner the various tribes and kingdoms of Anatolia. Some of his greatest difficulties came from the Knights of St. John, who occupied the Dodecanese Islands. Based in Rhodes, the Knights had fought for many years; they were able to withstand the onslaughts of Mehmet II until a succeeding and more powerful Sultan came on the scene.

Marmaris castle was rebuilt from the scratch in 1522 by the Ottoman sultan Süleyman the Magnificent when he had set out for his campaign on Rhodes, for which Marmaris served as a base. Since 1979, renovation work has been continuing at the castle, in order to restore it back to original condition. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the castle was converted into a museum. There are seven galleries, of which the largest is being used as an exhibition hall and the courtyard is decorated with seasonal flowers. Built at the same time as the castle in the bazaar, there is also a small Ottoman caravanserai built by Süleyman's mother Ayşe Hafsa Sultan.

marmaris netsel marina

marmaris downtown beach

cleopatra island

kumlubük (sandy bay)

orhaniye (kızkumu) 

amazon

paradise island

bozburun

bozburun

paradise island

english harbour

karacasöğüt

amos

snail bay

cleopatra island

seven islands

turunç

turgut waterfall

turgut bay

amazing blue and green water

The sandy beaches of the region are something to see. They dazzle the eye and the cool winds that come off the Mediterranean Sea are a welcome relief from the heat.

There is a great deal to do in Marmaris. It is a city of history and culture, but by far, one of the most popular activities in sailing and yachting.

Many people from northern Europe will come with their boats down to Marmaris during the winter to enjoy the warm weather and yachting opportunities that the amazing area offers.

Near Rhodes, The bay near Marmaris makes it a perfect place to take the boat out.

Not surprisingly, the city has many organizations and rental boat shops to appeal to the tourist who comes to the area.

The beauty of yachting in the Marmaris area, is that you can often stay on the yacht, meaning you don’t need to find a place to stay in the city. Nothing beats falling asleep as the yacht slowly rocks in the Mediterranean Sea.

One place to check out is the Marmaris International Yachting Club, which is world-renown for hosting one of the biggest yacht races in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Marmaris International Race Week, which sees 100 yachts and 1,000 racers from around the world. The event usually runs at the end of October and beginning of November every year and is something every single yachter who comes to the area needs to check out at least once in their life.

Yachting is a big deal in Marmaris, and it is not hard to see why. The sea offers an amazing opportunity to yacht around some of the most beautiful scenery in the area, while experience a yachting experience in one of the best places to do it.