Dalyan is a relaxed river town on the southwest coast, set on the channel that links Köyceğiz Lake with the Mediterranean. Reed beds, citrus groves and cliffs carved with ancient tombs make it one of the most scenic stops on a road trip in the region.
The rock tombs of Kaunos
Facing the town, temple-fronted tombs are cut high into the cliff above the river. They belonged to Kaunos, an ancient city on the border of Caria and Lycia whose theatre, baths and harbour can be visited on the opposite bank.
İztuzu beach
At the mouth of the river, İztuzu is a long sandy beach and an important nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). It is protected, and the beach closes at night during the nesting season.
Mud baths and boat trips
River boats are the easiest way to get around: to the beach, to the ruins and to the mud baths and hot springs near the lake. Dalyan is close to Dalaman airport, so it works well at the start or end of a route.
