Holiday in Dalyan

What makes Dalyan special as a destination?

Dalyan is a sleepy riverside village in southwestern Turkey that has preserved its authentic charm and delights nature lovers with a unique combination of ancient heritage, unspoiled nature, and gentle tourism. The Dalyan River lazily winds through a vast reed area, which is protected as the most important wetland in the region. The imposing Lycian rock tombs of Kaunos, dating back to the 4th century BC and carved high into the opposite cliff face, form one of the most impressive backdrops along the Turkish coast. Riverboat tours pass directly by the tombs, further through the reed maze of the delta, and out to Iztuzu Beach—a four-kilometer-long, pristine sandy beach that is protected as one of the most important nesting sites for the endangered Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). The ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos, with its theater, temple remains, and acropolis, can be wonderfully explored on foot. The natural thermal springs and mud baths of Dalyan are legendary: a bath in the sulfuric mud is said to rejuvenate the skin and has been practiced by locals for generations. In the evening, one can sit in the riverside restaurants right by the water, watch boats glide by, and enjoy freshly caught sea bass. Dalyan is the perfect choice for those seeking a quiet, nature-oriented holiday in Turkey away from the large resort towns.