Dalaman area holidays

Marmaris’ urban beach is located right in the heart of the city, so it’s very easy to get to if you’re staying in the local area. It offers quite dramatic-looking dark sands, backed by the surrounding mountains. Swimming and diving are popular activities here, and with the bustling promenade right behind, you’ll have all the refreshments you need throughout the day. There’s often some street entertainment, too.

Icmeler Beach is another great option in the Dalaman area of Turkey. Its sands are a little lighter than those at Marmaris, and the calm waters are perfect for kids to have a splash about. Icmeler Beach is a 15-minute drive from Marmaris, or you can get there in 90 minutes on foot. While this may seem like quite the trek, it’s actually a beautiful walk along the Marmaris promenade and through Ataturk Park.

Probably the most famous beach in the Dalaman area can be found just 12 kilometres from Olu Deniz. The Blue Lagoon is named for its sparkling azure waters, and its sandy beach is the best place to view the changing hues. The main beach at Olu Deniz is also worth a visit. While pebbly, the limestone cliffs make for a picturesque backdrop, and you may spot some paragliders making their way down from Babadag.

The Marmaris Grand Bazaar is a covered shopping centre with rows and rows of small stalls offering handicrafts, textiles, and Turkish sweets, like Turkish Delight and halva. You can pick up some great bargains here, especially if you’re looking for budget-friendly fashion. It’s considered completely normal to haggle here, so it’s a great place to put your bargaining skills into practice.

Fethiye is home to many mid-range souvenir shops where you can buy local Turkish products to take back home. Ceramics are popular buys, along with handmade soaps and lotions made with olive oil. While you’re in Fethiye, stop by the Erasta mall. This two-storey shopping centre has brands like Deichmann and US Polo. Hisaronu is also good for shoppers, and you’ll find lots of clothing here.

The area around the Marmaris marina is best for designer shopping, especially if you’re looking for the real thing. There are lots of international brands and Turkish outlets here, like De Facto. Along Ataturk Road, towards the Atlantis waterpark, there's another good designer shopping location in Marmaris. Turkish clothing brand Koton has a store here, and the Blue Port shopping centre has lots of stores inside.

If your idea of a great night out is cosy cocktails with sweeping views of the Dalaman coast, then book a trip to Hisaronu. This small hillside town is remarkably lively. Many bars place fire buckets in their outdoor seating sections so you can enjoy the mountain views even on chilly evenings. Nearby Olu Deniz offers a quieter nightlife scene, with tiny beach bars serving up pub basics including local beers and wine. Fethiye is also a down-to-earth place, with a relaxed atmosphere around the harbour and promenade.

For nightclubs, karaoke, and all-night parties, it’s got to be Marmaris. The hub of activity is Bar Street, which runs parallel to the marina. Foam cannons, laser shows, and live music await, with many clubs staying open until 5.00am. For something a little different, try popping into one of the meyhanes. These traditional Turkish joints specialise in local beverages such as raki, salgam, ayran, and sahlep. Nearby Icmeler is another lively night-time spot. While things tend to wind down a little earlier than in Marmaris, there are still plenty of clubs and bars with live music to see you through until morning.

Thanks to the Dalaman area’s location on the coast, many locals here follow a typical Mediterranean diet with plenty of fresh seafood and locally produced olive oil. Some of the freshest fish can be found at the Fethiye fish market, where you can select yours and have it cooked by the market’s own chefs.

The traditional food culture in Turkey is all about taking it slow, and really making mealtimes into an event. If you sit down for some classic Turkish meze, expect an almost never-ending selection of hot and cold appetisers to be brought to your table, designed to be nibbled over hours of drinks and chatter.

Fortunately, there are some speedier options if you need to grab a quick bite in between sightseeing. In Marmaris especially, you’ll find there’s a big street food culture, with various roadside carts selling all sorts of handheld foods like simit bread, meat kebabs, and gozleme pancakes with sweet and savoury fillings.

While Turkey does make its own wines and beers, some of the best-loved beverages here are tea and coffee. Turkish coffee is renowned for being very strong, while the teas are often served black. Serving tea is almost a ritual here, typically poured into a dedicated curved tea glass with a small saucer.

Turkey is the world’s largest producer of pine honey, so kids with a sweet tooth will love the range of traditional desserts that are on offer here. Baklava is very popular, with layer upon layer of nuts, honey, and filo pastry. And don’t miss out on lokma, which is a type of doughnut smothered in sticky honey.