ABOUT DALAMAN & DALYAN
Dalaman is now rapidly becoming an investment area for many Europeans purchasing property for investment in Turkey. This seems due to many factors including the town being designated a main touristic area from now on: plans for new marinas and a golf course are underway.
Dalaman town itself has many shops, resturants, bars and tea gardens and is growing quickly due to the investment in the area. Dalaman has its own huge natural beach, although not overly commercial 'yet' it is still pleasant and hosts lots of wildlife.
The town is ideally situated for lots of resort areas but perfect if you prefer a quieter place to base yourself. There is also a tunnel underway to connect the town of Gocek and Dalaman, reducing the journey to only 5 or 10 minutes drive.
If you are in the
area, make sure you visit the Dalyan (Köycegiz). You enjoy the Kaunos
acheologist site and see the carved tombs in the Limestone mountain while
crusing along the Dalyan river when you reach the shore, walk on Iztuzu
Beach. The area is world's 6th most famous beach, it is 6 km long and
enjoy the sea turtles (caretta-carrettas). The beach is a sactuary for
sea turtles.
Dalyan is established in an environmentally protected area. This is one of the few surviving places of paradise, an area of natural beauty and historical interest. The ancient city of Caunos lies here with its ruins dating back to the 3rd Century. The Dalyan channel through which water circulates between the Mediterranean and Koycegiz Lake winds its way down past the ancient Rock Tombs to the sea, via a small network of lakes and waterways. Through the rustling reed beds rising between 3 and 5 metres in height. With its mixture of fresh and salt water, these wetlands are now home to a vast number of fish and other water life, as well as the birds of many species which feed on them, species such as the Sparrow hawk, Crane, Kingfisher and Jay. The Stork is also native to this area migrating here at the end of March to nest until the end of August. Dividing the delta is the Iztuzu sandbar stretching for 5 km east from the south of the channel. With fine crystal sand, shallow turquoise sea Iztuzu beach is the ideal seaside spot. Which can be reached by regular dolmus or boat service from Dalyan. This is also the beach where the endangered Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia Mydas) have returned to lay their eggs since the beginning of time. The nesting time being from May till October.
Twelve years ago Dalyan was a small fishing village, the discovery of the endangered Loggerhead Turtles and the wildlife in this area led to a campaign to designate the area for conservation. The village has therefore retained its natural charm and beauty. A heaven for relaxation that has blossomed to cater for the serious traveller. There are many restaurants in which to try local Turkish cuisine, music bars and shops. There are a couple of discos on the outskirts of the village so as not to disturb those of you that wish to retire early. A regular dolmus service that runs to neighbouring resorts such as Fethiye and Marmaris as well as surrounding villages. In summary a unique destination full of culture, charm, history and contrasting beauty, excellent cuisine and unforgettable hospitality. A resort that you will undoubtedly return to year after year.
