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Updated: September 5, 2025
Marmaris is one of the most popular cities on the Turkish coast. It gained fame in the 1990s as a beach destination and for boat trips around its bay.
Today, it continues to attract countless travelers thanks to its beaches, its dreamlike deserted islands, its lively nightlife, and the multitude of things to do in the surrounding area.
It's a surprising city, because at times you almost forget you're in Turkey. It's clean, modern, and even its taxis and minibuses are electric. And if you're traveling alone, like me, you can rest assured: it's a very safe city.
In this article, I'll tell you what to see and do in Marmaris so you can enjoy every corner of this part of the Turkish Riviera. At the end of the article, I'll provide a map with all the places I mention.
✅ Boat trip to the best beaches in Marmaris – unforgettable
✅ Visit Dalyan to see the Lycian Tombs and Turtle Beach – a must 😍
✅ Jeep tour through the mountains, forests, and waterfalls – pure fun
What to do in Marmaris
1. Old Town
Marmaris's old town is small but charming, with cobbled streets, squares, and traditional bars where you can enjoy a delicious Turkish tea.
The city was practically rebuilt after the two earthquakes of 1957, so the rest of Marmaris has a more modern feel.
2. Marmaris Bazaar
The bazaar is the city's main shopping area, for both locals and tourists. You'll find everything from clothing and leather goods to Turkish delicacies and souvenirs.
It's the perfect place to buy a souvenir or pick up some gifts. It's also a great place to stroll in the summer, as the streets are covered and it stays cool even when the sun is shining.
3. Shopping in Marmaris
If shopping is your thing, Marmaris won't disappoint. Its main street is lined with shops selling clothing and accessories for all budgets. You'll also find jewelry stores with eye-catching gold and gemstone pieces.
💅 Attention girlsIf you're traveling with your partner and he doesn't like shopping, Marmaris has care centers for him. Look at the photo below; it's a sign for a bar on the seafront. 😂
🤑 If you want to save on your next adventure, use this link from Booking to get 15% off your stay.
4. Marmaris Castle
In the heart of the old town is Marmaris Castle, which now houses the city's Archaeological Museum.
This 16th-century Ottoman castle was expanded and reinforced by Suleiman the Magnificent during his campaign against Rhodes. In fact, at that time Marmaris was under Rhodian rule, so the area always played a strategic role in the Mediterranean.
Inside the museum are archaeological artifacts found in the region, such as figurines and ceramics from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. Although it's not a huge museum, it's definitely a must-see in Marmaris, especially for the views from the top of the fortress.
- Entrance Fee: 6 euros (price September 2025)
- Opening Hours: 8:30 to 18:50
- Night experience: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (the ticket office closes half an hour earlier)
👍 Fun factMarmaris means “place of marble” because in ancient times the area was surrounded by marble quarries.
5. Statue of Ataturk
Very close to the Old Town and right by the sea is the statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. It's one of the most photographed spots in the city.
Atatürk was the first president of the republic, who managed to modernize and Westernize the country with changes in politics, education, the economy, and even the way people dress. This is why he is so popular and beloved among Turks. If you travel to Türkiye, you'll find monuments, streets, and squares bearing his name in every city.
6. Dancing fountain
If you visit Marmaris in the summer, one of the most popular evening attractions is the dancing fountain, a water, light, and music show that lasts about an hour.
You'll find it next to the clock tower, and it's best to see it at night, when it's illuminated and the atmosphere is more enjoyable. In the same square, there's also a small waterfall with a mermaid sculpture that usually draws a lot of attention.
7. Marmaris Beaches
One of the best things to do in Marmaris is undoubtedly visiting its beaches, both in the city and in the surrounding areas.
Marmaris's main beach stretches for almost 4 km, with golden sand and calm waters. Its promenade is perfect for walking or renting a bike, and is lined with bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
On this beach, many bars offer free sun loungers, umbrellas, Wi-Fi, and restrooms in exchange for a drink, which is quite convenient. However, while it's generally clean, it can get a bit crowded in the height of summer, and it doesn't have a Blue Flag.
The Blue Flag in Türkiye indicates whether a beach has clean water, is safe, and has a well-preserved marine environment.
🔹 Beaches in the Marmaris district
If you're looking for something quieter, just 8 km away is Içmeler, a Blue Flag beach with fine sand and turquoise waters. There are also plenty of water activities.
A little further, 20 km away, is Turunç, my favorite. It's a quaint little town with a beautiful beach and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a day out. It also has good restaurants and bars, so it's perfect for combining beach and local food.
The best thing is that both Içmeler and Turunç can be easily reached by dolmuş, the typical Turkish minibuses.
🔹 More beaches
If you continue along the coast south, you'll reach Kumlubük and Çiftlik, which are much quieter, although here you'll need a car or taxi.
On the opposite side, towards the Gulf of Gökova, there are also spectacular spots. One I loved was Çın Bükü, a beach surrounded by nature and incredibly peaceful.
A great way to explore the beaches of Marmaris is with this boat trip I took. They take you to the most beautiful beaches and caves in the area, with lunch and unlimited drinks included. The best part is that it cost me less than 20 euros.
Lunch was simple but hearty, nothing gourmet, but for the price you can't ask for more. And the most important thing: the trip is absolutely worth it.
8. Dalyan
One of the best visits from Marmaris is to Dalyan. You can get there by car or bus. Since I was short on time, I joined this excursion, with three very nice stops:
- Lycian Tombs: They are carved into the rock and are truly impressive.
- Mud baths: Famous for their supposed therapeutic properties against rheumatism, lumbago, and other ailments. If they don't cure, at least they provide a laugh and leave you with softer skin.
- Iztuzu Beach: a vast stretch of white sand, 4.5 km long. Besides being beautiful, it's a natural sanctuary and one of the main nesting sites for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).
👍 Friendly TipIf you want to see the turtles, I recommend going in the summer (June to August), when the eggs usually hatch. Although the date can vary from year to year.
9. Haman
Another option you can't miss is a Turkish bath. The experience begins in a steam room to open your pores, followed by an exfoliating massage (quite intense, be warned) and, depending on the package you choose, a foam or oil massage.
There are affordable spas in Marmaris, like this one I tried. It's very comprehensive, including exfoliation, foam, and oil massages. I came away feeling like I was floating. 🥰
👍 My two centsFor the exfoliating massage, wear some clothes. Bring a spare pair of swimsuit or underwear. Don't be surprised. 😉
10. Hiking in Marmaris
Marmaris is surrounded by mountains and pine forests, making it ideal for hiking. There are trails for all levels, but here are two of the most interesting ones (which you can even combine):
🔹 1. Marmaris to Icmeler
This is the easiest and most popular route; it follows the coast and is completely flat. The round trip is approximately 9 km from the end of the Marmaris seafront to Içmeler.
🔹 2. Icmeler to Turunç
Much more picturesque and with spectacular views, but also more demanding. It's part of the Camino Cario, an 850-km trail. The route is about 6 km with a 400-meter elevation gain, so prepare your legs.
By the time I got to Turunç, I'd had enough. 😅 But if you're feeling brave, you can continue on to Kumlubük and beyond.
The trail is well marked, but don't stray from the path because the vegetation is dense and you could get lost. On the map at the end of the article, I've marked the starting point from Icmeler. If not, you can find it here. go down the route which includes a little more tour of both towns and is the other way around, that is, starting in Turunç.
And if you do it in the summer, bring plenty of water. Believe me, you'll need it.
✅ Friendly Tip: Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your next adventure. I recommend Heymondo,—it’s super comprehensive, and with that link, you’ll get 5% off.
11. Nimara Cave
Nimara Cave is one of those mysterious places worth visiting. Although it's not very large (just a few meters wide and long), it held great importance in ancient times, as it was used as a place of worship for the goddess Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis.
Archaeological excavations have found traces of human presence dating back more than 12,000 years, making it a site steeped in history.
It's located on Heaven Island (Cennet Adası), just off Marmaris, about 8 km away. You can get there on foot if you're up for it, or by taxi or dolmuş. The walk isn't very difficult, and the natural surroundings are well worth the effort.
12. Jeep or Quad Safari
If you're looking for a little action, sign up for this jeep tour through the mountains of Marmaris.
What I enjoyed most was visiting landscapes I wouldn't have seen otherwise, and in the most fun way, passing by hidden waterfalls and rural villages. It also includes lunch, so all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself.
There's also this other quad tour in Marmaris . You drive the vehicle yourself, but with a guide, and the experience is incredibly fun (and a bit dusty, I warn you).
The best thing is that these types of tours in Türkiye are very cheap: they cost around 20 euros.
13. Water park
If you're traveling with family or just fancy a day of fun in the sun, the Marmaris water park is perfect. It has everything: rafting slides, enclosed tubes, a wave pool, and the classic Kamikaze for the bravest.
It also has rest areas with sun loungers and umbrellas, bars, and restaurants to recharge your batteries. It's the perfect place to spend a whole day. You can book your ticket on this page.
14. Nightlife
When night falls, Marmaris transforms. The liveliest area is Bar Street, on the seafront, where the party starts at 11 p.m. There's music for all tastes, drinks, dancing, and a great atmosphere.
If you're in the mood for a night out in Türkiye, this is the place to go. Save some energy, though, because in Marmaris the party usually goes well into the early hours.
In the video below you can see Marmaris Castle, the Magic Fountain, and some beaches, filmed with a drone.
Map
Frequently Asked Questions
The best months to visit Marmaris are May, June, September, and October. The weather is perfect for the beach and excursions without the extreme heat, accommodation prices are lower, and there are fewer people than in summer. 
It's also a great summer destination, when in other parts of Türkiye the heat is overwhelming and all you want to do is lie on the beach.
In winter, it can be a good destination if you're looking for a destination with a mild winter. In Marmaris, it's not as cold as in the north of the country, although the minimum temperatures drop enough to make swimming undesirable.
Below you can see the average maximum and minimum temperatures of Marmaris to give you an idea.
Source: Weather and Climate
▪ Airplane
Marmaris doesn't have its own airport. The nearest airport is Dalaman (90 km away), with international flights from several European cities and domestic flights from Istanbul and other Turkish cities. This page offers all options, including schedules, prices, and booking options.
▪ Bus
The bus is another good option: they're modern, cheap, and comfortable. However, it takes about 10 hours from Istanbul, so it's better to use them for shorter trips, such as from Izmir. You can check schedules, prices, and book tickets on this page .
▪ Car
Driving is the most practical option if you want to explore the surrounding area. Renting a car in Turkey is usually cheap, and the roads in this area are in good condition. To get good prices, I recommend this search engine ; the companies are reputable. You might also be interested in this Guide to Driving and Renting a Car in Turkey , with lots of tips and practical information.
Within the city and surrounding areas you have several options:
▪ Car : practical if you want to get around on your own.
▪ Taxi : I recommend avoiding them, they may try to overcharge you, although it is not as exaggerated as in Istanbul.
▪ Bicycles and electric scooters : You'll find city bikes and scooters for rent from several companies. They're a comfortable and fun way to get around the city, and there are bike lanes for safe travel. 
▪ Dolmus (minibus): cheap and useful for getting around the city and even going to nearby beaches like İçmeler and Turunç.
▪ Taxi boat : These run on fixed schedules. They're very popular for getting to İçmeler and Turunç, although in summer they tend to be overly clever with their prices.
▪ Rent a boat : a great option for exploring the bay. There are boats in very good condition, and if you share expenses, you can get them for less than 150 euros a day. You can see the options and prices on this website ; the boats are in good condition and have reliable skippers.
There are accommodations in Marmaris for all budgets. However, prices rise significantly in July and August, so I recommend booking in advance.
Below is a list of the best hotels in Marmaris:
▪ $ Blue Yacht : a three-star hotel with a good location and a swimming pool.
▪ $$ Dost : close to the seafront and with a good breakfast included.
▪ $$$ Motto Premium : A four-star hotel, 50 meters from the beach, with a spa, three pools, and a full breakfast. The best value for money, you can get it for around 80 euros a night depending on the season.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide to the best things to do in Marmaris helps you discover this beautiful and interesting city. A perfect destination for an unforgettable summer vacation.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘
More about Turkey
More about Istanbul
Hi, I’m Andrea, creator and author of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I write about Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. I’m a full-time traveler, passionate about good food, and always looking for new adventures.
Hello Andrea.
On the 2nd we will arrive by cruise ship to Marmaris and this article will be very useful to us. Do you know if there is a long distance from the cruise port to the centre? I think we will do the first points you describe. We will be there for about 5 hours.
Are there imitations of handbags and wallets in the bazaar?
What do you advise us in such a short time?
Thank you for sharing your experience and providing information.
Hello Marilo
I'm glad you found the information useful. Marmaris is very charming. 🙂
The old town area is about 10 minutes walk from the port.
If you have 5 hours, it will be enough to visit the points in the center that I mentioned, they are all very close to each other, including the bazaar.
Depending on how much shopping you want to do, you may even have time for a dip in Marmaris beach.
Yes, you can find imitations in the bazaar, in fact Marmaris is famous as a shopping place, many people only go there from Rhodes or on cruises.
Enjoy it a lot!
Thank you very much for all the information. This will be my first trip to Turkey and I am planning based on sites like this one which are very helpful. Thank you. I will tell you about my experience later.
I'm glad you find it useful Liz. 🙂
Have a good trip!