Updated 24/04/2025
Sitting on the Southwestern coast of Turkey, slap bang between the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, is the small but lively resort of Icmeler.
Dalaman is the closest airport to Icmeler, which is around a 1.5 hour drive. Consider using a private transfer to travel in style, we have been using Defnem Transfers which can be booked on facebook for years, they are very reliable and luxury cars for £90 return(price based on 2024), getting you to your destination a lot faster than the shuttle buses!
Where To Stay:
There are many lovely hotels and apartments to suit a range of budgets and preferences in Icmeler, from all inclusive resorts to self catering apartments, on the beach front or in the old village.
Package Holidays to Icmeler with TUI
EasyJet Package Holidays to Icmeler
Orka Lotus Beach- A stunning resort nestled between lush pine forests and crystal-clear waters, offering luxurious accommodations, multiple pools and a serene beachfront escape. Orka Lotus Beach with TUI
Marti La Perla – Adults Only 16+ – Perfect for people wanting to relax, this is an adult only hotel. Offering a swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam bath and sauna as well as themed nights twice a week. Marti La Perla – Adult Only, OnTheBeach
Aqua Hotel- For that luxurious getaway you have been dreaming of, Aqua hotel cant be beaten! Want to walk off your doorstep onto the sandy beach? Check! Want to relax and unwind in a spa? Check, complete with a Turkish bath(hammam)! Kids club and playground for the kids? Check! Aqua Hotel, OnTheBeach
Ece Apartments – If you fancy a stay in the old village where it is quieter, but still only a 10 minute walk to the centre and the beach, then I can personally recommend Ece Apartments! Its a family run apartment with comfortable rooms which include a living area and a kitchenette. The food at the attached restaurant is not one to be missed! Ece Apartments, OnTheBeach
About Icmeler
Icmeler boasts a lovely, if a little bit shingly beach that stretches along its bay with a back drop of pine forest filled mountains. Unfortunately, some of the pine forests were ravaged by fire a few years ago but shoots of new growth are starting to re-appear.
Bordering the beach are lots of bars and restaurants which serve food day and night. The restaurants in front of the beach each rent the section of beach next to them. They don’t generally charge for sunbed use but do expect you to buy your food and drink from them. Prices are little more than they would be in the town, but not a lot. Service is generally excellent and swift by the staff there. Prices, although they have climbed over the last couple of years are generally a lot cheaper than the main European resorts.
The clear and warm waters are perfect for swimming and lots of water sports are on offer, including parasailing, kayaking, the usual banana boats and flying fish. You can also jump on a water taxi to the much livelier Marmaris or the much quieter Turunc. The water taxi is very reasonably priced at around £3.50 per person.
One of the more popular trips in Icmeler is the boat trip. Some boats are bigger than other, but the one we prefer is a small family run boat. It takes about 30 people, stops in 5 bays for swimming breaks, serves a lovely lunch of chicken, pasta & salad as well as giving you an hour to have a stroll round the smaller village of Turunc. The one we use is called Ozge Mama Boat and can be booked via facebook. The cost this year was £26 per person.
Lots of street sellers offer trips to places a little further away. Popular destinations include Ephesus and Pamukkale.
Alternatively, hire a car for a few days and go exploring. Some of the roads out the Datca peninsula offer simply stunning views. Head to Akyaka and have a ride on the river boat, there are also plenty of Turkish village restaurants to stop on route to fuel up for the day ahead. A personal favourite is Azmakbasi Restaurant, just a short drive from Icmeler towards Akyaka, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
One of our favourite things to do in Icmeler is a visit to a Turkish Bath (or Hammam). A wonderful two hours of pampering including a sauna, a scrub and an oil massage.
Icmeler has bars and restaurants to suit most tastes. If there’s a criticism it’s that a lot of menu offerings can be similar but there’s still enough variety to keep most people happy.
We love a good Turkish breakfast, and tucked in at the end of the bay Turkuaz restaurant does the full village breakfast experience with breathtaking views by the sea, along with comfy sunbeds to relax on for the day!
There’s lots of bars dotted around Icmeler, some lively and some nice and chilled. Local beer and wine is good value but imported drinks and spirits suffer from high taxation and high prices. Scotia Bar in the centre can be a good place to dance the night away.
For anyone who enjoys a good shopping trip there are many shops offering handmade gifts or souvenirs to take home. A favourite of mine are the little stalls along the canal. We bought a portrait of our dog there, it was amazing and a brilliant price. As most people know, Turkey is a popular place to stock up on ‘genuine’ fake clothes, and Icmeler is no exception. Don’t forget to haggle!
Another thing Turkey is famous for is gold. There’s lots of jewellery shops all around the centre offering gold, silver and diamonds for a lot less than you would pay in the UK. Our favourite is a shop in the centre called Platinum Jewellery.
The best time to visit Icmeler is during the summer months from May to October when the weather is almost exclusively warm and sunny. Beware though, July and August can get very toasty so if you’re not keen on very high temperatures then those months are best avoided.
Dalaman is one of the most expensive airports in the world – consider booking the lounge in advance for your return journey! Travel supermarket offer 3 hours use of the lounge from £20 per person! TravelSupermarket Airport Lounges
Icmeler offers a nice blend of relaxation, culture, and stunning natural beauty. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, enjoying Turkish cuisine, or exploring the region’s natural wonders. It’s a hidden gem waiting to be explored by anyone seeking a nice relaxing getaway.
