MARMARIS (Physkos)

Marmaris is situated in southwestern Turkey at a point where the Mediterranean joins the Aagean Sea. 60 kilometers away is Mugla, Dalaman International Airport is only an hour’s drive away. Marmaris is surrounded by high mountains with pine wood, and is therefore renowned for its pine honey. The sun rises behind the mountains, coloring the sea and sky. The pictures painted by the sun in the water are unmatched even in the canvasses of Renoir and Van Gogh. Marmaris played an important role in the development of the waterline civilization between the Mediterranean Islands and the shores of the European Continent and Eastern Mediterranean. Mediterranean is not not only the sea or nature that attracts people from all over the world, nor is it the rich history stemming from ancient civilizations to today; there is something more. Fernand Braudel author of the book titled “Mediterranean “says: “What is this Mediterranean? A thousand and one things rolled into one. Not one landscape, countless landscapes. Not one sea, many seas following each other. Not one civilization piled on top of each other “Marmaris is a place harboring many of these landscapes, seas and civilizations. The old trade ships have been replaced by yachts with colorful sails decorating the modern marinas and comfortable passenger’s ships. Airport traffic is heavy. Tens of thousands of people from numerous countries and different cultures come for vacation. Only recently, in the 1960’s did Marmaris become a touristic centre. Before this it was a fishing town. Marmaris is one of the rare towns in Turkey where you can swim right in the city centre. If you are interested in water sports and nature activities you can find too many alternatives. Inhabitants 30,000 with its sunshine guarantee (300 days of sun annually) comes the ‘anything goes’ of mass tourism. On the well-kept esplanade which runs round the old quarter by the castle, painters, jugglers and musicians are lined up cheek by jowl. Luxury yatchs and tour boats lie moored on the sea side. 


TOWNS

ICMELER:
A unique tourist spot is very close to Marmaris and a good alternative for those who wish to benefit from the entertainment of Marmaris by prefer to spend their day in a more relaxed and peaceful environment. Icmeler is always a clean district with an abundance of greenery and flowers, wide walking paths and an organized infrastructure. The park at the entrance to the district resembles a botanical garden. The brook splitting Icmeler in two has added to the atmosphere of the district in its arrangement. The two sides of the brook are colorful and alive with gift shops and handicraft stalls. Transportation between Marmaris and Icmeler is very frequent. Moreover the walking path leading to Marmaris along the shore enables a walk accompanied by an unmatchable view. Icmeler used to have healing mineral springs don’t try and find them and stick your bottled water. Icmeler beach is perfect for swimming and water sports. Modern and traditional buildings are found side by side in Icmeler.

PLACE TO VISIT AND ATRACTIONS

KNIDOS:
Knidos, the ruined and only partly excavated site at the tip of the peninsula, attracts many visitors. While the ruins themselves are unspectacular, the combination of stony remains and wild landscape is really spellbinding. The ruined city is a beautiful destination for a trip and, after your visit, there is a small beach with crystal-clear water for a swim. The two ports at Knidos have been orphaned for two millennia. There’s nothing stirring in the War Harbour these days but the commercial port is coming back to life, attracting boat trips and yachts.

LORYMA (BOZUKKALE):
 Established in Bozuk Bay, which is located on the southwest edge of the Bozburun Peninsula, we find the most impressive building in the remains of the well preserved castle in Burunbasi, spread over a wide area. It has nine rectangular towers. Today the tourelle in the north can be seen. The best way to get to the ruins is by boat. The port of Bozukkale is an important destination point for daily boat tours. To get there by land one needs to walk from Taslica.

KEDRIA:
Sedir Islands in the Gokova Bay is well known for the ancient city of Kedrai and the famous Cleopatra Beach. Kedrai was a Carian city until it was connected to Rhodes. Kedrai means “cedars” (cedar tree). Kedrai, being the most important settlement area of Karsiyaka of Rhodes was surrounded by city walls. While the tower and the city walls could be seen from the shore, today only the foundations of the Apollo Temple in Doric style remain, which is located in the middle of the city. At the eastern end of the city there are some remains of buildings; Agora and the theatre are in good condition.

AMOS (Turunc-Kumlubuk):
The theatre, temple and some statue pedestals of the ancient settlement is located on a hill in the northwest of Kumlubuk Bay, close to Turunc. The city was surrounded by walls. The theatre is still in good condition. It is possible to distinguish the seats, side walls and three rooms of the stage house.

HYDAS:
Established in the Selimiye Bay (Kamisli Bay) located to the North of the Bozburun Peninsula, you will come across, remains of the city walls and a square tomb. There is an observation tower and a few tombs in the tower on the shore located 3 km away from Hydas.

ERINE (Hisaronu):
Turning south towards Bozburun on the 20th km of the Marmaris-Datca road Hisaronu village can be reached via a 2km asphalt road. Ruins are accessed by a 3km forest road. Remains are from the Roman Age.

CASTABUS (Pazarlik):
The archaic ruins and holy place close to Hisarlik Village can be reached by an hours climb from the Hisaronu plain. The temple is on a platform. The lonian style temple of the 4th century BC also has Doric elements. Temple foundation may be seen on the platform. Today, dazzling walls supporting the platform are left. Together with temple, the ruins of the theatre located in the south, is the only recognizable building in the area.

THYSSANOS (Sogut):
There are remains of the Thyssanos settlement on a small hill behind the school, 1km southwest of the Village Sogut. The remains consist of a few pieces of wall, traces of foundation and remains of wall behind the hill where no excavation work has been done.

BYBASSOS:
The Orhaniye Village today is established on the slope of the hill where some remains of the city wall can be found. The remains can be seen in a wide area of the forest. There are also castle remains on a small island in the Orhaniye Bay.

PHOINIX (Taslica):
The remains of Phoinix, a Carian City, are on and around Asar Hill 4km outside Taslica. First tombs come up in the path possibly belonging to the archaic period, between the village and the archaic settlement. Somewhere in the middle between Taslica and Asar Hill is the city of Agora. Climbing up the hill remains of a building and later the necropolis can be seen. The acropolis of the city is on Asar Hill. Rather than the remains, the views from the hill are more impressive.

EUTHENNA (Altinsivrisi/Karsacasogut):
There is another ancient city near Karacasogut. Remains of the ancient Amnistos town are in a promontory close to Sogut. Some old port walls near the shore are still present today.

MARMARIS FORT AND ARCHEOLOGY MUSEUM:
Marmaris Fort was restored between the years 1980-1990 and has been opened to service As Marmaris Museum in 1991. It has seven closed places. The cradle vaulted entrance is opening to the inner garden. The stairs on the right and left of the courtyard provides access to the city walls. Watching the environs and taking pictures from the city walls is pleasurable. Two of the closed areas that are entered through the garden are arranged as archeology halls. In these halls and in the garden, the stone opuses collected from the region, amphora belonging to Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Periods, candles, bottles, figurines made of baked clay, various pots and glass opuses, arrow ends, coins and ornamental goods found in Knidos, Burgaz, Hisaronu excavations are being exhibited. In the ethnography hall, weavings, carpets, kilims, furniture, copper kitchen utensils, guns and ornamental goods dated to the end of the Ottoman era are exhibited. The other places are used as an art gallery, office and depot. The museum is open for visiting between the hours 08:30- 12:00 and 13:00-17:30 everyday except Mondays.

HAFZA SULTAN CARAVANSERAI:
Another Ottoman building in the city is Hafza Sultan Caravanserai. The inscription on it tells that it was built in 1545, in synchronization with the fort. The Caravanserai covered with arches right at the entrance of the narrow street with steps leading up to the fort. The seven small rooms and one large room of the Caravanserai are private property and allocated to gift shops, cafés and bars.

BEDESTEN (VAULTED BAZAAR):
The Historic Bedesten within the Market is still a shopping center just like the old days. Only the shoppers and the products have changed, everything is for tourists. The Bedesten was restored true to the original. A one piece three storey marble pool has been placed in the middle. There are 32 shops and a café interesting for all, with its nargile (hookah) and Turkish coffee.

IYILIK KAYALIKLARI (Rocks of Goodness) ARCHEOLOGICAL PARK:
Marmaris has gained a new park. This archeological park, 8,342 m2 in area is known as the Iyilik Kayaliklari (Rocks of Goodness) and the 2,100 m2 area on the slope of the hill in the town center has been declared as a 1st degree protected area and has been opened to the public. The “iyilik Kayaliklari Archeological Park”, has some remains from the 4th century BC on exhibition. There are other works belonging to the Ottoman period near the area of Marmaris. Ibrahim Aga Mosque in Kemeralti district was built in 1789. The Tashan (stone inn) and Kemerli Bridge on the 10th km of the Mugla road were built in 1552. The turbe of Sariana famous for her prophecies, which Kanuni Sultan Suleyman visited before his Rhodes campaign is in the street named after her. According to legend all of the soldiers of the great Ottoman army getting ready for their Rhodes campaign had breakfast with the milk of Sariana’s only cow.

BAZAAR PALACES:
Marmaris is full of markets but the biggest bazaar of the region for those looking for the traditional bazaar is set up in the modern bazaar building of the Marmaris Municipality on Thursdays. Stalls open in the same building on Sundays, only there are somewhat less stalls. Moreover, the traditional bazaars in Icmeler on Wednesdays, Armutalan on Thursdays and Beldibi on Sundays attract locals and tourists. Marmaris famous pine honey, regional hand made carpet-kilim-weaved products, all kinds of spices and healing herbs, souvenirs are sold in the bazaars.

BOAT TRIPS:
One of the most pleasant ways of passing a day in Marmaris is to take one of the daily boat trips. They visit nearby coves and islands, with some of the most popular destinations being Yildiz Adasi, Turunc, Kumlubuk, Ciftlik and Fosforlu Magara. At night there are also moonlight boat tours. Certainly entertainment on the boat is a something that will not be forgotten. There are also longer one day boat tours that depart out of Marmaris. These tours use larger boats and their destination is Ekincik and Dalyan. There is an alternative day trip to Rhodes. You are not charged a fee of leaving the country. Every day in summer, hydrofoils (Turkish hydrofoil) depart from the Marmaris Marina for Rhodes. These boats leave one after the other at 10.00am and are run by Greeks. It takes about one and half hours to get to Rhodes.

DIVING:
Marmaris is one of the most important regions of Turkey for diving, with 52 points diving points in and around it. On the daily dive tours departing from the port of Marmaris the following are some of the better known diving spots. Sari Mehmet Point (Yellow Mehmet Point), The Keci Island Lighthouse, Ince Burun Feneri(Pearl Point Lighthouse), Hayitli Burun(Point), Yazih Kaya( Rock), Baca Magarasi(Chimney Cave), Aksu Koyu (Cove), Kultuk Cove, Kadirga Cove, some of the diving spots in Marmaris.

THE YATCHTING FESTIVALS:
The International Marmaris Yatching Festival is staged at the Marmaris Yatch Port every year on 8 to 14 May. The International Marmaris Yachting Races Week is staged out of the Marmaris Yacht Port on 1 to 6 November every year. The International Bozburun Gulet Festival is held in Bozburun on 26-28 October The Marmaris Yatch Festival is among the few events among similar organizations in Turkey and around the world that can point to a continuity of 21 years. The participating boats moor at the Marmaris municipality quay and there is boat show at the same venue. The boat show also includes displays of spare parts that are related to yachting and all associated equipment. For all the yachts that take part in the festival the event also means that the season has started. Both participants and spectators relax and are entertained during the week long activities. The promotional trip at the end of the festival is open to all travel agencies who want to take part.

JEEP SAFARIS:
The tours start early in the morning and, after passing through forests, villages and streamlets, you end up in abandoned coves. You have a swim, and then have a feast of fish, gozleme and ayran. You cool down in icy cold spring waters and then return in the evening to where you began your trip. On one of the jeep safari tours you get to go via old roads To villages where technology has not yet fully arrived, visit magnificent coves that can only be reached by sea, and most important of all, have the chance to see what nature has given us close up while reveling in the safari sprit.

POPULATIONS INVESTMENT POTENTIAL RENTAL VALUES AND PROPERTY PRICES
TRANSPORT BY AIR:
The nearest airports for those flying are the Dalaman Airport (90kms). Bodrum-Milas Airport is 140 km, Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport is 284 kms and Antalya Airport is 281 km away. There are buses from the Dalaman Airport to Marmaris city centre. The area is so popular there are (charters) flights to Milas-Bodrum and Dalaman Airport from Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster Sheffield, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Humberside, London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich. Additionally, there are flights to Bodrum from Bournemouth and to Dalaman from Leeds Bradford, Liverpool and Teeside. Scheduled flights (with Trukish Airlines or BA) necessitate a changeover in Istanbul. Prices are highest between April and October.

BY CAR:
Driving to Marmaris is possible for those who have plenty of time (allow 4-5 days), especially if you want to tour and camp, you will need an international driving licence, the vehicle’s registration documents and valid Third Party insurance. On arrival, details of the vehicle will be logged in your passport, and you won’t be able to leave the country without it. After crossing the Channel, you would make for one of the Italian ports: Brindisi for ferries to Cesme in western Turkey or Ancona or Venice for ferries to Igoumenitsa in Greec. The option via Greece is cheaper, but it’s still another 1000km to the Turkish south coast.

BY TRAIN:
This option is only for those really keen on rail travel; it is far more expensive than air. There are daily departures from London via Paris and Vienna to Istanbul (two different routes, each taking three nights)

CLIMATE:
As with all settlements in the Aegean and Mediterranean coast of Turkey, it is sunny in Marmaris for majority of the year. It is possible to swim from the beginning of April to the end October. The monthly average of lowest and highest temperatures are as follows: January 6/15C, February 7/15C, March 8/18C, April 11/21C, May 15/25C, June 20/33C, July 25/36C, August 23/36C, September 18/33C, October 15/27C, November 11/21C, December 8/17C

Average sea water temperatures: January 16C, February 15C, March16C, April 17C, May 19C, June 22C, July 24C, August 26C, September 25C, October 24C, November 21C, December 18C

Weather:
January and February are usually overcast and rainy, but the sun shows up occasionally. March and December has almost equal number of overcast and sunny days. In April it is usually clear skies and partly cloudy. There are also rainy days. May is clear skies and partly cloudy with very few rainy days. June, July, August, September is clear skies. October is usually clear skies, very few overcast and rainy days. November has more sunny days than rainy days.

HOSPITALS
Marmaris State Hospital 0252 412 1029
Ahu Hetman Hospital 0252 413 1415
Caria Hospital 0252 413 8801
Yucelen Hospital 0252 2238040, 223 8664

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