 Marmaris
Marmaris is one of Turkey’s most popular resorts, which
attracts lots
of British holidaymakers, many of whom return year after year.
It is a
favourite with families and young couples alike. Due to its
popularity,
it has grown enormously over the years, hotels rapidly filling
the space
between the green hills and the azure seas. It is in a stunning
setting,
its geography remarkably similar to that of the fjords, with
pine-clad
hills dropping steeply to the sea, jagged inlets and tiny
rocky islets
off the coast.
There is a wide choice of accommodation, from five star luxury
to
self-catering apartments, but the vast majority is of three
star standard.
What the buildings lack in character they make up for in offering
value
for money. Most of the accommodation is built on either side
of the
main seafront road, some is on the seafront itself, but many
of the newer
hotels are on the hillside
in areas such as Armutalan.
The beach can get busy in high season, but many people prefer
to stay by the hotel pool. Lined with palms, the seafront
has a
typical Mediterranean feel and is a great place for an evening
promenade. Shops, bars and restaurants line the streets, vying
with each other to secure your custom for dinner – each
offering
something more attractive than the last. There is no hassle
though
– the local authorities are strict about touts operating
in the street,
which makes for a more relaxed atmosphere.
By day, life revolves around the narrow strip of sandy beach
which
runs the length of the resort. Each morning boats leave from
the
old harbour for day trips to visit the islands and bays around
the
coast. The area around the harbour offers a taste of the character
of the old town, overlooked by the ancient castle, which is
now a
museum. The Netsel marina is reached by
a small footbridge, and is one of the largest
and most modern in Turkey, the hangout of
the jetset, who moor their luxury yachts here.
The small shopping centre houses upmarket
boutiques and intimate restaurants. The real
bargains are to be found in the bazaar area,
with hundreds of small shops offering the
usual Turkish wares – clothing, leather, jewellery and
handicrafts.
There is a wide variety of goods on offer, and it definitely
pays to
look around and hone your bartering skills to get the best
prices.
Marmaris really comes to life though as the sun sets. The
shops in
the narrow streets stay open until late and the bars
and clubs are open until the early hours of the
resort area is fairly flat so shouldn’t pose too
many problems for those pushing pushchairs or
wheelchairs. There are shuttle services operating
in high season between Marmaris and IÏçmeler, as
well as the ubiquitous dolmus¸es which run from
all areas of both resorts and on to Turunç. There
are also boat services between the main resorts
and even late at night it is easy to find taxis.
 IÏçmeler
IÏçmeler is a popular resort with families, and
it is easy to see why. It is much greener than
neighbouring Marmaris, with wide streets lined
with trees and a relaxed ambience. It nestles in
the shelter of dramatic pine-clad mountains with
a wide sweeping bay of coarse sand, where all
kinds of watersports are available. The waters
are shallow and calm making it relatively safe
for children. The views from the beach are
stunning, as it appears to be almost surrounded
by mountains, dropping steeply into the sea.
There is an abundance of restaurants, serving a
full range of Turkish and international cuisine,
plenty of lively bars and lots of shops. For those
who want serious nightlife, Marmaris is just a
short dolmus¸ or taxi ride away. There is a full
range of hotel and self-catering accommodation
here, including luxurious 4 and 5 star hotels
set right on or overlooking the seafront. Boats
head out from the bay for day-trips around
the stunning coastline, taking in the tiny islets
around the coast. The main resort area is flat,
which makes getting around very easy, even
with a pushchair or wheelchair, although some
of the outlying areas are on slopes.
 Turunç
Turunç is reached by a steep, winding road,
which snakes around the mountains from
IÏçmeler.As you round a sharp bend, you catch
your first glimpse of the resort lying in front of
you, steep mountains giving way to the small
bay with its sparkling waters and sandy beach.
Turunç is a sleepy resort, full of character. The
accommodation here is mainly small family-run
hotels, with some good self-catering properties.
The main street has a good selection of
restaurants with a few music bars, and enough
shops to cater for your immediate holiday
requirements. The roads which lead down to
the resort are steep, however, so it is not ideal
for those who have difficulty in walking. Boats
leave from the charming quayside for daytrips
around the surrounding bays and there are also
water taxi services to Marmaris, approximately
30 minutes away, for those who want to do
some serious bargain-hunting.
Akyaka
Akyaka is popular with local Turkish holidaymakers,
but accommodation here is only
available through a handful of UK operators. It
is less than a hour’s drive from Marmaris but in
character is worlds away. It is perfect for those
who want to experience the real Turkey, away
from the crowds. Little more than a village,
part of its charm comes from the distinctive
local architecture, with octagonal shaped
houses with intricately carved wooden
ceilings, balconies and window frames.
Lying in the Azmak river valley, Akyaka
is surrounded by fragrant eucalyptus trees.
The river winds down through fields to the
seafront, where there is a small sandy beach
and a number of beachfront restaurants.A
few miles outside the town, reached by
road or sea is the attractive ÇakalÝ PlajÝ
or pebble beach. There are a number of
excellent fish restaurants on the river, and
a small village centre with more restaurants
and a few shops. There is a small chemist
but no bank and any major purchases are
best made in Marmaris.
Datça
Datça is set to the end of the peninsula,
which stretches out to the west at the point
where theAegean meets theMediterranean,
facing the tiny Greek island of Simi. It is a
popular stopping off point for the gulets on
a Blue Cruise from Bodrum or Marmaris,
but is relatively difficult to access by road,
even though Marmaris is just 75 kms away,
which means that it has remained relatively
undeveloped. This is a blessing for the
visitors who come here for its unspoilt
beauty and authentic atmosphere. It is a
charming village, its whitewashed buildings
draped with bougainvillea, with plenty of
shops, bars and restaurants serving mostly
fish and traditional Turkish fare. There are
some beautiful beaches nearby including
the bays of Aktur and KargÝ. There is a
regular ferry service to Bodrum as well
as to the Greek island of Simi. The ruins
of the ancient Carian city of Knidos stand
at the end of the peninsula, some 38 kms
away. The city was famed for its temple of
Aphrodite, the remains of which can still be
seen today, and was an important centre of
art and culture in the 4th century BC. |
