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Updated: September 26, 2025
Marmaris is one of the most popular cities on the Turkish coast. It became famous in the 90s as a beach destination and for boat trips around its bay.
Today it still draws tons of travelers thanks to its beaches, dreamy little islands, lively nightlife, and all the things to do in the area.
It’s a city full of surprises—you might even forget you’re in Turkey sometimes. It’s clean, modern, and even the taxis and minibuses are electric. And if you’re a woman traveling solo like me, no worries: it’s a very safe city.
In this article I share with you what to do in Marmaris so you can make the most of every corner of this part of the Turkish Riviera. At the end, I’ll leave you a map with all the spots I mention.
✅ Boat trip to Marmaris’ best beaches – unforgettable
✅ Day trip to Dalyan to see the Lycian tombs and Turtle Beach – a must 😍
✅ Jeep tour through the mountains, forests, and waterfalls – pure fun
Best Things to Do in Marmaris
1. Old Town
The old town of Marmaris is small but full of charm, with cobblestone streets, little squares, and traditional bars where you can sip a delicious Turkish tea.
The city was almost completely rebuilt after the two earthquakes in 1957, which is why the rest of Marmaris looks more modern.
2. Marmaris Bazaar
The bazaar is the main shopping area in the city, both for locals and tourists. You’ll find everything from clothes and leather goods to Turkish treats and souvenirs.
It's the perfect place to buy some souvenirs and gifts. Plus, in summer it’s a great spot to wander since the streets are covered, keeping it cool even when the sun is blazing.
3. Shopping in Marmaris
If shopping is your thing, Marmaris won’t let you down. Its main street is lined with stores selling clothes and accessories for every budget. You’ll also find jewelry shops with gold and gemstone pieces that really stand out.
💅 Heads up, ladies: if you’re traveling with your partner and he’s not into shopping, Marmaris has “care centers” for him. Check out the picture 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
Right in the old town you’ll find Marmaris Castle, which now is the city’s Archaeological Museum.
This 16th-century Ottoman castle was expanded and reinforced by Suleiman the Magnificent during his campaign against Rhodes. Back then Marmaris was under Rhodian control, so the area has always played a strategic role in the Mediterranean.
Inside the museum, you’ll see artifacts found in the region, like statuettes and ceramics from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. It’s not a huge museum, but it’s definitely a must-see in Marmaris—especially for the views from the top of the fortress.
- Entrance Fee: 6 euros (September 2025 price)
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 6:50 pm
- Night experience: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm (ticket office closes half an hour earlier)
👍 Fun fact: Marmaris means “place of marble,” because in ancient times the area was surrounded by marble quarries.
5. Atatürk Statue
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, the one who modernized and westernized the country with changes in politics, education, the economy, and even the way people dressed. That’s why he’s so popular and loved by Turks. If you travel around Turkey, you’ll see monuments of him in every city, along with streets and squares named after him.
6. Dancing Fountain
If you visit Marmaris in the summer, one of the most popular nighttime attractions is the dancing fountain—a show of water, lights, and music that lasts about an hour.
You’ll find it next to the clock tower, and the best time to see it is at night when it’s all lit up and the atmosphere is the best. In the same square there’s also a small waterfall with a mermaid sculpture that always catches people’s attention.
7. Marmaris Beaches
One of the things to do in Marmaris you can miss is exploring its beaches, both in the city and nearby.
The main beach of Marmaris stretches almost 4 km along the coast, with golden sand and calm waters. Its seafront promenade is perfect for walking or renting a bike, and it’s lined with bars, restaurants, and nightlife spots.
On this beach, many bars offer free sunbeds, umbrellas, Wi-Fi, and bathrooms as long as you order something, which is super convenient. That said, while it’s usually clean, in peak summer it can get crowded and it doesn’t have a Blue Flag.
In Turkey, a Blue Flag means the 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 you’ll find Içmeler, a fine sandy beach with turquoise waters and Blue Flag. Plus, there are plenty of water activities.
A little further, about 20 km away, is Turunç—my favorite. It’s a small, picturesque village with a beautiful beach and a relaxed vibe, perfect for spending the day. It also has great restaurants and bars, so it’s ideal if you want to combine beach time with local food.
The best part is that you can easily reach both Içmeler and Turunç by dolmuş, Turkey’s typical minibuses.
🔹 More beaches
If you keep going down the coast to the south, you’ll get to Kumlubük and Çiftlik, much quieter beaches, though you’ll need a car or taxi to get there.
On the opposite side, toward the Gulf of Gökova, there are also some amazing spots. One I loved was Çın Bükü, a beach surrounded by nature and total peace.
Another 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? It cost me less than 20 euros.
The lunch was simple but filling—not gourmet, but honestly, for that price you can’t complain. And the important thing: the trip is absolutely worth it.
8. Dalyan
One of the best Marmaris day trips is to Dalyan. You can get there by car or bus. Since I didn’t have much time, I joined this tour, which had three amazing stops:
- Lycian Tombs: Carved into the rock and truly impressive.
- Mud baths: Famous for their supposed healing powers for rheumatism, back pain, and other aches. Even if they don’t cure anything, at least you’ll have a good laugh and come out with softer skin.
- Iztuzu Beach: A huge stretch of white sand that runs for 4.5 km. Besides being gorgeous, it’s a natural sanctuary and one of the main nesting areas for the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).
👍 Friendly Tip: If you want to find the turtles, go in summer (June to August) when the eggs usually hatch, though the timing can vary a bit each year.
9. Hammam
Another must-do in Marmaris is a Turkish bath. The experience starts in a steam room to open your pores, followed by a pretty intense exfoliating massage (just a heads-up), and depending on the package you choose, a foam massage or an oil massage.
In Marmaris there are great-value spas like this one, which I tried. It was super complete, with exfoliation, foam, and an oil massage. I walked out floating. 🥰
👍 My two cents: For the exfoliating massage you need a bit of clothing on, so bring a swimsuit or extra underwear. Don’t let it catch you off guard. 😉
10. Hiking in Marmaris
Marmaris is surrounded by mountains and pine forests, perfect for hiking. There are trails for all levels, but here are two of the most interesting ones (and you can even combine them):
🔹 1. Marmaris to Içmeler
The easiest and most popular route, along the coast and completely flat. The round trip is about 9 km, starting from the end of Marmaris’ seafront promenade all the way to Içmeler.
🔹 2. Icmeler to Turunç
Much more scenic with stunning views, but also tougher. It’s part of the Carian Trail, an 850 km hiking route. This stretch is about 6 km with a 400-meter elevation gain, so get your legs ready.
By the time I reached Turunç, I was done. 😅 But if you’re up for it, you can keep going to Kumlubük and beyond.
The path is well marked, but don’t stray from it—the vegetation is dense and you could get lost. On the map at the end of this article, I marked the starting point from Içmeler. You can also download this trail that covers a bit more of both towns but starts in Turunç instead.
And if you do it in summer, bring plenty of water. Trust 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 spots worth checking out. Even though it’s not very big (just a few meters wide and long), it was hugely important in ancient times as a place of worship for the goddess Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis.
Archaeological digs have uncovered evidence of human presence from over 12,000 years ago, giving it a lot of historical weight.
It’s located on Heaven Island (Cennet Adası), right across from Marmaris, about 8 km away. You can get there on foot if you’re up for it, or by taxi or dolmuş. The hike isn’t too tough, and the natural surroundings make it worth the effort.
12. Jeep or Quad Safari
If you’re looking for a bit of action, join this jeep tour through the mountains of Marmaris.
What I loved most was seeing landscapes I never would’ve found otherwise—and in such a fun way—passing hidden waterfalls and rural villages. Lunch is included too, so all you have to do is enjoy.
There’s also this quad tour in Marmaris. You drive the vehicle yourself (with a guide, of course), and it’s super fun (and a little dusty, fair warning).
The best part? These tours in Turkey are really cheap—around 20 euros.
13. Water Park
If you’re traveling with family or just want a fun day in the sun, the Marmaris water park is perfect. It has it all: rafting slides, tube slides, a wave pool, and the classic Kamikaze for the bravest ones.
There are also rest areas with loungers and umbrellas, plus bars and restaurants to recharge. It’s ideal for spending the whole day. You can book tickets on this website.
14. Nightlife
When night falls, Marmaris transforms. The liveliest area is Bar Street, on the seafront, where the party kicks off around 11 pm. There’s music for every taste, drinks, dancing, and an amazing vibe.
If you want to party in Turkey, this is the place. Just save some energy because in Marmaris the fun usually goes on well into the early morning.
In the video below, you can see Marmaris Castle, the dancing fountain, and some beaches, all filmed with a drone.
Map
FAQs
The best months to visit Marmaris are May, June, September, and October. The weather is perfect for the beach and excursions without extreme heat, hotels are cheaper, and there are fewer crowds than in summer. 
It’s also a great summer destination when in other parts of Turkey the heat can be overwhelming and all you want is to be by the sea.
In winter, it’s a good option if you’re looking for a mild climate. Marmaris isn’t as cold as the north, though the lows drop enough that swimming in the sea isn’t really appealing.
Below you can see the average maximum and minimum temperatures in Marmaris to get an idea.
Source: Weather and Climate
▪ Plane
Marmaris doesn’t have its own airport. The closest one is Dalaman (90 km away), with international flights from several European cities and domestic flights from Istanbul and other Turkish cities. On this website you can check all the options, schedules, prices, and book.
▪ Bus
The bus is another good option: modern, cheap, and comfortable. But from Istanbul it’s about 10 hours, so better for shorter trips like from Izmir. On this website you can check schedules, prices, and book your ticket.
▪ Car
Driving is the most practical choice if you want to explore the surroundings. Renting a car in Turkey is usually cheap, and the roads in this area are in good condition. To get good rates, I recommend this website—the companies are reliable. You might also find this Guide to Driving and Renting a Car in Turkey useful, it’s packed with tips and practical info.
Within the city and nearby areas you have several options:
▪ Car: practical if you want to move around freely.
▪ Taxi: I’d avoid them—some try to overcharge, though not as much as in Istanbul.
▪ Bike and e-scoote: You’ll find city bikes and scooters from different companies to rent. A fun and easy way to get around, plus there are bike lanes for safe riding. 
▪ Dolmuş (minibus): Cheap and handy for getting around town and even to nearby beaches like Içmeler and Turunç.
▪ Water taxi: Runs on fixed schedules. Very popular for trips to Içmeler and Turunç, though in summer prices they usually overcharge tourists.
▪ Renting a boat: A fantastic way to explore the bay. Boats are in good condition and, if you share the cost, you can rent one for under 150 euros a day. On this website you can check the options with prices—boats are well-kept and from reliable owners.
Marmaris has accommodation for every budget. Just keep in mind that in July and August prices go up quite a bit, so it’s best to book early.
Here are some 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 just 50 meters from the beach, with a spa, three pools, and a full breakfast. Best value for money — you can get a room for around 80 euros per night depending on the season.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide to what to do in Marmaris helps you make the most of this beautiful and fascinating city. It’s the perfect place 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!