Marmaris

Marmaris is a port city in the southwest Turkey. It is a major destination for sailing and for cruise ships. It has captivating scenery of pine filled mountains and that of the sea. Marmaris’s diverse culture go all the way back to the ancient Byzantine, Ottoman, and Roman days. It once was a sleepy fishing village before the development of the area took place in the 1980s. It is a vibrant resort that still possesses country side charms. The beaches along this sea port has earned it the title of the Turkish Riviera.

The weather in Marmaris is temperate in the months from May through October. Summers are long while the winter is mild. People of Marmaris are friendly, not to mention the abundance of fast foods, restaurants, and bars in many places. Planning a trip to Marmaris? You can reach it by land, sea, or air. If you are traveling by land, buses are available. As a lively port there are numerous choices for sea travel, there are catamarans that sail daily, Turkish cargo boats that sail weekly, and the cruise ships that stop over at its port. There’s the Dalaman airport 120 kilometers east of the city. From there, airport buses are available for transfer to Marmaris.

The castle of Marmaris is in the town center. This is an important historical structure that was originally built by the Ionians. It was ruined in 1914 by the constant shelling from a French battleship. In the 14th century, the Ottomans used the castle as base for the navy, they remodeled the to meet their specifications and enable them to accommodate the needs of the navy. Today it has been converted to a museum and is open to the public. Its entrance opens to a garden courtyard with a fountain at the center of it. It showcases an ethnography section of a Turkish house, archaeological displays, and a room of the castle commander.

A walking city tour is the best way to experience Marmaris. There are plenty of Ottoman structures sustained or reused that have varied designs that can be quite appealing for those who appreciate architecture. There’s the Hafza Sultan Kervansaray which was a previously used as a travelers inn, it has been converted into a market place. In the Kemeralti district there’s the Ibrahim Ağa Camii mosque. There are also the bridges of Tashan and Kemerli Köprü.

The marketplace of Marmaris is bustling with a variety of souvenirs and different wares. You’ll be sure to find Marmaris’ famous pine honey, spices, healing herbs, and handmade woven rugs and carpets as irresistible finds. And for those who enjoy a more leisurely pace, Marmaris’s rugged coastline is idyllic and a relaxing place to explore.