Dalyan is a small resort town on the Dalyan River in southwest Turkey, sitting between the ruins of the ancient city of Caunos and the long stretch of Iztuzu Beach — one of the most important nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) on the Mediterranean. The beach is protected: from May to October, access is restricted after dark so the turtles can nest undisturbed.
The town itself is pleasant and not overwhelmed by development. Boat trips on the river channel — navigating past the Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs above the riverbank — are the main activity, ending at Iztuzu or at the mud baths near the thermal springs on the lake. The tombs, lit up from below at night, are one of those images that stay with you.
Caunos is reachable by boat or on foot. The ruins include a theatre, a Byzantine church, and the acropolis — not as grand as Ephesus or Priene but satisfying in their setting.
Dalyan is quieter than Marmaris (its nearest large resort, about 20km away) and attracts travelers who want swimming and ruins without too much nightlife noise. The surrounding area includes Köyceğiz Lake to the north, good for birdwatching and kayaking, and the Sultaniye thermal springs on its western shore.