Marmaris (Turkey) - Top 5 attractions

Marmaris is a pearl of Turkey - mountains and views, coniferous forests, azure water!

Earlier we were in Alanya and Kemer - beautiful cities, but we liked Marmaris more! However hotels 5 stars here cost more and in fact it is 4-) I already feel influence of Greece both on prices and on beauty of water (in places!). The sea temperature is lower than in the Antalya region. But the beauty of nature overrides the little things!

Top 5 sights in the Marmaris area:

1.     Promenade (from Icmeler to Ataturk Monument - hotel and beach; from Ataturk Monument to the cul-de-sac, along the marina with yachts - evening promenade with cafes)
2.     Içmeler village (Içmeler)
3.     Turunç village and the ancient city of Amos.
4.     Nimara Cave
5.     Pamukkale (Denizli)

Tips for Marmaris:

•     Settle in the "green zone" between Icmeler and Marmaris
•     Public transport stops at stops, but you can try to wave along the road as well. A shuttle bus (dolmush with an orange stripe) runs between Marmaris and Icmeler every 5-10 minutes. To settlement Turunç goes a dolmush "on Turunç", in the daytime each 30 minutes, in the evening after 18 - each hour.
•     You should rent a car at least for 2 days. One day - Pamukale. The second day - Icmeler, Turunç, Amos, and Nimara.
•     While resting in Marmaris, it is convenient to visit Pamukkale because of the close geographical location. The trip will take 3-4 hours instead of 5-6 hours if driving from Antalya regions (Kemer - Alanya).

Top 1 Marmaris promenade - the only reason to come here

If you break it down, there are essentially no sights in Marmaris. But there are beautiful places to walk around. These places are easily accessible on foot and by car, quite equipped.

1-6 is a one-piece pedestrian, well-equipped and paved sidewalk
1-2 is the promenade of Icmeler village. The beaches are wide. The entire promenade consists of hotels. Evening promenade is not ace.
The 2-3 seafront between Icmeler and Marmaris. It is a good location for choosing a hotel. The transport interchange is good: the highway is close, public transport runs regularly. All the hotels are large and are located along the seafront. Everything is immersed in greenery: the smell of pine trees, the sound of cicadas sets for relaxation. However, those who like a wide strip of beach will not like it here. Beaches in this region are mostly pier or narrow. But even on the beach there is greenery.
3-4 boardwalk hotels in Marmaris. A wide and long strip of beach ... Hotels for every taste. The number of people is huge - I did not like it. You can not go for a walk in the daytime or in the evening. In the daytime there is no shade and greenery, it is hot from the buildings. In the evening there are no cafes, no entertainment.
4 - Ataturk monument
4-6 - evening promenade. People come here from all over Marmaris in the evening. A lot of cafes, beautiful yachts on the pier - everything is shining like daylight till late night) It is a great place for evening walks.
5 - Marmaris castle / fortress - nothing to see. Passing nearby, you can go around in a circle) Inside the entrance is paid.

Top 2 village Icmeler - a cozy town with a wide strip of beach

If you choose where to settle, the priority is as follows:

•     The area between Icmeler and Marmaris (the cleanest water)
•     Icmeler (the water is clean at the edges of the village).
•     The center of Marmaris (the water is muddy and does not have a nice color)

Icmeler has two viewpoints from the highway, which are also accessible on foot. They are located diagonally opposite to each other at the edges of the city. The panorama is taken from the side of Marmaris. There are no sights in the city. The accessibility is on foot. Located 4 km from the outskirts of Marmaris. There is also a dolmush with an orange stripe. Walks every 5-10 minutes (3 Turkish lira / 2019).

Top 3 Turunç village - the perfect place to stay

If you choose where to settle, the order is as follows:

•     Turunç
•     On the outskirts of Marmaris, from the side of Icmeler

The whole region of Marmaris (Turkey) is very similar to the Crimea (visited when there was Ukraine). So Turunç is love at first sight! Here and the beaches with clear water and evening promenade - they are not much, but so cozy! By the way and not a lot of people. Enough to feel the resort, but do not feel like a "sprat in a tin can.

From Turunç to Marmaris (via Icmeler) there is a dolmush every 30 minutes (it says Icmeler/Marmaris). It takes about 30 minutes to get there. The road is serpentine and very picturesque with vantage points.
On the outskirts of Turunch there is a hill with the Turkish flag. At the top is very easy to climb - there are "like steps". Go to the photo by the arrows.

The ancient city of Amos is visited at the same time as Turunç. They are located from each other in 40 minutes walking distance. The ruins of the ancient city themselves are not remarkable. Very little has been preserved, or rather almost nothing. But the views that open from the edge of Amos are amazing. On both sides are not large villages, almost without people) From Turunç is a road to the left. Follow it to the sign in the photo. There is also one road through the ancient city. In the beginning it will go on the left, then there will be "steps" up, then the road will go on the right side and will narrow into a path. Follow it all the way to the end - there will be views on the right side along the way, at the promontory - there will be a view on the left side.

Top 4 Nimara Cave - for thrill seekers

According to the Internet, it was a cave before, then during excavations it collapsed and turned into a grotto. The place is strange) Excursions here now (2019) do not go, all fenced with a fence. This fence of course our people bent and made a manhole. It is easy to get here. Get to the Ataturk monument in the center. Every Turk who walks by will show you the way. You walk too say Nimaru. Most people will get off at the port before the start of the bridge, where there are many yachts. At the cave driver will take you a little deeper to the island across the bridge. On the road you will reach the sign to the cave. There on an unpaved road you will reach the steps to the right. It is impossible to get lost and not to find it. Earlier we were in the caves of the Crimea on the Chatyr Dag (Red, Marble), but this feeling was not. This cave is not big, but to go inside I have no desire. Inside there is a smoke and cold on a hot day under 40 degrees around! Not recommended to visit at all.

In the end, are there any sights in Marmaris? - In fact - there are none.

1.     The promenade (from Icmeler to the end of Marmaris - about 15 km of equipped promenade). The embankment is unusual in its length and the quality of the facilities. But not more. No views, no entertainment. The area for the evening promenade is not big. For a day walk is suitable only in spring and autumn. Little shade and greenery in general along the road.
2.     Icmeler village (cozy town in the bay). No landmarks, it's just a holiday village.
3.     Turunch village (a beautiful village, on the way serpentine with great views) and the ancient town of Amos (the ruins with beautiful views of the two villages on both sides). At the attractions do not pull at all. Just beautiful places for recreation and walking.
4.     Cave Nimara (spectacular in appearance and feeling...). Not particularly recommended to visit.
5.     Pamukkale (geographical proximity allows you to get in 3-4 hours from Marmaris to the "cotton" attraction.) Pamukkale is indeed a landmark, but no longer Marmaris)