Dalyan is a charming, small fishing village surrounded by pine clad hills, bulrushes and cotton fields. The attraction of this area is the natural beauty of the reed beds and sand bar that separates the sea from Lake Koycegiz. Due to this being a conservation area, there are no buildings near the beach and most holiday accommodation is situated in and around the village, where there are attractive small bars, water front restaurants, shops and cafes. The area has been the home of the loggerhead turtle for hundreds of years and the authorities have designated this a conservation area in an effort to protect the species. The fine sandy Iztuzu beach is reached by dolmus or water taxi where you can view the ruins of the Roman city of Caunos, which dates back to 3000 BC and marvel at the well preserved Lycean rock tombs above. Roman baths, monuments and a 2000 seat theatre remain well preserved.

DALYAN HIGHLIGHTS & SIGHTS

DALYAN SIGHTS

The Dalyan Channel, through which water circulates between the Mediterranean and Köycegiz Lake slowly meanders, forming a network of small lakes and waterways through reed beds rising to between 3 and 5 metres in height. (The journey through this natural labyrinth is romantic and mysterious) With its mixture of fresh and salt water, these wetlands have become home to vast numbers of fish and other water life, as well as the birds of many species which feed on them. Dividing the sea from the delta is the Iztuzu sandbar stretching for 5km east from the mouth of the channel. With its fine crystal sand, shallow turquoise sea and abundant sunshine, Iztuzu beach is the ideal seaside spot, perfect for swimming. It is this beach to which the endangered Mediterranean turtle Caretta Caretta has returned year after year to lay its eggs since time immemorial.

CAUNOS

The ancient city of Caunos stands midway along the channel facing Dalyan. The settlement here is believed to date from 3000 BC by Caunos, the son of Miletos and it later grew into a major port on the border between Lycia and Caria. Sprawling over a broad sloping site overlooking the sea and the delta, the principal monuments to be seen in Caunos are the Acropolis surrounded by city walls, a theatre, four temples, stoa, nymphain, baths, palestra, churches and a cistern.

The imposing Lycian rock tombs with their facades curved into the form of temples were the last resting place of the kings of Caunos. The city had two harbours, one for military use and the other for merchants. Inscriptions discovered on the nymphain have been found to cite customs regulations and have thrown valuable light on the economic life of the city.

THE SULTANIYE THERMAL BATHS

The Sultaniye Thermal Baths are to the Southwest of Köycegiz Lake. The water here at 40 Celsius is second to none. The water at these baths was first used in Caunon times, and then by the Byzantines, who rebuilt the accommodations. The ruins of the buildings from this period are submerged beneath the waters of the lake. It is not unusual to see the Turkish elderly make pilgrimages to the baths due to the water’s curative properties in case of neuralgia, rheumatism and disorders of the liver, spleen and bowels.

THE MUD BATHS

“Beauty Mud” not only cleanses and tones the skin but is said to remedy rheumatism and has anti-ageing properties. After allowing the mud to dry, it can be removed in a natural clear water sulphur pool, at temperatures of around 40 Celsius. This leaves you refreshed and relaxed.