Marmaris: the crossroad of the aegean and mediterranean seas
Part of the mediterranean sea between neighbours turkey and greece is the aegean sea. This is how the two neighbours refer to the part the mediterranean between them. The aegean sea is connected to the black sea by çanakkale and İstanbul straits.

Turkey is a large peninsula, with coasts lining both the aegean and the mediterranean seas.

A frequently asked question; “where is the beginning and end of the mediterranean and aegean seas?” The answer: marmaris

Marmaris splits the mediterranean and the aegean sea by a narrow and long peninsula. The marmaris peninsula has always been an important part of the mediterranean civilization with its geographical positioning as well as its beautiful nature and rich history.

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.

Trade ships had to cross the aegean sea in order to go east or west. The shortest and safest way to do this was either to reach the aegean shores of anatolia or to cast anchor from these shores and sail away. Aegean shores were full with countless bays, in other words natural ports. A safe haven from strong winds and storms.

The communities living around the mediterranean began trading from the earliest times. Sea trading developed in the mediterranean as well as seamanship skills and later spread to other parts of the world.

The mediterranean, although not a generous food source, on the other hand was a very convenient transportation highway. The geographical structure of the coasts facilitated the work of ships and boats of the time. At first, the ports and then the cities around the ports were established and developed quickly on the shores of the aegean and the mediterranean. The foundations of today’s civilizations were formed at this time, thus the aegean – mediterranean civilization was born.

What has changed from history to today…
The marmaris peninsula, lying between the aegean and mediterranean, held numerous ports and towns. Today’s large ships need not take shelter in a port against winds. However, the mediterranean is still very generous to people living on its coasts.

The blue seas and the green bays still contain numerous ports that cater to tourism today.

The most beautiful bay of the turkish coast or more bravely, of the whole mediterranean, gökova, covers the west of marmaris. This is the aegean

The east side of the peninsula facing the mediterranean forms a fork, with datça on one side and bozburun on the other. This is the mediterranean

İt is 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, but many civilizations piled on top of each other”.

Marmaris is a place harbouring 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 ships. Airport traffic is heavy. Tens of thousands of people from numerous countries and different cultures come for vacation.

The city where the sea is at your front door.
Marmaris is a large tourism resort with a ion of accommodation starting from small, quaint pensions to big holiday villages and 5 star hotels; restaurants offering foods such as chinese, french, hindu, italian to traditional turkish cuisine. Combining the blended delicacies of sea food with natural herbs grown in the fast changing climate from the mediterranean shores to the mountains. İt is a resort where swimming is possible in the secluded bays as well as in front of the hotels in the city centre owing to the waste treatment systems and environmental organizations. The sea is clear even in front of your door. The city has long beaches with fine sand, small bays, small islands, strange looking rocks shaped by the sea and wind. 300 days of the year, the sun shines and the sea is a clear blue.

Meeting of cultures

•                     there are settlements spreading along the peninsula.

•                     the town center is changing and modernizing due to the power of tourism.

•                     the decreasing population is moving out further from the center.

•                     traditional villages still live alongside nature in the inner parts of the peninsula.

•                     multi-coloured, multi-cultured and living together in peace.

All visitors passing through on daily tours are embraced by the locals. You have the choice between central places where the sea, sand and the sun are complemented with nightly entertainment continuing until morning, or silent bays on a small boat swimming silently under moon light. Whatever your heart desires.

Many tribes throughout history have each left traces of their civilization. The region has witnessed many wars and times of peace.

They lived in prosperity in these seaport cities. Prosperity attracted the attentions of invaders and pirates. Armies came by sea and land. Now planes are arriving full of holiday-makers. They come once then twice for vacation, later on for settling. Now there are new marmarisans from many nations. English marmarisan, italian marmarisan and others…

There are also those coming for a vacation and falling in love. Those who fall in love in marmaris and become a marmarisan after getting married.

Crossroads of civilizations
At the center of the karia civilization: karia, rhodes, ion, lycia.

Most important centers of lydia: knidos (datça), ephesus (selçuk), miletos, didyma (didim), heraklia (bafa lake), halikarnasos (bodrum), pamukkale-hierapolis (denizli), aphrodisias, dalyan-kaunos, demre-myra (at a distance of a few hours.) Arrive in a few hours by daily or overnight tours. Go on a trip to see the civilizations stemming back from a two to three thousand year history and return back to marmaris all in the same day.

Aristotle the philosopher said “real democracy is in knidos.” History’s first naked goddess statue aphrodite was in knidos. A trip to datça by land or from the sea, of datça, history’s father heredot said “god sends his favorites to knidos so that they can have a long life.”

After breakfast in marmaris, you can have lunch on rhodes island and return back to marmaris that night. Seeing two countries in one day you might be surprised that there are many things in common including the names of meals.

Center of the blue cruise
Coves where the green meets the blue are the central point of the blue cruises made to these coves. Anchoring and spending the night in the world’s most beautiful coves with the daily, weekly and longer boat tours available from marmaris harbour. Falling asleep under the warm night sky with a million stars shining down in a boat anchored at a cove surrounded by the mediterranean’s pine decorated shores and then waking up next to an island.  The only sounds disturbing the silence are the waves of the sea hitting the boat, or if you are close to the shore, the sound of birds.

Casting a fishing line to catch a fish to decorate the dinner table.

Diving into the most beautiful blue and rich underwater life.

Exploration along the peninsula with jeep safari, hiking and bicycle-motorcycle tours

Explore the peninsula’s rich flora, fauna and natural culture with a jeep safari, hiking or bicycle-motorcycle tours. A squirrel will dart in front of you; a fox will come eye to eye with a bird behind the trees. A multi coloured bird will fly away.

Resting as you sip your tea at a break in a coffee shop under a big plane tree in a small village, chatting away with friendly and hospitable villagers.

Village bread can be tasted on a lunch break, accompanied of course by a glass of cold ayran (yoghurt drink).

So many things to take pictures of…

Trekking in the national park, walking among storax (günlük)trees, pine trees, plane trees and laurels.

All types of cultural activities and entertainment, all colours of cuisine
Visitors from all nationalities coming together in the town center and in nearby villages, can listen to all kinds of music and entertainment with the locals attending too.

Traditional turkish music, rock or pop. Argentinean tangos mixed with turkish folklore. Festivals one after the other in june and july. Music and ballet days.

The dishes are rich and healthy. Fish were caught just that day. The fish, calamari and shrimps are fresh daily. Tomatoes, lettuce, parsley freshly picked.

Turkish cuisine is very rich. İt is a must to have turkish coffee after sea food, meat dishes and deserts. The famous honey of marmaris can be tasted and purchased.

Far eastern, italian and french cuisine is also offered as well as turkish. Most restaurants offer a variety of cuisines.

A new option for congress, health and sport tourism
A new option in congress and conference tourism with new and big hotels now available. The year’s ideal meeting places with capacities of 300-500 people, rich choices for social programs and attractive pre and post tours.

İnternational sports activity organization opportunities abound with the launching of the semi olympic indoor swimming pool. Camp, training and preparation possibilities for football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling etc. Teams from all around the world in the mild marmaris climate with lots of oxygen. Everything tennis, hiking, nature and sports addicts could possibly look for even including sailing and boat race organizations……