Whilst the number of visitors to this area of Turkey has increased in recent years, Dalyan essentially has remained a small fishing town throughout. Strict planning regulations have been in place for some time that have restricted all buildings to no more than two storeys high, meaning that there are no high rise buildings or hotels anywhere to be seen.
Dalyan has lots of restaurants, shops and bars, together with a good selection of supermarkets, all within 10-15 minutes walking distance from Villa Kiydan Apartments. Everyone who visits remarks on how friendly and welcoming the local people are - which probably explains why so many holiday makers return there on a regular basis.
The town is set on a river that leads upstream to a beautiful freshwater lake (Lake Köyceğiz), where you can visit the local mudbaths and hot springs, and downstream via a reed-filled delta to the sea and the famous Turtle Beach conservation area - home of the loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) turtle.
Just up the river from Caunos mountain with its historic city ruins and amphitheatre are the ancient Lycian rock tombs carved into the mountain side, Dalyan's most famous feature.
Turtle Beach can be accessed either by boat downstream through the river delta or by taking a Dolmus public minibus from the town centre on a wonderfully scenic route that passes alongside a lake and through mountains on its way around the bay.
And if you want to visit Caunos, a small group of enterprising elderly ladies in the town centre offer river crossings by rowing boat for a fairly nominal fee!
There is a beautifying mud close to the area where the Lake of Köyceğiz meets the Dalyan Delta. This is the daily tours’ first stop, the place where Dustin Hoffman and Sting came in the 90s. Until today, it has not been allowed to construct any cultivation so as not to harm the formation of the natural mud. It is not scientifically proved that the mud applied on the body has a healing effect but we cannot go without saying that the people here say it does. It is said that as the mud dries, it tightens on your skin and if you continue doing this for some time, the wrinkles on your body disappear. After the mud bath, try to the hot water spring that is also in the same area. The spring is said to be good for rheumatism, waist problems and sciatica. As far as we can see, the mud makes a difference on your skin and a form of animation for the visitors. The tourists see each other covered in mud, have fun and take lots of photos. This creates a fun activity in the region.