Marmaris, Turkey

Marmaris, Turkey Situated in the southwest of Turkey, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, Marmaris is Turkey's third most popular holiday resort, behind Kusadasi and Bodrum. It also boasts one of the largest natural harbors in the World. Marmaris' marina is the largest Marina in Turkey. To the north of Marmaris lies the Gulf of Gokova; to the south, the Mediterranean. The Datca Peninsula falls to the western side and to the east is the Lake of Koycegiz. Green pine-clad hills, which run to the sea, and beautiful bays and coves make Marmaris a natural jewel, in spite of the development of numerous hotels, apartments, and other buildings which stretch for 10 kilometers along the coastline.

How to Get to Marmaris

By Bus

Turkey's inter-city bus companies, including Varan, Ulusoy, Pamukkale, and Kamil Koc offer regular bus service to the Marmaris otogar (bus station) from most major cities in Turkey. The Marmaris otogar is 2 kilometers from Marmaris town center on the main road between Mugla and Marmaris. From there, you can catch a dolmus (shared taxi) for a few lira, which will take you to the main dolmus station at the Tansas shopping center in the center of town. From the main dolmus station, you can catch another ride to a stop nearer your destination.

To go somewhere from Marmaris, you'll find the bus companies' offices concentrated around the Tansas shopping center. After the purchase of a ticket, the bus companies offer courtesy buses to the main otogar where you can catch your bus to another city in Turkey.

By Ferry

Ferries coming in from the Greek island of Rhodes, or from Bodrum, dock at the feribot iskalesi (ferry port). If you're new to Marmaris, you'll find the Marmaris tourist information center across from the ferry port. A car ferry makes its run to Rhodes twice per week.

By Air

The closest airport to Marmaris is the Dalaman airport, approximately 90 kilometers away. The Turkish Airways (Turk Hava Yolari, or THY), has a bus called the "Havas" bus (the name is written on the side), which provides service for a reasonable fee to and from the Dalaman airport and the THY office on the main shore road in town, known as the kordon, or "Ataturk Caddesi." The trip takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes. The THY office in Marmaris is at Ataturk Caddesi 50/B, telephone 0 252 412 3751.

You can also take a taxi to and from the Dalaman Airport, which costs around 80 YTL. There is a large taxi stand just outside the Marina.

Marmaris Tourism Information Office

The tourism office is directly across from the iskalesi, and is open daily during the summer from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. During the winter months, it's open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to noon, and from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. The tourism office number is 0 252 412 1035.

History

No one knows for sure when Marmaris was founded. It was once known as Physkos, and was part of the Carian Empire in the 6th century BC before it was overrun by the Lydians.

According to the historian Herodotus, the Carians settled in the area around Marmaris which is now the province of Mugla. They took over the town of Physkos because of its natural harbour and used it as a military and trade base for trade with Rhodes and the other Aegean Islands. In 300 BC, The Carian civilization entered a dark period after coming under the successive reigns of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Ionians, and Dorians. The Dorians then colonized the Carian province and divided the region into 9 cities, two of which were Halicarnassos and Knidos. These two cities later on became an active trade center and seaport of Anatolia, specializing in handicrafts.

In 138 BC Attalos, the 3rd King of Pergamon whose predecessors had ruled Caria for 90 years, ceded Physkos to Rome and the city was ruled from Rhodes by Roman generals. In 1425 AD, the city became part of the Ottoman Empire and in 1521 AD the castle was built for use in a planned assault on Rhodes. According to the historian Evliya Celebi, Suleyman the Magnificent, who was sultan at the time, changed the name of the city to Mimaras, which later became Marmaris. Actually, Suleyman was actually very unhappy with the reconstruction of the castle, he said "mimari as!" which means "hang the architect!"

Marmaris Castle

According to Herodotus, there has been 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 realized they had no chance against the invading army, so they burned their valuables and escaped to the hills with their women and children. The invaders, knowing the strategic value of the castle, repaired its destroyed sections to house a few hundred soldiers before the main army returned home.

The 17th century writer Evliya Celebi mentions the castle, which was rebuilt by Kanuni Sultan Suleyman (Suleyman the Magnificent) in 1522 when he raided Rhodes. Since 1979, renovation work has been continuing at the castle, in order to restore it to its original condition. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the castle has been converted into a museum. This museum now consists of seven galleries, the largest of which is used as an exhibition hall. The courtyard is decorated with seasonal flowers. During the Marmaris festival in May of each year, the Marmaris castle hosts exhibitions and various cultural events. It's open daily from 8:00 AM until noon, and from 1:00PM to 5:00PM.

Activities

Holiday makers who prefer to spend their beach time being active will have lots of choices of things to do in Marmaris. Dozens of watersports operators service the sea front, offering everything from banana boat rides and paragliding to jet-skiing and scuba diving, all at reasonable prices. The local Atlantis waterpark is a must for families. Those who want to sightsee or explore can choose from a variety of excursions, including guided horse safaris through the countryside or jeep safaris to visit nearby country villages, with visits to seemingly untouched forests where crystal waterfalls beckon one to have a swim. The ancient site of Ephesus and the natural spring waters of Pamukkale are also popular outings.

In town, have a walk through the main bazaar for some shopping for gold, jewelry, carpets, and souvenirs. City councils in various resorts, including Marmaris, have cracked down on following and hassling people in the streets, so other than various greetings and small talk, you shouldn't be bothered with sales people shadowing you and pleading with you to visit their shop. Outside of the main bazaar, there is a quieter neighborhood around the castle which is worth a stroll as well.

On fridays, there is a large market which takes place in the area behind the THY office on Ataturk Caddesi, west of the main center of town. There you'll find fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade jellies and jams, honey, apparel, housewheres, and other things for you to eat, wear, or use in your house.

Boat Trips and Blue Cruises

Daily boat trips, in motor schooners, called "gulets," depart from the iskele daily during the tourism season, to take you to attractive spots around Marmaris bay. These trips are quite relaxing, enjoyable, and highly recommended. They typically depart at 9:00 AM from May to September. Visit the iskele the day before in order to book a trip.

A more lengthy, multi-day cruise, called a "blue cruise" or "blue voyage," will take you to the various coves and beaches anywhere along the coast from Bodrum to Kas.

Boat taxies also depart from the Iskele to take you to the beaches at Icmeler and Turunc.

Night Life

Night life in Marmaris is centered on Haci Mustafa Sokak, or "Bar Street." This street is packed with nightclubs and bars that rock until around four in the morning, often having live bands, animation, and various activities for the many revellers who spend their evenings there. Many restaurants stay open all night to cater to early morning revellers. Recommended night spots are Davy Jones' Locker, renowned for its inexpensive cocktails and all-night dancing, Cheers, also on the beachfront, and the open-air Magic Garden Bar and Night Club. For a more upscale dinner and evening out, try the pubs and restaurants in and around the Marina, or the Panorama restaurant near the castle, for an exquisite view of the sunset.