Thousands of visitors arrive at Dalaman's international airport each year to experience Turkey's beautiful Turquoise Coast. This picturesque town of the Muğla Province covers 608 km² of beautiful Turkish country.
Dalaman has everything a traveler would ever want - pristine beaches, therapeutic mud spas, and mouthwatering local food. The crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon call for a splash and a respite. The region also features some of the finest mud baths on the planet. The international appeal of the region is a culinary devotee's paradise. Fresh fish reeled in from the waters mere miles away is served at local sea restaurants.
This guide highlights what Dalaman has to offer - peaceful beaches and ancient ruins. Couples and families will find out why this Turkish gem continues to attract visitors looking for both excitement and peace.
Dalaman region is where adventure lovers come to see the wonder of nature and adventure-packed activities. This Turkish paradise provides tourists on their Turkey tours with a chance to do anything from peaceful water to sky-high escapades.
Ölüdeniz's Blue Lagoon is Turkey's most photographed natural wonder. The peaceful cove with crystal-clear turquoise waters serves as a national park and lets visitors escape crowded beaches. Swimming in calm, shallow waters comes naturally here, and you can rent paddle boats or stand-up paddleboards to venture deeper into the lagoon. The shore is shared between free public space and charged sections around the lagoon. The sea is a great spot where you can learn snorkeling, scuba diving, and windsurfing if you want some adventure.
A traditional Turkish gulet boat cruise along the Mediterranean coast offers a real maritime experience. The wooden sailing yachts are from the Marmaris or Bodrum yards and carry two or three sails to help you explore hidden coves and untouched beaches. The more favored 12 islands boat excursion visits hidden bays on the Dalaman coast where the splendor of the Mediterranean Sea is laid bare. Visitors may swim in sparkling waters, waterski, windsurf, or try diving along these excursions. Many journeys in Turkey tour packages stop at ancient ruins that you can reach only by sea, blending natural beauty with history.
Paragliding from Babadağ Mountain gives a thrilling adrenaline rush and stunning bird's-eye views. Take-off is at 1,969 meters (6,460 feet), one of the world's highest commercial take-off points, with unbridled views of the coast. Your flight will be 25-30 minutes as you glide high above the Blue Lagoon before landing gently on Ölüdeniz beach. Expert pilots with years of experience control everything, making this activity available to beginners. Adventure-seekers are able to request acrobatic maneuvers such as 360-degree loops during flight.
The Dalaman region holds historical treasures that go far beyond its popular tourist spots. These lesser-known sites around Dalaman tell stories of Turkey's rich past and give visitors a chance to experience unique cultural heritage.
Kayaköy stands as a haunting yet beautiful abandoned town just 8 km south of Fethiye. This hillside community started in the 1700s and grew into a bustling Greek Orthodox settlement with 20,000 residents. The town emptied after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. About 500 Greek-style houses still stand under government protection today. Tourists can walk through quiet streets and step inside two preserved Greek Orthodox churches that paint a picture of life before the town's abandonment. Some people say UNESCO named Kayaköy as a World Friendship and Peace Village, but this isn't true. The site teaches us a powerful lesson about how political conflicts affect real people's lives.
The ancient city of Kaunos dates back to the 9th century BC and played a vital role as a strategic port for trade. These remarkable ruins near modern-day Dalyan earned a spot on UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List in 2014. The site features a beautifully preserved 1st century BC temple to Zeus, a theater that held 5,000 people, Roman baths, and a Byzantine basilica with a dome that ranks among one of the finest gems in Anatolia. Most people take a rowing boat from Dalyan to reach this ancient wonder, which sits against a backdrop of Lycian rock tombs carved into steep cliffs.
A series of powerful earthquakes in the 2nd century sank parts of the ancient Lycian city of Kekova into the Mediterranean's clear waters. Near Kaş, this sunken archeological site shows half-submerged staircases, doorways, and stone walls through the crystal-clear sea. Swimming near the ruins isn't allowed to protect the site, but people can see these underwater structures from boats or kayaks. The nearby Simena village adds to the experience with its hilltop castle ruins and rock-cut tombs that look out over this remarkable historical landscape.
The Dalaman region delights food enthusiasts with its mix of traditional Turkish dishes and Mediterranean classics. Fresh seafood takes center stage on many menus thanks to the area's coastal location, which creates unforgettable dining moments.
Dalaman Market lets you experience Turkey's actual tastes in its "picky bits" lunch culture. Fresh olives, local cheeses, and crunchy pastry are to be tasted. The market is a time to fill your bag with treats to accompany fresh pomegranate juice or robust Turkish coffee.
Göcek marina provides excellent seafront dining where seafood travels from boat to plate within hours. D-Resort's D'Breeze restaurant provides yummy Aegean specialties prepared by expert chefs facing Göcek's blue waters and gentle sea breeze. Can Restaurant stands out for seafood meze and Tuzda Balik (salt-baked fish). Marina restaurants welcome visitors from early morning to late, serving all three meals.
Pidecim is one of Dalaman's top Turkish pide restaurants. Their thin dough from wood-fired ovens is topped with meat, cheese, or vegetables. Rave accolades are received by tourists for Pidecim's lahmacun. These flatbreads are similar to thin-crust pizzas but with very distinctive Turkish flavors that are a must-order Dalaman dish.
The Dalaman area becomes so much easier to get to when you have an idea of the local transport and accommodation. Let us walk you through everything you should know.
Dalaman Airport (DLM) is just 6 km south of the town center of Dalaman. This airport, an entrance to Turkey's beautiful Turquoise Coast, has international and domestic terminals. There are conveniently linked walkways for an easy shift between them. Information desks in arrival and departure terminals, ATMs, currency exchange services, and a food court with several dining alternatives are present.
You will have to get to the airport two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Turkish airports perform security checks at the gates, so you will need extra time during high season. Here is how far the main places are from the airport:
Havaş and MUTTAŞ shuttle buses link the airport to main points such as Fethiye and Marmaris. The buses operate in coordination with flights. Dalaman's public transport network is made up of buses and dolmuş (minibusses operating a shared service).
Taxis are available outside the terminal 24/7 for destinations not served by public transport.
The best time to visit Dalaman in Turkey is between May and October, when the weather is warm and sunny, perfect for beaches and outdoor activities. July and August are the hottest months, ideal for sun seekers, while spring and early autumn offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds, making them great for sightseeing and boat trips.
Shopping in Dalaman is a mix of traditional Turkish markets and modern shops. The lively local bazaars are perfect for picking up spices, textiles, handmade crafts, and souvenirs, while small boutiques and stores offer leather goods and jewelry. For a more authentic experience, strolling through the weekly market gives visitors a taste of local life and flavors.
Dalaman's hotel has something for all budgets - from luxury resorts to low-budget pensions. Ramada By Wyndham Dalaman is perfect for airport proximity with comfortable rooms, breakfast, and spa. Dalaman Suites & Pansiyon gives you home comfort with clean rooms and one-to-one service.
There is more suitable accommodation for beach lovers at Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa. It is equipped with spacious garden-view rooms and plenty of options to dine. There is the Brothers Suite in city center Dalaman with a quieter setting, well-equipped rooms, and comfortable beds. In Göcek nearby, D Resort Göcek and Rixos Premium stand out for having clean rooms and good service.
Dalaman stands out as one of Turkey's most beautiful destinations that combines natural beauty, adventure, history, and amazing food. This Turkish paradise has so much to offer visitors. The Blue Lagoon's turquoise waters and Babadağ Mountain's peaks give adventure seekers plenty of chances to find excitement.