Holidays in Marmaris - 2021: the best resort in Turkey?

Hey! If you have been reading the blog for a long time, then you know that Kemer, Side, Antalya and huge Istanbul were in our Turkish piggy bank. But Turkey is not limited to this. You can return here more than once or twice, just to a new location.

My (author's) friend, former student, a couple of years ago celebrated graduation rested in Marmaris and shared her impressions. And I, having studied the rest, decided to tell you: what is it like - rest in Marmaris in 2021, what are the prices for excursions and entertainment. I also prepared a couple of tips for "entry-level" tourists.

Why Choose Marmaris?

The port resort of Marmaris is another part of Turkey's beachfront, washed by the Aegean Sea. At the same time, it is one of the most popular in the country and is able to compete with Kemer or Alania in terms of the number of tourists.

Briefly about the resort:

• Oh-oh-very youthful and active. Parties until the morning, sleep until lunch. In between, there is a no less dynamic schedule: yacht trips to the islands, trips to the beaches outside the city.
• Natural and green. Hilly landscapes, secluded coves, pine and eucalyptus trees grow.
• Heat tolerable even in August. All because of the climate different from the Antalya coast, in general, and moderate humidity, in particular.
• More affordable than other resorts in Aegean Turkey. A week-long all inclusive beach vacation turned up for my friend cheaply - a little more than 20 thousand rubles per person.

At the same time, in Marmaris - in the nearby villages - there are many options for recreation for parents with children.

How to get to Marmaris?

The closest airport to Marmaris is Dalaman Airport. From here they also get to such resorts of Turkey as Bodrum, Fethiye and Kusadasi.

The transfer to Marmaris takes from one and a half to 3 hours by bus.

From Dalaman there are 3 ways to get from point A (airport) to point M (Marmaris):

• Have you taken a ticket? Then we are looking for the counter of our tour operator at the airport. He organizes a group transfer to the hotel in 1.5-3 hours.
• If you are planning a trip "savage", you can catch a local dolmush (bus or minibus) near the airport - HAVAS (you will immediately recognize it). The road will cost from 2 to 8 euros, depending on the destination.
• But with children, luggage and for the sake of comfort, it is better to choose (we would have done) an individual transfer from KiwiTaxi - 45 euros per car.

When is the best time to relax in Marmaris? Weather

Low humidity is the main weather feature of Marmaris. In July-August, at the height of the heat, many people feel better and more comfortable here.

The beach season in Turkey starts in May and lasts until November. At the same time, the climate is insignificant, but differs depending on the region. When is it better to go to the resort to not only sunbathe, but also swim?

Temperature in Marmaris belowthan on the Antalya coast. Yes, in early May the sun is already warming, but in the evenings an unpleasant wind comes; there is no question of bathing. In June, the water is still cool and begins to warm by July... The sea warms up most of all in August.

The hottest month in Marmaris is July. Average temperature during the day is + 32 ° C, at night + 25 ° C. And precipitation is extremely rare: light rain is possible 1-2 times a month.

In the velvet season (September-October), the air temperature is kept within + 27 ° C. Officially tourist season in Marmaris ends at the end of September... But, they say, even in mid-October, you can find cloudless weather with + 30 ° C in the afternoon.

Table of air and water temperatures in Marmaris by months:

Areas of the resort

Marmaris resort in Turkey consists of 4 main areas, the location of which can be seen on the map ↓

✓ Central - the city itself is Marmaris. A hot spot, match those who are going to unwind, hang out and swim, and not lie on the beach. The attraction of everything and everyone in the city is the street of bars (everything that was in Marmaris will remain in Marmaris).

The beaches in the city center. Plus, narrow and sandy-pebble. There is a long promenade with cafes, the Old Town and a bunch of hotels for super-budget holidays, where you can take a tour without meals or just for breakfast (lunch in cafes is cheap and tasty).

✓ Siteler. Location three kilometers from the center of Marmaris. So typical tourist, with hotels, cafes and shops. There are sandy beaches and the Atlantis water park.

✓ Armutalan. A new area away from the sea, in the heart of the city, where accommodation is cheaper. The area is surrounded by forest, so outdoor walks are guaranteed.

✓ Icmeler. Quiet green village in a picturesque bay at the very foot of the mountains. Or the answer to the question - where is it better to relax in Marmaris with children. The beach in Icmeler is sandy and pebbly, the sea is clean and calm. It is most comfortable here in June and September.

✓ Turunch. A small village behind Marmaris and Icmeler, which can be reached by a steep serpentine road. Therefore, it is better to get to the village by water, and return to the city by bus. The beaches are sandy, the sea is clear and the views are very beautiful.

✓ For privacy and tranquility, and also for a short transfer from the airport (20-25 minutes) - to the village Osmanie with a beach nearby (Sarigerme). The shore, where to throw the sunbed, stretches as much as 7 km.

Cost of tours to Marmaris - 2021

What are the prices for holidays in Marmaris in 2021? We usually determine the budget for our trip based on the cost of the tour. We look at online aggregators:

• Travelata
• Level.Travel
• Onlinetours

First, it's convenient. A couple of clicks, and aggregators show current prices from all leading tour operators and compare where it is more profitable. Secondly, here you can grab a hot tour (saw - reacted right there) or try out early booking on yourself. The main thing is to periodically monitor.

✓ Holidays in Marmaris in 2021 (if we talk about prices for tours) for all inclusive for two costs from 50,000 rubles (week, departure from Moscow).

✓ Voucher for 10 days - for 70,000 rubles.

✓ Family leave for father, mother and child starts from 65,000 rubles in 7 days. In a good hotel - from 90,000 rubles.

About my experience. In September 2018, I was 10 days in Kemer, on the Mediterranean coast. All inclusive in a 4 * hotel with excellent reviews (they chose them) for two cost 66,000 rubles. I liked the place. Therefore, if you think - Kemer or Marmaris, the description of the resort (the first one) and our review can be read in this article >>.

Prices in Marmaris in 2021

Shopping? Holidays in Turkey, and Marmaris is no exception, cannot do without a raid on the local shopping center or bazaar. I didn’t bargain with a Turk = you haven’t been to the country.

For fruits, vegetables, olive oil, spices and honey - go directly to the market at the intersection of 91 and 112 streets... Open on Thursdays. Take only cash with you, preferably lira - it is more profitable. So, from the clothing market of Kemer, we brought home souvenirs, delicious Turkish soap and pomegranate tea. ZY They tried to bargain, but not a single kurush was thrown off. Probably, not everyone is given it.

Interested in Turkish cotton and knitwear? Then you are on Grand bazzar not far from the port. But keep in mind, both international and local brands are sold here. And not all = quality.

Food and alcohol prices

Agree, despite the advantages of "all inclusive", sometimes it gets boring: a few desserts to choose from, coffee from the machine, but this noisy family sits down at the table opposite for the third evening in a row. And then you want to go out, dine in a cozy cafe or drink good wine.

Food prices in 2021 vary from restaurant to restaurant, while proximity to the sea raises the cost of the meal.

Approximate food prices in Marmaris:

1 Turkish lira = 10.5 rubles

• Breakfast (Turkish and English) - 12-18 TL
• Soup - 7-10 lire
• Pizza - 17-22 lire
• Pasta - 16-20 lire
• Kebab - 25-30 lire
• Turkish coffee - 5-6 lire
• Cappuccino - 7-9 lire
• Tea - 2-5 lire
• Bottle of water - 5 lire
• Pomegranate wine from the store - 30-35 lire

Of the places where you can eat tasty and inexpensive, the following are advised (for each institution, the average price for two per dinner is indicated):

✓ Cozy Corner in Siteler - a bar of European cuisine.

Average check: 40 TL

✓ Fast food Ricky's Chippy, where delicious, hearty and inexpensive pastries.

Average check: 70 liras

✓ White Lion - a pub of European and Turkish cuisine, where the waiters dance fiery dances.

Average check: 130 lire

Where is the best place to go to Turkey? We also have such a text 🙂

Prices for excursions and entertainment in Marmaris

The city has a lot to see and do. Attractions in Marmaris are almost at every turn.

Our friend especially remembered the walk along the walls of the fortress Marmaris Kalesi in the center of the old city (entrance 12 lire). You will get great photos with a view of the bay.

Nearby is port-promenade Marmaris Marina with hundreds of yachts and ships, where lights are turned on in the evenings. There are many restaurants and shops around where you can go shopping.

With baby.

Planning a family vacation in Turkey in 2021? Then exactly at aquapark, there are two large ones here!

✓ Atlantis - on the seashore, there are several slides, a pool with artificial waves, a children's pool.

Tickets: $ 14 for an adult and $ 10 for children 6-12 years old.

✓ Another popular water park is Aqua dream on a hill overlooking the city.

Tickets: $ 17.5 for an adult and $ 12 for children 4-9 years old.

Anti-stress "hid" in Icmeler district Dolphinarium Dolphin Park Marmaris... The only place where dolphins are kept in their natural conditions is in a fenced piece of the sea. Here you can:

✓ watch the show (children under 6 years old - free, under 10 years old - € 10, adults - € 15)

✓ communicate (children 3-8 years old - € 35, adults - € 50)

✓ swim (€ 80) and take pictures

And tourists (I read reviews about Marmaris) recommend visiting a Turkish bath - hammam... Well, as elsewhere 🙂 Many hotels offer their guests such a procedure for an extra charge. fee (from $ 25 and up), while "off the street" can be taken for $ 12.

All nightlife in Marmaris is focused on street bars (Bar Street). If you do not live in the city center, there will most likely be an organized transfer from the hotel in the evening. The dancing continues all night, from club to club. Entrance-exit is free, but the prices for drinks in establishments are overstated from 30 liras for a beer / cocktail.

• One of the most popular is the two-story club Arena... There are frequent guest DJs and foam parties.
• The club is often recommended for tourists. Crazy dazy.

How much money should you take with you with such a set of entertainment? We described all our experience of 4 trips in a separate article.

Where can you go from the city?

The thermal springs can be reached in about 4 hours Pamukkale (excursion cost - $ 32- $ 35). From the photographs, it looks like there is snow in the middle of Turkey, not calcium deposits. Usually, the program also includes the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. From Marmaris, by the way, the closest thing is to go to Pamukkale.

As for other cities, you can go to Fethiye and Bodrum within ± 2.5 hours. In Fethiye, you will see the Lycian tombs carved into the rock, and 15 km from the city you can sunbathe and swim on the beaches of the village of Oludeniz. One minus - after them you will not want to return to the beaches of Marmaris. Bodrum - a neighbor of the Greek island of Kos - is more reminiscent of Greece itself with blue and white houses on the hills.

If you already have a Schengen visa, a great option would be excursion to the Greek island of Rhodes... It can be reached by ferry in just an hour, Karl! If there is no Schengen, on the spot we issue a short-term island. Visa fee - € 35, through a travel agency - € 65. True, it is only suitable for visiting a number of islands, and you can only use water transport. And what to do in Rhodes?

Approximate prices for excursions in Marmaris in 2021 (from local agencies):

Children under 6 years old, as a rule, excursions are free

• A walk around the Aegean Islands on a large boat of ± 100 people - $ 20 for an adult and $ 10 for a child.
• Boat trip to the islands - $ 55 adult and $ 30 child.
• Cleopatra Island - $ 22- $ 25.
• 2-day tour Ephesus + Pamukkale - $ 75.
• Turkish Night show - $ 20 adult and $ 10 child.
• Istanbul - $ 200.
• A trip to Dalyan, to the beach of sea turtles - $ 18.
• Fethiye and Oludeniz - $ 40 adult and $ 20 child.

For thrill-seekers: quad biking - $ 25, diving (a large center in the Turunc area) - $ 20-25, rafting - $ 35-40.

Transport in Marmaris

This is how dolmushi look like (photo was taken in Side)

You can move around Marmaris and outside it by minibuses - dolmus. Dolmushi green minibuses go to the Siteler area, orange minibuses go to Ichmeler, blue ones go to Armutalan, pink ones go to the Yalanjiboaz stop. The fare depends on the specified distance, in the city - 2-2.5 lira... The city is also served by municipal buses, which are slightly cheaper, but run less frequently.

For more comfortable travel (without the crowd and unnecessary expectations), you can rent a car ($ 40-50 per day), mopeds ($ 25-30 per day) and bicycles (10 liras for 3 hours). As it is convenient for anyone. Well, or by taxi.

Best hotels for vacation in Marmaris

We are solving the issue with the hotel. The resort, like the rest of Turkey, is accessible to everyone. There are both economical 3-star hotel options and great 5-star options.

The best hotels in Marmaris in 2021 for ultra and simple all inclusive, 1 line:

• 5 * Fortezza Beach Resort (Hisaronu) is a secluded hotel in a beautiful bay surrounded by mountains.
  Tour per season: from 90,000 rubles.
• 5 * Grand Yazici Club Turban (Icmeler)
  Tour per season: from 130,000 rubles.
• 5 * Golden Rock Beach (Cityler)
  Tour per season: from 100,000 rubles.
• 5 * Sentido Orka Lotus Beach (Icmeler)
  Tour per season: from 120,000 rubles.
• 4 * Flamingo Hotel (Marmaris)
  Tour per season: from 70,000 rubles.
• 5 * Ideal Prime Beach Hotel (Siteler) - a youth hotel.
  Tour per season: from 125,000 rubles.

Cheap hotels in Marmaris all inclusive, 1st coastline:

• 4 * Luna Beach Deluxe (Siteler)
  Tour per season: from 70,000 rubles.
• 4 * Club Next Inn (Marmaris)
  Tour per season: from 60,000 rubles.
• 3 * Adler (Marmaris)
  Tour per season: from 65,000 rubles.
• 3 * Sun Maris City (Marmaris)
  Tour per season: from 50,000 rubles.
• 4 * Dora Beach (almost in the center of Marmaris)
  Tour per season: from 75,000 rubles.

Where is the best place to relax with children?

If the Turkish resort is more youthful, then where is it better to relax in Marmaris with a child?

Looking at the reviews of tourists, I can safely say: the village of Ichmeler is suitable for families. City hotels are not tailored for families with children in Marmaris: they have a small area, and the sea is not crystal clear. In this regard, Icmeler, remote from the center, is much better: swimming is more pleasant, there are large sandy beaches marked with a blue flag. And go to the city for 10-15 minutes by dolmus (for 2.5 lira).

Recommended hotels:

• 4 * Marmaris Park
• 5 * Labranda Mares Marmaris Hotel
• 5 * Grand Yazici Marmaris Palace

Recommended articles: our profile, about rest in Turkey with a child.

The best beaches in Marmaris

Imagine wide beaches with fine white sand and coconut trees ... Can you imagine? Now forget about your next trip to Thailand, because all this is not about Marmaris.

In the city itself many hotels do not have their own beach. The guests are content with the city-public. The situation with sun loungers is as follows: you buy something in a cafe and get a sun lounger for the day as a gift. Or you just pay 20 lire for it.

The hotel beaches are narrow, pebble and sandy, the entrance to the sea is shallow. But unlike Belek and Alanya, it hardly storms. During the season, the beaches in Marmaris are often crowded due to their small width.

Icmeler - a picturesque quiet corner with tall palm trees, where it is "clean, comfortable, and not crowded." Although there is also a city beach equipped with cabins and toilets, some hotels have private areas. Nirvana Beach and Ikon Beach are beaches worth visiting (and encountering corals and turtles).

Turunc it is distinguished by a sandy-pebble beach. To enter the sea, it is better to wear coral so as not to step on sharp stones. The water here is clear, around the hills and forests.

Unguarded - a long (public) beach stretching along the entire coastline of Marmaris. The sand is volcanic, dark. The entrance to the water is shallow, the sea is almost always calm. It seems that all life is concentrated near the beach: cafes, restaurants, clubs, bars, shops, entertainment centers - all of this is just a stone's throw away.

Reviews of tourists about Marmaris - our experience

Reviews of tourists about the rest in Marmaris are ambiguous. Among the pluses:

+ nature and landscapes

+ a lot of entertainment - both active and natural

+ proximity to antiquities

+ pleasant climate

Minuses:

- not the best beaches, narrow and not golden-sandy

- short season

- the water heats up longer

- crowds of European (and Russian) noisy youth

In general, Marmaris is suitable for those who do not prioritize spending hours of seals on the beach, are active and do not mind practicing English with foreign tourists. Although, some note, Russians also love holidays in Marmaris. There should be no problems with the language barrier.

* And some advice from us personally.

In Turkey, take dollars or euros, which can be exchanged for Turkish lira - in exchangers with the inscription Change Office. Do not forget your bank card: now you can withdraw money from the MIR card in the Turkish Isbank without commission.

And how do they rest on the Antalya coast of Turkey? Read our travel guides: Kemer Side