Dalyan Mud Bath Tour from Fethiye

Dalyan and the river delta

Dalyan is a relaxed riverside town about an hour and a half west of Fethiye, set on a slow, green river that flows from Lake Köyceğiz to the sea. The delta is a protected area of reed beds, lagoons and wetlands, rich in birds, crabs and fish, and the only way to explore it is by boat through narrow channels where the reeds rise higher than your head.

A Dalyan day trip from Fethiye combines this peaceful river scenery with history and the beach. Is Dalyan worth visiting? For many travellers it is one of the most memorable days on the coast, because it mixes so much in one gentle trip, and the riverside town itself is a pleasure to wander.

The Kaunos rock tombs

The rock tombs of Kaunos are the emblem of Dalyan: a row of temple-like façades carved into the cliff above the river in the fourth century BC, with columns, pediments and doorways cut straight from the rock. They were made for the city's leading families, and at sunset their stone glows gold against the dark mountain.

The boat passes slowly beneath the cliff so you can photograph the tombs from the water, and your guide explains how the craftsmen worked high on the cliff to create them. This is the classic view of Dalyan and one of the most photographed sights on the whole south-west coast. Smaller tombs are scattered along the cliffs too, and herons often stand in the reeds below.

The ancient city of Kaunos

Kaunos was an important port on the border of ancient Caria and Lycia, trading in salt, figs and timber. As the river silted up, the harbour became a lagoon and the city was slowly abandoned, leaving its ruins on a hillside above the reeds, looking out towards the delta and the sea.

Today you can see a well-preserved theatre with views over the valley, Roman baths, a basilica, temple terraces and the old harbour basin. Your guide brings the site to life with stories of the people who lived here. Entrance fees are included in this tour, so you simply enjoy the visit. Climb to the top rows of the theatre for the best view of the delta and the distant sandbar.

Dalyan mud baths and thermal springs

Near the shore of Lake Köyceğiz, warm mineral-rich springs feed the famous Dalyan mud baths. Guests step into a pool of soft grey mud, cover themselves from head to toe, and let it dry in the sun before rinsing under showers and soaking in warm thermal water. The mud is said to be good for the skin, and it is always a fun moment for families.

Dark swimwear is best, since the mud can stain light colours. After the thermal pools you feel relaxed and refreshed, ready for the beach. The best time to visit Dalyan is from May to October, when the river trip is warm and the sea at Turtle Beach is perfect for swimming.

İztuzu Turtle Beach

İztuzu, known as Turtle Beach, is a long sandbar between the river mouth and the open sea, with the calm river on one side and Mediterranean waves on the other. It is one of the most important nesting beaches for loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean and is protected: the sand is closed at night during the nesting season, and wooden posts mark the nests.

During the day you can swim in clear water, relax on the fine sand and watch the boats come and go from the river. How to get to Turtle Beach? From Dalyan the easiest way is the river boat, exactly as on this tour. In the late afternoon the boat returns to Dalyan and we drive you back to Fethiye.