Our Region

DALYAN
The Dalyan River, circulating between the Mediterranean and Koycegiz Lake slowly meanders, forming a network of small lakes and waterways through reed beds rising to between 3 and 5 metres in height. (A journey through this natural and striking labyrinth is both romantic and mysterious) With a mixture of fresh and salt water, these wetlands have become home to vast number of fish and other water life, as well as the birds of many species which feed on them. Iztuzu Beach, a sandbar, which divides the sea from the delta, stretches for 5 km east from the mouth of the Dalyan River.

Iztuzu beach is the ideal seaside spot with its fine sandy beach, shallow turquoise colored sea and abundant sunshine.  The beach is perfect for swimming for 7 months of the year. It is Iztuzu Beach which the endangered species of sea turtles, the famous Caretta Caretta, has returned year after year to lay its eggs since time immemorial.

Visit the Sultaniye Thermal Baths are to the southwest of Koycegiz lake where the water is at a temperature of over 40 degrees celcius. These baths were first used by the Byzantines who built some accommodation facilities. The ruins of the buildings from this period are submerged under the waters of the Koycegiz Lake.  The water is said to be curative against neuralgia and especially rheumatism.

The ancient city of Caunos is midway along the channel of Dalyan. Caunos is believed to be built about 3000 BC by the son of Miletos and later grew into a major port on the border between Lycia and Caria. On a broad site overlooking the sea and the Dalyan delta, the main monuments to be seen in Caunos are the Acropolis surrounded by city the walls, an antic theatre, five temples, an agora, stoa, roman baths, palestra, churches and a small cistern.

The famous mud baths also called the "Beauty Mud", not only cleans and tones the skin but also remedies rheumatism and has anti-aging properties. You simply get in the mud pool, get covered by mud, let it dry and remove the mud in a natural clear water sulphur pool at a temperature of around 40 degrees celsius.

The Lycian rock tombs facing the Dalyan river with their facades curved into the form of temples were actually the graves of the kings of the Caunos city. Caunos had two ports, one for military use and the other for trade purposes

GOCEK
Gocek hosts four significant marinas that serve the yacht tourism in the region. A prominent characteristic of the town is the fact that it harbors islands and coves located in a large and secluded bay. Due to its location, it naturally enjoys a high potential for yacht tourism. Since Gocek is a Registered Area of Special Protection where multi-storey buildings are not allowed, the boarding facilities are two-storied hotels, motels, apart-hotels and pensions situated in the town center and its periphery. Gocek has all the necessary infrastructure, capacity and spaces expected in a tourism center, yet it is renowned as a much more peaceful and quiet settlement compared to other tourism areas.

Gocek is situated on Dalaman – Fethiye highway. Until 2006, it was necessary to drive through a relatively narrow and winding road to reach Gocek from Dalaman. The 980 meters long Gocek vehicle tunnel completed in June 2006 has significantly increased the accessibility of the town. The vehicle tunnel is the first example of build-operate-transfer model and provides paid services.

The permanent population in Gocek is around 4,500. This number exceeds 7,000 during the summer months. Since Gocek is a departure and arrival point for Blue Cruises, there is heavy yacht traffic in the town. With its secluded bay, Gocek is a quiet and safe harbor, especially for long distance travelers arriving from international waters. Gocek coves and the 12 islands that are described as a hidden paradise, with clean Mediterranean water, green pine forests and beaches, have rendered Gocek an indispensable destination for seafarers. High quality boarding facilities, daily boat tours, entertainment facilities on the seaside and numerous beaches and coves in its vicinity provide various alternatives for local and international tourists traveling by road to spend their vacation.

Gocek, named “Kalimche” in ancient times was located between Telmessos – today Fethiye and Caunos – today Dalyan. According to the legends, it is in the Gocek area that Ikarus landed in the sea after his famous flight trying to escape from the tower where he is imprisoned. Gocek was used as a harbour, for the ships loading chrome ore collected from the mines in the mountains around during the Ottoman period.