15/11/2017
| Nestled between the charming village of Turunç and the bustling resort of Marmaris, İçmeler offers a delightful coastal experience. With its striking mountain backdrop and a long, well-maintained sandy and shingle beach, İçmeler is a popular holiday destination. While it boasts a more commercialised feel than its quieter neighbour, Turunç, İçmeler provides a vibrant atmosphere with plenty of activities, particularly centred around its water sports. The village itself is impeccably maintained, featuring a quaint canal lined with market stalls during the day, and transforming into a lively hub of restaurants offering evening entertainment. For those seeking a more energetic nightlife, neighbouring Marmaris is just a short trip away, offering an even wider selection of clubs and bars. For shoppers, İçmeler presents a more extensive array of shops compared to Turunç, and it also has a Turkish bank. However, for more significant financial transactions or business, a trip to Marmaris would be necessary. A notable event in İçmeler is its large and busy outdoor market, held every Wednesday. This market is situated at the rear of the village. For ease of access, taking a dolmuş is recommended, as it stops directly outside the market area. While a taxi boat is an option, it would involve a longer walk from the jetty to reach the market. Içmeler is conveniently located approximately 8 Km from Marmaris. A picturesque promenade runs the entire length of the bay, allowing for a pleasant walk or cycle between the two locations. This scenic route is enjoyable at any time of the year. ## Getting from Turunç to İçmeler: Your Options When planning your journey from Turunç to İçmeler, you have a few convenient transport options. The most common methods are the local dolmuş (minibus) or a taxi boat. If you are travelling with your own private car, the route is straightforward, but for most visitors, the dolmuş or taxi boat will be the primary choices. ### The Dolmuş Experience The dolmuş is a popular and cost-effective way to travel between Turunç and İçmeler. The journey typically takes around 30 minutes. These local minibuses follow a route along the back of İçmeler village, passing close to the market area, before continuing along the coast towards Marmaris. While there are official signs marked "D" for boarding and alighting, the local custom often allows passengers to get on and off at various points along the route, making it quite flexible. The Turunç-Marmaris dolmuş services generally operate from early morning until around midnight, running hourly from both ends of the route. This makes it a reliable option for most of the day. ### The Taxi Boat Alternative For a more scenic and potentially more relaxed journey, the taxi boat is another excellent choice. These boats typically operate from 09:00 until early evening, with departures usually on the hour from both Turunç and Marmaris. The journey time for the taxi boat is slightly quicker than the dolmuş, averaging about 20 minutes. While it might be marginally more expensive and perhaps a touch slower in terms of overall waiting time, the taxi boat offers a more pleasant experience, especially if you have the time to enjoy the coastal views. The taxi boats usually make a stop in İçmeler en route to Marmaris. In İçmeler, the taxi boat docks at a stone jetty located about halfway along the beach, providing easy access to the resort. ### Comparing Transport Options To help you decide, here's a quick comparison of the main transport methods: | Feature | Dolmuş | Taxi Boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journey Time | Approx. 30 minutes | Approx. 20 minutes | |
| Cost | Lower | Higher | |
| Experience | Local, potentially crowded | Scenic, more relaxed | |
| Frequency | Hourly (early to midnight) | Hourly (09:00 - early evening) | |
| Drop-off (İçmeler) | Near market area | Stone jetty on beach | |
| Flexibility | High (get on/off anywhere) | Fixed stops |
What to Expect in İçmeler
İçmeler is a resort that caters well to holidaymakers. The beach is the main focal point, offering a wide array of water sports for the adventurous. The village itself is well-maintained, with the charming canal adding to its appeal. During the day, the canal banks are lined with market stalls selling various goods, creating a vibrant atmosphere. As evening approaches, the restaurants along the canal and promenade come alive, offering delicious food and often live entertainment. For those looking for late-night excitement, İçmeler has a couple of discos, but for a more extensive clubbing scene, the proximity to Marmaris is a significant advantage.
### Planning Your Trip
When planning your visit, consider the time of day and your priorities. If you're keen to visit the Wednesday market, the dolmuş is the most direct route. If you prefer a leisurely journey with beautiful sea views, the taxi boat is an excellent choice. Remember to check the latest timetables for both services, especially if travelling outside the peak season. The promenade walk to Marmaris is also a fantastic option for those who enjoy a good stroll and want to soak in the coastal scenery.
### Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to get from Turunç to İçmeler by dolmuş?
A: The dolmuş journey typically takes around 30 minutes.
Q: How long does the taxi boat take from Turunç to İçmeler?
A: The taxi boat journey is usually about 20 minutes.
Q: What is the distance between Turunç and İçmeler?
A: İçmeler is approximately 8 Km from Marmaris, and the distance from Turunç is slightly less, but travel is along the coast.
Q: Which is the best way to get to the İçmeler market from Turunç?
A: The dolmuş is recommended as it stops closer to the market area. The taxi boat stops on the beach, requiring a longer walk.
Q: Are there taxis available from Turunç to İçmeler?
A: Yes, private taxis are also an option, though generally more expensive than the dolmuş or taxi boat. The journey time would be comparable to the dolmuş, depending on traffic.
Q: When do the dolmuş services run between Turunç and İçmeler?
A: They run from early morning until around midnight, hourly.
Q: When do the taxi boats operate?
A: Taxi boats typically operate from 09:00 until early evening, usually on the hour.
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