Traveleye on Dalyan (Turkey)

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Overview:

Dalyan is a sleepy fishing village with simple low-rise buildings, it extends ¾ mile from NE to SW and ¼ ml wide. Its natural beauty, enriched by an intriguing ancient history, offers a pleasing alternative to more familiar Mediterranean beach resorts. Tourism is still in its infancy here, and what development there is has been tightly controlled, and remains sympathetic to the environment and traditional flavour of the place. The marina, with its colourful local boats, is the focus of local life. Shops and restaurants are found in the adjacent grid of streets, while a pleasant thoroughfare leads to the nearby mosque. The riverside is a delightful setting for many hotels while others are located in quiet residential streets or in outlying rural areas.

Locality:

Dalyan is located 7 mls inland from the rugged W end of Turkey's Mediterranean coast, 18 mls NW of Dalaman airport. It is positioned at the centre of a broad flat delta surrounded by dramatic mountains, rolling pine-clad hills and scenic rocky outcrops, it nestles beside the Dalyan River which links Lake Koycegiz to the Mediterranean.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Dalyan is most suited to mature couples, singles and young families seeking the gentle traditional Turkish lifestyle, and those for whom days lounging on the beach is not a priority. Bird-watchers and ancient-history buffs should be kept busy.

There are a good range of attractive low-rise properties catering for most budgets here and a handful of stylish 4-stars; relaxing family-run middlemarket establishments; simple pensions; and a smattering of self-catering properties.

The nearest beach is at Iztuzu, 7 mls away by road or boat. This impressive sandbar stretches for nearly 3 mls across the mouth of the Dalyan estuary and is one of the last remaining nesting grounds in the Mediterranean for the loggerhead turtle.

Shopping is limited to several souvenir shops offering typical Turkish arts and crafts; a handful of carpet dealers; minimarkets.

Most activities here are based around the river and numerous boat trips. Trekking, rafting and horse riding is also available. By night there are a few cosy bars and occasional hotel Turkish nights barely disturb the generally low-key atmosphere.

The area offers a good choice of comfortable welcoming restaurants serving local cuisine and familiar European fare. Prices tend to be slightly higher than in neighbouring resorts.

Regular dolmus (minibus) services to the beach, Dalaman and the weekly market at nearby Koycegiz. Buses provide links to Marmaris and Fethiye. Local boat trips to various attractions are an appealing alternative.

Nearby ancient city of Caunos, dating from the 9th century BC; Lycian rock temples; resting place of the kings of Caunos. Mud baths and Sultaniye hot springs. Numerous boat trips along the river and coast.