Things to Do in Marmaris

With its colorful fishing boats and dazzling fleet of luxury yachts, Marmaris Marina is the lively focal point of the city’s waterfront, set against a dramatic backdrop of Marmaris Castle. Known as one of the most important ports along the Eastern Mediterranean coast, Marmaris makes a popular stop for sunseekers cruising the Turkish Riviera. Despite boasting space for up to 830 yachts, the marina can fill quickly during the summer months.

Even if you’re not arriving by sea, the picturesque marina makes a pleasant addition to a walking tour. The waterfront promenade is lined with restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as an enormous shopping center and an open-air swimming pool. 

Jutting out to the south of the Datça Peninsula between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, the Bozburun Peninsula makes for a popular cruise destination from Bodrum or Fethiye. It is as renowned for its tranquil beaches as its atmospheric nightlife, and many choose to explore the length of the peninsula by jeep or boat from Marmaris.

The long, sandy beaches are the principal draw for visitors to the Bozburun Peninsula, with top spots including the Blue Flag beach of Turunc, Icmeler Beach and the vast Maiden’s Beach or Kizkumu. Additional highlights include the peninsula’s namesake town, known for its production of traditional wooden gülets; Turgut Falls; the hilltop village of Bayir; and the forest-clad mountains, where bird-watchers can spot Eurasian varieties like the jay and hoopoe.

Turunç is a small coastal village about 12 miles south of Marmaris, Turkey. It was once primarily a fishing village, but today it is also a quiet resort town. The village is small enough that you can walk from one end to the other in about a half hour. It's relaxed, small town atmosphere give it a completely different feel from the larger resort cities in the area, making it a great place for a vacation away from the crowds. Turunç is located on the edge of a bay with sandy beaches and calm, sheltered waters. Tree-covered mountains provide a picturesque backdrop. 

Despite its size, Turunç has several hotels and guesthouses, as well as restaurants and cafes serving traditional Turkish food. There is a market on Mondays where you will find fruit, vegetables, other local foods, and gifts. Visitors can also buy souvenirs at a variety of local shops in the village. Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, fishing, water sports, horseback riding and jeep rides into the countryside. You can also join a boat tour to see more of the coastline and some bays that are only accessible from the water. There are also day trips to nearby villages or to Dalyan to see the endangered loggerhead turtles on Turtle Beach.

Hemmed in by a dramatic wall of sea cliffs and peppered with sandy coves and rocky islands, the Gulf of Gökova (sometimes called the Ceramic Gulf) is one of Turkey’s most picturesque coastal landscapes. Formed by the Aegean Sea flowing between the Bodrum Peninsula to the north and the Datça Peninsula in the south, the sizable gulf lies at the tip of Turkey’s famous Turquoise Coast and makes a popular inclusion on Mediterranean cruise itineraries.

The biggest city along the gulf is Bodrum, built on the ancient city of Halicarnassus, and other highlights include the tranquil resort town of Akyaka; Cleopatra Island, famous for its seashell beach; and the Greek island of Kos, which lies at the mouth of the gulf. Exploring Gökova is traditionally done by boat, but it’s also possible to hike along the coastal Carian Trail, which runs from Cape Crio to Bodrum via Akyaka and the Kiran Mountains. Kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling and paragliding are among the most popular activities in the gulf.

Turtle Beach, or Iztuzu Beach in Turkish, is a large breeding ground for the rare and endangered loggerhead sea turtles. The beach is located just south of the town of Dalyan, Turkey along the Aegean Sea. Due to its protection status, the beach is quiet, though there are a few cafes and tourist facilities in the area. There are no showers on the beach because they don't want shampoo to contaminate the beach and harm the turtles. Certain sections of the beach are off limits during breeding season in order to protect the turtles and their eggs. The beach has been under threats of over development for decades, which would have a devastating effect on the turtles. Luckily there are groups fighting to stop the development and continue protecting the turtles and their habitat.

Other activities in the Dalyan area include visiting the ruins of the ancient trading town of Kaunos, enjoying the Sultaniye hot springs and mud baths, swimming in Koycegiz Lake, and admiring the facades of Lycian tombs located above the Dalyan River.

The Atlantis Waterpark is an amusement park located directly on the seafront of one of Turkey’s largest resort towns, Marmaris. It features nine eye-catching and thrilling slides, like the Space Bowl, the Free Fall, the Black Hole, and the Wild River. It also comprises a massive wave pool, which entertains guests with a variety of waves from ultra-gentle rollers to six-foot-high waves. There is also a less extreme, more accessible space reserved for the little ones named Kidsland. The park can be enjoyed for a few hours or a full day, as it includes access to mini-golf, four restaurants, bowling and more.

The Dalyan Mud Bath is Turkey's version of the Fountain of Youth. Proponents of the health benefits of mud say that having the substance drying on skin can help reduce wrinkles, while the Sultaniye spring waters feeding the bath are thought to help relieve conditions ranging from sciatica to stomach aches. Whether the mud bath experience makes travelers look 10 years younger is up for debate, but it does offer a fun, messy photo opportunity and a unique experience.

A typical visit begins with lathering sulfur-rich mud all over the skin and allowing it to dry under the Turkish sun. On-site mirrors let mud-covered guests survey the damage (and snap selfies) before rinsing off in a spring water shower.

A forested headland facing Marmaris Bay, the secluded beaches and glittering waters of Adaköy remain some of the region’s best-kept secrets. While a handful of resort hotels line the shore, most visitors arrive at Adaköy by boat, and the tranquil peninsula is a popular stop for those cruising down the coast to Dalyan or Fethiye.

 

With its beaches well sheltered by steep coastal cliffs, the waters of Adaköy are ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking, and the surrounding hills offer a scenic backdrop for hiking and biking tours. Additional highlights include the peninsula’s north coast, affectionately nicknamed “Aquarium Bay” for its clear waters and huge schools of tropical fish, and a series of natural phosphorus caves carved into the sea cliffs.

The Kaunos Ruins near Dalyan, Turkey are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. Kaunos was an ancient city founded in the 9th century BC, and it was quite important by 400 BC. It was located on the border between Lycia and Caria, and the city's culture had characteristics of both empires. The city was once an important trading post on the sea, though today it is set back a few miles from the sea since the coastline has moved over the centuries. The receding coastline, attacks from various tribes, and a malaria epidemic led to the decline of Kaunos, and the city was abandoned by the 15th century. 

The ruins include a well preserved theater, parts of the old city walls, and an acropolis. There's also a basilica, Roman baths, two Hellenistic temples and four Roman temples. From the acropolis, you can enjoy a gorgeous view of the ancient city. The theater could hold 5,000 people and is still occasionally used for events. Nearby you can also see Lycian tombs in the rocks above the Dalyan River.

AquaDream Waterpark is one of Turkey's largest water parks and the biggest water park in Marmaris. It is located on the top of a hill overlooking the city, which offers visitors a spectacular view of the city and surrounding landscape while enjoying the rides at the water park. The water park has a wide variety of water slides, each offering a different experience. Some are body slides while others involve sitting on a tube. There are also several pools, including a wave pool, a pool that doesn't allow children, and a normal swimming pool. The water park also has a children's area for smaller children who aren't old enough for the bigger slides. Along the perimeter of the pools, chairs and umbrellas are set up where you can lounge, relax, and sunbathe. 

AquaDream Waterpark is fun for the whole family. It has a restaurant and bar with both indoor and outdoor seating, changing rooms, lockers, and hot and cold showers. There are lifeguards on duty at all times to ensure the safety of the visitors. Bring your bathing suit, towel and sunscreen. 

Bayir Village is a small town on the Bozburun Peninsula in southwestern Turkey. It is built on top of the ancient city of Syrna, and it is believed that the town's mosque sits on top of the temple of Asklepios, the god of health, although there are no traces of the temple today. Just outside the village you will find ruins from the ancient city. There is an acropolis, pieces of the old city walls, some gravestones, and the remains of a few other structures. Another big attraction in Bayir is a 2,300 year old tree called Old Plane Tree. It is said to bring good luck and extend your life if you circle it three times. There are several cafes near the tree where you can sample the local food and drink some tea. There are also a few shops where you can buy local honey

Bayir Village is often included on jeep safari tours to various villages in the area. Bayir is located on top of a hill which provides spectacular views of the village and the surrounding peninsula. This small town will show visitors a glimpse into traditional Turkish village life. 

The Dalyan River runs through the town of Dalyan, Turkey, which is located in the southwest region of Turkey along the Aegean Sea. Life in Dalyan revolves around the river. It's an important source of fish for the residents. The river also flows through a special environmental protection area. There are also several boat tours that go up and down the river, taking visitors to see the ancient sites of the area. One of the main attractions for tourists are the facades of Lycian tombs. They are located above the river's sheer cliffs and were cut from the rocks around 400 BC. Just a short boat trip away, you can also visit the ruins of the ancient trading city of Kaunos. 

Nearby you can experience the Sultaniye hot springs. Here you can enjoy the warm water and the therapeutic mud baths. You can also go for a swim in Köyceğiz Lake, which is connected to the sea by the Dalyan River. Many people also come to this area to enjoy the beach and to see the rare, endangered loggerhead sea turtles. 

Whether you’re cruising along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast or sailing along on a day tour from Marmaris, you’ll likely find reason to detour to the scenic Dalyan River and its namesake port town. The area’s top attraction is Turtle Bay, (İztuzu Beach) a strip of sand between the river and the Mediterranean Sea. With its prime location at the mouth of the freshwater delta, Turtle Beach has become an important spot for endangered loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) that come ashore to lay eggs during breeding season. Watching the turtles in their natural habitat is a popular pastime among visitors. 

Additional highlights along the Dalyan River include the Köyceğiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area around Lake Köyceğiz, the impressive ruins of ancient Kaunos and a series of Lycian rock tombs carved into coastal cliffs. Be sure to take advantage of one of the delta’s most noted natural assets – its mineral-dense mud baths and sulfur hot springs, renowned for their healing properties.