I recently went on a girls’ holiday to Marmaris, a somewhat picturesque coastal town in Turkey. It was a sun and beach kind of holiday – not my first choice – but I couldn’t refuse the offer of having fun with a few of my closest friends.
First impressions of Marmaris
Marmaris is a very touristy place so expect to be ambushed by pushy restaurant owners, small businesses offering boat trips and shops that promise to find you sunglasses at “cheap, cheap price”. At the very least, you’ll enjoy great weather, hours of sunbathing, and fresh seafood.
Also, depending on if you’re single or not, you might even find yourself a holiday romance. Something I certainly wasn’t adverse to. (Disclosure: I didn’t find my Prince Charming sadly!)
Things to do in Marmaris
After my first day of sunbathing, I’d already had enough so I wandered around the shops to see what they had to offer. Most of them sold cheap, knock-off Burberry and Gucci bags but there were a handful of shops that sold lovely Turkish gifts like hand-carved wooden boxes and chess sets. I bartered down the price for a few little trinkets and had a bit of fun trying to get a bargain.
I feel I’m not selling this place very well. In Marmaris’ defence, I think I was probably the problem. Unlike my friends, I’m just not a beach kind of gal. I love museums and mountains. My friends on the other hand, were happy with the sea, sun, and sand. They went on a boat trip while I read a book on my balcony and met them for dinner later.
I also visited the historic Marmaris Castle, dating back to the 16th century, which offers panoramic views of the town and the harbour. The castle also houses a museum showcasing artifacts from the region’s history. The setting and architecture of the museum is really pretty. If you’re looking for some culture, I’d suggest going for a couple of hours.
Make sure to walk to the Castle through the Old Town. This is my favourite area of Marmaris, and I wish I had stayed in this part of town. It’s super charming and quaint, and much more peaceful. Beautiful white painted walls with bright blue window frames and doors, and pretty flower baskets dotted everywhere.
Daytrip to Icmeler
With boredom kicking in, I discovered we could hop on a bus to Icmeler for only 2 lira. This place was probably the highlight of the trip, and we all found ourselves wishing that we have booked to stay in this town instead.
The buses to Icmeler run very regularly from Maramis and takes 15 minutes.
It has a nicer beach than Marmaris and overall has a more peaceful atmosphere, so my friends and I sunbathed there a couple of times during our holiday.
So would I recommend holidaying in Marmaris?
I think Marmaris has a little bit for everyone, but with its emphasis on nightlife, busy beaches and watersports, it sways towards a younger crowd.
I’d recommend going with friends if you want to sunbathe and party, but I probably wouldn’t recommend going as a couple. There’s not much in the way of culture and your girlfriend may get unwanted attention by some of the men… who are definitely not shy in coming forward! If you’re a couple head to Icmeler instead, where it’s a bit quieter and more relaxed.
Alternatively, somewhere like Chania in Crete, offers both the beach and cultural hotspots during the day, and lively bars and fabulous restaurants for evening activities.
In a nutshell, Marmaris aims more to the ‘young and single’ crowd, with Icmeler offering a better alternative for couples and slightly older people who prefer restaurants over clubs.
And while I didn’t find myself a holiday romance, I did have a lot of fun with my girlfriends.
Would I go back again? Probably not, but I’m still happy I went because I had fun and made some lovely memories with my girlfriends.
It’s just Turkey offers many beautiful and authentic places to explore, and personally, I don’t think Marmaris ranks among them. However, if you ask my girlfriends, I think the’d recommend Marmaris! I guess, you should find out for yourself…
4 responses
Been a long time since you posted anything. Wondered what happened to you.
GOD you are beautiful !!!
Yeah, I am a pushy Turkish guy lol
Haha!
you say, marmaris aims single and young people more than couples, but I should say..I was there for two nights and I dont remember any other place where its so difficult to say hi to a girl..:)..because all of the girls are tired of male interest and despite I speak english, and I’m not a bad looking guy, I couldnt figure out a way to even start a conversation with a girl there..bars are too noisy, if u try starting a conversation at the street , girls perceive u as someone who disturbs them and dont stop to answer..