Dalyan and Surrounding Area

Dalyan is a smaller town which was once a village of fishermen and farmers. Centrally located in the midst of the best of holiday locations on the south coast of Turkey, it has many advantages as a holiday destination. It is close to the famous Iztuzu Beach where the protected loggerhead turtles lay their eggs each summer. Just a 30 minute drive from Dalaman International Airport it lies right in the middle of the most visited tourist destinations along the Mediterranean coast. Spectacular nature abounds everywhere around Dalyan that can be seen and experienced by taking boat trips, jeep tours, or by going on a guided trek to enchanting locations which exist in every direction. It is the ideal destination on the Turkish Riviera because of it's spectacular beauty and it's convenient proximity to the best that a holiday in Turkey has to offer.

Kaunos was a city of ancient Caria, Anatolia, a few kilometers west of the Turkish town of Dalyan. Kaunos was said to have been founded by Kaunos, son of Miletos and Kyane, on the southern coast of Caria, opposite Rhodes. It was in a district later under the jurisdiction of Rhodes known as Peraea, "the Rhodian Shore", at the foot of Mount Tarbelos. Its acropolis was called Imbros. It exported, chiefly to Rome, highly prized figs. It was the home of the painter Protogenes. It also was a member of the Chrysaorian League. The ruins of the city are near Dalyan, on the right bank of the ancient Kalbis. Among them are a theatre, a large rectangular building that may have been a temple, others of uncertain description, a Byzantine church, and rock-hewn tombs which overlook Dalyan.

Along the channel of the Dalyan Delta from Köycegiz are The Sultaniye Thermal baths with the water is 40 degrees C. The ruins from these buildings are now submerged. The water which contains radioactive elements (harmless) and hydrogen sulphur are believed to cure rheumatism, skin disorders, liver, spleen and bowel complaints, as well as being beneficial for nervous and digestive disorders. Every Saturday in the center of Dalyan is the weekly market known in Turkish as Pazar. Fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, and olives are offered for sale by local farmers. There is also a large selection of clothes, shoes, housewares, tools, fabrics, and numerous other items that are sold under the cover of large canvas tent-like awnings. A great way to spend a Saturday morning before settling on a restaurant for lunch.

Twelve kilometers from the centre of Dalyan lies the five kilometer long sandbar that juts out from the mainland into the Mediterranean Sea. This site was ear-marked for development until it was brought to the attention of authorities that it was one of the last nesting grounds for the endangered Loggerhead Turtle. A campaign with David Bellamy and a local conservationist Kaptan June (Haimhoff) were successful in stopping the development of Iztuzu Beach . Chaise lounges and beach umbrellas for rent are available at the beach, and cold drinks and snacks are served throughout the day. To reach Iztuzu, you can either take Dolmus (mini-bus), or a boat. The boat trip takes approximately 30 minutes, winding its way down the river.