Dalaman
Dalaman, situated on Turkey’s southwestern coast, is more than just a place to fly into. It’s a town with a history dating back to Greek immigration in 3000 B.C., coloured by Roman, Arabic, Hellenic, Lycian and Byzantine empires. Visit our Fethiye tour page for some spectacular itineraries visiting the highlights of the region.
Dalaman’s Ancient History The ancient city of Kaunos, just over an hour away from Dalaman, is an excellent example of this history at work. In 2014, the ancient city of Kaunos was submitted as a potential UNESCO World Heritage site, and it currently remains on the institution’s tentative list. According to Unesco, though its location was only discovered in 1842, the oldest artefact found at Kaunos dates back at least as far as the 9th century B.C. Kaunos even contains the ruins of a 5,000-person theatre from the 2nd century BC, as well as Roman baths and a basilica.
Dalaman’s Open-Air Prison Besides being close to an airport and historical attractions, Dalaman also hosts a large “open prison,” which aims to help prisoners become self-reliant and ready for the outside world, following Ataturk’s “Great Turkey” ideal. Curious visitors can check out the Dalaman Acik Ceza Infaz Kurumu, a well-regarded restaurant opened in 2018 and staffed by 100 convicts from the prison. The food, particularly the grilled meats, is said to be delicious and a great value
Airport Accessibility of Dalaman Because of the nearby airport, travel to Dalaman, Turkey is quite easy. From the United Kingdom alone, there are flights into Dalaman from Manchester, London, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow and East Midlands. The airport also flies from cities in Russia, Israel, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ukraine and more. You can also fly to and from other Turkish cities, like Dalaman to Istanbul or Ankara.
Dalaman Weather and Climate As for travel advice for Dalaman, Turkey, it’s helpful to be aware of the area’s weather conditions. If you’re travelling in the winter months, beware that January and February bring Dalaman’s coldest weather, with average temperatures of just 10 degrees. July and August are the hottest months in the region, with average daily temperatures of 26 degrees -- perfect weather to visit a Dalaman beach. Though the town itself is inland, visitors can drive just half an hour from the airport to reach Sarsala Bay, a popular destination for sunning and swimming.
Tourist Activities in Dalaman Other tourist attractions in Dalaman can help you relax from a long day of travelling, like a visit to a mud bath or a traditional Turkish hammam. About half an hour from the town of Dalaman is the Dalyan Peloid Mud Baths, where visitors can rejuvenate by covering themselves in mud, soak in a thermal pool, or perhaps enjoy a “fish pedicure.” Mud baths are said to be helpful for alleviating muscle pains and aches, as well as keeping skin looking youthful, although perhaps the main reason tourists book a mud bath is for the funny photo opportunities it provides.
Hotels and Resorts near Dalaman For visitors looking for comfortable accommodations for their stay in Dalaman, there are plenty of options. Dalaman, Turkey hotels are plentiful, with over a hundred hotel and accommodation options in the area. Several of these options, like the Hotel Dalaman Lykia Resort and Spa, as well as the Romantik Villa Della, are within three miles of the airport. For travellers looking for Turkish resorts near Dalaman, the surrounding areas like Marmaris, Fethiye and Oludeniz, all within an hour-and-a-half drive, provide excellent options.
Day Trips in Southern Turkey These cities provide excellent reasons for a day trip from your accommodations in Dalaman. Fethiye is a charming city with many terrific waterfront restaurants and cafes, as well as serving as a departure point for blue cruises on a traditional wooden gulet boat. It’s about a 40-minute drive away from Dalaman, although there are also fairly cheap shuttles that depart from the Dalaman airport to the Fethiye city centre.
Oludeniz, a little over an hour away from Dalaman, just past Fethiye, is home to the charming blue lagoon beach and the famous Butterfly Valley. Visitors to Oludeniz can relax on a beach lounger, paraglide across the sky, or tuck into some Turkish gozleme, pancakes. Marmaris, meanwhile, is about an hour and fifteen minutes west from Dalaman, where visitors can try scuba diving, embark on a Jeep safari, or relax at one of the many beaches. Also a little over an hour away, near Marmaris, is Cleopatra’s beach, where the ancient queen was rumoured to have bathed. Dalaman, Turkey tourist information can also be found on the DLM airport website. You can also check out our Fethiye destination page if you are interested in learning more about popular neighbouring sites. Some of these include Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley, and St. Nicholas Island.