Maldives

Family travel expert Hannah Britt says it’s time to add Marmaris in Turkey to your bucket list. An untapped gem, it provides a mix of history and nature ideal for children to explore

From paradisiacal waters to fascinating archeology, it’s time to add Marmaris to your family travel plans. A bustling, energetic coastal resort on the Turkish Riviera, framed by pine-clad mountains and a turquoise ocean, it blends a lively party scene and child-friendly beaches with a historic old town and scenic natural bays. Having heard tell of the “Maldives of Europe”, I packed my factor 50, swept up my two children, and went to see what all the fuss was about. And I’m pleased to report that Marmaris did not disappoint…

What to see…

Amos Ancient City

Perched on a scenic headland roughly 24km south of Marmaris, Amos is an ancient Carian settlement tucked between the modern coastal towns of Turunç and Kumlubük. Historically part of the Rhodian Peraia during the Hellenistic period (dating back to around the 4th century BC), Amos served as a key fortified coastal city.

The ruins sit atop the pine-and olive-clad hill of Asarcık, offering sweeping, panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding bays. Despite its modest size compared to larger archaeological sites in Turkey, Amos boasts remarkable historical remnants. Its standout feature is a well-preserved ancient theatre capable of seating roughly 1,300 spectators, where visitor seating, orchestra floor outlines, and structural bases remain visible today.

Beyond the theatre, visitors can explore sections of fortified polygonal city walls with defensive towers, the traces of a Temple of Apollo, and ancient grave structures (necropolis) scattered across the slopes. Free to access and far less crowded than major tourist hotspots, Amos offers a quiet mix of history and natural beauty, accessible via a short uphill hike from Amos Bay.

Little ones: The walk up to Amos is easy, even for the littlest legs – and it’s well worth it for the view at the top. A wonderful place to sit and feel the history of the place.

Marmaris Castle

A visit to central Marmaris would simply be incomplete without seeing Marmaris Castle – a historic hilltop fortress that overlooks the scenic harbour and city beyond. According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the first fortifications on this site were built around 3,000 BC during the Hellenistic period. The current structure was largely rebuilt in 1522 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent as a military base for his campaign to conquer nearby Rhodes.

A French warship damaged part of the castle during World War I. Local residents lived inside the fortress walls until 1979. Following major restorations, it officially opened to the public as a museum in 1991. Archeological galleries feature Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine artefacts, including amphorae retrieved from local shipwrecks, tombstones, and the Apollo Altar frieze from Knidos. Ethnographic rooms display traditional regional items, local crafts, and everyday objects from the Ottoman period.

Little ones: A walk around the ancient stone walls provided reenactment fun for my little ones, who pretended they were soldiers defending their very own castle.

Honey House

The Marmaris Honey House (known locally as Marmaris Bal Evi) is a unique, interactive apiculture museum and visitor centre located in the tiny mountain village of Osmaniye, near Marmaris. Built in an eye-catching, honeycomb-shaped architectural structure, the centre serves to educate visitors on the rich history of Turkish beekeeping and to promote Marmaris pine honey, a distinct, world-renowned regional product. In fact, the surrounding Muğla region supplies roughly 92% of the world’s pine honey, with Marmaris accounting for 30% of that total.

Indoor and outdoor galleries showcase the complete journey of pine honey production. Visitors can view traditional Anatolian hives, a glass-walled observation hive to watch live bees at work, and modern centrifuge and transport tools. Dedicated spaces demonstrate how bee products like royal jelly, pollen, propolis, and honey are used for healing and health.

Little ones: It’s fascinating to see the bees in the glass-fronted hives, and my six year old loved spotting the queen. Almost as much as she loved trying the pine honey at the end…

Where to eat…

Orfoz

Orfoz Restaurant is a popular riverside dining spot located directly on the edge of the crystal-clear Azmak River in Akyaka, Muğla. Tables are set right along the riverbank under the shade of mature trees. Some tables even allow guests to dip their feet directly into the ice-cold Azmak River while eating. Diners can watch ducks, geese, and passing river boats turn around near the restaurant.

Known primarily as a fish restaurant, it features a large cooler/display cabinet where guests can choose their own fresh fish to be grilled to order. Orfoz also offers a wide variety of traditional Turkish cold and warm mezzes, unique salads, and small plates (such as pomegranate, plum and parsley mezze, and grilled onions with yogurt sauce). We had the grilled octopus, which was cooked to perfection.

Little ones: a gaggle of friendly geese and ducks provided endless entertainment while we ate in the shaded spot, coming right up to the kids to say hello.

DEDE

Dede Restaurant is one of the oldest and most respected family-run dining spots in Marmaris, located right on the historic marina. Opened in 1973, the name “Dede” (grandfather in Turkish) was chosen in honour of the family patriarch, Ali Denizelli, a local figure who lived to 104.

Currently run by the grandchildren and fourth generation of the founding family, it sits on the marina front and provides a great people watching spot and specialises in fresh daily seafood, signature Aegean mezzes, Mediterranean dishes, and classic Turkish options. An upscale yet casual waterfront dining with views overlooking the bay and boats. The people watching is sublime – better than TV!

Little ones: Children are welcomed with open arms at this Marmaris institution and the menu, in particular the seafood, is divine.

The day trip

Turkist gulet cruise

The highlight of our stay in Marmaris had to be the day we spent on Diva Deniz, a 29m luxury ketch-style traditional Turkish gulet available for private cruise charters. We were picked up from our hotel pier and taken on board for a spectacular journey around the bays near Marmaris. Once moored, we could jump in the beautiful water to snorkel.

The boat, run by Gulet Point, was stunning, with places to lounge in the sun and shade – and a delicious freshly cooked lunch served, with garlic prawns, pan fried fish and mezze. When I say we did not want our day on the Diva Deniz to end, it’s an understatement. The cruise allowed us to see the real beauty of Marmaris, and is something we will remember forever.

Little ones: A paddleboard provided on the boat was brilliant, allowing the kids somewhere to sit awhile and bob on the lapping water.

Where to stay

Grand Yazici Club Turban

The Grand Yazici Club Turban Hotel is a four star all-inclusive resort nestled where pine forests meet the Aegean Sea. It sits directly on a pretty sand-and-shingle beachfront with its own private pier; connected by a scenic coastal promenade to Marmaris. It’s big, with over 500 rooms, but thanks to its leafy setting, feels incredibly tranquil.

For the hungry, there are plenty of places to eat, from upmarket restaurants to chilled out cafes. A main buffet restaurant provides something for all tastes, from pizza to local cuisine, alongside specialised venues like La Querida Beach Club & Restaurant and the Italian à la carte restaurant Le Farfalle, plus dedicated snack, pastry, and ice cream shops.

When it comes to activities, you’re spoiled for choice with multiple outdoor swimming pools (including a main activity pool, relax pool, and adults-only sections), an indoor thermal pool, and a mini water park with slides. Elsewhere, there are two spas featuring separate Turkish hammams and saunas for men and women, plus thermal bath facilities and massage rooms. There are tennis courts, volleyball, a fitness gym, live music performances, and evening shows in the amphitheater too.

We stayed in a family suite, with shared access to a private pool. It was spotless, stylish and absolutely huge, with a comfy living room to read in when the midday sun got too hot. A beautiful terrace overlooked the sea, on which we were served a daily Turkish breakfast with a well made flat white. A brilliant want-for-nothing family hotel less expensive than many of its five star counterparts.

Little ones: There’s a dedicated kids’ club, children’s pool, playground, trampolines, and a mini football pitch.

Cost: Grand Yazici Club Turban Hotel room prices start from around £63 per night for standard bookings in low season, while complete all-inclusive holiday packages start from approximately £369 per person.

*For more on planning a trip to Türkiye, see Go Türkiye

SOMETIMES finding a holiday spot just for adults that encourages the ultimate relaxation can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Fortunately, one Greek island is home to a premium five-star resort that’s adults-only an will transport you straight to the Maldives.

Stella Island Luxury Resort in Crete, Greece looks as if it belongs in the bucket list destination thanks to its crystal clear water and overwater bungalows.

A massive lagoon-style pool also snakes through the villas.

There are 12 room types to choose from, including overwater nests where ground floor rooms have swim up pools.

And it isn’t just the pools that are great – the complex also has seven restaurants to choose from including a buffet, fine dining venue, Greek taverna, steaks and cuts restaurant, an Asian spot, a Mexican spot and a more casual lunch restaurant.

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You won’t be short of places to grab a tipple either, as there are five poolside bars.

Inside the hotel you can indulge yourself too, at the spa with an indoor heated pool, Turkish bath, hot tubs and massages available.

There’s a gym, tennis courts and padel courts too as well as the option to paddleboard on the pool that weaves through the complex.

If you really want the Maldives treatment, you could even have your breakfast floating in the pool.

A recent visitor said: “Such an amazing place in every way. The resort is exceptional from the moment you arrive.

“The food in the restaurants is amazing but I have to say that the buffet is the best I have encountered.

“First class entertainment and service in all areas.

“We enjoyed it so much, we’ve already booked for next year.”

Just 15 minutes walk from the resort is the village of Analipsi, where you will find a selection of small shops as well as tavernas.

What makes all of this even better is that from stepping outside of Crete airport the resort is only 15 minutes away.

The easiest way to get to the resort is by flying to Heraklion Airport on Crete, which costs as little as £29 per way.

HOW does quad-biking through the wild Sahara desert sound, or dolphin-spotting at sunset?

Or perhaps you are more of a lavish spa dweller, who dreams of whiling away your holiday hours on a massage bed being gently pummelled by hot stones?

In the millionaire’s playground of El Gouna, you can do all this and more.

And best of all, here you can live the champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget.

El Gouna, around 25 miles from Egypt’s Hurghada airport, literally translates as The Lagoon — and it’s not hard to see why.

The luxury town is made up of 36 islands with more than six miles of scenic coastline and lagoons interwoven throughout.

AWESOME WELLS

I visited trendy seaside town with quayside pubs, pretty beach & holiday park

SHELL YEAH

Inside the Norfolk hotel famous for oyster festival and GIANT seafood platter

There’s so much water surrounding the gorgeous hotels that some visitors have even compared it to the Maldives.

But it’s much more vast and far less isolated.

With four marinas, over 100 shops and restaurants, two championship golf courses and 18 international hotel resorts and chains, it’s impossible to get bored here.

And the town is still expanding at a rapid rate.

El Gouna only came into existence in the 1980s when billionaire entrepreneur Samih Sawiris decided to transform what was then just a vast area of desert into an area his family and friends could enjoy.

Fast-forward to today and the peaceful spot is the perfect winter sun escape for Brits.

It’s just a short five-hour or so flight from the UK and even in January, temperatures hit 23C.

El Gouna, just a 30-minute drive from Hurghada and with security checks at the town’s few entrances, is also one of the safest destinations in Egypt for tourists.

Entry is only granted for hotel guests, staff and visitors with dinner reservations, so you can stroll back to your hotel in safety.

You can take your pick of luxury hotels within the gates — although the highlight for me was The Chedi.

This 5* luxury resort has its own private beach, luxurious spa and multiple restaurants — including Japanese eatery, Nihon — among its 82 suites and rooms.

A short walk from the lobby will take you to various idyllic sunbathing spots, with the beach just steps away from the pools.

And if you get restless on a sunbed, The Chedi has paddleboards and kayaks for guests to take into the Red Sea, as well as fun beach games like volleyball.

The luxurious rooms come with an affordable price tag compared to similar 5* hotels in Europe, if you’d rather save those pennies to splurge on excursions, check in to the 4* Cook’s Club instead.

While it doesn’t quite match The Chedi in terms of room size, it certainly has the monopoly on water space with a huge pool and beach area offering direct access to its own private lagoon.

Regular live music poolside caters for the younger crowd of 18 to 30-somethings, but if you prefer an even livelier atmosphere, El Gouna’s town centre is right on your doorstep.

The hotel’s hearty breakfast buffet — which includes an omelette station — has enough grub to soak up any hangover, plus the baristas here can whip up an excellent brew.

But it’s well worth pottering into town when you get the chance.

The newest restaurant, La Botanica, has a farm-to-table concept serving elegant dishes of beef carpaccio and lobster.

If it’s the wow factor you’re after though, head to The Steigenberger Tower where you can soak up 360-degree views of the resort.

Everything looks especially gorgeous at sunset.

And when you’re not indulging in fancy food or a five-star massage, the list of action-packed activities are endless.

Alex Safaris does an incredible quad-biking excursion that will send you hurtling over dunes to a traditional Bedouin camp.

Here, visitors can dabble in shisha and other traditional experiences.

And if you’ve always dreamed of spotting wild dolphins, they’re in abundance here and you’ll be spoilt for choice with boat tours.

Apparently, El Gouna’s unofficial motto is: “You’ll never want to leave.”

And with such affordable prices and so much to see and do, I can’t help but agree.