Visitors to Turkey can do and see an endless variety of landscapes, historical sites, beaches and adventure trips, from hot air ballooning in Capadoccia to watching the loggerheads in Dalyan.
Location of Dalyan/Turkey
The smallish town of Dalyan is located on Turkey's south west coast, half way between the well known holiday resorts of Marmaris and Fethiye in the province of Mugla. It borders the somewhat reedy Dalyan Cayi River, with the Mediterranean downriver and the huge Koycegiz Lake upstream. Dalyan is best reached by car from either Muglia, Marmaris of Fethiye or by joining one of the many organised tours that visit the place.
Lycian Tombs in Dalyan
Approaching Dalyan on a twisting mountain road, the eye falls upon the impressive mountain tombs. Perched high up on the cliffs, one can't help but wonder, how stonemasons and workers of times gone by have managed to carve them out of the rock and erect the massive monuments.
The tombs are the final resting place of the Kings of Cannos and date back to 400BC, the Lycian period. Like many historical places all over Turkey, Dalyan and the surrounding region has a long and colorful history.
Lycia consisted of a federation of 23 city-states which united in 168BC in the Lycian League with the purpose of forming a federal style government based on democratic principles, which later became a role model for Athens and even influenced the American Constitution.
Loggerhead Turtle Sanctuary in Dalyan
Dalyan was very much in the public eye, when in 1986 developers wanted to construct a luxury holiday resort on the nearby beach of Iztuzu. What caused the uproar was the fact, that the beach was the breeding ground for the endangered species of the loggerhead sea turtles.
The lucky result was, that luxury hotels were built elsewhere and the beach is now a restricted area and wildlife sanctuary for the turtles. The beach is closed during the time when the loggerheads have and protect their young.
Of course, the motive of the famous turtles dominates every nook and cranny of the town of Dalyan. Sculptures of turtles are everywhere, not to mention the innumerable souvenir shops and stalls which sell them in every imaginable shape and material.
Dalyan Cayi River
The wide, reedy and slow flowing river is another main attrcation of the region. Many locals use the waterway for transportation and boat tours either downriver towards the sea or upriver towards Lake Koycegiz are popular and enjoyable with locals and tourists alike. The boats are quite picturesque, one of them is actually named "The African Queen".
For further information and accommodation visit, Dalyan's website.
The best months to visit are April and May or from September to November. The summer months tend to be very hot and Dalyan is crowded.
Inka Piegsa-Quischotte - Since two years I am a full time travel and lifestyle writer and blogger. I published several articles and blogs on ...
Join the Conversation