Dalyan Travel Guide
Easygoing Riverside Town with Bundles to See and Do
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Once a small fishing village close to the sea Dalyan has grown considerably over the years and is now a popular place amongst visitors and locals alike to spend a day or two and often longer. It’s not hard to see why – the laconic Dalyan River slips serenely by beneath Lycian rock tombs and there’s lots to see and do in the area, including sightseeing to the ancient city of Caunos and more adventurous activities such as white-water rafting. Dalyan is also the perfect place to stay on arrival or before departure being just 20 minutes from Dalaman Airport.
The vibrant town of Dalyan sits on the river of the same name just south from Köyceğiz Lake and a few kilometres from the sea. As ever in Turkey it’s an historic centre – the ancient city of Caunos is on its doorstep and Lycian rock tombs are cut into the cliff above the village – but it’s the laid back atmosphere and natural beauty of the area that people enjoy most. Here you can explore ruins, take a mud bath, bathe in hot springs, watch birds and other wildlife, laze on a turtle beach and take a river trip by boat before heading off to explore further afield. There are many hotels, restaurants and bars to choose from and it makes for a great place to break a journey along the Aegean coast.
Attractions in Dalyan
The ancient Carian city of Caunos, a pleasant boat ride and walk south of town, has the usual plethora of theatres, temples, baths and other ruins and yet is most definitely an underrated attraction of the area - it is generally quiet and is a pleasant place to spend an hour or two wandering around the ancient remains, especially at the start or end of the day. Further south can be found Iztuzu Beach, famous for its turtles which come ashore here to lay their eggs during the summer months; it is now protected but which can be used with care by visitors - the beach is gently sloping so is safe for children - in fact the entire area is very kid-friendly. Head north from town and you’ll find the Ilica mud baths and Sultaniye hot springs where you can cover yourself in restorative mud and then soak away the stresses of travel in the hot baths.
Activities in Dalyan
Dalyan has predominantly been seen as a place to relax but over the last few years is becoming increasingly known for its adventure activities which include white-water rafting, biking, walking, boat, riding and camping trips. Sea-kayaking is available as are jeep safaris, canyoning, diving and snorkelling trips. Many of these activities can be conveniently booked from the UK via a local travel expert. Those interested in bird watching will find the entire area a revelation with many species making the region their home.
Relaxing
There are a whole host of restaurants to relax in the evening and an increasing number of bars. Dalyan cannot, however, be compared with Bodrum or Marmaris, being relatively low key.
Getting Around
If you do not have private transport Dalyan is accessible using local buses and dolmuşes. The main jumping off point on the main highway is Ortaca from where dolmuşes can be taken directly to Dalyan. Hotels can arrange a pick up from Dalaman airport and taxis are available in Dalyan for journeys to the airport. The town itself can easily be explored on foot and by using riverboats.
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