Weather lowdown
November sees temperatures in Marmaris cool quite dramatically as the summer draws to a close. Although the daily temperatures can still rise to highs of more than 20°C in the afternoon, they can also fall to a low of 9°C in the evenings. November 1 is the warmest day of the month, while November 30 is the coldest. Average daily highs drop from 22°C in the beginning of the month to 19°C at the end. The daily low temperature is highest on November 1 at 12°C and lowest on November 31 at 9°C. The average daily temperature of a November day is 15°C, much cooler than the average of 20°C in October. November is a cool and transitional month, with 60% of its days classified as cool and 26% as cold. The daily averages of 27°C and 28°C of July and August are long gone, as the weather moves towards the chilly and wet winter season. With an average water temperature of 21°C, the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas are still relatively warm though.
There is much less sunshine in November. The average number of daily sunshine hours is eight, which is only one hour more than the absolute minimum of seven in December, January and February. This decrease in hours of sunshine is related to the gradual shortening of the days and the increase of cloud cover in the course of the month.
While November 1 has 10.38 hours of daylight, November 30 has only 9.50 hours left, a 48-minute decrease. Each day in November is 1.6 minutes shorter than the previous one. The amount of daylight lessens and the skies get cloudier rapidly throughout November. The month starts off with 52% of cloud cover, but by the end that has increased to 71%, which means that you will see more clouds than blue sky in November.
Compared to October, which was still fairly dry and warm, you will have a much greater risk of experiencing rain during your stay in November. The month has 13 days of rainfall, only one day less than the absolute maximum of 14 days in December and January. With a total amount of precipitation of 180mm, a huge increase since the 81mm of October, November is the third-wettest month of the year. The likelihood of precipitation increases in the course of the month. November 1 is the driest day, with a 27% chance of rainfall, and November 30 is the wettest, with a 40% chance. The most common types of precipitation in November are thunderstorms and light rain. Thunderstorms occur on 63% of the 13 days of rainfall, while light rain occurs on 27% of those days. The third possible type is moderate rain, occurring on only 10% of the days of rainfall. Those thunderstorms and light rain showers tend to be brief though, so there is always some sunshine or a dry spell to look forward to.
On a clear, sunny day you would be perfectly fine wearing in lighter clothing, but at this time of year it is recommended to bring a waterproof mac or light jacket for the evenings and in case it rains. Although Marmaris is famed for its beach activities, this is not the time of year to indulge. There is, however, still plenty to see and do away from the beach.
Where to stay
Intermar Hotel is a three-star hotel located in downtown Marmaris, a short distance from the beachfront and the harbour. All rooms are equipped with TV, mini-bar and Wi-Fi and have balconies offering wonderful views. There is a Mediterranean-themed restaurant, dining room, meeting room, massage facilities and saunas.
A great place to stay in the resort is Pasabey Hotel. This four-star hotel is located close to the beach, which is convenient if you want to go on a stroll along the pedestrian promenade. Amenities include a restaurant, snack bar and pool bar. Although it may be too cold to use the outdoor pool, you will definitely enjoy to heated indoor pool. There are also Turkish baths, a sauna, wellness centre and a fitness centre.
For luxury you should book a room at Grand Pasa, a five-star accommodation 300 meters from the beach. It is an all-inclusive resort has 271 modern rooms and lots of amenities. This hotel has cafeteria, restaurants, and several bars. Additionally, there is a car rental service, an indoor and outdoor pool, a gymnasium, wellness centre with saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools, Turkish baths, disco, jewellery shop and boutique. Children can enjoy themselves at the kids' playground and mini-club. There is a baby-sitter available as well.
Where to eat and drink
You may end up in Datca after a drive along the coastline, which is great, because there are numerous fine restaurants to be found there. Ogun's Place, for example, lies hidden away in a secluded bay and serves delicious homemade foods, such as oven-baked breads. The restaurant is part of a family-run pension and is a great place to go for authentic Turkish dishes. The Panorama Restaurant serves healthy dishes made with fresh local ingredients. They are well-known for their excellent Mediterranean and Aegean cuisine. The Fevzinin Yeri Restaurant is another place to visit to experience authentic Turkish food and culture. This fish restaurant is also a traditional meyhane, old tavern, and is a meeting place for locals.
Closer to home, in central Marmaris, you can find the best restaurants along the beachfront and in Netsel Marina. A good option is Jan de Wit Restaurant, run by a Dutch man and located right at the beach. This restaurant serves all kinds of food, from Turkish kebabs and French cuisine to Mediterranean dishes and seafood.
Later in the evening, Sweet Corner Restaurant & Fun Pub may be a good idea. This is the place to go for fast food and classic pub food. They serve pizzas, burgers, kebabs, steaks and fish and chips. At the bar you can choose from several beers and a long list of cocktails.
The next place to go is probably one of the nightclubs or bars on Bar Street, which is infamous for its nightly foam parties. Suggestions include Club Areena, largest nightclub in the resort, and Greenhouse.
Things to do
Because there are 13 days of rainfall in November, logic tells us that therefore there are 17 dry days too. If you're lucky, you may have booked your vacation in a dry spell. If that's the case, don't hesitate to get outside and enjoy the spectacular surroundings. You can enjoy the area on a wide variety of tours. Adventurous people can go on quad safaris. These safaris take place in the forest-covered mountains; tracks lead through the woods, across shallow rivers and over gentle hills. If you do this after one of those rain showers, you will be covered in mud within minutes. That's all part of the fun though! These safaris take about two hours and include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.
A quieter way to see the countryside is on another type of safari: a horse safari. You can go on these safaris in Hisaronu, Koycegiz and Cetibeli. After you have gotten some introductory lessons, you will set off on horseback to explore the glorious landscapes of Marmaris National Park.
Besides using motorised vehicles or animals for your transportation, you can also explore the area at your own pace by hiking and cycling. The coastline between Marmaris, Icmeler and Turunc is spectacular and excellent for cycling trips. Other great places to see on two wheels are Orhaniye, Selimiye, Bozburun and Cennet Island among many others. If your hotel doesn't have a bicycle rental service, you will surely find a bike rental company in the centre of the resort.
A good option on rainy days is a visit to the Halici Ahmet Urkay Museum. This excellent 3,000-square-meter private museum is located about ten kilometers from the resort on the road to Mugla. The museum is the life's work of Mr. Urkay, who has collected all of the items on display in the course of his life, and consists of two separate sections. The archaeology section has pottery, glassware, ornaments, sculptures and coins spanning a time period of hundreds to thousands of years. In the ethnography section you will find traditional clothing, weapons, carpets and woodworks. It's free to visit.
Seeing the region on a rainy day can, of course, by done by car. Numerous fascinating villages dot the coastline of Marmaris Bay. Turunc is a picturesque seaside village that is slowly becoming a resort of its own. Its located in a beautiful little bay and has a fantastic beach. The town of Gokova is located about 30 kilometers from Marmaris, also in a gorgeous bay. There's a lot of history to be found there. Probably one of the most popular towns to visit, however, is Rhodes. You can get there by boat, a ride that doesn't take longer than an hour. This ancient town has lots of museums, historic sites, ruins and old religious buildings that you can visit on an overcast day.
