Located in the Muğla province of Turkey, the sleepy fishing village on the Dalyan river attracts a laidback crowd who come for the slower pace. That doesn’t mean you’ll be lost for things to do in Dalyan though.
If all-inclusive resorts aren’t your thing but you still want a relaxing break in Turkey, Dalyan is the ideal place to go.
It’s a short drive from Dalaman airport and while there’s no beach, the citrus-scented riverside vibe more than makes up for it. Plus, there are plenty of beaches within easy reach of Dalyan, if you’re really craving a dose of sea and sand.
Book your airport transfer to your Dalyan accommodation here
I spent a few days in Dalyan at the end of a 10 day tour of Turkey I did with my mum and some local friends, where we drove from Marmaris up to Cappadocia and back down to the southwest coast, stopping in Antalya on the way.
Dalyan turned out to be the ideal place to recharge after the long car journeys and nonstop sightseeing in Turkey.
What to do in Dalyan
Watch my full-length Cappadocia travel video on Youtube
It’s easy to see why the place attracts so many expats. Dalyan, with its juicy pomegranate trees and curious felines at every turn, charmed me in ways I didn’t expect.
I found myself imagining a new, easier life there. It’s not overrun with tourist attractions and gaudy developments, and it’s this firm grip on authentic Turkey that makes Dalyan such a pleasure to visit.
Here are a few of the best things to do in Dalyan. At the bottom of this mini guide, I’ve also included some of my favourite bars, cafes and restaurants plus some essential information for planning a holiday in Dalyan.
1. See the Lycian Tombs
Best viewed from across the river, Dalyan’s Lycian tombs are carved into the cliff face and lit up at night. The story attached to these tombs is somewhat sordid but, like all scandalous tales, very interesting.
There are numerous versions, but all centre around a woman called Byblis who fell in love with her twin brother, Caunus. Caunus was the grandson of the Carian king, Eurytus.
When Byblis declared her love, Caunus rejected her (fair play mate) and ran away to a land he called Kaunos. Byblis wept tears of despair while trying to find him, and those tears formed the Dalyan River.
2. Visit Turtle Beach
While you’re staying in Dalyan, take a 30 minute boat trip to Iztuzu Beach.
This glorious white sand beach is the nesting place of loggerhead turtles, which are an endangered species so the area is protected. There’s even a festival in Dalyan devoted to the turtles, called Caretta.
I didn’t actually get to the beach but I did notice Dalyan’s huge sea turtle statues.
3. Enjoy a boat trip on the river
There are plenty of boats lined up along the river, so simply ask the price and get haggling!
You can take a boat from Dalyan to visit most of the nearby tourist attractions like the ruins of ancient Caunos and Iztuzu beach. Alternatively, hop on with no destination in mind and just enjoy cruising along the river along to stop in Ekincik Bay for a taste of the Mediterranean.
You can even do a moonlight cruise in Dalyan, which would be magical.
4. Shop at the Saturday market
The Saturday market in Dalyan takes place every week. The main offering is locally-grown citrus fruits and vegetables, but you can also find handmade trinkets with the Turkish eye symbol, clothes and herbs and spices.
5. Get muddy at Lake Koycegiz
This tranquil, authentic Turkish destination comes alive on Mondays, when the weekly market takes place. The Sultaniye Hot Springs and mud baths at Lake Koycegiz are one of the most popular places to go in Dalyan.
Relax in the sulphurous water, which can hit 40 degrees, then lather up in the mud bath before rinsing it off in the thermal spring. You’ll look 10 years younger, they promise!
6. Bag a bargain
Dalyan’s main streets are lined with shops selling the usual tourist tat as well as fake designer clothes, bags and other accessories.
You can of course haggle – though more and more of the shops are operating with fixed prices these days. The shopkeepers are a lot less aggressive in their sales tactics in Dalyan than they are in the more touristy places I’ve been to in Turkey.
7. Enjoy a sunset walk along the river
In places like Dalyan, it’s the simple things that bring holidaymakers the most pleasure. Set out in the late afternoon when the temperature begins to drop and it’s more bearable, and walk along the waterfront.
You’ll no doubt get chatting to locals and the view of the cliffs opposite is most striking at this time of day.
Where to eat and drink in Dalyan
Dalyan’s best cafes and restaurants are found on the riverbank. One of the most romantic things to do in Dalyan is a have a meal on the waterfront.
Here are a few of my favourite places for food and drink in Dalyan.
Dalyanos – A Dutch/Turkish owned boho-style bar that serves homemade gelato, milkshakes and waffles. We went for iced coffees in the morning, but the place is at its busiest in the evening, where everyone congregates here to enjoy the people watching opportunities that its location on the corner offers.
Asktaş – You simply must order fish for dinner while you’re in Dalyan. The best I had was at this romantic waterfront restaurant. The service is friendly, the food is fresh and delicious and you can sit directly next to the river. I spent most of the meal trying to see a sea turtle in the black water…
Dalyan Iz Cafe – This was an accidental find when we went for a walk one afternoon. They have fresh mint tea, pomegranate juice and homemade cakes that change every day – the pear crumble was to die for! We loved the shabby chic decor and the leafy garden provided welcome shade.
Beyaz Gul – This dimly lit jazz bar was one of my favourite spots for a drink in Dalyan. I felt like I was in Bali, not Turkey! The eclectic furniture and ambience made me forget where I was. The drinks are slightly pricier to reflect the surroundings, and they serve food too.
How to get to Dalyan
Dalyan is only a 30 minute drive from Dalaman Airport. I flew direct from Newcastle. I always recommend setting up price alerts on Skyscanner so you can lock down the lowest price for your flight.
Book an airport transfer from Dalaman to Dalyan. Remember, the shuttle buses stop at every hotel so it’s worth paying a bit extra for a private transfer if you don’t want to waste time.
Dalyan is sandwiched between the busy tourist resorts Marmaris and Fethiye, so you can always schedule a few nights in Dalyan for the end of your holiday in either of those places and enjoy a shorter journey back to the airport before your flight home.
If you’re staying in Marmaris, you can book a boat trip to Dalyan that includes a visit to the mud baths.
Alternatively, this tour will pick you up from your hotel in Marmaris or Icmelir and you’ll be driven to Köyceğiz Lake, transfer from the bus to a boat and cross the lake to swim in the hot water pools at Sultaniye or use the mud baths. Afterwards, you’ll have lunch and sail onwards to the Lycian tombs before visiting turtle beach.
Where to stay in Dalyan
We stayed in an apartment called Manuela Apart located on a quiet street, just a few minutes walk from the town.
There are four apartments with a large shared pool. Each apartment sleeps six and has a huge living area, multiple large balconies, full kitchen, washing machine etc. It was perfect!
You can search for other accommodation options in Dalyan on booking.com using the box below.
Best time to visit Dalyan
I visited in October, when the temperatures were still warm but the shops were starting to shut for the season. Luckily for me, that meant I could take advantage of the end of season sales!
Turkey has gorgeous weather from April to October, but I think the best time to visit Dalyan is towards the end of the season.
Tell me, had you ever heard of Dalyan? I had been hearing about it for years because my mum had holidayed there before, so it was great to finally visit!
It seems like most people just come to Dalyan for an hour or two during a boat trip from their resort, but I think it’s worth spending more time there.
I hope you’ve found this mini guide to things to see and do in Dalyan helpful for your visit to Turkey. If you’d like to see more blog posts from me, you can sign up to receive new ones directly to your inbox when they go live. You can also follow me on Instagram, via my Facebook page, or on Twitter.