Marmaris: A Different Destination

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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Turkey is one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world. Straddling Asia and Europe it is a mixture of extremely different cultures and accordingly is a unique place to visit. In recent years Turkey has become one of the premier tourist destinations for visitors from both the East and the West and offers fantastic value for money.

The centre of the tourist trade in Turkey is often said to be Istanbul, but on the south-western coast of the country on the Mediterranean sea shore is the city of Marmaris, which is undeniably something of a hidden gem. Marmaris is found at the intersection of two mountain ranges, and the incredible landscape has undoubtedly contributed to city growing from a small fishing village in just a few years.

With its balmy climate and excellent beaches Marmaris attracts many people looking for fun in the sun and a relaxing time during the day by the sea. The nightlife is active and vibrant and in the city centre there are hundreds of bars and restaurants and nightclubs on every corner. If you''re looking for something a little laid back, further out from the city centre there are ...
... quarters of the city where loud music is banned after midnight.

The main tourist attractions are the beaches as mentioned above, but Marmaris has been inhabited for nearly five thousand years despite being nearly destroyed by Alexander the Great. Marmaris features a fifteenth century castle that was built by the Ottoman''s as their Empire was on the rise, and renovation work has been taking place in the castle for the last thirty years. It is a striking building and definitely worth a visit.

Another activity that''s definitely worth considering is the jeep safari. The landscape around Marmaris is fantastic and for just a few euros you can take a trip up into the mountains, exploring places that feel like they''ve never been explored before and visiting beaches and areas of the coast that are truly secluded. If you don''t fancy the safari, it''s worth even renting a car and going for an explore yourself.

A special tip for potential tourists to Marmaris: as a thriving tourist down, notes of almost any denomination will be accepted in many of the restaurants. As with many of Marmaris'' shops, with a little bartering and negotiation you can secure yourself a three course meal for as little as ?5!

Marmaris'' hotels generally offer excellent value for money, even with the falling value of the pound, but make sure you do your research first so that you get a really good one, and with a little research you''ll certainly be able to find accommodation that offers Turkish baths on the premises. Turkey is a wonderful country to visit, and few locations are finer than Marmaris. Bonny Kominek wrote this article after touring Turkey with Octopus travel, and would recommend visiting their website when searching for Marmaris hotels.