Weather lowdown
April sees temperatures begin to warm up as spring arrives in Marmaris. Daytime temperatures now reach a pleasant high of 21°C but can still fall to around 10°C in the evening, already three degrees Celsius more than the previous month of March. In April the average daily temperature is 16°C, while the sea temperature is still one degree higher, at an average of 17°C.
There is also much more sunshine this month, with the average being 11 hours a day, and the likelihood of experiencing rain is much less than in December, January and February. However, there is still a chance that you will encounter rain when visiting in April. And that chance is much higher than when visiting in, say, July or August. The summer months tend to be dry and scorching hot, which, luckily, is compensated by rain showers in winter. April falls in between those two extremes. It still has an average of 11 days of rain also meaning 19 days without rain and a total amount of rainfall of 61mm. Rainfall, however, comes in the form of heavy showers. So, while you might experience rain during your visit, it is good to know that it is always short-natured and that you can expect to see the sun again after one of those short heavy cloudbursts. The amount of rain is much less than in winter though, and that will only improve as the weather gets warmer.
April sees a significant rise of temperatures throughout the month. Daily highs rise from 18°C to 21°C and sometimes even 22°C and the daily lows rise from 8°C to 12°C. The coldest day of the month is April 1 and the warmest is April 30, with a rise in daily average temperatures of approximately 4°C. This increase of temperature in the course of the month is a strong indicator that summer is finally on its way again. The amount of daylight increases as well. The shortest day of the month is April 1 with 12.37 hours of daylight and the longest is April 30 with 13.40 hours. Throughout April, the skies above Marmaris start clearing out and the daily chance of a rain shower decreases from 35% on the first day of the month to 28% on the last.
The weather is still slightly unpredictable this time of year, though, and it is a good idea to pack for all eventualities. On a sunny, warm day you would be fine in light clothing such as T-shirts, but you should definitely pack warmer clothing such as trousers and light jackets for the evenings as well. Also, be sure to pack a light jacket or waterproof mac for your visit. It's better to be prepared than to be cold or wet.
While April still is relatively cool, it is the first month that without question allows you to swim and sunbathe. High temperatures of 21°C in the afternoon, combined with sunshine, may be enough for some people to jump in the sea. However, temperatures are still much lower than in summer and this keeps the number of visitors low. Marmaris is still fairly quiet in April, although it does receive people on their spring vacation. There is plenty to see and do in the area this time of year. Because of the rising temperatures and the decrease in rainfall, it is a great destination to visit in April.
Where to stay
The Sun Maris Bellamare Beach Hotel lies near Mustafa Munir Elgin Boulevard at about three kilometers from the city center. It is located close to the Mediterranean Sea shore and has a sauna, Turkish bath, outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre.
Those looking to splash out should check out the swanky hotels around the harbour. Kervansaray Hotel & Apartments is an excellent accommodation choice. This complex has 222 rooms and a meeting room, bar, restaurant, two swimming pools, a tennis court, sauna and a gym. Kervansaray is also famous for its Turkish Nights, a great way to experience traditional Turkish culture. Those fun-filled evenings include traditional food, drinks, fire shows, belly dancers and live music.
Located in the quieter neighborhood of Armutalan, Club Viva Hotel lies one kilometer from the city centre and from the beach. Amenities are plenty with shuttle buses to the beach, a restaurant, pool bar, outdoor pool, Turkish bath, library, fitness centre, sauna, hairdresser, game room, TV room and table tennis.
Where to eat and drink
The Marina, beachfront area and Bar Street all have several bars, pubs and nightclubs, as well as restaurants and cozy cafés. The resort's popularity as a holiday destination is shown in the huge amount of entertainment and food on offer. Because it is still low season, you probably won't have to make any reservations yet.
Mad Atilla Mustis opened in 1995 and has since become one of the resort's main entertainment and nightlife hubs. The restaurant serves international cuisine and evening entertainment includes folk dancing, karaoke, bingo nights and belly dancing performances. It is located in the centre of the resort.
Jan de Wit Restaurant is located at the waterfront in Marmaris Harbour and serves Mediterranean and French dishes, fish and seafood, and Turkish kebabs.
For great desserts and coffee you should absolutely check out So Sweet. Located at Marmaris Harbour, this is a hip place to go to after dinner or before going out to Bar Street. They also sell alcoholic beverages, sandwiches and have several large TVs. Later at night, you may find yourself dancing the night away in one of many bars and nightclubs that line the beachfront. These places offer live music of all kinds and DJ sets. It may be the case that not all places are open for the season yet, but a large number will definitely be. Several of them are open year round.
A hugely popular nightclub on Bar Street is Club Areena. With a capacity of 4,000, it is the largest open-air nightclub and disco in the resort. It has laser shows, foam parties and continuous DJ sets. The club is open every day of the year from 9.30pm to 4am.
Things to do
Jeep safaris are among the most popular activities in and around the resort. There is nothing like a jeep safari to get to know the countryside. Adventurous people will have a blast on these fun-filled tours through the surrounding mountains and countryside. The professional drivers will take you to the gorgeous Bozburun Peninsula and through the heart of Marmaris National Park in all-terrain vehicles or military-style jeeps. Jeeps can usually take between four and eight people, so they are ideal for families or groups of friends. A jeep safari normally consists of a convoy of jeeps. The route runs through varied landscapes, from pine forest and rivers to beaches and inlets. You will get picked up at your hotel in the morning, usually around 9.30am, and arrival back at your hotel is usually around 5pm, after a day packed with spectacular views, swimming in the sea, traditional food and meeting locals. Popular destinations on jeep safaris are the Gokova Gulf, Akbuk, Bozburun, Turunc and Akyaka. It is advised to double-check that you have brought your camera along!
The thermal springs of Pamukkale is another recommended trip to take in April. This natural wonder, known as 'cottoncastle' among locals, is one of Turkey top attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name cottoncastle comes from the mountain's resemblance to a huge heap of cotton when looked at from a distance. It is literally a mountain of white minerals baths, formed in the course of thousands of years. There are waterfalls, stalactites, thermal pools and basins. The warm underground water supported the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was built on top of the 'white castle'. The site has been a spa since Roman times and still is a major thermal centre in the country. Both locals and tourists visit Pamukkale to admire its exceptional look and learn about history, but also for wellness purposes. The combination of the extraordinary series of white waterfalls and the nearby ruins of Hierapolis makes the place all the more fascinating and worth visiting.
There is also an excellent museum, the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum, housed in an ancient Roman bathhouse and gymnasium. It is located at the top of Pamukkale and its collections consist mostly of sculptures, various artefacts and sarcophagi, discovered in the ruins of the region's several ancient cities. The museum is made up of several sections, such as the Small Artefacts Gallery, Theatre Ruins Gallery and Statues and Sarcophagi Gallery. If you are interested in history or archaeology, this is a strongly recommended place to visit.
Pamukkale can be visited from Marmaris on day trips organised by tour companies. Tours leave early in the morning, between 6.30am and 7am, and arrive back in Marmaris in the evening. It is an excellent day trip and the thermal pools feel heavenly all year round. The price includes transportation, breakfast, insurance, entrances fees to both Pamukkale and Hierapolis and lunch. Three essentials to bring with you on this excursion are a swimsuit, a towel and a camera.
