Marmaris or Icmeler?
Many people look towards visiting a Turkish holiday resort for their upcoming summer jaunts, but they often feel a little overwhelmed by which one to choose. This is totally understandable, as there are many, and they are all subtly different in their own right!
A lot of prospective visitors make the mistake of assuming that every resort is the same, but when they visit a few, they begin to see the differences. This means that finding the right resort for your needs is vital.
Two resorts which are very highly visited at Marmaris and Icmeler. Now, the problem here is that they are neighbours, they are literally a 10 minutes’ bus ride away from each other, and they run into one another. For this reason, many people, including many tour operators, tend to think that they are one and the same resort. Wrong! Marmaris and Icmeler are very different, and it’s important to get the choice right, if you want the best holiday for you.
Let’s talk about their whereabouts a little before we get into the nitty gritty.
Marmaris and Icmeler are two resorts which are located in the Dalaman region of Marmaris. They are officially within the Mugla Province, but as they are both served by Dalaman Airport, you will hear this town’s name more often. The airport is around 1.5 hours away from the resorts, and the transfer is very scenic during the day time. Don’t worry, buses are air conditioned, so you’re not going to melt in the summer heat during your drive.
That is really all that the two resorts have in common, because they both have subtly different vibes.
Marmaris
Marmaris is the biggest of the two resorts, and it is spans across a large crescent shape, bordered by a thinner stretch of beach, which is always packed during the high season. The picturesque marina sits to the far end of the resort, and here you will see many large cruise liners docking for the day, as well as being able to venture off to Rhodes for the day from the port. As you venture away from the marina, there is a large town centre, with big named stores for shopping, many bars, cafes, and restaurants too. There is also a large fountain in the centre, which has a nightly light and music show during the summer season.
As you head down the beach front, you will find a truly eclectic mix of places to spend your time. There are neon lit bars, which are ideal for dancing until dawn, and there are also more upmarket bars and restaurants too. You’ll find endless kebab shops and fast food joints if you want to grab some food on the go too, including McDonalds! There is the Bar Street section found in Marmaris also, which is where the clubbers go.
There is a huge range of accommodation options in Marmaris, including some massive all inclusive, five star resorts. As you head along the mountain road between the two resorts you’ll find the most exclusive hotels too, which offer a cut off feel from the noise of the biggest resort.
Icmeler
If you are travelling as a family, or you’re a little older and prefer a more sedate feel to your break, Icmeler is the better choice between the two. The beach here is endlessly better, with a much wider stretch of sand and clearer sea. The mountains seem to soar down towards the water, and it’s a very beautiful resort, albeit quite a lot smaller.
There are many entertainment options in Icmeler, but they are much more family orientated, and there is only one large club, which is situated away from the beach front, to keep the noise to a minimum. You could say that the main difference between the two is the noise!
There are many hotel options, but obviously due to its smaller size, not as many as in Marmaris. If you want to do shopping, you’ll have to venture over to the other resort, but there are buses that run there and back every 10 minutes or so, and it will only cost you 3 lira one way – bargain!
As you can see, you could easily end up in the wrong place if you don’t do your research! To narrow it down, if you want noise, nightlife, and a busier feel to your break, choose Marmaris. If you want a more quiet, sedate, and family-feel to your holiday, choose Icmeler. If you’re not sure, take a gamble!
