Dalyan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Dalyan featuring a marina and boating
Dalyan featuring heritage architecture
Dalyan featuring general coastal views and mountains
Dalyan showing boating and a river or creek
Dalyan featuring a pool as well as a large group of people

Take a cruise down the river between the Mediterranean Sea and Koycegiz Lake to find this gorgeous town, an ancient city, pristine beaches and nesting turtles.

Dalyan is a small town in Turkey’s Muğla province, surrounded by spectacular natural and historical sites. Cruise down Dalyan’s picturesque river to find the umbrella-studded shore of İztuzu Beach. See loggerhead turtles sunning themselves in protected natural reserves, the ruins of an ancient Roman city and monolithic Lycian tombs carved into sheer cliff faces. Visit Dalyan for an experience of rural Turkey and enjoy local produce at the town’s Saturday market.

The Dalyan Çayı (River) is Dalyan’s main waterway, connecting the Mediterranean to Koycegiz Lake. Take a boat trip along the curving river and see a network of lush waterways and wetlands, where an abundance of fish and bird species live among the reeds. The wide sandbar of İztuzu Beach divides the delta and is an idyllic spot for relaxing on a rented beach lounge or on the sand. Go swimming in the warm, shallow waters.

Much of the wetlands make up the Köyceğiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area. Spot endangered loggerhead and green turtles arriving on İztuzu Beach to lay their eggs between May and October. Wooden stakes mark the turtles’ nesting areas. Storks, cranes and kingfishers can also be seen throughout the wetlands.

Stop by the thermal springs and mud baths near the town centre to experience a natural and luxurious wellbeing treatment. Scrub the mineral-enriched mud over your body before washing it off in the lake or on-site shower facilities and relaxing in the hot springs.

See spectacular cliffs rising up from the river further downstream. Find the ancient façades of Lycian tombs, carved into the rock in 400 B.C. Nearby visit Kaunos, a trading city dating back to ancient Greek times. This fascinating site features ruins of an acropolis, a theatre and the Heraklion fortress.

Explore Dalyan on a boat cruise. Rent a car to experience the region’s lush landscapes and views of Sülüngür Lake. Public minibuses (dolmuş) connect Dalyan to nearby cities Fethiye and Marmaris. Join a charter tour or rent your own boat for the day. Dalaman Airport is approximately a 40-minute drive away.

Where to stay in Dalyan

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Dalyan City Center

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

Unique features of Dalyan City Center include the river views and spas. Make a stop by Dalyan Mosque or Sea Turtles Statue while you're exploring the area.

Dalyan City Center
Legend Of Dalyan Hotel
Legend Of Dalyan Hotel
Özalp Sk., 4, Ortaca, Mugla
Stay at this hotel in Ortaca. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a snack bar/deli and housekeeping. Popular attractions Sultaniye Hot Springs and Dalyan Mosque are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay, all the s"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Legend Of Dalyan Hotel
Tufan Boutique Hotel & Apart
Tufan Boutique Hotel & Apart
Dalyan mah. Tufan cad. numara 3, Ortaca, ORTACA
Stay at this aparthotel in Ortaca. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Sultaniye Hot Springs and Sea Turtles ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
"Everything at the hotelwas perfect. The attention from all staff but especially Kaya was exceptional. Rooms and communal areas all spotlessly clean. Lovely swimming pool with plenty of comfortable loungers and parasols. Easy ten minute walk into the bustling centre."

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2024

Tufan Boutique Hotel & Apart
Safak Oasis Hotel
Safak Oasis Hotel
Ataturk Blv. No. 79, Ortaca, Mugla
Stay at this hotel in Ortaca. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and a garden. Popular attractions Sultaniye Hot Springs and Sea Turtles Statue are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (62 reviews)
"Lovely hotel with great pool. Fab friendly staff & we can defo recommend the potato pancake. Easy ten min walk into the centre & spotlessly clean. Good value."

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

Safak Oasis Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Tufan Boutique Hotel & Apart
Tufan Boutique Hotel & Apart
Dalyan mah. Tufan cad. numara 3, Ortaca, ORTACA
Stay at this aparthotel in Ortaca. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Sultaniye Hot Springs and Sea Turtles ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
"Everything at the hotelwas perfect. The attention from all staff but especially Kaya was exceptional. Rooms and communal areas all spotlessly clean. Lovely swimming pool with plenty of comfortable loungers and parasols. Easy ten minute walk into the bustling centre."

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2024

Tufan Boutique Hotel & Apart
Club Mel Holiday Resort
Club Mel Holiday Resort
345. Sk., Ortaca, Mugla
Stay at this aparthotel in Ortaca. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Sultaniye Hot Springs and Lycian Rock Tombs are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5 reviews)
Relaxing stay
"We enjoyed our time at club Mel and the staff couldn’t have done more for us. Amazingly tasty food and all at a reasonable price We will be returning soon"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Club Mel Holiday Resort
Yakut Apart Hotel
Yakut Apart Hotel
Ataturk Mah. Cinar Sokak No :20, Ortaca
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Ortaca. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Sultaniye Hot Springs and Sea Turtles ...
8/10 Very Good! (85 reviews)
Pool was great on a hot day
"Easy walk to shops and restaurants. Hotel was comfortable and quiet though dated, the aircon in our room was noisy"

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

Yakut Apart Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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