Weather lowdown
Just like January, the winter month of February remains fairly cool in Marmaris. However, it still is much milder than most parts of Northern Europe around this time of year. February tends to be a cool month with average daily temperatures of 10°C. During the day the temperature rises to a comfortable 15°C, but in the evening they drop to 5°C on average.
An average daily temperature of 10°C is as cold as it gets during the year. This obviously isn't too bad; it even allows you to wear a light sweater or T-shirt in the afternoon. The average February day has around 7 hours of sunshine. While this isn't even close to the 14 hours of daily sunshine in July, it is not too bad and still makes for nice temperatures to enjoy the outdoors and go on beachfront walks. The sea water temperature averages 16°C, which is slightly warmer than the air temperature in February. February is the second coldest month in the resort, after January. January 17 is historically the coldest day of the year.
Mild winter temperatures don't mean that it doesn't rain though. When visiting in February, you will most likely experience a few rain showers. These cloudbursts can be heavy and winter storms can occur as well, occasionally flooding some low-lying areas. You can expect an average of 12 days of rainfall in February and the amount of rainfall is 170mm. Only the months of November, December and January see more rain. This average of 12 wet days also means that there is an average of 16 days of dry weather though.
Temperatures rise gradually in February. While the daily high temperature on February 1 is 15°C, on February 28 it already is 1°C higher, at 16°C. When looking at daily average temperatures, the coldest day is February 1 and the warmest day is the last day of the month. The amount of daylight also increases greatly, with a difference of a full hour between the first and last day of the month, from 10.21 hours of daylight to 11.21 hours. In addition, cloud cover and rainfall decrease throughout the month, resulting in more pleasant weather during the last days of February, compared to the beginning of the month.
Precipitation only occurs in the form of rain and mist, and only as short and heavy showers. In Marmaris you won't experience spells of rain that last for days.
February is not the best time of year to do soak up some sunshine. In the middle of winter, the resort looks completely different than it does in, say, August, when it is overrun by holiday-makers. However, Marmaris is still a great winter destination, because of the mild temperature and the opportunities to take part in outdoor activities. There may even be times when you can go swimming and sunbathing. These times, however, are scarce and it is absolutely recommended to also bring rain clothing as a rain shower of storm could happen at any given time in February.
Where to stay
Accommodation is cheaper at this time of year, so if you do your research in advance you can probably bag a good deal. The extensive hospitality options range from self-catering apartments, such as Pandora Apart and Marsoleil Apartments, to five star all-inclusive resorts such as the Elegance Hotel. This five-star hotel is located by the sea in the heart of the resort. There are a lot of amenities, such as pools, restaurants, a bar, a spa and wellness centre, a sauna and a fitness centre.
The Hotel Grand Azur is another luxurious hotel, located a few steps from the beach and close to restaurants, bars and shops. The hotel's three restaurants serve Italian, Turkish, as well as international dishes. Small snacks can be enjoyed in the café, while the bar has a large variety of cocktails and other beverages. Other amenities include an indoor swimming pool (it is February after all), tennis court, fitness center, nightclub and spa.
At Supreme Hotel Marmaris vacationers don't have to worry about a thing. The Marmaris city centre lies nearby and you are within walking distance of the Museum, the Castle and Marina. Because you won't be able to do much outdoor swimming in February, you may want to enjoy the on-site sauna or Turkish baths.
One of the hotels in the resort that offers real value for money is Pasabey Hotel. It is located in the heart of the city, near Marmaris Castle and Museum. You can enjoy a fine meal in the hotel's restaurant or sip a cocktail at the pool bar. The indoor swimming pool offers the opportunity to swim when it's too cold outside.
Where to eat and drink
There is a plethora of places to eat, drink and be merry. A wide variety of restaurants serve all kinds of foods; from exotic and traditional foods to fast food and classics such as pasta and salads, everything is on offer and not hard to find at all.
For traditional Turkish food you could go to Alin's Café and Restaurant. This place is actually part of chain. They open early in the morning and have an extensive menu. It's strongly recommended to try one of their famous and delicious pastries.
Amigos Paradise is a restaurant located near the Marmaris Marina and Castle. Specialties are both Turkish and English dishes, served in a cozy atmosphere. This restaurant is a great choice if you're with children. There is free Wi-Fi and a PlayStation 3.
The Pineapple Restaurant is also situated in the Marina and is one of the most popular places in the resort. It has a great reputation and is regularly visited by the marina's yacht owners, expats, locals and tourists. The restaurant is renowned for its service and you can also just go for drinks with a view.
Later at night, you may want to check out Marmaris' famous nightlife. Numerous bars and nightclubs cater to all people; music styles range from traditionally Turkish and pop to jazz and rock, and everything in between. The resort is known for its live shows and music. The foam parties on Bar Street are legendary and the nightclubs along the beachfront are open until sunrise.
A few examples of popular party hot-spots are Crazy Daisy, B52 and Ad Astra Bar.
Things to do
Visiting the ancient ruins of Ephesus is a highlights on any trip to Turkey. This day trip from the resort will take up a full day, but is absolutely worth your time. The ancient city of Ephesus was one of the major Greek cities in Asia Minor. An absolute highlight is the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Roman ruins are some of the very best in the whole of Turkey. Additionally, Ephesus also played a role in early Christianity and is associated with biblical figures such as the Virgin Mary, St. Paul and St. John the Evangelist. Besides the Temple of Artemis, other major features are the Celsius Library, the Basilica of St. John, the House of Virgin Mary and the marvelous amphitheater that at one point could house up to 25,000 spectators. Ephesus is located near the town of Selcuk. You can visit these spectacular ruins on a day tour with Exursion Marmaris.
A popular activity within the resort is shopping. Fans of bling can visit the Vogue Jewellery and Diamond Centre and browse the huge array of precious stones on offer. Some of the best products to buy in Turkey are gold and leather. Don't forget to bargain though; you are expected to and by doing it you can always get something for a cheaper price.
And speaking of bargains, the Grand Bazaar or Carsi Market is a huge market where you can browse and haggle on a wide range of goods. This bustling traditional Turkish bazaar is located near the central square in the city centre. The Grand Bazaar is visited by thousands of people each day. Vendors sell everything from jewellery and clothes to carpets and Turkish food and spices. Make sure to go take a look, but be aware that there may be a lot of people there. If this is too overwhelming, you may want to go take a look at the Thursday market in Marmaris or Wednesday market in nearby Icmeler, which are much quieter and slow-paced. Another market worth visiting is the Tuesday market in Armutalan.
Besides the hustle and bustle of the markets Marmaris also has a vast number of shops and boutiques open every day of the week and selling a wide variety of items. While February isn't the best time to go swimming or tanning yet, the shopping experience still remains the same, although with smaller crowds. It is great fun to spend a day strolling past the windows in the city centre and exploring the winding alleyways and narrow streets of the Historic City.
The beachfront and Old Harbor area have an enormous selection of restaurants, bars and eateries of all kinds. So, although there might not be any warm swimming or sunbathing in February, there are still a lot of things you can do to keep you busy and entertained.
