Dalyan

Dalyan is known for boat trips up a reed-lined river to Lycian rock tombs and İztuzu Beach, where loggerhead turtles nest.

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Dalyan is a neighborhood of Ortaca district in Muğla Province, on Turkey's southwest coast between Marmaris and Fethiye. Life here revolves around the Dalyan River, which links Köyceğiz Lake to the Mediterranean. Boats are the usual way to reach the sights. They travel up and down the river through a maze of reeds to Lycian rock tombs cut into the cliffs, dating from around 400 BC. Across the river, the ancient city of Kaunos, capital of the Kaunos kingdom, is a short boat trip away, and its ruins are in good condition.

İztuzu Beach lies south of town on the Mediterranean. It is a sand beach about 5 km long, popular for sunbathing and swimming. Boats and minibuses (dolmuş) run regularly to the beach, and the road passes views of Sülüngür Lake. The beach is a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles, an endangered species, so it closes from 20:00 to 08:00 during the May to October nesting and hatching season. The Dalyan delta is also a stopover for migratory birds, which suits birdwatchers.

Dalyan in five

Take a river boat toward the rock tombsBoats leave from the Dalyan waterfront and cross the reed channels to the cliff-cut tombs and the ancient city of Kaunos. Kaunos is on the ministry's Aegean pass list; check its hours on the ministry site.
Follow the rules at İztuzu Beachİztuzu is a long sand spit where loggerhead sea turtles nest. Stay out of nesting areas, avoid lights and digging in the sand after dark, and expect night restrictions during the nesting season.
Fly into Dalaman and transfer by roadDalaman (DLM) is the nearest airport, roughly 40 minutes away by road. Book a transfer or rental car in advance, because evening flights can leave few options.Getting around
Pair Dalyan with Fethiye or DatçaThe town is small, so many itineraries add a second base. Fethiye adds boats and Kayaköy; the Datça peninsula adds quiet roads and Knidos, but both need a car or a transfer.Fethiye

Things to do in Dalyan

See all attractions in Dalyan

Historic site · DalyanKaunos Ancient City

Landmark · DalyanCaunos Tombs of the Kings

a beach with trees and a mountain in the background

Beach · Dalyanİztuzu BeachBeach access is prohibited from 8 pm to 8 am to protect nesting turtles.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to DalyanPut the places you like in Dalyan on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Dalaman (DLM), roughly 40 minutes by road
Getting there: Transfer or rental car from Dalaman; minibuses from Fethiye and Marmaris
Getting around: Walking in town; river boats and minibuses to the beach
Best base: Dalyan riverfront
Time needed: 2 to 3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild, wet
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Mild, wet
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Mild
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm, green
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot, nesting
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh34°Low24°Very hot
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Very hot
SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot, warm sea
OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm
NovemberRain9 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, wet

Average daily high and low in Dalaman, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Dalyan

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 15°
Humidity: 95%
Wind: 3 km/h
Chance of rain: 70%

Dalyan

11:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today16°13°70%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 70%.
Tue17°13°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 98%.
Wed17°13°48%Wednesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 48%.
Thu19°11°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri17°11°0%Friday: Clear. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat17°8°0%Saturday: Clear. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun16°5°0%Sunday: Clear. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 08:06 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY

Amount

Converted to

TRY · Turkish Lira

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Kaunos and the rock tombsabout 20 minutes by boatA river trip to cliff-cut tombs and an ancient city.
İztuzu Beachabout 30 minutes by boat or minibusA long sand spit that is also a turtle nesting beach.
Fethiyeabout 1.5 hours by roadA larger base for boats, Kayaköy and Ölüdeniz.Read the guide

Before you go to Dalyan

Hotels on the Dalyan riverSmall guesthouses near the boatsCheck availability

River and beach boat tripsRock tombs, mud baths and turtlesCompare day trips

eSIM for DalyanMaps and boat times in the deltaRead the guide

Insurance for TürkiyeBoat days, heat and wildfire seasonRead the guide

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Rules for Dalyan, checked

FCDO says wildfires happen frequently in summer; in risk areas such as woodland, fires and discarded cigarettes can lead to a fine or prison.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
MuseumPass The Aegean: €95 for 7 days, includes Kaunos ancient city and rock tombs, Kayaköy and Knidos among 40+ sites. Not valid at night museums.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Dalyan

Fethiye travel guide

Boats, Kayaköy and the Lycian coast to the east

Read the guide Datça and Bozburun

Quiet peninsulas and the ancient city of Knidos

Read the guide Bodrum Peninsula

Coves and marinas to the northwest

Read the guide Türkiye e-Visa

Check whether your passport needs one

Read the guide Travel insurance

Medical cover and cancellation terms

Read the guide All of Türkiye

Cities, coasts and entry basics for a Türkiye trip

Read the guide Marmaris

Gulet cruises and a harbor base, about 1.5 hours by road

Read the guide

Dalyan FAQ

Is Dalyan worth visiting?

Yes for a slow, nature-led stop with river boats, rock tombs and a long beach. It is not a nightlife town, so choose it for quiet rather than for activities after dark.

How many days do you need in Dalyan?

Two to three days cover a river trip, İztuzu Beach and a rest day. Add a day if you want Kaunos on foot or a longer boat tour.

Can you visit İztuzu Beach at night?

Expect restrictions: the beach is a turtle nesting site, and access, lights and activities are limited during the nesting season. Check local signs and the rules posted at the beach.

How do you get to Dalyan from Dalaman airport?

By pre-booked transfer, taxi or rental car, about 40 minutes by road. There is no rail link, so plan the transfer before you land.

When is the best time to visit Dalyan?

May, June, September and October for warm weather and easier days on the river. July and August are very hot, and winters are mild but quiet.