4 Awesome things to do in Dalyan and nearby

We spent a lovely weekend in Dalyan, around an hours’ drive from Fethiye. Here are our top recommendations of things to do in Dalyan and nearby!

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1. Chill out at one of the waterfall restaurants

If you’re looking for things to do in Dalyan, check out the waterfall restaurants. About 30 minutes north of the town is a collection of waterfall restaurants. We visited Yuvarlakcay Selale Restaurant.

You’ll enter a beautiful, cool, shaded setting surrounded by nature. The water is freezing cold and gorgeously clear. You can even sit at a table in the stream to enjoy your breakfast. (There are other options to keep your feet dry!).

The kids loved playing on the swings and exploring the stream. The cold water didn’t bother them!

2. Iztuzu beach and the turtle center

If you’re visiting Dalyan, make sure you check out Iztuzu beach. It’s much more popular than when I visited it 13 years ago, but it remains a protected area. You’ll find amenities like toilets and showers, but it’s refreshing to see the lack of development – so you won’t find restaurants or cafes lining the beach there.

The beach is long and sandy. It’s soft underfoot and shallow a long way out, so perfect for kids.

The thing I love most about Iztuzu (aka turtle beach) is the turtle rescue and rehabilitation center.

We don’t visit zoos or places that use animals purely for tourism purposes. But we were excited to visit the center here and see the wonderful things they’re doing to protect the turtles.

The team here nurses sick and wounded turtles back to health before releasing them. Sadly many are injured from fishing nets and boat propellors.

You can read about each turtle in the rescue center and find out other interesting general information about turtles. There’s also a 20-minute documentary you can request to watch. We highly recommend visiting Iztuzu beach and the turtle rescue center if you’re looking for things to do in Dalyan.

3. Visit the mud baths in dalyan

Sultaniye Kaplicalar is a fun place to visit in Dalyan.

Dalyan town is on the east side of the river, but some nice sites are on the west side.

However, there are no bridges across the river, so you either need to take a boat trip or a long yet beautiful drive around Koycegiz Golu to see anything there.

We found a way to avoid the long drive, though. At the north end of the town, you’ll find a tiny ferry boat that fits four cars and goes back and forth across the river. It’s super cheap and cuts out most of the driving time.

Once you get across the river, it’s only a 10-minute drive to get up to Sultaniye Kaplicalar on the lakefront.

For a nominal entry fee, you can enjoy covering yourself in mud and then washing off in the gorgeous lake or the shower if you prefer.

You’ll also find a few decent-sized thermal baths, a cafe with snacks and drinks, and basic accommodation.

4. Swim at Toparlar waterfall

The Toparlar waterfall is a 30-minute drive north of Dalyan and a gorgeous place to spend a hot summer’s day.

The water here is very cool, although not as icy as the waters at Yesil Vadi!

From the Toparlar car park, you’ve got a 10 or 15-minute trail walk to the waterfall. After a little scramble down the cliff, you can find a rock to leave your belongings and jump into the clear water.

This waterfall is a local favorite, and it was pretty busy, although not too overcrowded, when we visited. Climb beside the waterfall and jump off the rocks if you dare, or simply enjoy your natural surroundings.

Things to do in Dalyan | In conclusion

We only spent a weekend there but loved our time in Dalyan. Had we stayed longer, we would have taken one of the many boat trips down the river and beyond. Instead, we made the most of having a hire car and explored with our own timing.

Please leave any questions or comments about Dalyan below! If you’re traveling around Southern Turkiye, check out these excellent things to do in Pamukkale and Antalya.

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