Dalyan is a good base for the southwest corner of Turkey. Within an hour or two by road or boat:
- Köyceğiz Lake and town — quiet half-day at the head of the lake, with markets on Mondays.
- Sarıgerme — long sandy beach 20 minutes west, less protected than Iztuzu so the development is heavier.
- Dalaman Çayı — the river that gives the airport town its name has white-water rafting trips in spring.
- Fethiye and the Lycian coast — about 90 minutes east, gateway to Ölüdeniz and the Butterfly Valley.
- Marmaris — about 2 hours west; a big resort, but useful for ferries to Rhodes.