Looking for fun things to do in Marmaris? Check out this list of the very best sights and things to do in Marmaris, Turkey.
Beautifully located on the Mediterranean coast, Marmaris is an incredibly popular travel destination in Turkey. It’s is one of those places that simply has it all! Countless hours of sunshine, long white sandy beaches, turquoise blue sea, and lush mountains surrounding the bay.
Marmaris is an obvious travel destination in Turkey for families who want to go to amusement parks and young people who want to party. But it’s also a perfect choice for adventurous travelers who want to explore and learn more about Turkish culture.
If you’re planning to visit Marmaris, I would like to recommend the very best things to do in Marmaris.
Table of Contents
The best things to do in Marmaris:
1. Atlantis Waterpark
Next to the seafront in Marmaris, Atlantis Waterpark has its own beach with free sun loungers. It isn’t exactly the largest water park in the world or anything nearby, but it’s still an excellent place.
In Atlantis Waterpark you’ll find about 8 different water slides, a children’s pool, wave pool, mini-golf, and a few eateries. Despite its size, it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Marmaris for families with children.
2. Marmaris Castle
One of the most important landmarks in the Turkish city of Marmaris is Marmaris Castle. This ancient historic castle was built in 1522 to protect the city from enemies. It was also used as a residence during the preparations for the conquest of the Greek island of Rhodes.
Today, Marmaris Castle contains a museum with several artifacts from the Datca Peninsula. Besides the small museum, there’s also a great view of the marina of Marmaris.
3. Dancing Fountains
Dancing Fountains is a large fountain in the center of Marmaris. Every night at 9 PM, there’s a nice show with music, pictures, and lights in different colors.
During the show, the water shoots several meters into the air to the beat of the music. Meanwhile, a projector shows images of a variety of water in the fountain. The show isn’t that well known but it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Marmaris.
4. Icmeler
About 4 miles / 7 kilometers from Marmaris is Icmeler, an idyllic old fishing village. The opening of the bay is closer to the beach in Icmeler, making it cleaner than the beach in Marmaris. That’s also why it is a wonderful place to enjoy a beach day.
To reach Icmeler, you can choose to take a fresh walk along the seafront between the cities. Another much easier option is to hop on a local dolmus (bus) or one of the boats in Marmaris.
5. Boat trips
In Marmaris, you can find a huge selection of boat trips of all kinds. Some of the most popular boat trips are those sailing to the Dalyan River, Turtle Beach, and Rhodes. There are also plenty of boats focusing on diving, bathing, and sunbathing.
If you like partying, you’ll also be able to find party boats with loud music and lots of alcohol. Or how about a boat trip with all-inclusive food and drink? Pure luxury, right? To get a better overview of the boat trips, it may be a good idea to take a stroll down the marina.
6. Scuba diving
When visiting Marmaris, I recommend going scuba diving in the sea. But why, you might be thinking? Because the coast in the area is known for its very clear water and countless different fish species. So, it’s the perfect place for diving in Turkey!
Beneath the sea off the coast of Marmaris hides a spellbinding story with shipwrecks, relics of the past, and deep caves. If you’re interested, many of the boats in the marina offer scuba diving and diving lessons.
7. Marmaris Marina
One of the very best things to do in Marmaris is to stroll down the marina. It is such a romantic and idyllic place in the evening. Take your loved one in your arms or maybe your friends or family, and go there at least once, seriously!
In the marina, you’ll be able to enjoy the sight of many beautiful boats and large exclusive yachts. Some of them are really impressive! You’ll also plenty of restaurants along the marina serving the most delicious food. It’s a great place to hang out.
8. Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is like a big maze of small shops with everything from fake goods to Turkish specialties. Here you’ll be able to find clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, blankets, spices, tea, and much more at reasonable prices.
When visiting the Bazaar in Marmaris, it is of course allowed to negotiate the price. You should be able to get the price down to half the starting price – mostly at least. Note that the sellers in the bazaar can be very intrusive at times. It usually helps to ignore them if they’re getting too annoying.
9. Netsel Marina
Netsel Marina is an exclusive marina in Marmaris for very wealthy people. Next to the Netsel Marina, you’ll find a small shopping center with real and expensive brands, restaurants, and bars. There’s a nice and cozy atmosphere in the center, and they’re even taking good care of the homeless cats and dogs in the city. Definitely another reason to love this center!
10. Marmaris Mountains
The Marmaris Mountains beautifully surround the city. They’re definitely a scenic spot with lots of great views. The lush nature in the mountains and the special animal species makes a trip in the mountains a wonderful day trip.
If you want to go on a trip to the mountains, you can either choose to rent a car or a scooter. This way you can plan your day yourself without having to follow a specific schedule. However, if you don’t feel like driving yourself, you can also take part in an arranged day trip. You’ll be able to find providers of day trips from Marmaris all over the city.
That’s all on this list of the very best things to do in Marmaris. What are your favorite things to do in Marmaris? What are you looking forward to on your trip if you’ve planned one? Feel free to leave a comment.
Planning a trip to Turkey? You might also like these articles:
- 9 Best Places to Stay in Turkey
- Travel Guide to Alanya
- 18 Best Things to Do in Alanya
- The Complete Travel Guide to Istanbul
- 18 Very Best Things to Do in Istanbul
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