Marmaris

Marmaris is perhaps the most European of Turkish resorts, although a venture into 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 while, beyond the town square, the market area is thronged with local life. To witness this is an experience in itself, since hordes of vehicles arrive loaded to the gunnels with locals who are going to buy and sell items as diverse as leather goods ''designer'' watches ,straw mats and aromatic herbs and spices .Meanwhile ,the smart shops of Marmaris offer temptation in the form of intricate jewellery and ,of course the ubiquitous rugs and carpets-who can resist? Sandwiching the Old Quarter are to one side Netsel Marina,home to quality designrs shops ,smart quayside restaurants, and open air amphitheatre cinema ,and marina housing majestic yachts. To other is newer district of the resort where the most of featured properties are situated. Marmaris is lively and bustles well into the small hours with bars and smart discos providing yet another dimension to the most faceted of resorts.

Marmaris derives its name from a comment made by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent on a visit to the area. Rather unfairly, when he saw the town, then known as Physkos, he uttered the words “mimara as”, meaning “hang the architect.” Much has changed since then-Marmaris is now a very established and well laid-out resort which now boasts a wide range of facilities whilst retaining its traditional seafaring heritage. The ‘in place ‘for the yacht crowd, it boasts one of Turkey’s major yacht ports and the modern ‘world class’ Netsel Marina which is overlooked by a 14th century Ottoman castle which houses two museums and also overlooks the labyrinth of streets in the Old Town and some glorious coastline surrounded by pine-clad ‘Nordic-style’ mountains. With Marmaris ever increasing influx of visitors it has almost grown in to a mini city, offering approximately 4 km of hustle and bustle and a variety of contrasting areas. There is now also a new widened promenade that runs from the Netsel Marina end of Marmaris right through to lcmeler. Marmaris is a haven for ‘shopaholics’. With a superb selection of bars and restaurants, the town centre is traffic-free and filled to bursting point with ’bazaars ‘and shops. Don’t take offence at the shopkeepers when they constantly invite you to examine their wares over a glass of tea.Leather and gold shops abound as well as stalls selling backgammon sets and evil eye ornaments. At sunset, go down to the harbor and watch the world go by from the numerous bars and restaurant lining the sea front. Alternatively, stroll along the ‘Beach-front’/promenade stretch where there is a watering hole to suit everyone’s tastes. The new Netsel Marina comlex is definitely worth a visit. It houses sophisticated shops, excellent restaurants and an open-air cinema that shows up-to-date English language films.About2 kms east along the coastal road you will find the Atatürk National Park which is popular with the locals at the weekends and where they bar-b-que.and picnic under the trees and dip in the river which leads into the sea. Even further along this road is the Yalancı Boğazı which is a man-made link, connecting the mainland to Paradise Island. This area is used as a boat yard and yacht parkland.