Overview
A truly unique holiday town. You can find whatever you're looking for here. The sea is generally better than most places, warm in some spots like Selimiye, cold in others like Icmeler. There are plenty of villages for peace and quiet, but the center is incredibly lively. In the Icmeler area, on one side families are sipping tea while on the other side some bars are running drag queen shows for British tourists late into the night, and young lads from eastern Turkey are climbing trees and dancing with three glasses balanced on their heads. It basically operates on a Thailand-Phuket concept.
Food & Drink
Our favorite spots in the center: Dr. Gelato for ice cream, easily one of the best ice cream places I've ever been to, and Turgut Reis Balik for fish. If someone told me I'd be recommending a non-alcohol fish restaurant I wouldn't have believed it, but the fish is so good you can manage without drinks.
What to See
Once you leave the center and go deeper, you'll discover less-explored natural gems like Orhaniye and Ciftlik Koyu. But the roads to these places are genuinely bad. For Ciftlik Koyu especially, arriving by boat makes way more sense than driving.
On the way there, make sure to stop at Bayir village, perched on a hilltop, for a coffee. Walk around the 2,000-year-old plane tree and earn your pilgrim status. Just 15 minutes away, visit Bal Evi in Osmaniye to learn how pine honey is produced and taste clean, lab-tested honey sourced from local villages.
My Place Reviews
Restaurants
Yucel fish restaurant2025★★★★☆
The appetizers weren't bad but the seafood and fish were really great. The sea bass in particular was super fresh and delicious.
The mushroom and avcı böreği were also tasty.
Rafet Baba Restaurant2025★★★★☆
The sea is really beautiful. The food was good, we liked the fish and octopus, the Aegean appetizer was nice too.
If you're planning to eat and then move to the sunbed area, dealing with the staff over there can be a bit tricky.
TurgutReis Balık Marmaris2024★★★★★
Quality seafood, portions are filling.
Kosem Doner House2023★★☆☆☆
Mediocre. Tourist-fleecing joint.
Tiki Beach2023★★★★★
Compared to the quality of surrounding places, this feels like an oasis in the desert. Food quality isn't top-tier for the prices, but I'd say it's the most decent spot in Icmeler. The live music acts are pretty fun too.
Bars
Ali Bar Restorant2025★★★★★
You definitely need to place your order a day in advance. They go to Marmaris to do the shopping. It's a pretty rustic spot. The food is excellent. The seafood in particular was incredibly enjoyable. One of the most original places I've ever been to. If we're ever in the area again, we'll definitely come back.
Cafes
Cafe Savas2025★★★★★
One of the rare places where prices aren't a ripoff. Everywhere we asked had no tea service, but this place did. Overall the atmosphere is nice, staff is attentive.
Dr. Gelato2023★★★★★
Amazing ice cream. Especially if you love dark chocolate, do not skip their bitter chocolate flavor. Last year I thought prices were steep but they don't seem to have passed on recent price hikes much. At a place where some crappy beach charges 100 TL for 3 scoops, 10 TL per scoop here is definitely great value as of July 2022.
Hotels
Hotel Gölmar Beach2025★★☆☆☆
The rooms are dated, the hotel is very crowded, and overall the food is insufficient. There are even times when they run out. It's a buffet concept but the food is really mediocre. The sea and beach are nice, but unfortunately that's about it.
Jasmine Marmaris2023★★★☆☆
The hotel rooms are nice but unfortunately due to its location there's an unbelievable noise problem. It's smack in the middle of 3 nightclubs that put on shows for British tourists and when you're in your room you hear the sound as if you're inside one of those venues until 2 AM. Honestly I'd expect to be informed about this when booking. Especially not suitable at all for families with kids.
Attractions
Marmaris Bal Evi2025★★★★★
A nice museum for seeing how pine honey is made. You can see sample beehives and how they work. You can also buy lab-tested clean honey, royal jelly, propolis and more.
Bayır Çınarı Tabiat Anıtı2025★★★★★
An amazing place. Absolutely a must-visit. The atmosphere around the 2,000-year-old plane tree is incredible.
Marmaris Castle and Archeology Museum2023★★★★☆
Not a very big castle but worth seeing if you're in the area. The view from the very top is beautiful.
Shops
Asarcık Bağları2024★★★★☆
They have a great story behind them. The setting, the view, wonderful.
Prices are a bit steep for what you get, partly the effect of being in a touristy area and selling mostly to foreigners. Their wines have a distinctive character. We especially liked the whites. The Marsanne-Roussanne is a must-try.