Marmaris is one of the rare towns in Turkey where you can swim right in the city center, despite the increased construction, as environmental and water treatment facilities have been installed.

For those who seek cleaner seas and quieter spots there are boat trips that go to other coves or you can get there by land. If you are interested in water sports and nature activities the hotels and travel agencies here provide you with many alternatives.

YACHT MARINA

The Marmaris Marina is the largest and most modern such facility in the southern region. The marina, which is operated by Net Holding, provides all types of services to yachts and winter restration on with demanded facilities open all year around. In the area between the marina and the town quay the daily and Blue Cruise boats moor. If you follow the Venedik Stream into the town from the yacht marina you get to street of bars. Bars that have all types of music played are lined up on both sides of the road.

Most are old Marmaris houses that have been restored and turned into night spots. You will also see a high wall surrounding the entertainment centers, erected in the recent years. The entertainment last untilthe first lights of the morning. The restaurants and bars around the quay get get crowded every evening. The streets parallel to the quay and at right angles to it is the home of the colourful nightlife of Marmaris. There is all type of music and entertainment to suit every taste.

The old city is like a giant shopping center. This area is closed to vehicular traffic and forms a colourful picture with the awnings sticking out like fringes from the shops and stalls. Even if you have no intention of buying anything you will enjoy walking in these streets.

ICMELER

This picturesque resort lies 10 km from Marmaris at the western end of the bay and it is well known fro its famous springs whose waters have proved to be beneficial to the digestive system.

Icmeler offers a wide selection of top quality hotels, family hotels, apart motels, pensions to suit everyone`s standards and preferences while the older residental area nestles under the hills at the rear of the town.

This resort is ideal for those who want to have a quite time during the day and be able to sleep soundly at night. Despite having numerous hotels the regulations that have been enacted mean that Icmeler is very green, full of flowers, has good and clear walking trails and its beach is always very clean. The stream that divides the hamlet through its center has been organised to add atmosphere to the beautiful hamlet. It is a colourful and lively part of Icmeler, with the two banks of the streamfilled with stalls where souvenirs, gifts and handcrafts are sold.

Icmeler presents you with rich options for eating, drinking and entertainment. But for those who want more Marmaris is just a few step away. There are very frequent and regular transport links between Marmaris and Icmeler. In the past, Icmeler used to have healing springs but today do not look for them, your hunt will be in vain. Icmeler is also ideal for swimming and water sports.

The aqua park right behind the main park in the center is ideal for families with children. Despite lots of construction and growing numbers the hamlet`s waters and beach have remain clean. However if you want an even cleaner sea and smaller crowds you should take a boat trip to the coevs in the area.

In Icmeler modern and traditional architecture come together. The Koyici region behind the beach area and tha canyon region a bit further from the Koyici and that is within the walking distance have facilities to the taste those that are into nature and old village life.

TURUNC (CITRUS)

If you wrote "Turunc is one of the 47 villages of Marmaris," this would not be wrong. If you are heading to Turunc bu minibus or your own vehicle you will drive on a winding road through pine trees.

Once you are passed Icmeler the climbing begins. If you are in the drivers`s seat do not get distracted by the beauty of the environment and the Gulf of Marmaris but pay attention the winding road. Unless you are into rallying road you should travel 20 kilometres in half an hour. However, if you want you can also take the coastal road of 24 kilometres. By whatever route you take you should definetly go to Turunc.

If you are based at Marmaris take a day out to visit Turunc and get away from Marmaris atmosphere, which can still give the feel of being a city. Or instead, leave Marmaris and go for a stay in Turunc. You will encounter Turunc all of a sudden after driving along the winding and up and down road. Below you will see a beautiful painted sea with a special tone of blue. There are all shades of blue in the water. Indigo blue, glass blue and the blue of the sky reflected on the water and others.

Turunc is hemmed by a high hill covered in pine trees that bring a coolness to the seaside. Although it is always sunny it is not that hot. And os course pomegranate, mulbery, plums and citrus trees abound, though being called Turunc (Citrus) you would expect more citrus trees, though to make up for this there are geraniums, oleanders and begonias everywhere.

Turunc is one of the indispensable stop on the Blue Cruise. When evening comes songs floeat from the moored boats. and restaurants on the waterfront. And before we forget, we should mention that a Blue Flag is flying over Turunc.

The Blue Flag is given by international organisations to coves that have the clean water, environment and beaches as well as having necessary infrastructure for yachting. In Turunc there are more options just sea and sun. Those who want to walk or go on a jeep safari will find suitable trails. If you are interested in diving Turunc is again for you.

You can hire all the equipment you need for divingand also take classes here. There are facilities that provide services for other water sports, including water skiing, banana boats and parasailing. You can go on daily boat cruises to the nearby coves, with the trip taking in Kumlubuk and Ciftlik.

THE MARMARIS CUISINE

 The honey of Marmaris is famous for its types and high quality. There are plenty of choices for eating in Marmaris; from seafood, fast food. Turkish and international cuisine (Chinise, Italian, British, German and Indian) in specialised restaurants. For fish go to the restaurants around quay and the yachting port or to Icmeler, Ciftlik, Orhaniye, Selimiye, Bozborun and Sogut Saranda district. For the Turkish food you can try around the marketplace, while for international cuisine and pizzas go to the center, Armutalan and Icmeler. Village food, such as gozleme and manti (Turkish rivioli) can be eaten in Bayir, Ciftlik, Turgut and Orhaniye. The open buffets of the hotels are also rich.

ENTERTAINMENT

 Around the area between the marina and the center around the quay, in htr old bazaar region and in the bar street there are all types of bars and night clubs which cater to different tastes. Once you head towards the bar street from the yachting port you will loose yourself in the rhytm of the music and may not undrstand how the time has passed until the first lights of morning. If you like you can take a moonlight tour on a boat leaving from yachting port, departing around midnight. You can have great fun. The longest street of Marmaris, Uzunyali Street is quite busy and lively and is fun for a summer night stroll. Along the side of the stree there are restaurants, handcraft stalls, discos and bars. In Icmeler, whose natural status is protected, you can have as much fun as you want in an elegant atmosphere. We can recomend you to take a break in the pleasant hamlet tea garden on the left side of the entrance to Icmeler.

BLUE FLAGGED BEACHES

Marmaris I (Ketenci Hotel shore)               Marmaris II (In front of the Daisy Bar)

Marmaris III (The Sahil site Beach)            Marmaris IV (The Garden Asur Beach)

Marmaris V (In front of the Lidya Hotel)     Icmeler I (In front of the Munamar Hotel)

Icmeler II (In front of the Aqua Hotel)          The Pamucak Beach

The Turunc Public Beach                            The Turunc Hotel Beach

THE MARKETPLACES

Although every part of Marmaris is a marketplace or bazaar, for those who seek a village market the weekly bazaar is on every Thursday not very far from the city center. In icmeler the weekly market is on Wednesdays. In these markets you get the famaous pine honey of Marmaris, handmade rug and carpets, all types of spices and healing herbs, souvenirs and gifts.

AKYAKA & THE GULF OF GOKOVA

 While going to this region you should travel during the day from Sakar Gecidi, which is 15 kilometres along the Mugla-Marmaris road and then the winding road descends towards the valley for seven kilometres. The magnificent view presented by the valley and the Gulf of Gokova is really breathtaking.

There are places on the road where one can park and take time to view the scenery. This is the place to pull your vehicle to the side of the road and enter into timeless imagination sessions. The gulf often has a haze over it, which presents a very suitable backdrop for the imagination. You can see this same scenery from the NET entertainment venue on the winding road down by taking a lunch or a rest break. This winding road diverts into Akyaka later. You can head towards Akyaka by turning right on the road amongst the pine trees.

If you pass this intersection you can turn left at the Marmaris-Mugla intersection. (Not towards Marmaris) At end of this road turn left and observe the pristine waters of the Azmak Stream. The special architecture of Akyaka will catch your eyes straight away. On your right the most beautiful of these wooden houses are lined up for your viewing pleasure.

It is difficult not to envy the owners and want to live in one. As is written on the back of the canyons do not cast an evil eye, work! You can get one as well. Well, it is like that, do not get jealous, even though you do not own it you can stay in such a house for a couple of nights.

Most of the hotels and pensions of Akyaka are a result of this beautiful architectural style and some are the result of Nail Cakirhan's work. A babbling stream, where ducks and geese are at play, runs through the grounds of some hotel and house gardens, leaves and then flows into the sea where it starts a new adventure.

By entering the Akyaka centre and walking towards the forest and then to the left the beach can be found. The sea is shallow and has waves and thus is a little hazy. Azmak is the place where the stream meets the sea. Azmak can be reached by boat and giant freshwater fish can be viewed in the clear water.

The pine forest begins right at the city centre. This is a very green and beautiful forest. There is a restaurant at the picnic and camping area run by the Forestry Directorate. There are also bungalows for overnight accommodation. To enter the sea from small coves it is necessary to go a little further. It is possible to hire boat or walk to these coves.