Once a small fishing village, Marmaris has ballooned into one of the largest resorts on the Aegean coast, if not Turkey.  Suleyman the Magnificent assembled a force of 200,000 in 1522, whilst launching the siege of the Knights of St John's base in Rhodes (Rodos).

Soon afterwards, he made the city more powerful with the rebuilding of the tiny castle overlooking the town. Lord Nelson and his entire fleet sheltered in the harbour in 1798, en route to Egypt to defeat Napoleon's armada at the Battle of Aboukir.

Marmaris therefore became a place where different civilisations reigned over time, and there is architectural and historical evidence of Egyptian, Asdur, Ion, Dor, Persian, Macedonian, Syrian, Roman, Byzantium, Seljuk and Ottoman presence.

Little of its history remains, as the town is now a modern development with tourism at its heart and soul. The population swells to a massive 200,000 in the summer, with most hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and shops catering to low-cost package holidays, although there are facilities for all budgets.

Despite the development which reaches around 10km along the west of the bay, Marmaris is also well-known for its expanse of green, present the whole year round thanks to the pine-covered hills which surround the town.

There are many beaches around the bay, and there are ancient cities and seaside villages close by for day trips. The yacht harbour is the biggest and newest in Turkey , and therefore the busiest charter port especially for trips along the Turquoise Coast.

In addition to the climate, beaches and facilities of the town, the transportation infrastructure is a definite plus for attracting visitors. It has easy connections to the nearby airport Dalaman , ferries to Rhodes , and on the road to Datca and Fethiye . The harbour has attracted private boats from around the world, with yacht maintenance and production in the workshops on the Yalanci Strait.

With the climate being comfortable even in winter, and the nearby impressive mountains and pine forests, Marmaris is likely to remain a popular and practical holiday spot for a long time.

The summer and winters are warm and wet, plunging to 5 degrees at night. The area is quite typical of a Mediterranean climate .

Marmaris is one of the rare towns in Turkey where you can swim right in the city center, despite the increased construction, as environmental and water treatment facilities have been installed. For those who seek cleaner sea  there are boat trips that go to other coves or you can get there by land.   If you are interested in water sports and nature activities the hotels and travel agencies here provide you with many alternatives.

The Marmaris Marina is the largest and most modern such facility in the southern region. The marina, provides all types of services to yachts and winter restration on with demanded facilities open all year around. In the area between the marina and the town quay the daily and Blue Cruise boats moor. If you follow the Venedik Stream into the town from the yacht marina you get to street of bars.

Bars that have all types of music played are lined up on both sides of the road. Most are old Marmaris houses that have been restored and turned into night spots.

You will also see a high wall surrounding the entertainment centers, erected in the recent years. The entertainment last untilthe first lights of the morning. The restaurants and bars around the quay get get crowded every evening.

The streets parallel to the quay and at right angles to it is the home of the colourful nightlife of Marmaris. There is all type of music and entertainment to suit every taste. The old city is like a giant shopping center. This area is closed to vehicle traffic and forms a colourful picture with the awnings sticking out like fringes from the shops and stalls.

Even if you have no intention of buying anything you will enjoy walking in these streets. The honey of Marmaris is famous for its types and high quality. There are plenty of choices for eating in Marmaris; from seafood, fast food. Turkish and international cuisine (Chinise, Italian, British, German and Indian) in specialised restaurants.
For fish go to the restaurants around quay and the yachting port or to Icmeler, Ciftlik, Orhaniye, Selimiye, Bozborun and Sogut Saranda district.

For the Turkish food you can try around the marketplace, while for international cuisine and pizzas go to the center, Armutalan and Icmeler. Village food, such as gozleme and manti (Turkish rivioli) can be eaten in Bayir, Ciftlik, Turgut and Orhaniye.

The open buffets of the hotels are also rich. Around the area between the marina and the center around the quay, in htr old bazaar region and in the bar street there are all types of bars and night clubs which cater to different tastes.

Once you head towards the bar street from the yachting port you will loose yourself in the rhytm of the music and may not undrstand how the time has passed until the first lights of morning.

If you like you can take a moonlight tour on a boat leaving from yachting port, departing around midnight. You can have great fun.