Dalyan, which is a town of the Ortaca district of Mugla, is a unique and magnificent place built around a thin passage, the intersection point of the Mediterranean and Koycegiz Lake… There are also some great spots to explore in Dalyan, although its name is little less mentioned next to other regions in Mugla, which is one of the most popular routes of summer holiday with its beautiful coasts. At the same time, it’s a natural habitat that fascinates with its rich biodiversity.
We have compiled travel suggestions that you should not miss when you visit Dalyan, one of the most special places in Mugla.
Koycegiz, Dalyan Lagoon
The first place that comes to mind when Dalyan is mentioned is the lagoon system… This wonder of nature, which has a magnificent bird’s eye view, is located at the point where the lake and the sea are intertwined. When you look from afar, the labyrinth-like folds divide the lake and the sea into two, creating an intriguing ambiance. The lagoon structure, which is rarely seen in the world, has an important place in terms of hosting natural life and many living things. Koycegiz Lake, which used to be a bay, became a lagoon when it was filled by the alluviums carried by the river known as Calbys in ancient times and the great earthquake that is estimated to have happened in 226 BC. Today, Koycegiz Lake, which has a very rich structure with the waters flowing in seven branches from the mountains covered with pine forests, also flows some of its water into the Mediterranean Sea through a 10-kilometer-long channel. The region, which is known as a water paradise, has very clean waters in general. You can also visit the lagoon, which is among the places you should definitely see in Dalyan, by boat tours departing from Koycegiz and Dalyan.
Iztuzu
Located 12 km to Dalyan, Iztuzu Beach can be accessed in 20 minutes from the center. Iztuzu Beach, which has a length of approximately 5 km, is also known as Turtle Beach. The beach, which is one of the rare coasts where salty sea water and fresh water coexist, has been selected as one of the 10 most popular beaches in Europe thanks to this feature. It’s also one of the most special nesting grounds of endangered loggerhead turtles. It’s an amazing experience to witness the moments when the baby loggerhead turtles, which have completed the nesting period of about two months, enter the sea after they are born. You can encounter this occasion at night especially at the beginning of July.
The lake side of Iztuzu is more suitable for swimming. We should remind you that the effect of the wind is felt and the sea is wavy. The beach belonging to the municipality, which is the part of Iztuzu that can be reached by road, is more preferred for swimming.
Kargicak is one of the most beautiful pristine bays adjacent to Iztuzu. We can easily say that its challenging and winding roads make this place stay untouched. With a canoe you can get from Kargicak Bay, you can explore other calm bays that also remain pristine.
Ancient City of Kaunos
Located in Koycegiz district, the Ancient City of Kaunos is one of the oldest coastal towns founded in the 10th century BC. The city and its surroundings, which are among the settlements within the Caria region, are mostly known for the Kaunos King Tombs. Kaunos, one of the coastal towns of Caria, had hosted many civilizations and cultures such as Persians, Rhodes, Pergamons and Romans for a long time. The port area of the city is the surroundings of today’s Suluklu Lake. The sea shore, filled with alluvium, lost its port status over time. The traces of the natural architecture of the ancient city, which are in perfect harmony with the climate, are among the features that can be observed today. The ruins of the city consist of structures like an amphitheatre with 33 rows of seats, stoa, chapel, church, fountain and hammam.
There are more than 160 rock tombs in the city. The most famous of them are 6 tombs carved into the rocks in the south of the city. One of the most important features of the Kaunos Rock Tombs is that they were built in Hellenistic architecture. The tombs, which you can see right in front of you while walking by the beach in the center of Dalyan, reflect that fascinating atmosphere from afar, even if you don’t go near them. It’s also one of the best reasons for those who go on a boat tour, one of Dalyan’s most popular activities, to approach the shore.
You can stay in Dalyan hotels on the riverside and enjoy this outstanding view more.
Ekincik Bay
The bay, which has the same name as Ekincik Village, is one of the most important haunts of yacht and boat tourism. With its wonderful nature surrounded by pine and olive trees, it is a spot that should be visited by those seeking tranquillity. Ekincik Bay, which promises peaceful moments with its crystal-clear waters among its lush nature, features a long beach. Its sea deepens after about 25 meters. You can also check out the hotel and pension options around this calm place, which is a very small settlement. If you visit this place on a day-trip, you should definitely stop by Candir Hill for the sunset. This is a great place to spend the day with the unmatched view of the lagoon.
The caves around Ekincik Bay are among the magnificent natural beauties that can be visited by boat tours. While visiting the different caves that happen to be on the route of many tours, you can enjoy the cool waters during the break and explore the beautiful underwater world.
