Dalyan Travel Guide: Rock Tombs, Turtle Beach and Köyceğiz

Dalyan and Köyceğiz lie between Marmaris and Fethiye, inland from the sea and connected to it by water. Köyceğiz Lake drains into the Dalyan river channel, which winds through reed beds past the town of Dalyan and out to the sea at İztuzu beach. The result is a green, watery landscape that feels very different from the big resort strips.

• Dalyan – riverside restaurants, boat trips, the rock tombs and the turtle beach.
• Köyceğiz – a calm lakeside town with a promenade and a local, unhurried feel.
• Sarıgerme – a long sandy beach with resort hotels, nearer to Dalaman.

All three are a short drive from Dalaman Airport, which makes them easy places to start or end a holiday.

The most famous sight in Dalyan is visible from the riverbank: a row of rock tombs carved into the cliff face opposite the town, with temple-like façades and columns. They belonged to the ancient city of Kaunos, which stood on the border between Caria and Lycia and was once a harbour before the river silted up.

The tombs look best in the late afternoon light, seen from the riverside promenade or from a boat. The ruins of Kaunos itself, including its theatre, lie on the far side of the river and can be visited as part of a boat trip or a short crossing. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water – the site is hilly and has little shade.

Boats leave from the quay in Dalyan and take you down the river through the reeds to İztuzu beach, a long strip of sand separating the river delta from the open sea. On one side you have the sea, on the other the calm river water – a unique spot for a swim. You can also reach the beach by road if you prefer.

İztuzu is an important nesting beach for loggerhead sea turtles. In the nesting season parts of the beach are protected, so please follow the rules and signs on the beach: keep away from marked nests, do not leave rubbish or dig holes, and respect any restrictions on evening access. It is one of the reasons the beach has stayed natural.

A classic Dalyan experience is a visit to the mud baths on the shore of the river and lake. You cover yourself in warm mud, let it dry in the sun, rinse off and then soak in the thermal water. Most river boat tours include a stop here, and it is a fun outing for adults and older children alike.

On the southern shore of Köyceğiz Lake you also find the Sultaniye thermal springs, a quieter spot that can be combined with a lake boat trip. Bring an old swimsuit, as the mud can stain light fabrics.

Köyceğiz sits on the northern shore of the lake of the same name, surrounded by hills and citrus groves. The lakeside promenade is lovely for an evening walk, and the town has a relaxed, everyday Turkish atmosphere rather than a resort feel. Boats on the lake connect it with the thermal springs and with the channel that leads down to Dalyan and the sea.

Köyceğiz suits travellers who want calm, nature and simple local food. Combined with a couple of nights in Dalyan, it makes a peaceful first or last stop before or after a busier resort.

If you want a classic beach holiday nearby, Sarıgerme has a long sandy beach backed by pine trees and resort hotels, close to Dalaman. See the Sarıgerme transfer page for getting there.

Dalyan and Köyceğiz also combine well with the bigger resorts on either side. Many visitors stay in Fethiye or Marmaris and come over for a day, or split their holiday: a few quiet nights in Dalyan, then a week by the sea. Our Marmaris and İçmeler travel guide describes the Marmaris side. For a day trip by private car with driver, agree pick-up and return times when booking; if you want several stops, tell us when booking and we will tell you what is possible.

Dalaman Airport is the natural gateway: Dalyan is ≈29 km and about ≈35 minutes away, Köyceğiz ≈38 km and about ≈40 minutes. With a private transfer, the vehicle is for your group only and the price is fixed per vehicle, not per person – agreed before the trip and not changed for traffic, a night arrival or luggage. Your flight is tracked and waiting is free if it is delayed.

See the live prices on the routes from Dalaman Airport to Dalyan and to Köyceğiz, or the Dalyan transfer overview. Request a quote via WhatsApp or the booking form and you receive a fixed price within 1 minute; you pay in the vehicle with no prepayment, and cancellation is free.