Things to Do in Dalyan

A river town between a turtle beach and a lake, with rock tombs carved into the cliff opposite the restaurants.

1. İztuzu Beach

A four-kilometre sand bar between the river and the sea where loggerhead turtles nest. Reach it by river boat or dolmuş; the beach closes at night in nesting season.

2. The rock tombs of Kaunos

Lycian tombs cut into the cliff across the river, lit up at night. The ruins of Kaunos itself are a short walk from the ferry landing.

3. Mud baths and Sultaniye hot springs

Cover yourself in mud, bake in the sun and rinse off in the lake, then soak in the hot sulphur pools at Sultaniye.

4. A river boat trip

Boats run all day through the reed beds to the beach, the mud baths and the lake, with turtle-spotting on the way.

5. Köyceğiz Lake

A large freshwater lake with a sleepy town on its shore, reached by boat through the delta or by road in 20 minutes. Dalyan’s own market is on Saturdays.

6. Kayaking the river channels

Paddle the quieter channels of the delta early in the morning, when the birdlife is at its best.

7. Ekincik and the coast

Boat trips along the coast to Ekincik bay and the sea caves, with lunch in a quiet cove.