6/3/2007 - Marmaris

Marmaris

Once a sleepy fishing village, Marmaris has ballooned into one of the largest resorts on the Aegean coastof Turkey. Little of its history remains, as the town is now a modern development with tourism at its heart and soul. The population swells to a massive 200,000 in the summer, with most hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and shops catering to low-cost package holidays, although there are facilities for all budgets.

Despite the development which reaches around 10km along the west of the bay, Marmaris is also well-known for its expanse of green, present the whole year round thanks to the pine-covered hills which surround the town. There are many beaches around the bay, and there are ancient cities and seaside villages close by for day trips. The yacht harbour is the biggest and newest in Turkey, and therefore the busiest charter port especially for trips along the Turquoise Coast.

In addition to the climate, beaches and facilities of the town, the transportation infrastructure is a definite plus for attracting visitors. It has easy connections to the nearby airport Dalaman, ferries to Rhodes, and on the road to Datca and Fethiye. The harbour has attracted by private boats from around the world, with yacht maintenance and production in the workshops on the Yalanci Strait. With the climate being comfortable even in winter, and the nearby impressive mountains and pine forests, Marmaris is likely to remain a popular and practical holiday spot for a long time.

History

It is thought that the first settlement in Marmaris, whose history dates back to 3400 BC, began with the arrival of a tribe in to the region, whose leader was called Kar. The area was then called Karla after him, and its location around the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas always made it an appealing region.

Suleyman the Magnificent assembled a force of 200,000 in 1522, whilst launching the siege of the Knights of St John’s base in Rhodes (Rodos). Soon afterwards, he made the city more powerful with the rebuilding of the tiny castle overlooking the town. Lord Nelson and his entire fleet sheltered in the harbour in 1798, en route to Egypt to defeat Napoleon’s armada at the Battle of Aboukir.

Marmaris therefore became a place where different civilisations reigned over time, and there is architectural and historical evidence of Egyptian, Asdur, Ion, Dor, Persian, Macedonian, Syrian, Roman, Byzantium, Seljuk and Ottoman presence.

Climate

Summers are extremely hot and dry, with daytime temperature reachs up to 35 degrees, and the winters are warm and wet, plunging to 5 degrees at night. The area is quite typical of a Mediterranean climate

Don't Leave Without

Jumping on board the Blue Tour, and exploring the coast;

Visiting Marmaris's beautiful outlying regions of Turuncu, Cennet Island, Bozburun, Turgut Şelalesi, Yalancı Strait and Günnüce;

Learning about the history, and enjoying the views from Marmaris Museum;

Feasting on Marmaris tarhana, sura and ice-cream;

Wandering around the ruins of the ancient cities.

Contact Information and Links

Tourism Information Office: (+90 252) 412 10 35 - 412 72 77
Hospital: (+90 252) 412 10 29
Harbor Directorate: (+90 252) 412 10 13
Customs Directorate: (+90 252) 412 03 54

Marmaris International Yacht Club:

Address: PO Box 132, Marmaris 48700
Tel: (+90 252) 412 38 35

Chamber of Maritime Commerce:

Address: Kordan Caddesi
Tel: (+90 252) 413 45 61
Fax: (+90 252) 413 4563