For those of you who have never visited Marmaris before but intend to, I have put together all the things you may want to know before you come. Some of this information may also be relevant to other areas of Turkey however I have only lived in Marmaris, so I don’t want to make any assumptions. I also want to add that I have not accounted for any of the current covid restrictions in this article due to the ever-changing nature of the guidelines, however, up to date information can be found elsewhere on the site.
What is the location like?
Marmaris is a vibrant and picturesque resort town on the Turquoise Coast that sits in a valley between forested mountains. There are around 300 days of sun a year and during the summer (June-September) you will find that the temperature is normally above 35 degrees in the daytime, sometimes even into the 50s. The sea here is crystal clear, there are both public and private sand beaches and the area is very clean. Just 8km south you can find Içmeler which also has some nice beachfront bars and restaurants. There is a straight walking path and cycling route connecting the two places. There are also some gorgeous nearby villages, towns, swim spots and hiking routes all waiting to be explored.
What is the location like?
The land here is very fertile and the climate warm so you will find lots of delicious organic local produce all year round. You should absolutely try as much of it as possible. When I first came here from England I was shocked to taste the cucumber, tomato, pomegranate and watermelon in particular, I would have always had a dislike towards these foods. Turns out I love them and they taste a lot different when they come fresh from the garden. I would also recommend checking out the herbs and spice stores and those selling local honey and other products as you can find some lovely foods you may not have had elsewhere. ALL ORGANIC!
International cuisine is sold in many places here as well as traditional Turkish. Turkey is known for its big breakfasts, its mezes and its meat kebabs. Memed Ocakbaşı is a great affordable place to go if you want to try out a bunch of different mezes and local dishes without breaking the bank. Dost Kebab is my favourite spot for some skewered meat and Rota on the marina is perfect for döner that’s pure meat (It sells out quick tho!!). As Marmaris is by the sea there is also lots of delicious fresh-caught fish to be found.
IS IT EXPENSIVE?
Maybe you’re wondering if you should go all-inclusive or how much spending money you’ll need. Just know if you’re coming with Pounds, Euros or Dollars your money goes very far here. Turkey has been struggling with its inflation recently with £1 now being worth 12TL. For this reason, you may choose to change some of your money before you arrive, and some once you arrive so that you get the latest exchange rate.
Some places are more expensive to eat than others, e.g. fancy hotels, seafood restaurants on the Marina, steak houses, etc. However, most of the time you can be stuffed for less than £10 each. Beer can be found pretty inexpensively, specifically the Turkish brands Efes (my favourite), Bamonti and Tuborg but anything imported will cost a bit more. Water and soft drinks cost much less than £1, most places have their pricing visible but just be vigilant if you are in a small shop with no pricing as they could try to overcharge you.
Clothing items can be found relatively cheap and of good quality, souvenirs can go for as little as £1, and you can easily buy all the pool floats, snorkels, and rubber rings that you desire for a fraction of the cost they are sold for in the UK.
Marmaris and İçmeler are much cheaper than the other tourist areas in the region such as Fethiye and Bodrum.
How do we get around?
One of my favourite things about living here is that it is within a half an hour drive of so many other beautiful places such as Selimiye, Akyaka, Turunc and Orhaniye. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend simply staying in Marmaris if you have enough time to go out and explore.
You can rent a car and the roads are very well kept in the area, however, it is not for the faint of heart. You must watch the road at all times and be prepared that anyone can do anything; people rarely use their turn signals, drive whilst using their phone and generally don’t abide by most traffic rules. When you’re driving in the mountains this isn’t normally much of a problem as the roads are large and not too busy. I would not advise hiring a car just to get around Marmaris itself, a scooter or bicycle is MUCH easier as parking is a real problem especially during the tourist season. You can also walk easily everywhere you just might find it’s too hot. There also seems to be a rise in the popularity of electric scooters which can be ridden in cycle lanes but not on the path.
There is a bus service available that goes to the local areas. There are also taxis everywhere but be careful not to be ripped off. My advice would be to ask someone at whatever establishment you’re in how much they would expect your taxi to be then confirm beforehand a price with the driver. Watching the map on your phone is also another good idea (often you do not need wifi for this) if you think something is off. For specific journeys such as to the airport or a tourist attraction, you can arrange a transfer which will be a set price in a private vehicle.
When it comes to arranged tours e.g. day trip to Ephesus or Pamukkale, if it looks too good to be true then it probably is. Some of these excursions may look like they only cost £5-£10 each but there will be hidden costs. Thankfully, we are in the internet era, so make sure you look up reviews before you buy. Many of these trips however don’t give you much time at the locations as the journey itself is so long when taken by bus, this may be one of the reasons you may choose to hire a car.
Is it safe?
As a 24-year-old woman, I can personally say I’ve never felt unsafe when walking around Marmaris. However, I would still advise girls to not go out solo when it’s late. I also do not know anyone personally who has been mugged, pickpocketed or threatened by a stranger in any way. There’s no homeless on the streets and I very rarely see anyone begging (if they are they do not harass you). There is visible police and military police presence around the town (very much so now with coronavirus) so as long as you aren’t doing anything wrong you will be fine.
Where should I stay?
There’s an abundance of hotels to pick from in every price range with whatever facilities you desire. You don’t necessarily need to go with a package from your flight company. There’s also a booming Airbnb market which is great if you are looking for somewhere with a private pool or for larger groups.
What else to expect?
Police points – The road in and out of Marmaris has a permanent police checkpoint and other times you may also see temporary ones. They do not stop everyone, but if they stop you just show your license and answer any questions asked. It does not normally last long, but they can also get a drug dog to smell your car on a rare occasion. My experience as a foreigner is that they don’t normally speak English and send us on our way if they see British passports.
Street Animals – There are lots of street cats and quite a few stray dogs. You will see them hanging around restaurants waiting for leftovers. They are all pretty well-fed so you needn’t worry about them and most are friendly. Just make sure you wash your hands if you give them any love.
Tipping – Tipping is not expected but is definitely appreciated. The minimum wage is £200 a month so if you get some good service, be kind and leave a little money.
Modesty – Whilst this is not true for all of Turkey, wearing shorts/dresses/bikinis etc is completely normal here. Unless you’re intending on visiting a mosque then do not worry about covering up. It’s damn hot! Just maybe don’t go completely topless on the beach.
Call to Prayer – There are a lot of mosques so no matter where you are you will hear this 5 times a day. The first one is at dawn so if you are a light sleeper then you may want to factor this in when choosing which hotel you’ll be staying at.
Mosquitos – Make sure you get some mosquito repellent!! They’re at their worst after dark by the water.
