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The Ultimate Holiday Guide of Fethiye |
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www.gofethiye.com |
5 / July / 2008 |
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About Marmaris TURKEY
The resort is ideal for water sports, sailing, relaxing in the sun, or strolling along the palm lined "Riviera" style promenade, or why not visit one of the numerous nightspot or restaurants of the town! We could write a book about the reasons why you should go to Marmaris Turkey, and recommend it to you without reservation. In the first place; whether you're wining and dining, quenching your thirst in a restaurant, or haggling for souvenirs; the value for money in incredible, especially with the exchange rate so favorable. Then there's the people, a more charming and friendly bunch than any you'll meet elsewhere, and well known for their hospitality. Marmaris in Turkey is perhaps the most European of the Turkish resorts, although a venture into the maze of narrow streets which make up the Old Quarter soon reveals a very Turkish atmosphere. Old men sit in the shade playing backgammon just yards from the more sophisticated bars of the seafront, the market area is thronged with local life. One look at the yachts in the harbor will tell you that Marmaris Turkey is a stylish and cosmopolitan resort. The coastline here, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, is perfect cruising country, dark blue seas giving way to shallow turquoise waters on hideaway beaches, while the mountains march inland. It's a dramatic backdrop for any holiday and offers something for everyone and all 'mod cons' while retaining much of its charm.
Sandwiching the Old Quarter are to one side Netsel
Marina, home to smart quayside restaurants, an open-air
amphitheater cinema, and a marina housing majestic
yachts. To the other side is the newer district of the
resort where many of the featured properties are
situated. Yachts and boats decorate the coast of this lovely tourist tourist center where thousands converge to enjoy a fun-filled, self-indulgent holiday. Those who surf and water ski will thrill at the possibilities in Marmaris. Energetic entertainment at a lively bar, or dancing until dawn at a sophisticated discotheque can end an ideal day. There are many good buys in Marmaris boutiques, colorful bazaars and markets. You can find excellent leather and suede goods, copper and brassware, jewelry, and objects carved of onyx. Turkish carpets, textiles and embroidery make good handcrafted souvenirs, and the locally produced pine scented honey called "cam bali" is superb. The Marmaris Netsel Marina, one of the largest and best-equipped marinas in Turkey, and the Marmaris Albatross Marina, one of the best for wintering and maintaining yachts, make Marmaris an excellent starting point for the Blue Voyage tour of the Aegean Coast. Once a sleepy fishing village, Marmaris has ballooned into one of the largest resorts on the Aegean coast, if not Turkey. 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.
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. It is thought that the first settlement in Marmaris, whose history dates back to 3400 BC, began with the arrival of a tribe to the region, whose leader was called Kar. The area was then called Karla after him, and its location around the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas always made it an appealing region.
Where to Visit Marmaris Castle The castle opened as a museum in 1991, after restorations that took ten
years. It has seven galleries, and has a collection of archaeological,
historical, ethnographic and nautical exhibits. The views of the city are
wonderful, with a wonderful panorama day and night. Marmaris Museum
Taşhan and Kemerli Bridge
ANCIENT CITIES
Loryma (Bozukkale)
Amos
Cedrae (Cleopatra or City Islands) The island took its name from the rumour that Cleopatra swam with the locals in a small bay at the northwest of the island. Furthermore, she was supposed to have entered the sea with Mark Anthony, the sands of which were transferred from Northern Africa via ships by Anthony – which may be true as this type of sand is only seen in Egypt. The remains of buildings surrounded by ramparts on the east of Saray island date back from the Roman and Hellenistic period, and the small amphitheatre is in the best condition. The Christian Basilica was constructed over the pedestals of the Apollo Temple, belonging to Dors. There is an Agora on the west of Saray with inscriptions suggesting that athletics festivals devoted to Apollo were organised in the region. There are Necropolis ruins at Kucuk Island, as well as column reliefs.
Hydas There are rampart ruins, remaining from Hellenistic Era in Hydas, 35 km. away from Marmaris on Erine - Bybassios road route, and a square planned monument, at south of these ruins. There are several tombs around a watchtower, 3 km from Hydas. The ancient region of Hydas was founded in the Selimiye bay (Kamisli Bay) north of the Bozburun peninsula.
Erine
Castabus (Pazarlık)
Saranda (Söğüt)
Bybassios
Euthenna (Altınsivrisi)
MAUSOLEUMS and MOSQUES Sarıana Mausoleum
İbrahim Ağa Mosque
BEACHES and PROMENADES Cennet Island
Turunç
Kumlubük
Çiftlik
Günnücek
Yalancı Strait
YACHTING
What to Eat
Famous dishes in the Marmaris region include surah, meat stuffed with rice, tarhana (soup made from dried yoghurt and tomato), and the local ice-cream. Many of these special dishes are eaten around Hiderellez, the Spring Feast.
Visiting Marmaris's beautiful outlying regions of Turuncu, Cennet Island, Bozburun, Turgut Şelalesi, Yalancı Strait and Günnüce; Learning about the history, and enjoying the views from Marmaris Museum; Feasting on Marmaris tarhana, sura and ice-cream; Wandering around the ruins of the ancient cities
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Marmaris in 
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
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
Castle is nationalized on 1979, and restored between 1980 and 1990. Marmaris
Museum, is facilitated within Marmaris Castle, and opened for visitors
officially on 18th May, 1991. There are seven galleries within castle, two of
these are used as warehouses. One gallery is Archeological pieces of arts hall.
Third gallery, which is ethnographic hall is organized as Turk house. Fourth
gallery is organized as the room of Castle Commander. There is also an
exhibition hall within the museum. 
Physkos
The
ruins at Loryma, once part of the foundations of Rhodes, was founded originally
in the region known as Oplosica (artillery smith), the waterside thicket on the
southwest of the Bozburun peninsula 40km from Marmaris. The most impressive
structure in the settlement area is the well-preserved reinforcement at the
entrance of the bay at Burunbasi. Nine rectangular towers, made from smooth
rock-cut masonry, are built at the edge of Rhodes (Rodos) island. Today, only
the balcony tower at the northern end can still be seen. 
Once
a tiny farming and fishing village, Turunc has developed since the late 1980s
into an upmarket tourist resort, with hotels, villas and restaurants. The
village, on the east coast of the Hisaronu peninsula, is 21km from Marmaris and
accessible by road and sea. Its main attraction for Turkish and foreign tourists
is its stunning location, and 500m beach of course sand with a backdrop of
pine-tufted cliffs. 
The
bay of Ciftlik is accessible via a two hour boat journey from Icmeler. This
once-isolated village and beach is now being developed for tourism, with a
holiday village and hotels. It is especially favoured by sailors as a good spot
for their yachts, and its course-grained sands and waterside restaurants are
increasingly popular. The village has a small island within the bay, is also a
favourite with jeep-faring safari tourists. 
A
natural harbour, Marmaris Bay has three marinas with 1100 capacity, and nine
yacht yards with 1200 capacity. Various festivals are organised in order to
develop yacht tourism in the region, and the town is the focal point of Blue
Voyages. The main activities are the International Yacht Festival during the
second week of May, and the week-long International Marmaris Yacht Races at the
end of October. 
Embroidery
is one of the best local handicrafts in the area, made by the women and widely
available. Copper and wooden decorations, jewellery and regionally designed
clothes are sold in the shops along the harbour and inside the castle. One of
the best places to buy the famous jam and honey is at the Friday Market, on
the west side of town near the waterfront. 
Jumping
on board the Blue Tour, and exploring the coast;