Weather lowdown
Marmaris is slightly warmer in March than it was in the preceding winter months, but still remains fairly mild. Daytime temperatures now reach a high of 18°C and fall to around 7°C at night, a small rise compared to the daily high of 15°C and daily low of 5°C in February.
The average daily temperature now lies around 13°C. However, the sea water temperature hasn't risen yet and remains around 16°C, which is as cold as the Mediterranean Sea ever gets in the resort. With some afternoon sunshine and highs around 18°C, the circumstances may already be warm enough for some people take a dip in the sea. And just like in January and February, the relatively mild winter weather still allows you to wear a T-shirt or a light sweater.
A big influence in the slight rise of temperature is the increase in daily sunshine hours. While the three previous months all had an average of seven hours of sunshine per day, March has nine sunny hours each day. Still, although there is a fairly high amount of sunshine in Marmaris in March, you should be aware of the fact that you will most likely encounter rain as well. Winter tends to be cool and quite rainy. The average number of rainy days in March is 13, one day less than January, but surprisingly one day more than February, although that may have to do with the short length of that particular month. The monthly total of rainfall in March is 121mm, which is a significant decrease compared with the previous winter months. December, for example, the wettest month of the year, receives 290mm of precipitation. Precipitation always occurs in the form of rain or mist. In March you will almost without question experience a cloudburst or rain storm. These winter rains are a good thing, though, as they compensate for the drought and hotness of summer. Those heavy rainfalls may occasionally flood some low-lying areas, so it is suggested that you regularly check the weather updates. On the plus side, the spells of rain are always short and after rain always comes sunshine.
March starts off with a daily high temperature of 16°C and a daily low of 7°C. Thirty days later those temperatures have risen to 18°C and 9°C respectively, a significant increase. The average daily temperature is lowest on March 1 and highest on March 31. In the course of the month daylight increases greatly as well; March 1 has 11.24 hours of daylight, while March 31 has 11.34 hours of daylight. This means that throughout the month each day is 2.3 minutes longer than the previous one. The third month of the year also sees a big change in cloud cover, which decreases from 70% on March 3, historically the cloudiest day of the month, to 62% on March 31. Fewer clouds, of course, also mean less rain.
March is still too early to spend all your time sunbathing or swimming. The positive thing, though, is that Marmaris is still a quiet city in March and it is way more pleasant to explore the area now than in, say, July, when the crowds of holiday-makers can be overwhelming. The area is a great destination in the low season. There are plenty of outdoor activities you can do. And, if you are lucky, the weather in March may even allow you to take a first dip in the Mediterranean or Aegean Sea. There are, however, few swimming and sunbathing opportunities and bringing rainproof gear is definitely a smart decision.
Where to stay
Because of the lack of the huge summer crowds, you will have lots of choices and will most likely be able to find excellent accommodation for a pretty cheap price. Families may opt to stay in the neighboring suburb of Armutalan, which is much quieter than the busy city centre. Additionally, that neighborhood has its own market on Tuesdays.
A great option for families is the Blue Palace Hotel & Family Rooms. This quiet family-friendly hotel lies in a residential area. Besides hotel accommodation the complex also has apartments. It is ideal for a noiseless vacation, because there are no bars and restaurants around. However, the hotel and apartments are still centrally located and within walking distance of the city centre.
For five-star luxury you should head to the array of hotels situated around the harbour and Netsel Marina. The neighborhood of Icmeler also has a wide range of accommodation on offer. Young couples and groups of friends should definitely take a look at Fantasia Hotel Marmaris. This is a hotel with many amenities, such as Turkish baths, a sauna, gym, spa, swimming pool, bar and restaurant. The Antik Tiyatro (Ancient Amphitheater) is a short walk away and Europe's largest open-air nightclub lies nearby as well.
Where to eat and drink
The resort is home to countless shops, markets, bazaars and boutiques. Traditional and fresh food can be purchased straight from the vendors at the Grand Bazaar. This large daily market lies near the central square and is visited by many people each day. Other weekly markets where you can buy fresh produce and street food are the Tuesday market in Armutalan, the Wednesday market in Icmeler and the Thursday market in Marmaris.
Additionally, the resort also has an enormous selection of restaurants, eateries, cafés and bars. The appropriately named Bar Street is a hot-spot for nightlife, which is vibrant, to say the least. This street lies behind Marmaris Marina and is (in)famous for the foam parties that take place in its bars. Other venues offer everything from cozy and traditional Turkish music shows to DJs playing until sunrise. Marmaris does not only cater to young partying adults though; there is also a lot of evening family entertainment on offer.
A wonderful seafood restaurant in the harbour is Dede Restaurant. This place started off in 1973 as a café by a guy named Ali Denizelli. He lived to be 104 years old, a long life that was said to be the result of his healthy lifestyle at sea and his diet of fresh seafood. The restaurant now offers superb seafood with great views of the harbor.
For authentic Indian food you should pay a visit to the Taj Mahal Restaurant, located near the waterfront.
Other eateries and restaurants in the resort offer international, as well as traditional Turkish cuisine and fine dining, but there are also fast food joints, pizzerias and many kebab places, such as Kircicegi Restaurant. This restaurant is part of a chain and serves great kebab dishes and soups.
Things to do
Marmaris Castle is an absolute highlight in the resort and definitely a suggested place to visit. It is located on the hills behind the Marina and on the foundations of a 5,000-year-old fortification. The Ionians began constructing the castle in 1044 BC. Alexander the Great later renovated and expanded the fortress. Many centuries later, in the 16th century, Marmaris Castle was rebuilt and used as a military base by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent who was on campaign for Rhodes. The site consists of eighteen houses, a fountain and an arc.
Restored in the 1980s, it became a wonderful archaeological museum in 1991. It is one of only a few museums within a castle in Turkey. Marmaris Museum includes seven indoor areas, two of which are set up as archaeology exhibitions displaying artefacts such as coins, glassware, pottery and ornaments dating from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Eras. Another area serves as an ethnography room and there you can see furniture, weapons, carpets, clothing and cutlery that date from the Ottoman Era. The other areas are art galleries or used for storage. Exploring the castle and museum is an excellent thing to do during one of those heavy rain showers in March. On clear days, the castle offers superb panoramic views of the resort. You can go up there and enjoy the views during the day or at night.
A fun thing to do in the evening is experience a real Turkish Night in a relaxed, friendly and lively atmosphere. This is an excellent introduction to Turkish traditions and culture. Turkish Nights are organised by most large hotels in the resort and generally they are pretty much the same anywhere. There is, however, one that is much more popular than the rest: Kervansaray. They offer the best oriental show in the whole region. Their evening program includes live Turkish music, belly dancers, folklore dancers, fire shows and much more. On top of that, your evening also includes traditional food, such as meze, fruit, pastries, salads and kebab with rice, and local beverages. If you feel energetic, you can even participate in belly dancing competitions.
During your stay in the resort you will see many tour companies on street corners and on the beaches trying to sell tickets to one of their Turkish Nights. The programs usually start around 8.30pm and last until midnight. Transportation is included, as are food, drinks and fun.
