Marmaris Travel Guide: Marmaris, İçmeler and Turunç

Marmaris sits at the head of a deep, almost enclosed bay on Turkey's south-west coast, where pine-covered hills drop straight into the sea. It is a busy marina town with a long seafront, a castle above the harbour and plenty going on after dark. Just south-west along the same bay lies İçmeler, a calmer resort with its own beach and promenade, and over the hill beyond it is Turunç, a small bay reached by a winding road.

Which one suits you depends on the holiday you have in mind:

• Marmaris – marina life, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and the easiest access to boat trips.
• İçmeler – a quieter beach base for families and couples, with Marmaris still close for an evening out.
• Turunç – a slower pace, a smaller beach and evenings without crowds.

The heart of Marmaris is its harbour. Yachts and wooden gulets line the quay, and the marina is where many visitors spend their evenings, eating dinner with a view of the boats. Above the harbour rises the castle, with the narrow lanes of the old town climbing around it – whitewashed houses, bougainvillea and small guesthouses. It is a short walk from the seafront and best explored early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the steps are cooler.

From the centre a long promenade follows the curve of the bay past the town beach, cafés and hotels. It is flat and pleasant for walking or cycling, especially at sunset. Near the marina, the covered bazaar streets sell textiles, spices, leather goods and souvenirs, and the well-known Bar Street is the place for loud music and late nights. If you prefer quiet evenings, choose a hotel a little away from that part of town.

İçmeler lies on the same bay, a few kilometres south-west of Marmaris, and the seafront promenade more or less links the two. The mood is more relaxed: a long beach, a backdrop of green hills and restaurants close to the water. Many families pick İçmeler because the beach, hotels and places to eat are all within a short walk, while Marmaris centre is a short ride away when you want more life.

Turunç is in the next bay, over the hill from İçmeler. The road there is narrow and winding, which is exactly what keeps the village small and peaceful. It suits travellers who want to swim, read and eat by the sea, with the odd boat trip to nearby coves. If you stay in Turunç, plan your outings a little in advance, because getting in and out takes longer than from Marmaris or İçmeler.

Boat trips are one of the main reasons people come to Marmaris. Day boats leave from the harbour and stop at several coves around the bay and along the coast for swimming, with lunch usually served on board. The sheltered coves have clear, calm water, which makes these trips popular with families as well as couples.

• Pick a boat that matches your style – some are quiet family trips, others have music and a party atmosphere.
• Bring sun cream, a hat and a towel; shade on deck can be limited.
• For more privacy, ask locally about chartering a smaller boat for your own group.
• Longer gulet trips along the coast can also be arranged at the marina.

Marmaris is a good base for exploring the wider region. Dalyan is a favourite day out: a river town with ancient rock tombs carved into the cliffs, boats through the reeds to İztuzu beach, and mud baths and thermal springs nearby. On the way you pass Köyceğiz, a quiet town on the shore of a large lake. Our Dalyan and Köyceğiz travel guide covers both in detail.

West of Marmaris, the long, narrow Datça peninsula stretches out between two seas, with small villages, olive and almond groves and quiet bays. The road is long and winding, so it works best as a full day or an overnight stay rather than a quick outing.

For a day trip in a private car with driver, agree your pick-up and return times when booking. If you want to combine several stops, tell us when booking and we will tell you what is possible.

The closest airport is Dalaman Airport, ≈96 km and about ≈95 minutes by road from Marmaris. İçmeler is just beyond Marmaris, and Turunç takes a little longer because of the hill road. Bodrum (Milas) Airport is also an option if your flight times work better, but the drive from there is clearly longer.

With a private transfer the vehicle is for your group only, and the price is fixed per vehicle, not per person. It is agreed before the trip and does not change for traffic, a night arrival or luggage. Your flight is tracked, and waiting is free if it is delayed. You pay in the vehicle with no prepayment, and cancellation is free. Check the live prices on the routes from Dalaman Airport to Marmaris, to İçmeler and to Turunç, or see the Marmaris transfer overview.

• When to go: late spring and early autumn are warm but less crowded; midsummer is very hot in the enclosed bay.
• Where to stay: Marmaris for marina life and nightlife, İçmeler for families, Turunç for peace and quiet.
• Old town: wear comfortable shoes – the lanes are steep and full of steps.
• Travelling with children: child seats are free on request; mention the children's ages when you book.
• Bigger groups: a Minivan takes up to 6 people, a Mercedes Vito up to 7 and a Mercedes Sprinter 8 to 16.
• Return trip: book the transfer back to the airport at the same time as your arrival, via WhatsApp or the booking form – you get a fixed-price quote within 1 minute.