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TÜRSAB licensed · D-12490
📍 Muğla25 km from DLM🏨 26 hotels

Dalyan Airport Transfer

River delta, rock tombs and turtles.

25 km
DLM · 28 min
About Dalyan

About Dalyan

Cradled between a maze of reed-lined channels and pine hills, Dalyan is a low-rise riverside town where loggerhead turtles, ancient tombs and sulphur mud all sit within a short boat ride. It is just a 25 km private transfer from Dalaman Airport (DLM), so you can be on the riverfront in barely half an hour.

Calm, green and nature-first. Dalyan trades nightclubs and tower-block hotels for slow river mornings, birdsong in the reeds and long lunches by the water. It draws families, walkers, birdwatchers and turtle lovers rather than party crowds, with the rhythm set by the timber boats coming and going from the quay and the rock tombs lit up after dark.

Best season
Late April to June and September to October are ideal, with warm 20-30°C days, calm river trips and thinner crowds. May to September is turtle nesting season at İztuzu. July and August are reliably hot, often nearing 35°C, while boat life winds down from November to March when the water is cold.
Hidden gem · DEKAMER Turtle Rescue Centre
Tucked beside the car park at İztuzu's southern end, this sea-turtle research and rehabilitation centre lets you meet injured loggerheads recovering in shaded tanks before their release. Entry is free (donations welcome) and it is open daily, an easy add-on after the beach.
What Dalyan is famous for

Six reasons people choose Dalyan

The standout features that set Dalyan apart from every other Antalya region.

🐢
İztuzu Turtle Beach
A 4.5 km sandbar between river and sea, and one of the Mediterranean's key nesting grounds for endangered Caretta caretta loggerhead turtles every May to October.
🪦
Kaunos Rock Tombs
Temple-fronted tombs carved high into the cliff above the river around the 4th century BC, the burial chambers of the ancient Carian city of Kaunos, glowing gold at sunset.
🛶
Dalyan River & Delta
Canopied wooden boats glide through towering reed beds where kingfishers, herons and egrets nest, linking the town, the tombs, the beach and Köyceğiz Lake.
🧖
Sulphur Mud Baths
At Sultaniye on Köyceğiz Lake, bathers slather on warm mineral mud, dry in the sun, then rinse in sulphur pools at around 40°C, long valued for skin and rheumatic ailments.
🦩
Köyceğiz Lake & Reed Beds
The freshwater lake feeding the delta is a birdwatcher's paradise, fringed by reeds and pine where the river's famous fishing weirs catch mullet and sea bass on their run to the sea.
🍽️
Sleepy Riverfront Town
No high-rise resorts here, just a pedestrian-friendly quay of fish restaurants and cafés watching the bobbing boats, with the floodlit rock tombs as a backdrop across the water.
What to do

Things to do in Dalyan

A short-list our drivers and dispatchers recommend after dropping guests at their hotel.

Take the classic river boat trip
Board a shaded caique from the town quay for the signature loop past the rock tombs to İztuzu Beach, the mud baths and Köyceğiz Lake, weaving through the reed-bed channels.
🏖️
Swim at İztuzu Beach
Spend a day on the soft sand between river and sea, where the water is shallow and calm; arrive by boat down the river or by dolmuş over the scenic Sülüngür Lake road.
🧖
Wallow in the mud baths
At Sultaniye, coat yourself head to toe in warm sulphur mud, let it bake dry, then wash off in the 40°C thermal pools and lake, a messy ritual that is half the fun.
🦅
Go birdwatching in the delta
Slip through the quiet reed channels at dawn or dusk to spot kingfishers, herons, egrets and, with luck, the turtles surfacing near the river mouth in summer.
🎣
Try a Dalyan fishing trip
The town is named for its fishing weirs; join a small-boat trip on the delta and lakes where grey mullet, sea bass and bream are still landed as they have been for generations.
🌅
Watch sunset over the tombs
Settle at a riverfront table for grilled sea bass as the Kaunos rock tombs turn amber, then glow under floodlights long after dark across the still water.
Worth seeing

Must-see sights near Dalyan

All reachable on a half-day or full-day private Mercedes tour.

🏛️
Ancient City of Kaunos
Beyond the famous tombs lie the ruins of Kaunos itself, a Carian port founded as early as the 9th century BC, with a hillside theatre, acropolis, Roman baths and an old harbour.
🪦
Lycian-style Rock Tombs
Cut into the cliff face above the river, these temple-fronted Carian tombs from around the 4th century BC are best seen from the water and unforgettable when lit at night.
🏖️
İztuzu Beach Sandbar
A protected 4.5 km strip dividing fresh river water from the Mediterranean; speedboats are banned within a kilometre to shield nesting turtles, keeping it wonderfully wild.
🌊
Sülüngür Lake
A brackish lagoon glimpsed on the road to İztuzu, used by the fishing cooperative to raise sea bass and bream; a serene spot famed locally for its glassy sunsets.
Trip tricks

Travel tips for Dalyan transfers

What we tell every guest before they fly in. Save these on your phone before landing.

🚐
Pre-book your DLM transfer
Dalyan has no airport of its own and limited late public transport; a private transfer from Dalaman meets your flight and reaches the riverfront in about 30 minutes.
🐢
Respect the turtles
Keep to marked areas on İztuzu, never disturb nests, and avoid the beach at night during nesting season so hatchlings can reach the sea undisturbed.
👟
Bring water shoes and sun cover
Boat decks, mud-bath steps and the open sandbar offer little shade; pack water shoes, a hat and high-factor sun cream, especially in the July–August heat.
💧
Wear an old swimsuit for the mud
Sulphur mud can stain fabric and jewellery, so leave valuables behind and wear a swimsuit you do not mind discolouring at the baths.
FAQ

Dalyan transfer · frequently asked

Quick answers about transfers, distance and what to expect on arrival.

How far is Dalyan from Dalaman Airport?

Dalyan is about 25 km from Dalaman Airport (DLM), roughly a 30-minute drive. A private transfer is the quickest and most comfortable option, meeting you at arrivals and dropping you right at your accommodation.

When can you see the turtles in Dalyan?

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles nest at İztuzu Beach from May to October, with peak activity through summer. You can often spot adults near the river mouth, and the free DEKAMER rescue centre lets you see them year-round.

Is the Dalyan mud bath worth it?

Yes, it is one of Dalyan's signature experiences. At Sultaniye you coat yourself in warm sulphur mud, dry in the sun, then rinse in 40°C thermal pools and Köyceğiz Lake. It is great fun and traditionally credited with skin and joint benefits.

How do you get to İztuzu Beach from Dalyan?

You can reach İztuzu two ways: a scenic river boat down the delta from the town quay, or a dolmuş minibus by road past Sülüngür Lake. Both run frequently through the main season from roughly April to October.

What is the best time of year to visit Dalyan?

Late April to June and September to October are ideal, with warm days around 20-30°C, fewer crowds and active boat trips. July and August are hottest near 35°C, while many boats pause from November to March.

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Dalaman Airport (DLM) → Dalyan
EUR40
No card required · Cash or card on arrival · Free cancellation up to 24 h
TÜRSAB licence D-12490 · €100,000 passenger insurance · Pay the driver on arrival
From40Private transfer to Dalyan
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