12 Best Beaches in and Around Marmaris, and How to Reach Them

People often arrive expecting one long stretch of golden sand. What they find is better: a busy town beach a few steps from the marina, a calm family bay in İçmeler, and, an hour along the winding peninsula roads, coves with water so clear you can count the pebbles three metres down.

After nine years here, my advice is to choose a beach by the kind of day you want, not by a single photo. Do you want a sunbed, a cocktail and a toilet nearby, or a quiet cove with nothing but pine trees? Are you happy on a minibus for an hour, or do you want to walk back to your hotel? The twelve beaches below cover all of those days, with the bus route for each one.

Prices and practical details at a glance

Public beaches in Turkey are free to walk on and swim from. Sunbeds, umbrellas, parking and food are a different matter, and some beach clubs count part of the sunbed fee towards food and drinks. Always ask how the charge works before you settle in.

Local buses are run by MUTTAŞ, and you pay with a Muğla Kart travel card or a bank card on board. Town routes run all day; village routes are much less frequent, so check the last bus back before you swim.

Which beach suits you?

In and near town

1. The town beach

Best for: a quick swim close to the marina and old town.

The beach that runs from the centre along the seafront is the easiest swim in town. If you are staying near the marina, you can walk down with a towel between a morning at the castle and lunch in the old town. In July and August it gets busy, and the sections in front of hotels and cafés are usually set up with paid sunbeds, but there is always a spot for a towel somewhere.

Getting there: walk from the centre or marina.

2. Uzunyalı

Best for: combining a swim with a long walk, cafés and restaurants.

Uzunyalı is the long stretch of coast heading west from the centre towards Siteler and İçmeler. A promenade runs behind the beach the whole way, so you can walk, swim, stop for a coffee and walk again. Some sections belong to beach clubs, where a sunbed with entry costs 500-800 TL ($10-16) on weekdays and 800-1,200 TL ($16-24) at weekends; other sections are open public beach.

Getting there: walk from the centre, or take any bus heading towards Siteler or İçmeler and get off wherever you like.

3. İçmeler

Best for: a full beach day with restaurants, water sports and shade close by.

About 8 km round the bay, İçmeler has a wide beach with mountains rising straight behind it. The water stays shallow for a while, which makes it a favourite with families. It is the easiest out-of-town beach to reach without a car and has a calmer evening atmosphere than central Marmaris. In peak season I go early, before 10 a.m., to get a good spot.

Getting there: buses 10-1A and 10-1B run between Marmaris and İçmeler throughout the day; the fare is 42 TL (about $0.85) with an electronic card. You can also walk the seafront path from Marmaris, which takes about an hour and a half; avoid the middle of the day in summer.

4. Pamucak public beach

Best for: a simple, free swim between Marmaris and İçmeler.

Pamucak is a stretch of public beach along the Siteler-İçmeler coast, a good choice if you just want to swim without paying for a beach club. Shade and facilities are limited compared with the big resort beaches, so bring water, sun cream and something to sit on.

Getting there: the İçmeler and Turunç buses stop at “Pamucak Halk Plajı”. Check the direction before boarding.

The peninsula: Turunç, Kumlubük, Amos and Çiftlik

5. Turunç

Best for: a scenic bay and a village atmosphere.

Twenty-two kilometres from town, over a mountain road with spectacular views back over the bay, Turunç sits in a small bay surrounded by steep, forested slopes. The beach is lined with small hotels, cafés and restaurants, and the water is noticeably clearer than in town. The road has a lot of bends; if anyone in your group gets car sick, sit at the front and skip a big breakfast.

Getting there: bus 10-15 runs from Marmaris bus station to Turunç roughly every hour from 08:00 to 22:00 in season, with the last bus back from Turunç at around 20:30. In summer, seasonal water taxis also run from Marmaris and İçmeler.

6. Kumlubük

Best for: more space and a less built-up feel than Turunç.

Just south of Turunç, Kumlubük is a wider, quieter bay with a few beach restaurants. It is an easy add-on to a Turunç day, and the swimming is lovely. Facilities are limited, so check the prices for sunbeds or lunch locally and bring what you need.

Getting there: some 10-15 services continue towards Kumlubük; ask the driver. Boat trips from Marmaris also stop here.

7. Amos Bay

Best for: combining a swim with an ancient city.

Below the hilltop ruins of ancient Amos, this small bay is more about the setting than about facilities. My favourite way to do it is to walk up to the ruins early in the morning, while it is still cool, then come down for a long swim. Bring water, a towel and shoes with grip, and do not count on food or shade right by the shore.

Getting there: the 10-15 route serves the Turunç, Kumlubük and Amos area; check the nearest stop and the walk before you go.

8. Çiftlik Bay

Best for: a remote-feeling beach day, by road or boat.

Further round the peninsula, Çiftlik is a wide bay with a handful of beach businesses and very clear water. It is better planned as a whole day out than a quick detour. Arriving by boat is the more memorable way, and many day boat trips from Marmaris and İçmeler stop here.

Getting there: MUTTAŞ route 10-13 runs between Marmaris and Söğüt via Çiftlik, but services are limited, so check that it runs on your date. Alternatively, join a boat trip (1,000-1,500 TL / $20-30 per person), such as this relaxed boat trip to the hidden bays.

Gökova side

9. İncekum, Çamlı

Best for: shallow water, pine forest and an unusual ride to the beach.

On the Gökova side near Sedir Island, İncekum lies within the Gökova Special Environmental Protection Area. To protect it, private cars are not allowed down to the beach: you park and ride the last four kilometres through the pine forest on trailers pulled by tractors, which children love. The sand is fine and the water is very shallow, ideal for small kids.

It does get crowded on summer weekends. In late July 2026, entry was reported at about 420 TL ($8.50) and a sunbed at about 390 TL ($8). Many families bring their own chairs, food and drinks instead. Bring some cash just in case.

Getting there: route 10-18 runs between Marmaris and Çamlı only four times a day; the last bus back from Çamlı leaves around 17:00. A car or a tour is easier; the Cleopatra Island boat trip also leaves from Çamlı, close by.

Hisarönü and the Bozburun peninsula

10. Kızkumu, Orhaniye

Best for: the famous “walk on water” sandbar.

At Orhaniye, a narrow ridge of sand runs hundreds of metres out into the bay just below the surface, so people appear to be walking on the sea. It is one of the most photographed spots in the region. The water around it is warm and shallow, but the sandbar shifts, and boats pass close by. Follow local signs, keep away from boat lanes and do not assume every part of it is shallow.

Getting there: take bus 10-9 to Orhaniye, or the 10-11 towards Selimiye and Bozburun, which passes through the Orhaniye area. Check the return times before you leave.

11. Sığliman, Selimiye

Best for: a quiet swim near a village harbour.

Selimiye is one of the most charming villages on the peninsula, and Sığliman is its relaxed stretch of shore. The beach is small, and seating is spread around cafés and restaurants along the bay, some of which ask you to order to use their sunbeds. Make a slow day of it: swim in the morning, have a long fish lunch by the harbour, then walk up to the ruins of Hydas above the bay.

Getting there: bus 10-11 runs from Marmaris towards Selimiye. The road is winding and return services are limited, so check both directions before setting out.

12. Bozburun

Best for: a low-key day at the far end of the peninsula.

Bozburun is a traditional boat-building village where gulets are still built by hand. There is no big sandy beach here; swimming is from rocky platforms and small coves around the harbour, with wonderfully clear water. Pair it with lunch in the village or a drive further on towards Loryma.

Getting there: bus 10-11 towards Bozburun, or drive the peninsula road. It is a long trip, so plan your return in advance.

What to bring

• Water, sun cream and a hat, especially from June to September.
• Water shoes for rocky coves; sea urchins like the rocks.
• Some cash for small beach cafés and sunbeds where cards may not be accepted.
• A light cover-up for walking through villages and sitting in restaurants.
• A dry bag if you are taking a boat.
• A screenshot of the return bus times and your hotel address.

Frequently asked questions

Are Marmaris beaches sandy or pebbly? A mix. The town beach, Uzunyalı and İçmeler are coarse sand and fine shingle, İncekum has fine sand, and many coves on the peninsula are pebbly or rocky with very clear water.

Are the beaches free? Yes, public beaches are free. Sunbeds, umbrellas and beach clubs cost extra, typically 500-800 TL ($10-16) per person on weekdays in 2026.

Which beach is best for children? İçmeler and İncekum, both with shallow water. Pamucak is a good free option close to town.

What is the best beach near Marmaris? For an easy day, İçmeler. For scenery, Turunç and Kumlubük. For something unusual, Kızkumu or İncekum.

Can I reach these beaches without a car? Yes. Town buses serve Uzunyalı, Pamucak and İçmeler all day, and village routes go to Turunç, Çamlı, Orhaniye, Selimiye and Bozburun, though much less often. Boat trips are the easiest way to reach the coves.

Before you go

The best beach day here is a relaxed one: one beach, a long lunch and enough time to catch the bus back. For a full day on the water instead, see the boat trips in our guide to things to do in Marmaris. To plan your whole stay, start with the Marmaris Travel Guide, and read my Marmaris travel tips before you go.

Prices, bus timetables and beach facilities change during the season. Please check the current timetable at ulasim.muttas.com.tr and confirm charges on the day. Dollar conversions are approximate and based on the exchange rate of 16 October 2026.

Sources

• Gezimaris: Marmaris 2026 venue and beach club prices