If you are looking for a city where you can combine a beach holiday with a visit to cultural and natural attractions, then by all means go to Dalaman, Turkey. This is an area with a warm climate and beautiful nature, near which there are such famous resorts in the country as Marmaris, Fethiye, Oludeniz and others. The clear sea and well-groomed beaches, ancient monuments and interesting natural sites attract more and more attention of tourists to the area. What is Dalaman, and how to get there, we will consider in detail later in the article.
General information
Dalaman is a city located in the south-west of Turkey in the province of Mugla near the Mediterranean coast. Its population is just over 23 thousand people. The name Dalaman is not only a city, but also a whole area of 62 square kilometers, formed around the resort. The city is spread out on a flat area with fertile land, where citrus cultivation is developed. Dalaman has gained popularity among foreign tourists only recently, but already offers its guests a fairly convenient infrastructure.
6.4 km south of the city is the international airport, which is one of the three airports operating in the region. It is here that tourists come who decide to spend their holidays in Dalaman and in such popular resorts of the area as ancient Fethiye and Marmaris. The object itself and its surroundings have become attractive for travelers primarily due to the picturesque nature, a large number of attractions, a well-equipped coast and clear sea waters. Although it is a relatively young resort, you will find many excellent hotels, cafes and restaurants, as well as entertainment activities.
Attractions
The obvious advantages of the city include the numerous attractions of Dalaman, among which there are unique natural sites, ancient buildings, and cultural monuments.
Kajegiz Lake
One of the largest coastal lakes in Turkey, with an area of 5,200 hectares, is located 30 km northwest of Dalaman. In addition to its beautiful landscapes, this natural attraction offers many opportunities for water sports, such as windsurfing and rowing. Many tourists come here to go on a boat trip, during which they visit a small island where the ruins of an ancient prison are preserved. Kajegiz with its rich flora and fauna will be interesting for lovers of fishing, and located on the southern shores of the lake thermal springs and mud ponds allow travelers to engage in health improvement.
The ancient city of Kaunos
In Turkey, northwest of Dalaman is the ancient city of Kavn or Kaunos, which has preserved to this day the ruins of a once thriving shopping center. Kaunos appeared in the third millennium BC, and among its ruins there are tombs, an amphitheater destroyed over the centuries, and the remains of ancient houses. It is noteworthy that you can only get to the sights from the eastern part by swimming across the Dalyan River. Archaeological excavations are still taking place here, during which it has already been discovered that the city passed through the Byzantine and Roman periods, as well as the Middle Ages.
Mud treatment Center
Among the attractions of Dalaman in Turkey, a special place is occupied by thermal springs enriched with sulfur, which successfully treat many skin diseases. Mud ponds formed as a result of natural processes are filled with hot water, and their bottom is lined with therapeutic mud. Many people come here to improve the body, increase its tone, as well as cure dermatitis, rheumatism and other ailments. The mud clinic is located in a place called Sultaniyeh, which is located on the south-western shores of Lake Kejegiz.
Turtle Nursery
The city of Dalaman in Turkey is also known for such a landmark as the state turtle nursery, which aims to preserve the species of big-headed turtles (karreta) that live in the nearby sea waters. Employees of the center provide favorable conditions for the growth of cubs hatched from eggs laid on the seashore. And when they reach a certain age, the workers release the turtles into the open sea.
Beaches
If you are puzzled by the question of which sea is in Dalaman in Turkey, we hasten to inform you that the coast near the city is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, which just to the west turn into the Aegean Sea. In the vicinity of the resort there are several beaches, wild and equipped, where you can meet ancient sights. Thus, Iztuzu and Sarsala won the greatest fame among them.
Sarsala
Sarsala beach in Turkey is located 17 km south of Dalaman and is a small bay surrounded by hills, densely overgrown with greenery. This cozy beach with a length of no more than 200 meters has a rocky surface and is characterized by a clear sea. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented on site, and there is a shower and toilet. On the coast there is a restaurant offering a varied menu of seafood. Not far from the beach there is a historical landmark — the ruins of an ancient Byzantine temple.
You can only get to Sarsala by private transport, so the beach is not crowded with vacationers.
Iztuzu
Iztuzu beach in Turkey or, as it is often called, turtle beach is located 21 km west of Dalaman. This is a fairly long coast with a length of more than 5000 m, which is covered with fine golden sand. The area is known not only for its clear sea, but also for its inhabitants-carreta turtles, which lay their eggs in the sand. The beach has all the necessary facilities for a comfortable stay, including showers, changing rooms and paid sun beds. Not far from the shore you can find a cozy cafe. The beach is included in the rating of the best on the coast of Turkey.
Air service
Although the Dalaman area in Turkey is becoming increasingly popular with independent travelers, there are no direct scheduled flights from Moscow and Kiev. However, it is quite possible to make a single transfer in Istanbul or Ankara, which will take an average of 6-8 hours. Tickets for a given destination can be viewed from the carrier “Turkish Airlines” or from the company “Pegasus Airlines”. During the high season in Turkey, some airlines start operating charter flights to Dalaman.
How to get from Dalaman to nearby resorts
To get from the airport to the resorts and to Dalaman itself, you can take the Havaş bus company, which operates several flights a day from a stop located in the immediate vicinity of the air harbor. To get to some cities and towns, you will have to make one transfer to the regular dolmush.
- Marmaris on the Aegean coast. It is located 89 km west of Dalaman. There is a direct Havaş bus service from the airport to the resort. The journey time is 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Fethiye. It is located 44 km south-east of Dalaman. You have the opportunity to get to the town directly from the airport by bus of the aforementioned company. The trip takes an average of 40 minutes.
- Oludeniz. It is located 56 km south-east of Dalaman. To get here, you will need to take a bus to Fethiye upon arrival, and at the bus station of the resort itself, find any dolmush that makes a stop in Oludeniz. For more information about Oludeniz, see this page.
- Kajegiz. The village is located 28 km north-west of Dalaman. To get to the village, you first need to take the Havaş bus from the airport to the Dalaman City Bus Station, and then buy a ticket for Dolmus to Kejegiz at the ticket office.
- Hisaronu. The village is located 105 km west of Dalaman. To get there, you need to take a bus to Marmaris at the airport, and then buy a ticket to Hisaronu at the resort’s bus station.
- Dalyan. The town is located 23 km north-west of Dalaman: if you take the Havaş bus to the bus station, you can catch dolmush to Dalyan.
Weather and climate
If you look at the photo of the city of Dalaman in Turkey, you might think that it is warm and sunny all year round. Indeed, the area is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with long hot summers, but short cloudy winters. Although the season officially opens in May, the air warms up to comfortable temperatures in March.
The sunniest and hottest period here is the period from June to September. The thermometer at this time is kept in the range of 30-34 °C, and the sea temperature ranges from 26-28 °C. May and October are also well-suited for recreation, but during these months there may be short rains. The sea in May is still not quite comfortable for swimming (about 21 °C), and in October it pleases tourists with warm water (24.5 °C). For more information about the weather in Dalaman in Turkey, see the table below.
| Month | Average daytime temperature | Average temperature at night | Sea water temperature | Number of sunny days | Number of rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12,8 °C | 7,3 °C | 17,9 °C | 18 | 6 |
| february | 15 °C | 8,5 °C | 17 °C | 16 | 4 |
| March | 17,4 °C | 9,7 °C | 16,8 °C | 21 | 3 |
| april | 21 °C | 12,1 °C | 17,8 °C | 26 | 2 |
| May | 25,2 °C | 15,7 °C | 20,5 °C | 28 | 1 |
| June | 30,6 °C | 19,8 °C | 23,5 °C | 30 | 0 |
| July | 34,2 °C | 22,9 °C | 26,5 °C | 31 | 0 |
| august | 34,3 °C | 23,1 °C | 28 °C | 31 | 0 |
| september | 30,9 °C | 20,5 °C | 27,1 °C | 29 | 0 |
| october | 25,3 °C | 16,3 °C | 24,5 °C | 28 | 2 |
| November | 19,8 °C | 12,3 °C | 22 °C | 24 | 2 |
| december | 15,2 °C | 9 °C | 19,6 °C | 21 | 5 |
Conclusion
Beautiful weather conditions, historical sights, clean beaches and azure sea waters-all this awaits the guests of Dalaman, Turkey. Its close proximity to the airport provides a quick and comfortable way to your destination. And resorts located in the vicinity of the city allow the traveler to see several iconic objects of the country at once during one trip.
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