Photo: Snow in July (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source 7 places to visit in the Marmaris district of Muğla: Marmaris Castle and Archaeology Museum, Cennet Island (İncekum) and Bozburun Peninsula. Plan your trip to Marmaris with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Marmaris is one of the 13 districts of Muğla Province. The district covers 906 km², and the district centre lies at an average height of 6 metres above sea level.
Marmaris is bordered by the Datça Peninsula and Kerme Gulf to the west, Ula to the north, Balan Mountain, Karadağ and Günlük Hills to the east, and the Mediterranean to the south. In front of the gulf, Adaköy is joined to the shore by a narrow tongue of land, and in front of it lie Sedir Island, Keçi Island and Güvercin Island.
The district has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, very rainy winters. Marmaris is one of the regions receiving the heaviest rainfall after the Black Sea Region, and its annual rainfall exceeds 1,200 mm.
Marmaris’s history goes back as far as 12000 BC. Fiskos was the city’s first name, and its remains can still be seen at the site known today as Asartepe. In 334 BC Alexander the Great occupied the region. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent set out on the Rhodes campaign in 1520-1522, came to Marmaris with an army of 150,000 men and conquered Rhodes.
Marmaris is where Suleiman the Magnificent arrived with an army of 150,000 on his Rhodes campaign in 1520-1522. In the 1957 earthquake Marmaris was almost completely destroyed.
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The castle, dating back to 3000 BC, was rebuilt in its present form in 1522 by Suleiman the Magnificent before the Rhodes campaign. Its archaeology museum displays ancient artefacts from the region and maritime objects.
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Photo: Snow in July (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source A small island 16 km from Marmaris, famous for its fine sandy beach and shallow turquoise water. An essential stop on boat tours, the island stands out for its natural beauty of pine trees.
View on mapThe peninsula stretching south of Marmaris is known for its unspoilt coves, traditional gulet shipyards and quiet fishing villages such as Selimiye and Bozburun. The ancient cities of Amos and Loryma are among its historic treasures.
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Photo: Arif Sipahi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source The 5-metre waterfall near the village of Turgut, 25 km from Marmaris, forms a natural pool among the pine trees. It is a popular picnic spot for cooling off in the summer.
View on mapCastle on the peninsula above the harbour, built during the Ottoman period and used as an archaeology museum.
View on mapCove surrounded by pine forest, suitable for diving thanks to its clear water and rocks.
View on mapWhile you are in Marmaris, you can also see the highlights of Muğla province. These places are in other districts.
Marmaris Çam Balı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 6 November 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 469). Product group: honey. Registered by: Marmaris Chamber of Commerce.
Fresh octopus baked in a casserole with tomatoes, onions and peppers. It is a popular dish served with sea views in Marmaris's seafront restaurants.
The famous dish of the Muğla region, made with thinly sliced meat that is fried and served on yoghurt and fried potatoes.
Small dumplings specific to the Muğla region, served with yoghurt and garlic sauce. Made with hand-rolled thin dough, mantı is a favourite winter dish.
The yacht festival, held every October, attracts yacht owners and sea lovers from around the world to Marmaris. Sailing races, a boat fair and maritime seminars are the main events.
The wooden gulet building that has lasted for centuries in the traditional shipyards of Bozburun and Selimiye is one of Marmaris's most important cultural heritages. Gulets made by hand are in demand around the world.
Marmaris's economy is largely based on tourism. In the district, whose population exceeds 400,000 in the summer, hotels, yacht tourism and water sports are the main sources of income. Pine honey production and olive growing are traditional livelihoods.
Dalaman Airport is 95 km from Marmaris. Muğla is 50 km away and Bodrum 165 km. Daily ferries run from Marmaris Port to Rhodes. Cruise ships also dock at the port.
The 7 highlights of Marmaris are: Marmaris Castle and Archaeology Museum, Cennet Island (İncekum), Bozburun Peninsula, Turgut Waterfall, Marmaris Castle (Archaeology Museum), Kumlubük Cove and Çiftlik Cove.
Marmaris Çam Balı, Marmaris Ahtapot Güveç, Çökertme Kebabı and Bitez Mantısı are the standout dishes on Marmaris tables.
Marmaris is known for Marmaris Yer Fıstığı and the Marmaris International Yacht Festival. Marmaris Yer Fıstığı is registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected designation of origin.
Dalaman Airport is 95 km from Marmaris. Muğla is 50 km away and Bodrum 165 km. Daily ferries run from Marmaris Port to Rhodes. Cruise ships also dock at the port.
Suggested visit length: 3-4 days. Best time to visit: May-October.