Looking for the perfect summer holiday? Envisioning hot sunny days lazing on golden sands and swimming in warm aquamarine seas? A budget getaway to exotic shores with all the comforts of Europe? Water sports, boat trips and snorkelling with turtles? Then think about Marmaris, a beautiful resort on Turkey’s turquoise coast. Discover the best beaches in Marmaris and then spend a day on the beaches of Rhodes, a short ferry ride away.
Wander the cobblestone streets of the old town to Marmaris castle for panoramic views of the Aegean Sea at sunset, then spend the evening dining on the terrace of a seafront restaurant or dancing in a beach club. Excursions from Marmaris add a touch of adventure to complete a memorable and intriguing beachside vacation.
Marmaris on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast
Authored by Steve Jobling
Marmaris and the Turquoise Coast in Turkey have some of the best beaches in the world! But how do you define a ‘best beach’? Here’s my take on the best beaches in Marmaris and the Turkish Riviera, what to expect and why they are simply the best!
A little background… Firstly, Marmaris is a large seaside resort that has a little bit of something for everyone. With a harbour, a marina, a castle, an old town, amazing views and a bazaar. Not to mention the hundreds of bars and restaurants that cater for all tastes.
Marmaris is situated in the province of Muğla which is in the south west of Turkey, beside the Aegean Sea. This is one of the nicest parts of Turkey for a summer holiday.
In fact, there are two main resorts so you’ll need to choose between Marmaris or Bodrum. Marmaris is the greener destination with tree-clad hillsides framing the town’s beautiful beaches. Bodrum has excellent beaches too, although it can be quite breezy and the landscape is drier.
Dalaman is the nearest airport serving Marmaris, and a bus or taxi transfer will take around 90 minutes. The resort is also reasonably priced for activities and eating out, so much so in fact you will notice a difference if you are used to a holiday in Spain or Italy for instance.
The best beaches in Marmaris all have the advantage of facing the sun for the most part of the day, which is perfect for sun-worshippers. Matched with the warm, crystal clear turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea – why would you want to be anywhere else?
You might also be interested in these beach destinations:
* Spanish Canary Islands
* Málaga in Spain
* Places to visit in Croatia
Best Beaches in Marmaris
1. Long Beach
Long Beach in Marmaris, or Uzanyali as it is known locally, is so called because it is very, very long! Six miles long in fact. It is the most famous of the beaches in Marmaris as most visitors will come across it during their trip. Uzanyali Beach runs parallel from Kemal Seyfettin Elgin Blv, all the way along to Icmeler.
There are numerous bars and restaurants behind the beach promenade that offer waiter service, and all allow tabs to be run until the end of the visit. Whilst on that note, the beach loungers are actually owned by the bar and restaurant owners. This means that they are offered to customers for free, safe in the knowledge that visitors will happily order cold drinks and snacks whilst sunbathing! It’s a brilliant system, and I wish it was in use in more places.
It is this part of the beach where you can practice an array of water sports activities. You will find jet ski hire, speedboat hire, parasailing, banana boats and wakeboarding. Prices are very reasonable too, with a 15 minute Jet Ski hire costing around £25 (don’t forget to haggle a bit!). As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Marmaris.
As you venture along Long Beach towards Icmeler you will find some larger hotels that have managed to snag parts of the sands for themselves and their guests. You will find that the loungers are a little more spaced out on this part of the beach, so you get that little bit more privacy and less chance of sand being kicked in your face as somebody walks past!
Best of all you may well see a turtle or two popping up to take a breath before diving back into the sea. The snorkellers amongst us will have loads of fun swimming with turtles!
2. Marmaris Urban Beach
Marmaris Urban Beach kind of blends in from Long Beach. It is the nearest beach to the old town and the marina of Marmaris. There is lots going on here, and it is equally popular with locals as it is tourists. There are less bars and restaurants behind the beach at Marmaris Urban Beach, although it is served by the same long promenade that runs all the way over to Icmeler.
The beach has nice sand, and beautiful turquoise water to take a dip in when the sun gets a bit too warm. Like Long Beach, this beach is free to use with many vendors wandering the sands offering an array of cold drinks and fruit to willing beach lovers.
You will also find a smattering of water-sports here. Just to the left of Marmaris Urban Beach there are numerous boat trips on offer catering for all tastes at the start of the harbour. Whether you want some fun on a pirate ship with a foam party or an all-inclusive lazy day cruise on the Turkish Riviera, there is something for everyone on offer here.
And it’s close to the historic old town if you feel the need for a bit of shopping… find everything from local crafts to cute souvenirs or those essential items that you forgot to include on your Turkey packing list.
3. Icmeler Beach
Icmeler itself is just a few miles west from Marmaris. The promenade that sits behind the beaches of Marmaris runs all the way along to Icmeler. Depending on where you start in Marmaris, you can walk along the beautiful promenade in about an hour and a half. It’s approximately 3.5 to 4 miles but can get very hot during the daytime in the summer months in Marmaris, so take plenty of water.
You can also reach the village of Icmeler by taxi or Dolmus for a small charge if you don’t fancy the walk. Icmeler itself is a lot smaller than Marmaris, yet is still a resort in its own right. Icmeler has an amazing horseshoe-shaped beach that gets very popular. Like the beaches in Marmaris, there are sun loungers owned by nearby restaurants that will happily provide a free sunbed and wait on you for the day.
The beach at Icmeler is a lot quieter than in Marmaris, yet there are still one or two water sport vendors offering a multitude of motorised activities. The sea is just as clear as that in Marmaris, and is ideal for a bit of snorkelling. In my opinion this is one of the best beaches in Marmaris and the Turquoise Coast of Turkey.
4. Turunc Beach
The village of Turunç is around 12 miles from Marmaris and is quite a small resort. There are a smattering of hotels in the village used by the main tour operators as well as a handful of shops, bars and restaurants. Being a smaller resort, it appeals to those who like places that are not overly developed. A lot of boat trips visit Turunç as part of their itinerary, and bring along a swathe of tourists who like to spend a bit of time on the beach.
This beach has been awarded a blue flag and sits in a small bay surrounded by mountains. The beach is very peaceful, and perfect if you want a more chilled out beach experience. The surroundings are certainly very pretty, and worth a visit if you happen to be in the area.
Turunç can be reached by road via Dolmus from Marmaris, or for a more leisurely trip a water taxi from either Icmeler or Marmaris is recommended. The water taxis from Marmaris harbour run hourly and cost approximately 30 Turkish lira for a one-way trip. Day trip boats also call in at Turunç, and are a great way to get a feel for the beach without committing to staying there for too long.
5. Kumlubuk Beach
Kumlubuk is just a few miles away from Turunc, and is another small village that only attracts a few tourists. In fact, most visitors to Kumlubuk arrive on one of the many day trip boats that take it in turns to moor up on one of the jetties by the beach. You can also get a water taxi from Marmaris. Kumlubuk beach is set in a large sandy bay and has the usual crystal-clear waters that the Turkish Riviera is famous for.
With its gorgeous golden sands, Kumlubuk Beach is worthy of a visit to while away the day in blissful serenity. Of course, if you get a bit bored of the beach there are some great walking trails in the hills behind the village. You may even discover the ancient city of Amos, which has remnants of an amphitheatre and some partial statues waiting to be seen.
Rhodes Island Beaches
Whilst technically not part of the Turquoise Coast of Turkey, I wanted to add a comment about Rhodes beaches to this post. The reason for this is that Rhodes and its old town can be reached from Marmaris by a catamaran service that runs daily from the harbour.
The large catamaran takes just an hour to get to Rhodes where you can sample a bit of life on one of the most popular Greek islands. The Catamaran leaves at 9.15am and sails back from Rhodes at 4.30pm, so you get plenty of time to explore the old town and beaches.
Sachtouri Beach
Sachtouri Beach is close to the ferry terminal, and sits in from of the medieval walls of the old town of Rhodes. It is quite a small and narrow beach, and is ideal for a quick visit ahead of getting back on the ferry to Marmaris. Perfect for people watching, you can also marvel in awe at the luxurious yachts that are moored in this small bay. Being small, you won’t find many facilities here but you may well just find your own little idyllic spot without the masses of crowds.
Elli Beach
Further around to the north by the tip of the island, you will find the much larger sunbathing paradise of Elli Beach in Rhodes. With plenty of loungers for hire, this is where you will find most of the tourists sunning themselves. Being in the Aegean Sea, the water is very clear whilst the sand is a little stony. You will find all amenities here from water sports to toilet facilities. Not to mention plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you fed and watered!
Which is Best Beach in Marmaris?
It’s really hard to pick the perfect beach. It is all a matter of taste, and depends on if there are children to keep entertained, and whether you want plenty of activities or simply prefer somewhere peaceful away from the crowds. All I can say, is that in Marmaris and the surrounding Turquoise Coast you will find something that suits. If you have the time, why not explore them all?
For as little as £10 you can choose one of many day trips on a boat that will visit some of the more out of the way beaches, and don’t forget the water taxi either! Personally, I like the quieter end of Long Beach in Marmaris, where the hotels and restaurants begin to thin out ever so slightly. The water is still delightfully warm, and just as clear as the other beaches in the area. What I can tell you is that there are plenty of options, and the choice is yours.
Finally, exploring the Turkish Riviera by motorcycle in summertime is a great way to discover all the cute villages and beaches in the region.
Which Resort to Choose on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast
Which is better Marmaris or Bodrum? Trying to decide whether it’s best to visit Marmaris or Bodrum? Marmaris is the prettier resort surrounded by verdant mountains which shelter the bay from wind, so if you’re looking for hot summer sun this is the better choice. Bodrum is out on the peninsula, warm but breezy, the landscape is rocky and somewhat arid. Both towns have plenty of family entertainment and nightlife, however, Marmaris is bigger than Bodrum which means more choice and lower prices.
About the Author
Steve Jobling is a regular guy (his own words!) living in the UK with a steady job and a passion for travelling. He writes from personal experience about holiday trips to some rather cool places around the world, as well as city breaks, days out in England, and some adventurous escapades.
See what Steve and his partner Amy are up to on their travel blog Weigh the Suitcase and pick up some ideas for your next vacation, along with some useful travel tips.
Attractions in Marmaris and Excursions
There are plenty of things to do in Marmaris and places nearby worth visiting that you can see on an excursion or day tour.
Top Things to Do in Marmaris (apart from spending the day on the beach)
- Swim with dolphins in the open water Dolphinarium at the end of Long Beach (aka Dolphin Park).
- Splash around in Marmaris Atlantis Waterpark with the kids.
- Explore the cobblestone streets of the old town and walk up to Marmaris Castle.
- Snorkel in the sea or scuba dive.
- Get a boat trip from Marmaris Marina to Sedir or Cleopatra Island.
- Have fun on a banana boat, ride a jet ski, or dare to parasail depending on your comfort level!
- Watch the light and music show at the Dancing Fountains (every evening in Marmaris main square).
Day Trips from Marmaris
- Catch a ferry over to Rhodes and spend a day on the famous Greek Island.
- Watch the sun rise from a hot air balloon over the limestone terraces of Pamukkale and then swim in the thermal waters.
- Paraglide over the Blue Lagoon and jump into the icy waters of Saklikent Gorge on an adventure trip.
- Enjoy an off-road jeep or safari inland into the mountains.
- Take a river cruise on the Dalyan canal to see the Lycian Rock Tombs, wallow a while in the mineral mud baths, and end the day watching sea turtles off the protected sanctuary of Iztuzu Beach.
- Charter a private catamaran to explore the Turquoise Coast.
Your Questions on Marmaris Turkey Answered
What is the nicest part of Turkey for a holiday?
Marmaris is one of Turkey’s top resorts and a great place to spend a holiday. Scenically located on the Turquoise Coast, Marmaris is one of the nicest parts of Turkey for a vacation.
What is Marmaris known for?
A lively resort on the Turkish Riviera, Marmaris is known for its sheltered sandy beaches and warm turquoise sea. It’s the perfect place for a summer holiday.
Is Marmaris Expensive?
Turkey is roughly 50% cheaper than Spain! Marmaris is not expensive for holidaymakers – hotels, transport, shopping, leisure activities, eating out and drinks are all pocket-friendly. In fact, Marmaris is one of the cheapest places in Europe for a holiday in 2022. Budget flights from the UK and various European countries make it even more attractive.
Is Marmaris Turkey safe?
Marmaris is a lively but peaceful tourist destination suitable for all the family, and safe place to travel in 2024.
Weather in Marmaris
Marmaris has wonderfully hot summers refreshed by the occasional thunderstorm. The sunniest and hottest months are July, August and September when average daytime temperatures reach the high 90s Fahrenheit and the sea is a warm 82F-88F. Wettest months are December, January and February.
Which is hotter Marmaris or Antalya?
Antalya is generally a couple of degrees hotter but the weather is very similar to Marmaris.
How to Get to Marmaris
The beach town of Marmaris is 59 miles from Dalaman International Airport. The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes by road approximately. Take a taxi, book a shuttle bus or hire a car to get from Dalaman airport to Marmaris.
Marmaris is 290 miles away from Instanbul by plane, a short flight away. This means you can easily combine a stay in the capital city with a beach holiday in Marmaris on the same trip to Turkey.
Currency in Turkey
The local currency is Turkish Lira.
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Wow! All these beaches look fabulous! Saving for a future trip!
You’ve definitely captured some breathtaking beaches! Would love to visit Turkey!
Loved that you added Rhodes! What a great run down of what all my options are. Saving this one!!!