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Dalyan is established in an environmentally protected area. This is one of the few surviving places of paradise, an area of natural beauty and historical interest. The ancient city of Caunos lies here with its ruins dating back to the 3rd Century.
The Dalyan channel through which water circulates between the Mediterranean and Koycegiz Lake winds its way down past the ancient Rock Tombs to the sea, via a small network of lakes and waterways. Through the rustling reed beds rising between 3 and 5 metres in height.
With its mixture of fresh and salt water, these wetlands are now home to a vast number of fish and other water life, as well as the birds of many species which feed on them, species such as the Sparrow hawk, Crane, Kingfisher and Jay. The Stork is also native to this area migrating here at the end of March to nest until the end of August.
Dividing the delta is the Iztuzu sandbar stretching for 5 km east from the south of the channel. With fine crystal sand, shallow turquoise sea Iztuzu beach is the ideal seaside spot. Which can be reached by regular dolmus or boat service from Dalyan. This is also the beach where the endangered Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia Mydas) have returned to lay their eggs since the beginning of time. The nesting time being from May till October.
Twelve years ago Dalyan was a small fishing village, the discovery of the endangered Loggerhead Turtles and the wildlife in this area led to a campaign to designate the area for conservation. The village has therefore retained its natural charm and beauty. A heaven for relaxation that has blossomed to cater for the serious traveller. There are many restaurants in which to try local Turkish cuisine, music bars and shops. There are a couple of discos on the outskirts of the village so as not to disturb those of you that wish to retire early.
A regular dolmus service that runs to neighbouring resorts such as Fethiye and Marmaris as well as surrounding villages. In summary a unique destination full of culture, charm, history and contrasting beauty, excellent cuisine and unforgettable hospitality. A resort that you will undoubtedly return to year after year.
PLACES TO SEE IN DALYAN
Sultaniye Thermal Bath & Mud Baths
Along the channel of the delta from Köycegiz are The Sultaniye Thermal baths the water is 40 degrees C .The water has been used since Hellenistic times, first by the Carians then the Byzantines. The ruins from these buildings are now submerged .The waters which contain 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. The Mud baths are also said to remedy rheumatism as well as cleanse and beautify the skin.Popular belief states that a mud bath will take ten years off you. Once you have covered yourself in the mud you then wait for it to dry in the sun. The sulphur pool in which you clean yourself after your Mudbath is also at a temperature of 40 degrees.
Caunos
The ancient city of Caunos stands midway along the channel. It grew into a major area on the border between Lycia and Caria, the people were said to be famous for their yellowish skin and eyes. Caunos was said to be the son of Miletus and the Grandson of Apollo, he is believed to have fled from the city due to unnatural feelings between himself and his sister. The city sprawls over a broad slope overlooking the sea and delta. At Caunos there is an Acropolis surrounded by the city walls that are Byzantine, a theatre, four temples, an Angora, Roman Baths, Palestra and a Cistern. The demise of the city was due to the harbour that continually silted up which is now 5 km from the sea and marshland, and also disease due to malaria. Rhodes purchased Caunos in the 2nd century, after many wars it went back to Carian rule only to be given back to Rhodes in 88BC. Caunos has a long and varied history and is well worth a visit. You can visit Caunos at any time although it is advisable to avoid the midday sun. First you will have to cross the Dalyan channel via rowing boat then walk up to the city. Caunos can also be visited as part of a day tour.
Iztuzu Beach
Twelve Km from the centre of Dalyan lies the five km long sandbar that juts out from the main land into the Mediterranean. This site was earmarked for development until it was brought to the authorities attention that it was one of the last nesting grounds for the endangered Loggerhead Turtle. A campaign with David Bellamy and a local woman Kaptan June (Haimhoff) were successful in stopping the development of Iztuzu Beach. Visiting times to the beach are restricted from May - September when the Turtles are nesting. From 08.00-18.00 are the open times so as not to interfere with the nesting habits of these Turtles. Sunbeds and shade are available at the beach for a small charge also cold drinks and snacks are served throughout the day. You can reach Iztuzu by Boat or Dolmus, the boat winds its way down the channel, through the rustling reeds to the open tip of the beach.
The Dolmus travels lakeside through beautiful winding roads down to the Beach, this takes around 20 minutes, the boat will take approximately 40 minutes. Both ways are worth seeing ,each for a small charge.
Rock Tombs
These tombs are the resting place of the Kings of Caunos. They are carved from the rock in the style of Lycian rock tombs. There are two types of tomb to be found in Dalyan, simple chambers cut into the rock face and more elaborate Temple tombs, there is also a large unfinished tomb. Many tombs were built with false walls placing valuables behind them so as to fool robbers, eventually this was to no avail as all the Tombs were emptied of their treasures.
Rock tombs can be seen along the Lycian coast, Fethiye has some good examples of these Tombs, sadly of these Tombs including Dalyan are not accessible to the public due to the damage caused by visitors and their locations.
Caretta Caretta Turtles
Since 1986 Turkey has taken steps towards the conservation of wildlife. Today there are 385,000 hectares of protected land in Turkey, 38,500 of which are in Dalyan. Within part of this area is the protected beach where the Loggerhead Turtle, (scientific name Carretta Carretta) come to nest. The Loggerhead Turtle is designated as threatened on the Federal Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species List. These Turtles with their large heads, (the name Loggerhead comes from the fact that they have oversized heads), and reddish brown shells come to Iztuzu beach to nest from May - September. They have yellowish to white undersides and can measure up to three - four feet in length. These Turtles are air-breathing Reptiles, which have a special gland that allows them to drink seawater. The waters in which they live are sub tropical with temperatures between 16 -20 degrees centigrade, usually in bays, estuaries, lagoons or the mouths of large rivers. In temperatures lower than this they become stunned and drift helplessly. The Loggerhead Turtle reaches maturity around 16 years of age; they can weigh between 150 and 300 pounds. Their diet consists mainly of Jellyfish, Molluscs and Crustaceans. The mating takes place a few weeks before the female lays her eggs. The Loggerhead Turtle usually returns to the beach where they themselves hatched. The sperm collected during mating will fertilise all of her clutches. The adult female may lay several clutches each season, usually she will lay eggs every two -three years, although some have been known to lay eggs every year. When the female lays her eggs, she seems to look like she is crying; she is in fact flushing out sand and excess salt from her eyes. (The salt is from the gland that enables her to drink seawater).
Distances from Dalyan
Dalyan - Ortaca 12km
Dalyan - Iztuzu Beach 12km
Dalyan - Köycegiz 20 km
Dalyan - Fethiye 67 km
Dalyan - Marmaris 90 km
Dalyan - Kalkan 126 km
Dalyan - Kas 160 km
Dalyan - Sarigerme 31km
Distances to Historical Sights
Ephesus - 210 km
Pamukkale - 213 km
Letoon - 130 km
Patara - 140 km
Tlos - 105 km
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protection afforded to the rare loggerhead turtles that frequent the river and beach. This should ensure that Dalaman continues to develop in harmony with its surrounding environment and retain its natural beauty.
Limestone mountain while crusing along the Dalyan river when you reach the shore, walk on Iztuzu Beach. The area is world's 6th most famous beach, it is 6 km long and enjoy the sea turtles (caretta-carrettas). The beach is a sactuary for sea turtles.