Marmaris travel guide: where to eat, what to see and what to buy

Recommendations from the team by SV Agent

Cover: Marmaris is a town we’re very familiar with: it’s the start of our Great Regatta 2023. And it’s also a place for those who don’t want to limit themselves to one type of holiday, and who can easily alternate active hiking with leisurely walks in the woods and really not boring excursions — with chilling out on the beach. Add to this the abundance of Turkish food, bar-hopping and nightlife and the jigsaw is complete: Marmaris is worth a stay. We’ve rounded up the best places to stay in town, all of which we’ve tested ourselves on numerous occasions.

Where to eat and drink

Memed Ocakbaşı

A huge restaurant, but always crowded. It’s no wonder: everything we love about Turkish food — meat dishes, meze, hot flatbreads — is done to perfection here, and the portions are traditionally large. At the entrance, you are likely to be greeted with a smile by the owner in polished shoes and introduced to a giant grey parrot who will happily spend the evening on your shoulder. Don’t forget the katmer, a dessert of thin pastry, pistachios and double cream. It’s probably the best way to end a good meal.

Pineapple

An iconic restaurant right in the marina. A favourite with yachtsmen and yachting enthusiasts. Turkish classics and European fusion. Two floors, huge veranda and views of the yachts.

Ege Vera

A Turkish cafe away from the tourist heat. Huge portions, tasty meat and friendly waiters.

Kahve Dünyası

Coffee shop and grocery. They don’t serve tea, but they have very good coffee, croissants that you can and should eat, and homemade sweets. The café is always full, which is the best advertisement.

Lighthouse

Unlike many similar waterfront bars, the Lighthouse has great music. Tequila is 50 lira a shot. A big crowd of nice people — the place is popular with Turks and expats alike. You don’t have to crowd around the bar, just walk under the palm trees to the summer area in front of the place and stand by the fire. Or play a game of pool.

Kaktus

A little chill-out away from the bustling bar street, known for its seasonal range of house wine and cider, relaxed atmosphere and playlists of hits from the 1960s and 1970s. It’s also the place to watch football.

Marmaris Fort

Built by the ancient Greeks and rebuilt by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, the fort served as a residence for locals until the late 1970s. It is now a historical museum. One thing that hasn’t changed is the superb view from the castle walls over the bay and harbour.

Marmaris Amphitheatre

Built in the 4th century BC, but carefully protected and renovated. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this large stone fountain you can sit quietly in the shade of the trees with a book or, if you’re lucky, catch a symphony concert.

National Park

A huge (20,000 hectare) reserve where civilisation has not yet fully arrived and where bears, foxes, wild goats and wild boar still abound. A great place for a leisurely walk or horse ride in the fresh — and very clean — air.

Nimara Cave

The city is worth a visit for this unique site alone — a colossal cave on an island connected to the mainland by a motorway. Legend has it that Apollo and Artemis, the illegitimate children of Zeus and his beloved goddess Leto, were born there. The cave holds many secrets of the goddess’s worshippers and excavations are still taking place. It’s a long walk from the centre, 15 minutes by taxi. There is no entrance fee. Giant stalactites, stalagmites and Martian landscapes are included.

Turunch Beach

Located in the village of the same name, 25 kilometres from Marmaris, it is a secluded bay with extremely clear waters. The easiest way to get to the beach is by water taxi, which runs regularly along the bay.

Где Where to stay

Yeshill

Very pleasant and, above all, reasonably priced 'three star' accommodation on the front line. Ask for a room with a view and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you step out onto the balcony in the morning. The bar on the ground floor is open until late and is full of foreigners, which is not surprising: the cocktails are really tasty.

Pearl of Marmaris

A budget option for those who don’t want to overpay: a bit out of the town centre, but with sea views and helpful staff. It’s also a stone’s throw from the local diving centre.

Market on Thursdays and Sundays

Oranges, spinach, nuts, homemade cottage cheese, honey, cheese and everything else — all the freshest and best from Turkish vegetable gardens and farms. The market is big and cheap.

Sail Racing

A pretty decent sailor’s shop in the marina. Fleeces, neproms, multitools and even crocs — all the essentials.

Author: Alexander Norets
Editor: Dmitry Kurkin