A small piece of paradise, Marmaris!

Marmaris is one of the biggest port cities and tourist resorts on the Mediterranean coast. Located very close to Bodrum, it's definitely recommended for a visit during summer. With its busy nightlife,  its bars and restaurants, as well as its plenty shopping facilities, this place will satisfy you both during the day and the night. In this piece of paradise, you can actually enjoy the sea for almost 7 months a year. However, if you are tired of the sea (not possible, but no judgements here) or feel like exploring some other close cities, Marmaris is the perfect place to start from. Not only Bodrum, but you can also reach Dalyan, Pamukkale or İzmir very easily. Match made in heaven, right? So if you want to visit this gorgeous city, here is your guide! 

First stop, the Marmaris Museum! This gorgeous museum is located on the site of the beautiful Marmaris Castle, and specifically on the hills behind the Marmaris' Marina. It is known that the Marmaris Castle was first built by the Ionians and repaired  later on, during the era of the Alexander the Great. Sadly, during the first World War, the castle was cannon fired by the French Fleet and was seriously damaged. In this amazing castle, there are 18 houses, a fountain and an arc in the inside area. After its restoration during 1980 and 1990, the castle turned into a museum in 1991. You can spend time in the archaeology and the ethnography lounge, as well as in the art galleries.  In the archaeology lounge, you can get to see amphoras from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantium era, as well as earthenware, glassware, coins and ornaments from  the Knidos, Hisaronu and Burgaz region! In the ethnography lounge, you can check out weaving works, carpets, furniture, copper kitchen pieces, weapons and ornaments from the Ottoman era. Don't forget to enjoy the outstanding view at the top of the castle. 

After the cultural tour, it is time for some nature! The Marmaris National Park includes some specially protected areas, which create the perfect harmony of flora and fauna! This national park is very important for yacht tourism, due to its gorgeous indented coastline. You can enjoy beautiful and virgin beaches,  have a great picnic & camping and even have a “Horse Safari” tour! The common tree here is the red pine, but you can also get to see oaks, plane trees, cypresses and sweetgum trees. There are also plants like wild olive, arbutus, sumac, locust, oleander and laurel spread over a wide area in Marmaris National Park. If you are feeling lonely, you can instantly be friends with cute red squirrels, foxes, piglets (and so on) that can also be found in the area. The common locals of this gorgeous park- other than squirrels and foxes- are wild goats, bears, weasels, hedgehogs, lynx, martens, jackals, eagles and falcons! After visiting this park, you will understand why a lot of animals just love living here :)

Let's not forget about the amazing beaches! Marmaris splits the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea with a long and narrow peninsula. The Longbeach Area is a part of the long promenade along the beach front, from Icmeler till Marmaris Marina. Many hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafes can be found along this long beautiful walkway. The most popular beach in here is the İçmeler Beach. In this beach, you can enjoy the luxurious resorts, the amazing view of the hills and of the little islands and of course, the Pine forests.  You can also get to enjoy the variety of cruises offered daily!