TURQUOISE COAST (DALAMAN) ACTIVITIES
Sports
Horse-riding is available, watersports abound around the beaches and there's even rafting in Koprula Kanyon. For adventure-lovers, Side boasts a Aqualand theme park. The waterfalls of Kursunlu and the ancient city of Aspendos are also worth a visit.
Gulet Cruising
If you love the thought of taking to the shimmering seas along this idyllic stretch of coast, why not choose a gulet cruises? Traditional, single-masted wooden vessels that can accommodate up to 12 people in comfortable cabins, gulets come with their own crew to pilot the boat and prepare your meals. On a typical day, you'll sail along beautiful coastline for a few hours and drop anchor in a peaceful bay to swim, snorkel, windsurf or sunbathe on deck. We offer seven-night itineraries that take in numerous places of interest and exciting resorts along the way, so it's a wonderful way to enjoy everything the Turquoise Coast offers. At the end of your gulet cruise you may choose to stay an extra week at one of the popular beach resorts.
TURQUOISE COAST (DALAMAN) SIGHTS
Beaches
The Dalaman coastline is scattered with secluded coves and long stretches of sandy and pebbly beaches, whle the sea is warm, crystal clear and perfect for swimming in. Loggerhead turtles also use the beaches in this region making them protected areas. The most famous area is Olu Deniz with its stunning blue lagoon. Another popular choice is Calis Beach where a combination of coarse sand and pebbles is situated beside a stunning blue lagoon.
Dalyan
It's worth taking an excursion to Dalyan, a lovely fishing village surrounded by a stunning broad delta and reed-fringed lakes and waterways. Beyond the villages is the exquisite white-sand Iztuzu beach, famed as a nesting site for rare loggerhead turtles. These delightful creatures have come here for centuries to lay their eggs and the beach closes at 8pm to allow them to emerge from the sea. Another must-do here is a harbour boat trip to the local sulphur mudbaths, where you can encase yourself in the cleansing mud and remove it in a clear, warm sulphur pool (be prepared for the smell, though!) Close by are the Sultanlye springs, where it's believed that the naturally hot springs will help relieve ailments.
Olu Deniz National Park
With a picture-postcard blue lagoon and long, white sand-pebble beach as its centrepiece, the Olu Deniz National Park is probably Turkey's most scintillatingly beautiful place and certainly its most photographed. The Blue Lagoon, as it's commonly called, is sheltered on three sides by high, densely wooded hills, whilst the sparkling, turquoise waters and wonderful beach are a paradise for sunseekers and watersports enthusiasts. It's also great for children: although the sands do shelve quite sharply, the waters are extremely calm. You can take trails up into the hills to enjoy the breathtaking views from on high (there's a small entrance fee to the Park) or simply stretch out on the sands and drink in the unbelievable views.
