Villas in Dalaman Region, Turkey

Shopping around the Dalaman Region is a delight whether you would like to browse, or purchase souvenirs of your holiday. You will find an array of interesting and traditional shops and markets all over the region, and especially in the bustling main towns. Many fantastic souvenirs are available in the busier resorts, and if you stroll around the shops and bazaars you will find designer fashions and handbags, as well as local produce and crafts such as wonderful spices, and intricately woven carpets and rugs. Buying anything in Turkey is a fascinating and fun experience, as it often involves haggling with shopkeepers to reduce the asking price!

The Dalaman Region is packed with sites of ancient civilisations, historic cities and picturesque ruins. Plenty of these fascinating sites are open to visitors, such as the city of Xanthos and its Roman theatre and Acropolis, the Letoon theatre, the rock tombs, and the theatre of Antiphellos. Kekora is also particularly noteworthy, as many centuries ago the city was devastated by an earthquake and left submerged, and only partly visible beneath the sea. Near the popular resort of Dalyan, lies the fascinating archaeological site of Kaunos, which features an acropolis and also a 2000 year-old, wonderfully preserved theatre, which is still used for concerts today.

This spectacular stretch of coastline features many amazing sand and shingle beaches from well-known watersports centres and lively resorts, to quiet and secluded coves where you can get away from it all. Olu Deniz is regarded as one of the best beaches in all of Turkey, set in a stunning bay. A quieter atmosphere can be enjoyed at the various picturesque coves and pine tree-backed stretches of sand. Only accessible by boat, the breathtaking Iztuzu Beach near Dalyan offers unique opportunities to relax surrounded by an amazing natural environment, and to encounter the rare loggerhead turtles that nest here each September.

Try our some of the wonderful Turkish cuisine at the many traditional restaurants to be found in all the main resorts of the Dalaman area. Typical dishes include stews and casseroles and also ‘mezzes’ – selections of various dishes giving you the chance to try out many different specialities in one meal. The familiar kebabs are also a Turkish speciality, so try out this delicious combination of meat and vegetables either in a pitta bread, or on a skewer. You will also find a variety of international food in the main towns.

• Discover the area's rich mountain scenery, with plenty to explore such as the stunning Butterfly valley or the awe inspiring lagoon of Olu Deniz.

• Visit the colourful Fethiye bazaar where you can choose from a selection of fruits, vegetables, clothing and handcrafts.

• This region is the heart of ancient Lycia and there are plenty of historic sites to visit, including Kaunos, Tlos, Pinara, Letoon, Xanthos and Patara.

• Relax on one of the staggering choice of beaches. Some of the best beaches include Olu Deniz, Gemiler beach in Kaya, and Patara beach with its loggerhead turtles.

• Visit the fascinating ruins of the old Greek settlement at Kaya - the inspiration for the Louis de Bernieres novel "Birds Without Wings."

• For your evening meal why not purchase freshly caught fish and other seafood from the fish market in Fethiye and have it cooked as you wish at one of the many surrounding local restaurants.

• Whilst in Kalkan, drive up to the hillside region of Islamlar where trout farms offer delicious fresh fish in traditional restaurants while a cooling breeze offers some respite from the summer heat.

• A visit to Kalkan is not complete without a rooftop terrace meal down on the harbourfront, where the restaurants flourish offering splendid sea views from the roof tops with a vast selection of traditional and sophisticated cuisines.

• Take a trip down to the wonderful beach of Patara
  No water sports or major development thanks to being part of a huge national park means this lovely beach is never crowded, even in the height of summer. As part of a key biodiversity area, it is rich in birdlife and the breeding ground of the endangered loggerhead turtle (caretta caretta), and it is just a 15 minute stroll from some of the major ruins.

• The Dalyan river winds its way to the fresh water delta formed when the river meets the Mediterranean Sea leading down to protected Itzutu or "Turtle" beach, named after the giant Caretta Caretta turtles that lay their eggs there. It is well worth taking a water taxi down there passing the Lycian rock tombs etched into the cliff face on the "canal of kings".

• The Saklikent Gorge cuts deep into the Gombe Akdagi mountains and this gushing cascading river is a marvel of nature. Various man made cat walks allow visitors to experience the beauty and force of the river and for a unique experience, amazing river restaurants border the gorge, with wooden verandas jutting out over the river, cushions scattered "ottoman" style for Turkish apple tea.