Iztuzu Beach
This is a beautiful stetch of golden sand approximately 5 kms long. It is famous as an important nesting ground for the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta and is now a protected beach. Between May and October the females lay their eggs at night. The females always return to the beach where they were born. Iztuzu beach recently won a Times Green Spaces Travel Award 2008.
There are 2 ways to get to the beach from Dalyan. Firstly a slow and relaxing boat ride through the marshes to one end of the beach. Secondly a minibus trip over the mountains with stunning views to the other end of the beach. A nice thing to do is get the bus to one end, walk along the beach and then get the boat back.
Koycegiz Lake
Upstream from Dalyan is Koycegiz lake. The mountains backing the lake rise to 7000 feet. Köycegiz Lake is the largest fresh water lake of the region. It is 54km2 which is 4 times the size of Lake Windemere, Englands's largest! The lake is surrounded by mountains covered with pine forests, and by reedbeds. With its thick reeds, Lake Koycegiz provides a rich spawning ground for mullet and sea bass. It is a part of the wildlife sanctuary that follows the river through the marshlands to one of Turkeys most popular beaches, Iztuzu Beach. Many species of birds have been sighted here including herons, cranes, kestrels, storks, egrets, kingfishers and less frequently, the endangered sea eagle.
Sultaniye Hot Springs
Situated on the shore of Koycegiz lake these springs have been used since Roman times. The remains of roman columns are still visible behind one of the baths. The water is 39 degrees celsius.
The waters are believed to be good for rheumatism, sciatica, skin conditions etc - in fact just about anything you can think of! The spas are said to have been first opened by the Kaunos locals some 2000 years ago. The remains of a Roman hospital in the area also has been found.
The normal routine is to coat yourself in very smelly sulphurous mud from one pool and allow this to dry while standing in the sun. This acts like a body mask. Then remove either under a shower or in one of the cooler pools. Having cleansed your skin there are 2 very hot thermal pools, one in the open and one under cover to lounge in.
The waters are believed to be good for rheumatism, sciatica, skin conditions etc - in fact just about anything you can think of! The spas are said to have been first opened by the Kaunos locals some 2000 years ago. The remains of a Roman hospital in the area also has been found.
The normal routine is to coat yourself in very smelly sulphurous mud from one pool and allow this to dry while standing in the sun. This acts like a body mask. Then remove either under a shower or in one of the cooler pools. Having cleansed your skin there are 2 very hot thermal pools, one in the open and one under cover to lounge in.
Yuvarlak Cay - waterfall and trout restaurants
This trip makes a change from Dalyan and the beach. It is a 20-30 minute drive into the mountains from Dalyan The Sandras Mountain, at a height of 2294 metres, is the highest in the region. One of the springs that feeds Lake Koycegiz is the Yuvarlak (Round) Stream. This bursts out from one of the holes in the slopes of the Sandras Mountains. There are many open air restaurants over the river their speciality being trout, cooked in a pot and baked in an oven. The water is extremely cold and good for a quick dip on a very hot day, but be warned it is so cold it can reputedly crack a watermelon!
12 Islands
This is a very popular trip which goes from Gocek, around half an hour from Dalyan (transport always provided). It is a day trip which takes in a few of the islands in the bay. (There are actually 17 islands!). The captain stops at various places for swimming and snorkelling and a delicious lunch is provided.
Kaunos
The well preserved ruins of the city of Kaunos include a Roman theatre, fortifications, basilica and many other fascinating sights. Shards found at Kaunos suggest that a settlement of some kind existed as early as the 9C BC
The silting of the ancient harbor brought an end to the affluence of Kaunos which was dependent on the export of salt, fish and slaves while rivaling Ephesus as a wealthy seaport. Eventually the city was abandoned. The theatre offers a good view of the ruins but the citadel, high on the hill beyond the old defensive walls, commands a sweeping panorama of the countryside.
The silting of the ancient harbor brought an end to the affluence of Kaunos which was dependent on the export of salt, fish and slaves while rivaling Ephesus as a wealthy seaport. Eventually the city was abandoned. The theatre offers a good view of the ruins but the citadel, high on the hill beyond the old defensive walls, commands a sweeping panorama of the countryside.