What to see and do in the Dalyan Delta

Wednesday, 4 January 2012 1:36 PM

There are plenty of attractions to see and activities to participate in when staying in Dalyan hotels.

Located in the south-west of Turkey, the Dalyan Delta is home to beautiful wildlife, stunning stretches of sand and ancient rock tombs. Indeed, unlike some other parts of the country, large hotel complexes are a rare sight due to the importance of conserving this special region.

With more than 150 species of bird calling the Dalyan Delta home, one of the most popular activities is to quietly see how many of these creatures you can spot.

The protected loggerhead turtle can also be found in this part of Turkey, with the small coastal town at the centre of efforts to protect the creature by putting in place strict rules about use of the beaches and levels of hotel building.

As such, you will find that much of the accommodation on offer will be small but welcoming, such as the Jade Hotel in Dalyan, Turkey. With just 12 rooms across two floors, you can appreciate the stunning scenery of the area without towering complexes getting in the way.

The centre of Dalyan is a ten-minute walk away, although there is a swimming pool, bar and restaurant for days when you just want to relax at the hotel.

However, sightseers will no doubt want to find time to take in the breathtaking Lycian tombs, where kings of the ancient city of Kaunos are buried. The craftsmanship of the stone tombs stands out beautifully against the dazzling blue sky, although come here at night and you will find they are lit up.

Take a boat or travel on foot to reach Kaunos, where you will be able to visit an amphitheatre which dates back to the 2nd century BC, while the remains of the Apollo temple and Roman baths can also be found.

For stunning views across the delta, mountain climbing, trekking and bike riding are all great ways to get around this corner of the country. Holidays to Turkey need not just be about sunbathing and swimming in the sea - although, of course, you will have plenty of time to do this as well!

If sports are something you enjoy, you will be spoilt for choice when holidaying in the Dalyan Delta. With the region being a conservation area, you will have to be prepared to travel out a little bit, but the journey is well worth it.

Oludeniz offers paragliding facilities, while scuba diving is popular in Marmaris and Fethiye. Conversely, lots of holidaymakers take daytrips from these places in order to enjoy the beautiful landscape and peace and quiet that Dalyan provides.

After a busy day exploring the area and taking part in some thrilling activities, relaxing in one of the delta's natural mud baths is a must!

Located at Sultaniye and Ihca, the mud pools are thought to deliver beauty benefits to those who bathe in them, so cover yourself from head to toe and see for yourself whether the claims are true.

Sulphur baths can also be found in the Dalyan Delta - but prepare yourself for the strong smell they give out!

Make sure you include a trip to the undeveloped Iztuzu Beach, which is a boat trip away from Dalyan. Around 4.5 km long, the stretch of sand is often called Turtle Beach because of the significant breeding of the loggerhead turtles that takes place here.

A holiday to Turkey's Dalyan Delta is therefore perfect for holidaymakers who want to be able to see and do lots on their getaway, but also be able to retreat to peaceful beaches and accommodation when some quiet time is required.