For holidays in January we went on a roadtrip from Antalya to Marmaris. We live in Turkey now and Marmaris is about 4-6 hours by car from Antalya.
8 Best Places in Turkey for Every Traveler
Don’t know where in Turkey you can find what you want? Let me help.
I’ve been traveling in and out of Turkey for years and finally spent a year living in Antalya, uncovering the hidden gems and highlights of this beautiful country.
Whether you’re a beach lover, a history enthusiast, or an adventurous hiker, I’ve explored it all. Let me be your guide and share the best destinations depending on the kind of traveler you are.
Marmaris is a beach resort city in Turkey. Used to be a sleepy fishing village, but now it’s one of Turkey’s most popular holiday destinations, along with Antalya, Kemer, Bodrum. Marmaris is promoted by tour agents as a city for younger people, party city.
In January we did not expect to party in Marmaris. Our main goals were to see the old castle, explore viewpoints (and they are so cool!), have a walk along the beach.
Read More: Traveling in Turkey: Your Ultimate Guide to Must-See Destinations and Insider Tips
Marmaris Castle and Old Town, Turkey
Marmaris Castle, which is a beautiful place to see in Marmaris. It’s got a small but charming archeological museum inside that’s definitely worth a look, but that’s not even the best part!
The real highlight of the castle is the stunning views you’ll get of Marmaris from the top. It’s like being on top of the world, except instead of being surrounded by clouds, you’re surrounded by picturesque scenery.
8 Best Places in Turkey for Every Traveler
Don’t know where in Turkey you can find what you want? Let me help.
I’ve been traveling in and out of Turkey for years and finally spent a year living in Antalya, uncovering the hidden gems and highlights of this beautiful country.
Whether you’re a beach lover, a history enthusiast, or an adventurous hiker, I’ve explored it all. Let me be your guide and share the best destinations depending on the kind of traveler you are.
Just take a leisurely stroll through the Old Town and you’ll find Marmaris Castle right in the middle of everything.
Speaking of the Old Town, it’s an attraction in its own right. The narrow streets are perfect for strolling hand in hand with your significant other (or your imaginary friend, no judgement here). The white old houses are charming and quaint, and will transport you back in time to a simpler era. And let’s not forget about the cute restaurants! They’re the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat and soak up the local ambiance.
Beaches in Marmaris, Turkey
We spent some time chilling at the beach, which was very relaxing in the winter.
8 Best Places in Turkey for Every Traveler
Don’t know where in Turkey you can find what you want? Let me help.
I’ve been traveling in and out of Turkey for years and finally spent a year living in Antalya, uncovering the hidden gems and highlights of this beautiful country.
Whether you’re a beach lover, a history enthusiast, or an adventurous hiker, I’ve explored it all. Let me be your guide and share the best destinations depending on the kind of traveler you are.
There are about 6 miles of beaches in Marmaris that start from central Marmaris and go all the way to Icmeler. The beach promenades have great restaurants, cafes and bars. Nobody was swimming in the winter, but beach restaurants had clients sitting at the tables right at the beach.
In Marmaris we saw restaurants that serve Traditional Turkish food, as well as European. “Full English Breakfast” was a sign that you see often on the beach. So you will definitely not leave there hungry!
We saw many boats in Marmaris bay, some of them looked very expensive.
When you’re ready to relax, grab a drink at one of the many beach bars and watch the world go by. Expect prices to be higher than average for Turkey, but these restaurants are in the best location in Marmaris!
Heaven Island (Cennet Adası), Marmaris Turkey
Heaven Island (Cennet Adası) is about 8 km from Marmaris. We got there by car, and the road had multiple stops to enjoy the truly heavenly views. Truly beautiful place to see, don’t miss it when you are in Marmaris, Turkey! Great place to make some romantic pictures too 🙂
I hope to come back here again in the summer and get a boat tour around Marmaris, Turkey.
Shopping in Marmaris, Turkey
Marmaris has a big Shopping Mall (Blue Port), if you prefer to shop in an air-conditioned space. Many local brands are there (LC Waikiki, Koton, DeFacto), and they are very affordable. Shopping in Turkey in general is very good with many choices, both for low-budget and luxury brands.
To avoid common scams, overpriced services, and tourist traps, get my detailed Istanbul Asian Side Guide here (it will save you 10x its cost on transportation and eating out alone):
https://olgapronkina.com/istanbul (secret bonus inside!)
But I would also recommend to walk around in the market close to the castle. Even if you don’t buy anything, the hustle and bustle of the market can be an adventure in itself.
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