The southwest Turkish city of Dalyan has a beach and a comfortable environment. Dalyan, which is situated on the Aegean Sea’s coast, has gained popularity because of its beautiful surroundings and water sports.
The fact that Dalyan’s weather heats up earlier than other Turkish cities means that individuals who enjoy swimming and boating may engage in these activities earlier, which is one of the reasons Turkish people chose Dalyan for relaxation. On the other side, Dalyan has less recreation costs than other Turkish coastal cities like Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum, etc.
Dalyan is one of those places where you can experience all of its entertainment with a one-night stay and two-day tour, and this has encouraged people to change their vacation plans to visit other destinations, including Dalyan.
It is not a bad thing to know that combination tours of Dalyan and Fethiye, another tiny city in this country, are designed so that passengers may have more fun and explore numerous towns at the same time at a lesser cost.
The city of Dalyan is located in MuÄŸla Province and between the two cities of Fethiye and Marmaris, but it has an independent municipality, so loved ones who plan to travel to Marmaris can also visit Dalyan and spend one or two days visiting this city.
Recreations of Dalyan City
Dalyan is appealing to both young and old people. Young people in this city love activities like dancing and singing on boats and swimming, but older people choose to rent a hotel with a beautiful view and indulge the beauty of nature or invite themselves to one of the beautiful cafes of the city for delicious Turkish drinks. So, you can find lots of entertainment in this city and enjoy your holiday. In this section, we shall discuss amusement and sightseeing, or the reasons behind Dalyan’s appeal.
Sightseeing in Dalyan:
Dalyan Çayı (Dalyan River), TurkeyDalyan River has been crucial to the city’s residents’ daily lives and to draw tourists. Every year, from May until the beginning of August, the Dalyan River is crowded with pleasure boats transporting local and international tourists amidst unspoiled scenery. The boats contain amenities like food and beverages for enjoyment, and because of the sun, they are always covered with roofs or sunshades.
The Dalyan River, which connects the plains and the Dalyan delta to the Mediterranean, has significantly contributed to the region’s rich woods and to the region’s prosperous agriculture. You may be aware that the southwest region of Turkey, including Marmaris, is covered in forests and lush vegetation.
Dalyan Turtles
Dalyan is famous for its turtles, and it is home to numerous endangered turtle species. When you travel to Dalyan, since there are footprints of turtles in all the stores and the souvenirs have the image of turtles, you will definitely understand the importance of these animals for the city’s residents.
In general, it’s useful to know that fishing has been popular in this city for a long time and that Dalyan, which also means “place of fish,” refers to the Dalyan River, which has long been home to numerous fishes.
Because of the land’s geographic position, these fish have long supplied sustenance for the locals. Fishing without a license is currently prohibited in Dalyan, which has been a protected habitat since 1988.
Dalyan Beaches, especially İztuzu Plajı (İztuzu Beach)
A visit to Dalyan is advised for individuals who appreciate seeing new towns, beach enjoyment, sunbathing, and diving in pristine seas. If you are one of these individuals, I must state that the beaches of Dalyan are quite clean and appealing, with Ä°ztuzu Plaj being more famous than other beaches.
To get to this beach, drive 4.5 kilometers from Dalyan. This beach is notable for its breadth, distinctive vistas, and location at the meeting point of the Dalyan River’s freshwater delta and the Mediterranean.
If you come across turtles anywhere, you should not harm them because you will be punished. Iztuzu is one of the most significant locations in Turkey for turtle breeding.
Throughout the year, İztuzu is bustling with cafés and restaurants, making it an ideal destination for family fun or a romantic honeymoon for two. If you have time, we propose that you also visit this beach.
The Kaunos Antik Kenti in Dalyan
Kaunos, located in the area of Karia and Anatolia, is another one of Dalyan’s sites, however, it should be noted that this ancient site is likewise 8 kilometers west of the current city of Dalyan and is not within the city. According to existing documentation, Kaunos was a significant and active port in the 10th century BC. The delta of this area of Turkey dried up and vanished over time, and as a result, the ports lost their wealth.
Around the 15th century, due to the spread of malaria in Kaunos, the people of this city abandoned it and left the city to save their lives, and since then, Kaunos became an abandoned city.
Now, many ancient monuments, including temples that were used to worship goddesses in the past, can be seen in Kaunos, and we recommend visiting them only to those who enjoy watching historical monuments and mysterious architecture of the past.
Among the most significant attractions in this region of Turkey are cemeteries constructed at a height, structures carved into rocks, and abandoned homes.
It’s interesting to learn that the inhabitants of this nation constructed their tombs high because they felt that the higher the corpse is, the closer it is to God. The Lycian stone tomb is currently regarded as Kaunos’ most significant historical feature.
Çamur Banyosu (Mud Baths) in Dalyan
Many people think that sleeping in the mud may treat dull, acne-prone skin and lessen hip and back discomfort. Mud baths are popular in many nations, including Iran. You can see this issue in many coastal cities of Turkey, including Dalyan and Mamaris. In reality, one of the reasons for the existence of the city of Dalyan is due to the abundance of mud baths, where people may gather in groups and sleep in the mud like in a swimming pool.
There is a lot of seafood in Dalyan, but crabs are the most popular because there are all kinds of crabs in this city and they are caught and served on a daily basis, therefore, if you like the taste of seafood, you should definitely choose one of Dalyan’s cafes and restaurants and enjoy an attractive meal. It should be mentioned that food, such as crab or lobster, is less expensive in Dalyan than in places such as Istanbul.
Sülüngür Gölü
Sülungür Lake is one of the lakes that connects Koyceğiz Lake to the Mediterranean Sea and is part of the Dalyan-Koyceğiz Marsh System. The lake that stands out among the sights of Dalyan is also known as Sülüklü Göl. The lake is 1.5 km wide, 2 km long, and 10 meters deep. The lake offers a magnificent harmony of blue and green surrounded by reeds and green trees.
Ekincik Bay
Ekincik Bay is located about 10 kilometers from Dalyan city. Ekincik Bay, which is accessible by boat from Dalyan city, is one of the destinations where you can swim and enjoy the unique natural beauty. You can also try the seasonal salads, which are one of the main dishes of this area, at the restaurants by the bay.
Sarigerme Plajı
Sarigerme beach is one of the most popular beaches in Ortaka, which is located 23 km from the center of Dalyan. This beach with very clear water is 12 kilometers long. The shallow seas are not only covered with fine sand, but also good for swimming.
Toparlar Åželalesi
Toparlar waterfall continues to flow without drying up 27 km from the center of Dalyan. There are camping, picnic, and hiking areas around the waterfall. You can also swim in the lake from the part where the waterfall flows.
How to go to Dalyan, Turkey?
If you want to visit Dalyan, you may book a Marmaris tour or try Turkish combo excursions. Private automobile travel from Istanbul to Dalyan takes 8 hours and 20 minutes and covers 725 kilometers. For air travel, you must first fly to Dalaman city and then to Dalaman airport before arriving in Dalyan because Dalyan does not have an airport.