Opinions on Marmaris, Turkey?

[davetuc]

Hi All, has anyone been recently? What's it like? Any opinions on eating out, excursions, and any other advice will be much appreciated. Many Thanks.

[New Judge]

I went to Marmaris last September. “Quaint” it ain’t!

It is a huge town with enormous numbers of noisy bars. There is only one small area of the “Old Town” that is what could be marginally called traditional. What could be the nicest part of all – the seafront by the marina and the streets immediately behind – have been overrun by restaurants with lovely frontages, but which delight in each having two or three large-screen TVs showing nothing but football. Nice if you like football, but not so nice if you want a quiet meal out. The buildings in the streets behind this area (which were probably once the fishermen’s premises) have all, without exception, been converted to night clubs.

Spread throughout the town are bars with such traditionally Turkish names such as “Goodison Bar”, “Ibrox Bar”, “Old Trafford Bar” and “Anfield Bar”. Guess what they show on their large screen TVs? Every night football dominated almost every bar and restaurant, with matches being shown from all over the world. (So if you think you’ll escape it by going during the short closed season, think again).

There is a busy dual carriageway stretching the entire length of the town parallel with the sea, though there is a nice promenade adjacent to it. We were lucky to be in a quieter part of town (and it was luck as we had booked “blind”) but almost everywhere is overrun with noise until the early hours. On the plus side the local mini-buses (“Dolmas”) are frequent, safe, cheap and reliable and they can take you to nearby towns which are a little better.

It’s a lovely town if you like football every night with your dinner, noise, and don’t want to sleep until about 4am. If you'd prefer something a little more “Turkish” I would try elsewhere.

[NoMercy]

It's a sh*thole.

If you like loud bars with scantily-clad women in their late 40s cavorting licentiously on tabletops, Marmaris is the place for you.

[Bigfellah]

I have never been there but I understand it is very rowdy and as New Judge says over populated with footie fans!

Why not go to Fethiye or Calis Beach. Althouhgh these two resorts are more commercialised than they were 10 years ago, I do not believe the footie element has reached there yet.

[annie0000]

I went there about 16 years ago and loved it - lovely Marina - beautiful fish restaurants etc. We took the family to Turkey last year and almost went back to Marmaris as we had such fond memories of our holiday there - glad we didn't judging by what I hear now.

[Euphemia]

I think it depends which part of Marmaris you are staying in. I spent a week there last month and had a very pleasant time. Our hotel, which was excellent, was at the Icmeler end of the town, well away from the clubs, football bars, etc. Eating out was reasonable and paying in pounds sterling (which often benefits from a discount) is widely acceptable. The object of our holiday was to relax by the water in the sun in scenic surroundings and this was achieved. The temperatures in June were in the low 30s.