ONCE A SLEEPY FISHING VILLAGE, MARMARIS HAS BALLOONED INTO ONE OF THE LARGEST RESORTS ON THE AEGEAN COAST, IF NOT TURKEY. LITTLE OF ITS HISTORY REMAINS, AS THE TOWN IS NOW A MODERN DEVELOPMENT WITH TOURISM AT ITS HEART AND SOUL. THE POPULATION SWELLS TO A MASSIVE 200,000 IN THE SUMMER, WITH MOST HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, NIGHTCLUBS AND SHOPS CATERING TO LOW-COST PACKAGE HOLIDAYS, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE FACILITIES FOR ALL BUDGETS. THERE ARE MANY BEACHES AROUND THE BAY, AND THERE ARE ANCIENT CITIES AND SEASIDE VILLAGES CLOSE BY FOR DAY TRIPS. THE YACHT HARBOUR IS THE BIGGEST AND NEWEST IN TURKEY, AND THEREFORE THE BUSIEST CHARTER PORT ESPECIALLY FOR TRIPS ALONG THE TURQUOISE COAST.