Dalyan: Day Trips and Tours from Marmaris

A day trip to Dalyan from Marmaris is usually enjoyed on a scenic boat ride along the Lycian Coast. From your comfy seat on deck, you’ll see ancient rock tombs and sandy beaches where turtles nest in season.

Mud baths and river trips also feature, revealing more of Dalyan’s natural wonders.

Here's all you need to know about Dalyan, one of the most exciting destinations for day trips from Marmaris.

How to get to Dalyan from Marmaris?

Located just inland from Turkey’s southwest coast, the town of Dalyan sits between Marmaris and Fethiye. You can visit on a guided tour or a self-drive trip if you’ve rented a car.

From Marmaris to Dalyan by car

The journey to Dalyan from Marmaris takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. You’ll need to head north out of town on the D400, which runs nearly all the way to Dalyan. Turn off at Ortaca then follow signs for Dalyan.

Guided tour to Dalyan from Marmaris

A guided day tour to Dalyan from Marmaris is by far the most hassle-free way to explore. Most excursions are by water, with boat tours taking you on the scenic coastal route to Dalyan.

Trips last a full day with hotel pickups usually provided for your convenience.

What is the typical itinerary?

Your day trip to Dalyan from Marmaris begins with a pickup at your hotel and a minivan transfer to the boat.

After climbing aboard and meeting your fellow passengers, you’ll cruise along the Lycian Coast, marveling at the 9th-century rock tombs of the Kings of Kaunos.

You can admire the Dalyan River as it carves its way through the landscape between Köyceğiz Lake and Turtle Beach. This rugged peninsula is famed for its loggerhead turtles, who use the warm sands as a nesting ground.

Turtle Beach is protected, which means you’ll be viewing it from the comfort of your boat between May and September. At other times of the year, you can land. Keep an eye out for the blue crabs that are known for roaming these shores.

Lunch is usually enjoyed on board the boat, surrounded by some of the best views in the region. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the natural mud baths in Dalyan for a relaxing wallow. The minerals are said to be therapeutic and will work wonders on your skin.

After all your adventures you’ll cruise back along the coast to Marmaris, where a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel.

What kind of tours are available?

If you want to visit Dalyan from Marmaris, there are a few different tour options available. Most people go for a full-day boat trip for the ultimate sightseeing adventure.

Guided boat tours to Dalyan from Marmaris

Boat trips are the most popular type of Dalyan day tour. They operate on a group basis to keep prices low, so you’ll be sharing the experience with other travelers. Hotel transfers take the stress out of transport logistics and lunch is provided too.

You will be accompanied by a local guide to help make the most of your outing. The trips usually include a coastal cruise and river tour, as well as a visit to Turtle Beach and the mud baths.

Day trip to Dalyan plus Ancient Kaunos from Marmaris

These tours operate in the same way as the one above but include a bonus stop at the ancient city of Kaunos. You will sail down the Dalyan River, and then head up to visit the Kaunos ruins by road. There will be free time to explore at leisure.

This is a group excursion and is a cost-effective way to pack in a lot of sights in just a single day.

Private tour to Dalyan from Marmaris

A few private trips are available, for those who prefer a bit more independence and exclusivity. You’ll have your own guide and minivan for the day, without having to share with anyone else.

Note that the river boat trip will be on a public vessel so there may be other people on board.

This type of day trip to Dalyan from Marmaris is more expensive, but the price is worth it for the VIP treatment you’ll receive.

How much does a day trip to Dalyan from Marmaris cost?

Prices for a typical Dalyan day trip with boat cruises and a beach visit start at US$30 per person. The group tours include lunch on board the boat, hotel transfers and a guide.

Excursions that also throw in a trip to Ancient Kaunos cost US$50 per participant.

Private Dalyan day tours are priced at US$220 per person with exclusive road transfers, pickups and a guide provided. Lunch and entrance fees will be at your own expense.

What will you see and do?

During your boat cruise to Dalyan, you’ll take in some of the region’s top historical and natural sites. Here are some of the highlights:

Turtle Beach

All day trips to Dalyan from Marmaris stop at Turtle Beach. It’s famous for being a nesting ground for loggerhead turtles and boasts impossibly blue waters just like you see on all the postcards.

Outside of the laying and hatching season, you will be able to land on the beach for a stroll and a swim. At other times of the year, you can admire the view from the boat.

Ancient Kaunos and the Tombs of the Kings

The city of Kaunos was founded in the 9th century B.C. and soon became an influential seaport. Today you can still see the Roman, Greek and Persian ruins, with everything from stone walls to bathhouses on display.

The rock-carved Tombs of the Kings are the most striking feature and are a favorite sight on many a Dalyan day tour. They date to 400 B.C. and were the final resting place for powerful citizens from Kaunos.

To help the occupants on their journey to the afterlife, the tombs were filled with riches like jewelry and money. This is, of course, all long gone, but the tombs remain.

Dalyan mud baths

During your jaunt to Dalyan, you’ll have the opportunity to take a soak in the bubbling mud baths. These mineral-rich pools may have a lingering sulphuric aroma, but the health benefits far outweigh the assault on your senses.

After wallowing in nature’s spa, you’ll be able to wash off the mud before returning to the boat.

When is the best time to visit Dalyan?

The ultimate time of year for an excursion to Dalyan is the summer when you can bask on the boat deck in the sun.

However, if you have your heart set on exploring the beach, come in spring or fall. Landings are prohibited between May and September when the turtle nesting season is in full swing.

Are there any tours to Dalyan from other cities in Turkey?

Yes, there are other tours departing from several other cities in Turkey:

• Day Trips to Dalyan from Fethiye
• Day Trips to Dalyan from Bodrum

Travel tips

• Wear comfortable clothes and take a light jacket as it can get breezy on board the boat, even in summer.
• Book your Dalyan day trip as far in advance as possible – these tours are popular, and places can sell out.
• If you want to enjoy the mud baths, remember to pack a towel and swimwear that you don’t mind getting mucky.
• Take money for buying drinks on board the boat as these are not included in your tour package.