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Dalyan(*) in southern Turkey is all about tanning, tombs and turtles. Tanning, because it has one of the most unspoiled beaches in Turkey; tombs, because it lies in the shadows of beautiful temple-like facades carved into limestone cliffs; and turtles, because it's where the famous loggerhead or caretta turtles lay their eggs.
Life here revolves around the River Calbis, which gently flows past the town from Lake Köycegiz down to the sea.
Dalyan Delta
The Dalyan delta is an area of immense natural beauty and has become one of Turkey's most treasured natural conservation areas. Flanked by imposing mountains and pine-clad hills, the river Dalyan meanders past the lovely village and the impressive centuries old Lycian rock tombs, which are carved out of the rock face. The river spreads out into tributaries, teeming with the local wildlife, a naturalist's paradise. All leading out to the stunning sand bank, known as Iztuzu Beach, home to the famous loggerhead turtles. Access to the beach is by water taxi (co-operative boats) "45 minutes" or dolmus (public mini-bus) "25 minutes". Regulations have prohibited the buildings on the sandbank so all hotels and apartments are located in the village. Dalyan has retained the traditional hospitality for which Turkey has become famous and offers its visitors local Turkish life at its best.
In addition to the main beach, Iztuzu, there are two very secluded beaches which can be reached by boat or bus.
The minibus service-called "dolmus"(pronounced "dollmush") -is a cheap and efficient public transport service which will literally take you everywhere you need to go in the area, whether it is to Ortaca, Iztuzu, or the world-famous Caretta Caretta beach.
There is windsurfing, diving, diving lessons, and boat trips in nearby Sarigerme beach which we can arrange for you. Dalyan is a lovely seaside town with great shops and restaurants galore, as well as famous historic sites which can be reached by inexpensive water-taxi from the centre of Dalyan, or by taxi or minibus service. Dalyan is still unspoilt. It has a wonderful market on Saturday, well worth a visit for its colourful local produce, as well as the famous imitation designer label clothes. The setting for it, though pleasant is less scenic than the one in other cities.
In addition, there is a very good local taxi service, and if you remain with one company for your holiday, you can often negotiate your own competitive rates!
You will be met on arrival by Cavit, your host over here who will explain to you how everything works and where things are. He is available to assist you 24 hours a day and he will arrange car hire and excursions for you at competitive prices should you wish.
For a perfect summer’s day, why not try Asi Koyu (Asi Bay Beach), Kargicak Beach Bacardi Beach, this can be organized by your host.
You can change money in Dalyan, at bank distributors, or specialist Change Bureaux. Don't use the banks if you can help it as they take ages and charge a high commission. Likewise the airport should only be used to change a small amount of money as their rates are invariably worse than in Dalyan.
Turkey is, of course, very hot in the summer. However Dalyan is blessed with a lovely sea breeze that makes it possible to stay out all day even, at the peak of summer.
Mouth watering seafood-restaurants line the riverbank and the village has a smattering of local bars and souvenir shops and even discos for the night owls.
For entertainment, the centre of Dalyan has lively bars and discos which is a great favourite with European but specially English tourists.
What could be better after breakfast, than to take a boat and soak in the famous sulphur mud baths, reputed to be great for your skin and general well being, Dustin Hoffman and Sting to name some of the baths many past visitors. Visit the ruins of the famous "City of Caunos" which dates back 3000 years, or simply cruise along the Dalyan river and go back in time to when Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn didn't have as such an easy task when filming the "African Queen". Dalyan offers all the ingredients for a truly unique Turkish holiday.
Food is cheap by British standards, and you will find all tastes catered for, from excellent juicy inexpensive steaks to fine Chinese cuisine (try this) to the local food with their appetising starters or "mezzes" and ,of course, the ubiquitous very cheap kebabs which make the perfect lunchtime snack. The local beer and fruit juices are fine. Ask Cavit(your host) for any particular recommendations regarding Turkish wine as he has all the local knowledge.
History Caunos
There are three ways of reaching Caunos which attract great attention today owing to its Venetian type of channel, Lycian type of tombs and its ruined remains. The visitors who come by means of their yachts, land on the island named Delikli Ada and reach the site of the ruins by starting off in small boats from here; those who come from Marmaris by sea route, drop anchor in the vicinity of Delikli Ada and also reach the site of the ruins in small boats; and those who come by land route, reach the ruins by starting boats from the Village of Dalyan which is at a distance of 27 km from Köycegiz.
The existence of the ruins of Caunos was first discovered in the year 1842, and excavations have been carried on there by the Turkish archeologists under the supervision of Prof. Baki Ogun since 1967. Caunos, the son of Miletos, had been indicated as the founder of the city and therefore, it had been named Caunos. The city was first captured by the Persians and then by Alexander and in the year 189 B.C., it was made subject to the Kingdom of Rhodes. We know that it continued until the year 167 B.C. Caunos was subjected to the Kingdom of Pergamon and was brought directly under the sovereignty of Rome after 133 B.C. You reach the site of the ruins by means of channel adorned with Lycian type tombs belonging to the 4th century B.C. The first place that we see is the acropolis of Caunos. The northern part of the city wall, which surrounds the acropolis. belongs to the period of Mausolos. The northwestern part has Hellenistic qualities. And starting from the harbor are seen the city walls of Cyclopean type belonging to' the Archaic Period. The theater belonging to the Roman Period is located at the skirt of the acropolis and its southern part is carved in the rock; the other parts are shaped into seats supported by gable roof vaults. There are 33 rows of seats, the scene has collapsed and the part of the orchestra has been filled in.
A temple, revealed by the recent excavations, is located at far west of the theater, and a church and the magnificent walls of the Roman Bath are visible beyond it. Another temple belonging to the Roman Period is located behind the bath. As we go downwards, we see the remains of a wall built in the shape of three-fourths of a circle with a row of columns on it and, behind it, a temple of the Doric order. The locality called Sülüklü Göl (Lake of Leeches) in Caunos today, was a harbor closed by means of chains during the Antique Period. The excavations performed at the north of this harbor have revealed a stoa which used to form a part of the Port Agora. The fountain near the stoa has a plan of in antis. style and has been restored recently, and the inscription which- is seen on its side facing the harbor, contains the written decrees concerning the customs house.
Nature - Iztuzu - Nile Turtles - Loggerhead
The Dalyan Delta is a rich area of flora and fauna. The freshwater river is home to the Trionyx Triunguis (Nile Turtles) freshwater turtle, crabs, grey mullet, sea bass, sea brim, trout, eel, and many other fish. There are also many species of bird that make their nests amongst the reeds.
Iztuzu Beach and the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) turtle
Iztuzu Beach is one of the last nesting places available for the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) turtle and it is now a protected site. The name loggerhead comes from its particularly large head, which can be as wide as 25cm. Loggerhead's are among the biggest marine turtles. Adults weigh up to 180kg and grow to over 1m long. They have a reddish-brown carapace and characteristically short fore flippers. They are mainly carnivorous throughout their lives. Their large heads are equipped with powerful jaw muscles, which allow them to crack into the toughest prey, such as crabs, mussels and clams, which they hunt on the seabed.
The loggerhead is listed as endangered. They are threatened by tourism development at the nesting beaches and by capture in marine fisheries. Through the summer season the nesting areas of Iztuzu Beach are restricted to allow for the turtles to lay there eggs and for the young to hatch safely.
Dalyan Delta and Trionyx Triunguis (Nile Turtles) freshwater turtles
The Dalyan Delta is a massive freshwater area separated by reed beds forming a network of small lakes and waterways. These reed beds rise to between 3 and 5 metres in height. One of the main occupants of the Delta are the Trionyx Triunguis (Nile Turtles) freshwater turtle. These creatures can grow up to 1.20m in length with a flattened, pancake-shaped shell covered with a thick, leathery skin, soft shell. They have a snorkel-like snout and flippers, each with 3 massive claws. They mainly feed on fish, worms, molluscs, crabs and carion. The Trionyx Triunguis (Nile Turtles) can stay up to 15 hours under water without surfacing by using their lungs as well as absorbing oxygen from the water through their skin (coutaneous respiration).
The Mediterranean subpopulation is critically endangered (IUCN Red List in 1996), only holding approximately 1000 adults. These turtles have a Special Protection Order in the Dalyan Delta.
(*) Dalyan, in Turkish, means :
Enclosure of nets fixed on poles used for catching fish. Twelve years ago, Dalyan was a small fishing village; the discovery of the endangered Caretta Caretta Turtles along with the wildlife in the area, led to a campaign to list the area for conservation. Since 1989 Turkey has taken steps towards the conservation of wild life, and one of the most important protected areas is Dalyan. The village has therefore retained its natural charm and beauty. A haven for relaxation that has blossomed to cater for the serious traveller.
"There are three kinds of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened"
Casey Stengel
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