Family travel expert Hannah Britt has declared Marmaris, Turkey, a must-visit destination for families, describing it as an "untapped gem" that blends history and nature. The bustling coastal resort on the Turkish Riviera, framed by pine-clad mountains and a turquoise ocean, offers a lively party scene, child-friendly beaches, a historic old town, and scenic natural bays. Britt, who travelled with her two children, reported that Marmaris "did not disappoint."
Ancient Ruins and a Historic Castle
Amos Ancient City, perched on a scenic headland roughly 24km south of Marmaris, is an ancient Carian settlement dating back to around the 4th century BC. The ruins sit atop the pine-and olive-clad hill of Asarcık, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Its standout feature is a well-preserved ancient theatre capable of seating roughly 1,300 spectators, where visitor seating, orchestra floor outlines, and structural bases remain visible today. Visitors can also explore fortified polygonal city walls with defensive towers, the traces of a Temple of Apollo, and ancient grave structures (necropolis). Free to access and far less crowded than major tourist hotspots, Amos is accessible via a short uphill hike from Amos Bay.
Marmaris Castle, a historic hilltop fortress overlooking the harbour, was largely rebuilt in 1522 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent as a military base for his campaign to conquer nearby Rhodes. A French warship damaged part of the castle during World War I, and local residents lived inside the fortress walls until 1979. Following major restorations, it officially opened to the public as a museum in 1991. Archaeological galleries feature Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine artefacts, including amphorae retrieved from local shipwrecks, tombstones, and the Apollo Altar frieze from Knidos. Ethnographic rooms display traditional regional items, local crafts, and everyday objects from the Ottoman period.
Honey House and Riverside Dining
The Marmaris Honey House (known locally as Marmaris Bal Evi) is an interactive apiculture museum and visitor centre located in the mountain village of Osmaniye. Built in an eye-catching, honeycomb-shaped structure, it educates visitors on Turkish beekeeping and promotes Marmaris pine honey. The surrounding Muğla region supplies roughly 92% of the world's pine honey, with Marmaris accounting for 30% of that total. Indoor and outdoor galleries showcase the complete journey of pine honey production, including traditional Anatolian hives, a glass-walled observation hive, and modern centrifuge and transport tools.
Orfoz Restaurant, a popular riverside dining spot on the edge of the crystal-clear Azmak River in Akyaka, Muğla, is known primarily as a fish restaurant. Guests can choose their own fresh fish to be grilled to order, and the menu also offers traditional Turkish cold and warm mezzes, unique salads, and small plates. Dede Restaurant, one of the oldest family-run dining spots in Marmaris, opened in 1973 on the historic marina. Currently run by the fourth generation of the founding family, it specialises in fresh daily seafood, signature Aegean mezzes, Mediterranean dishes, and classic Turkish options.
Gulet Cruise and Family-Friendly Hotel
The highlight of the stay was a day spent on Diva Deniz, a 29m luxury ketch-style traditional Turkish gulet available for private cruise charters, run by Gulet Point. The boat offered places to lounge in the sun and shade, and a freshly cooked lunch was served, with garlic prawns, pan fried fish and mezze. A paddleboard provided on the boat allowed the children to sit and bob on the water.
The Grand Yazici Club Turban Hotel is a four star all-inclusive resort nestled where pine forests meet the Aegean Sea. It sits directly on a sand-and-shingle beachfront with its own private pier, and has over 500 rooms. Facilities include multiple outdoor swimming pools, an indoor thermal pool, a mini water park with slides, two spas featuring separate Turkish hammams and saunas, tennis courts, volleyball, a fitness gym, and evening shows in the amphitheatre. There is a dedicated kids' club, children's pool, playground, trampolines, and a mini football pitch. Room prices start from around £63 per night for standard bookings in low season, while complete all-inclusive holiday packages start from approximately £369 per person.
