Iztuzu Beach
Twelve km from the centre of Dalyan lies the five km long sandbar that juts out from the main land into the Mediterranean . This site was earmarked for development until it was brought to the authorities' attention that it was one of the last nesting grounds for the endangered Loggerhead Turtle. A campaign with David Bellamy and a local woman Captain June (Haimhoff) were successful in stopping the development of Iztuzu Beach . Visiting times to the beach are restricted from May - September when the Turtles are nesting. From 08.00-18.00 are the open times so as not to interfere with the nesting habits of these Turtles. Chaise lounges and beach umbrellas for rent are available at the beach, and cold drinks and snacks are served throughout the day. To reach Iztuzu, you can either take Dolmus –a local transport- or a boat. Boat trip takes approximately 40 minutes, winding its way down the channel, through the rustling reeds to the open tip of the beach. The Dolmus travels lakeside through beautiful winding roads down to the Beach, and this takes around 20 minutes. In either way, only the trip itself is worth experiencing and the price is quite reasonable too.
Mud Baths
According to the common belief in the area, a mud bath will take you ten years back. It is a wonderful therapy for your skin, cleaning and smoothing it. It is also claimed that mud bath is a good remedy for several diseases such as rheumatism. Then again, covering yourself with mud and waiting for it to dry under the sun can be a great fun.
Kaunos
The ancient city of Kaunos stands midway along the channel. It grew into a major area on the border between Lycia and Karia, where the people were said to be famous for their yellowish skin and eyes. Kaunos was known to be the son of Miletus and the Grandson of Apollo, he is believed to have fled from the city because of the unnatural feelings between himself and his sister. The city sprawls over a broad slope overlooking the sea and delta. At Kaunos there is an Acropolis surrounded by the city walls that are Byzantine, a theatre, four temples, an Angora , Roman baths, Palestra and a Cistern. The harbour that continually silted up is one of the two major reasons for the demise of the city, eventually carrying the coast line 5 km away from the city. The second disaster was the disease of malaria which apparently captured the city quite easily because of the sharing belief of Kaunos people that mosquito was a sacred creature.
Kaunos has a long and varied history and is well worth a visit. You can visit Kaunos at any time although it is advisable to avoid the midday sun. First you will have to cross the Dalyan channel by rowing boat then walk up to the city. Kaunos can also be visited as part of a day tour.
Koycegiz
The original village is submerged under the lake due to an earthquake some 350 years ago. The now named Old Köycegiz (second village) was built on the opposite side of the lake and was run by a feudal system by the Arga Khan known in Turkish as "Aga", which led to the demise of the village. The town of Koycegiz is now a small sleepy village except on Monday when there is a market. Either boat or dolmus can reach this town, for the dolmus you will have to go to Ortaca first then transfer to the Köycegiz bus. By boat you can go directly from Dalyan. Köycegiz Lake is also the home to a protected Turtle, a soft-shelled turtle called Trionyx Triuguis Triungularis.
Sultaniye Thermal Baths
Along the channel of the Dalyan Delta from Köycegiz are The Sultaniye Thermal baths with the water is 40 degrees C. The water has been used since Hellenistic times, first by the Karians then the Byzantines. The ruins from these buildings are now submerged. The water which contains radioactive elements (harmless) and hydrogen sulphur are believed to cure rheumatism, skin disorders, liver, spleen and bowel complaints, as well as being beneficial for nervous and digestive disorders.
