Dalyan
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 in Dalyan, a sandbar, which divides the sea from the Dalyan 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 in Dalyan region. The Iztuzu 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.
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 the city walls, an antic theatre, five temples, an agora, stoa, roman baths, palestra, churches and a small cistern.
The famous mud baths of Dalyan, 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.
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.