Icmeler
A pine-backed sandy bay, two miles from the buzz of Marmaris
Icmeler (pronounced ich-meh-lair) is the quieter, prettier sister to Marmaris.
Two miles round the bay and on the other side of a pine-clad headland, it is the most British-friendly all-inclusive base on the south Aegean coast: a long crescent of fine sand, water that shelves gently for fifty metres, a flat seafront promenade with pavement cafes and small bars, and a row of three- and four-star all-inclusive hotels priced for value-conscious UK families. We send Jet2 and TUI clients who want sand under their feet, a gentle promenade in the evening, and the option of taking the dolmus or a ten-minute taxi into Marmaris when they fancy more nightlife.
The five experiences that make a Icmeler trip unforgettable
Long sandy family beach
A 2-kilometre crescent of imported fine sand, shallow water for the first fifty metres, lifeguards in season and a Blue Flag every summer since 2009.
Boat to Turunc and Cleopatra Bay
Daily £20 boat trips loop Turunc, Kumlubuk and Cleopatra Island where Mark Antony allegedly sourced sand from Egypt for his queen.
Marmaris Old Town and bazaar
Ten minutes by taxi or £1.50 on the dolmus minibus; the Marmaris castle, marina and Bar Street are easy half-day or evening trips.
Pine-forest hike to Marmaris
A 4km marked path through pine and carob trees over the headland; British walkers love it as a pre-breakfast option in May and October.
The right month makes the trip
Ideal: May, June, September and October
Icmeler sits in a sheltered bay protected from the Meltemi by Bozburun peninsula. Daytime temperatures hold 25 to 30 Celsius from May to mid-October, the sea touches 27 in August, and the shoulder months deliver perfect family weather without the school-holiday crowd.
Combine in a single trip
- →Marmaris (10 minutes by taxi)
- →Dalyan turtle beach and mud baths (1h 30m by car)
Icmeler: questions British travellers ask us
Is Icmeler better than Marmaris for a UK family with young children?
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Yes, almost always. Icmeler beach is wider, the water shallower for longer, the seafront promenade is flat and short, and the all-inclusive hotels are designed around family pools. Marmaris is busier with a longer waterfront and louder nightlife. Many families spend their week in Icmeler and pop into Marmaris one evening for the bazaar.
How do I get from Icmeler to Marmaris?
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The dolmus minibus runs every five minutes along the coast road, costs £1.50 and stops outside every hotel. A taxi costs £8 to £12. The pine-forest walking path over the headland is 4km, marked, and takes around an hour at family pace.
Is Icmeler Blue Flag and is the sea safe for swimming?
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Yes. Icmeler beach has held the Blue Flag every summer since 2009. The bay is enclosed and free of currents, lifeguards are on duty in July and August, and the water shelves gently for the first fifty metres which suits weaker swimmers and toddlers.
Which Icmeler hotel do you recommend for a four-star family all-inclusive?
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For four-star half-board with sea-view rooms we book Munamar Beach Residence, Mares Park, Sentido Orka Lotus or Marti Resort. All have water-slide pools, kids clubs in English from age 4, and direct beach access. We can match the right one to your group size and budget.
Is Icmeler safe for British holidaymakers in 2026?
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Yes. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises normal travel and Icmeler is one of the longest-running British holiday resorts in Turkey. The seafront is well lit, the tourist police office sits at the central square and English is spoken in every shop, restaurant and pharmacy along the promenade.
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