Daylan
The cute little holiday destination known as Dalyan is located on the shores of the fjord like natural channel, called Calbis in ancient times, which links Lake Köyceğiz to the sea. With the start of tourism development in recent years and the threat of the danger to the environment led to the area being declared by the state as a special protection district in 1998. This measure helped to protect the region from over development. The village of Dalyan, without a change in its natural beauty for many years, is today still very far from the threat of excessive development. However, unfortunately almost none of the old structures are remaining.
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Dalyan is now a total holiday destination with various hotels, pensions and restaurants in the centre or at the entrance to the village. Dalyan is more preferred as a one-day destination but to really appreciate the beauty of the area one should stay two to three days. Dalyan got its name from the natural channels and the Dalyan fishing style has been carried out on these channels for centuries. In the main, mullet is caught in these channels and sold to restaurants in the district. The fish at these restaurants can be eaten for very reasonable prices that you would not find anywhere else. If you wish to purchase some mullet yourself the local fish co-operatives are the place to go. (Located on the Dalyan-İztuzu channel road) Prices are most reasonable.
The mud bath
Opposite Dalyan channel in the villages of Çandır and Sultaniye there are many sources where spa waters sprouting from underground. This hot sulphur water is primarily good for the treatment of rheumatism and skin diseases as well as for many other ailments. However, the mud baths and spa, 15 minutes from Dalyan centre that can be reached by boat with facilities for day trips have been developed into a tourism centre. More foreign tourists then locals visit this facility to dab their bodies with the therapeutic mud and get their photographs taken.
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This facility is always very crowded and presents a colourful scene. You should also try out the mud that is said to be good for the skin, which is now standing out as a source of entertainment for tourists. It would be a good idea to take a photograph of your friends with mud all over their bodies. The Nile turtles (Trionyx Tringulus), which are very popular along with their cousins the Caretta Caretta turtles, also live on the parts of the channel close to the lake. The region also has a rare storax tree (liquid amber orientalis) seen in few places around the world. The storax trees are found in areas that span from Marmaris to Fethiye.
The long coast and the sea present a magnificent beauty. To cut a long story short, Dalyan is a place where sun, sea and sand combined with a rich history and natural beauty, making it a wonderful holiday destination. There are also many other places of interest to visit near Dalyan.