Weather lowdown
Temperatures begin to rise quite considerably in Marmaris in May as the tourist season kicks off. Daytime temperatures now reach an average high of 26°C and an average low of about 13°C. These temperatures are a good indication of the difference between afternoon temperature and nighttime temperatures. The average daily temperature in May is 20°C, which is significantly warmer than the average of 16°C in April. The sea water temperature also averages 20°C this month, again a significant rise compared to the previous month.
As the month passes by, the length of the days increases gradually. In the course of May, from May 1 to May 31, the days lengthen by 47 minutes, which is a daily rise of 1.5 minutes. With 13.43 hours of daylight, May 1 is the shortest day of the month, while the longest day is May 31 with 14.29 daylight hours. Additionally, May 1 is also the cloudiest day of the month with a 52% chance of cloud cover. This statistic decreases rapidly throughout the month and by May 31, the clearest day, there is only a 31% chance of cloud cover
The amount of sunshine is 12 hours per day on average and the chance of rain has dropped greatly. May has only nine days of precipitation, which can occur as thunderstorms, rain showers and light rain. The most common type of precipitation is thunderstorms. Rainfall is most likely in the beginning of the month and least likely on May 31. The chance of rainfall decreases significantly throughout the month, from a 27% chance on the first day to a 14% chance on the last. The total amount of rainfall in May is 28mm, far below the monthly total of 290mm in December, the wettest month of the year. Snow is incredibly unlikely in May; in fact, it almost never snows in Marmaris in the first place.
With the lengthening of the days, the decrease of cloud cover and the increase of sunshine, it is no surprise that temperatures also increase throughout the month. Daily high temperatures rise from 23°C in the beginning of May to 26°C near the end, with some occasional high peaks to 30°C. The average low daily temperatures also rise, from 12°C to 16°C with occasional lows below 10°C.
After the cool and wet winter months of December, January and February, May is when the tourist season begins again in Marmaris. Although sunbathing and swimming may already have been possible in April, the beaches finally really start to fill up again in May. With high afternoon temperatures in the upper 20s, sometimes even reaching up to 30°C, and comfortable, although still fairly cool, nighttime temperatures in the mid-10s, it is a great time of year to visit the resort. Actually, this shoulder season may be the best time for a visit, as the huge summer crowds haven't arrived yet and the daytime temperatures aren't too high to partake in other outdoor activities besides swimming and tanning.
Where to stay
The four-star Malibu Beach Hotel has a beachfront location and lies close to many restaurants and bars. In addition to a perfect location, it also has a bar, outdoor pool and bowling alleys. Their restaurant serves international and local dishes in buffet style. After a long and active day activities in the area include diving, sailing and swimming you can unwind in the sauna or Turkish baths.
Another great four-star hotel is Grand Cettia. This one is situated in central Marmaris, about a kilometre from the beach. It has 244 rooms and an impressive number of modern amenities. These include two outdoor pools, one indoor pool, water slides, playgrounds, a fitness centre, sauna, Turkish bath, beauty salon, games room, a football field, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball pitch, table tennis and a pool table. It has everything to make your holiday an active one or a lazy one.
A little further from the resort lies S Hotel Marmaris. Located in Icmeler at the western end of the bay, this hotel's surroundings are beautiful. Equipped with 80 rooms, there also is a restaurant, sauna, gymnasium, bar, swimming pool and nightclub.
Accommodation in the form of self-catering apartments is offered by Kervansaray Hotel & Apartments. This complex has 222 rooms, a meeting room, restaurant and bar, and places to work up a sweat. There are two swimming pools, a tennis court, sauna and a gym. Green Park Apartments also offers short- and long-term stays in self-catering accommodations. Amenities include a pool, games room, Turkish baths and Wi-Fi.
Hit the beach
Of course the main attraction in the resort at this time of year is the beach, located right in front of the city and spanning the entire harbour. Uzunyali Beach, also known as Long Beach, is a clean, sandy beach has many amenities and you have the option to hire sunbeds and umbrellas, which are located on the higher half of the beach. There are kiosks and public toilets as well.
The neighbouring district of Icmeler also has great beaches. Located about eight kilometers from the resort, this is a place that is surrounded by pine forests with a backdrop of beautiful mountains, offering an ultimate holiday feeling
Where to eat and drink
Because it is a seaside resort, there are several nice seafood restaurants. Most of Marmaris' quality restaurants and cafés are found around Netsel Marina and the seafront. Additionally, you will be able to find every kind of world cuisine in the resort. From traditionally Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine to Indian food and fish and chips, you will definitely find something to suit your taste.
A good option is La Fortune Restaurant. Located at Netsel Marina about 500 meters from the city center, it offers great romantic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Besides seafood, the restaurant also serves international and Turkish dishes.
Another nice suggestion would be Dede Restaurant, located at the waterfront at the harbour. This one also combines Turkish and international cuisine with excellent seafood. The restaurant was established by an elderly fellow who lived to be 104 years old. It was said that his long and healthy life was due to his diet of seafood. True or not, the restaurant does offer fantastic seafood and attracts many costumers.
Majestic Restaurant and Bar is situated in Icmeler along a picturesque canal. This huge restaurant serves all kinds of international cuisine. They have Turkish, English, Mexican, Chinese and Italian food. It's a bar as well, which makes it an even more popular place.
If you want to see live music or dance to the beats of DJs, you should definitely head to the waterfront or Bar Street, infamous for its nightly foam parties. The resort is filled with bars and nightclubs, such as Beach Club and B52. Many clubs and bars stay open until the early morning hours. People who are hungry after a night out can find a quick bite to eat in one of many fast food joints on Bar Street and on other streets in the resort's central area.
Things to do
The resort is surrounded by beautiful nature, spectacular mountains, canyons and fast-flowing rivers. A great way to see and experience the area for nature and adventure lovers is whitewater rafting. The Dalaman River, the former border between ancient Caria and Lycia, is where the action happens. The river has many grade-2-to-4 rapids, with grade 6 being the most challenging. You will get picked up at your hotel in Marmaris. The drive to the starting point takes about an hour and a half and includes breakfast. At the starting point professional guides will give you safety instructions and a suit. Groups generally are made up of four to six people. The rafting itself takes about three hours and there are stops for swimming and cliff jumping on the way. Near the end, the river's rapids are gone and you can jump out of the raft and float towards the end point. A welcome meal awaits you on the way back to the resort. The entire day is about ten hours long and includes meals, insurance, transportation and instructions.
The complete opposite of an adventurous day in the mountains is a visit to the ancient Greek island of Rhodes. A major city during the Roman and Byzantine Eras, Rhodes is a much-visited destination in the Mediterranean. It conveniently lies only an hour's boat ride from the resort. Ferry companies operating between the resort and Rhodes are Marmaris Ferry and Rhodes Ferry. It's a wonderful place to visit for a day. Historic attractions in this UNESCO World Heritage Site include the Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, Grand Master's Palace, the Mountain Smit, a variety of old mosques and much more.
Holidaymakers with young children will be pleased to hear that the Atlantis Waterpark opens in May and there is something to do for the whole family, whether it is the wave pool and waterslide for the kids or the poolside bar for the grown-ups. Summer is approaching in Marmaris and the water fun begins!
