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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. Please check the
Dalyan photos section...
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.
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