DALYAN - CAUNOS

Dalyan is in the province of Mugla on the South-Western Mediterranean. It is set in the centre of a broad delta which is completely unspoilt. Dalyan is an area of outstanding natural beauty and historic interest.

One of Turkey's most beautiful beaches, endorsed by David Bellamy! Dalyan is the protected breeding ground of the Caretta Caretta, Loggerhead turtle.
The beach is reached by a boat ride along the river where the film "African Queen" was filmed. In the cliff face above the river you can see lycian tombs carved out of the rock.


Further along are the sulphur mud baths, which you will smell before you see! This mud is reputed to have cleansing and healing properties.
Dalyan tour is one of the best ways to spend your day,it really is an enjoyable trip for both adults and children.

The Dalyan Channel, through which water circulates between the Mediterranean and Köycegiz Lake slowly meanders, forming a network of small lakes and waterways through reed beds rising to between 3 and 5 metres in height.

With its mixture of fresh and salt water, these wetlands have become home to vast numbers of fish and other water life, as well as the birds of many species which feed on them. Dividing the sea from the delta is the Iztuzu sandy beach stretching for 5km east from the mouth of the channel.

Iztuzu beach is the ideal seaside spot, perfect for swimming for 7 months of the year. As the sea deepens gradually it is also ideal for children. The Giant Loggerhead Turtles have used this beach as a laying ground since time immemorial. The females lay their eggs by night in the soft sand, in clutches of about 100. Since the early 90's the beach is closed to the public from 8 pm to 8 am to protect them. The beach is open during the day but a special care is taken not to disturb the turtles


The most famous place in Dalyan is the mud baths which can be reached by boat from the harbour. "Beauty Mud" which not only cleanses the skin but is said to remedy rheumatism and has anti-ageing properties. After allowing the mud to dry in the sun it can be removed in the sulphur water pool. You will enjoy watching the people mud all over.
Down river are the 2300 year old Lycian tombs. One of the most beautiful features of the site which are sculpted in the form of the porticoes of small Ionic temples. These are among the most splendid examples of Lycian type funerary architecture .The original occupants of the tombs are obscure but are assumed to have been Caunian noblemen and rulers. The tombs were vacanted and reused in Roman times.

Caunos:
The ancient city of Caunos stands midway along the channel facing Dalyan which was founded around the 9th century BC, became an important Carian city in 400 B.C. As it was located right on the border with the Kingdom of Lycia, its culture reflected aspects of both Kingdoms. This mixture of cultures in Caunos may be seen amongst the ruins of various archaeological remains at the site:, city walls, a theatre, four temples, an agora, stoa, nymphain, baths, palestra, churches and a cistern. The city had two harbours, one for military use and the other for merchants. The prosperity of Caunos was threatened by the silting of the harbor after which the city was eventually abandoned.

Dalyan is a wonderful natural and historical site to spend the day.