Dalaman

Fethiye

Fethiye lies to the South East of Dalaman and is an attractive little seaside town. It offers an array of attractions that ensure an annual influx of tourists and Turkish second home owners. Despite its popularity with holidaymakers however, it retains all the trappings of a traditional Mediterranean town with a busy farmers market taking place every Tuesday. There is also a charming marina boasting some fine eating and drinking establishments. Perhaps the most significant feature of Fethiye is its immense historical significance as the site of the Lycian town of Telmessos. A large number of relics of this pre-Roman settlement can be seen about the town - in the grand ruins of the Helenistic amphitheatre, the staggering cliff-cut tombs and the profusion of sarcophagi which are dotted about the town. The museum of Fethiye is a good place to head to get a more detailed understanding of the history of the region.

Oludeniz

Oludeniz means Dead Sea in Turkish and refers to the spectacular blue lagoon that draws in tourists from far and wide. It is famed for its spectacular turquoise waters and beautiful sandy beaches and regularly ranks among the top five beaches in the world. The lagoon is fringed by the Babadag Mountain, whose wooded slopes provide the lagoon with a striking backdrop. The mountain also offers great opportunities for paragliding with some stunning panoramas over the lagoon. There are a number of companies in town offering paragliding trips and instruction for beginners.

Dalyan

Dalyan is an attractive town lying to the west of Dalaman on the Dalyan Cayi river which provides a focal point for town life. The ecology of Dalyan has brought it to prominence in the past with the Izutzu beach providing a nesting place for storks and the endangered loggerhead turtles. The fine sands of Izutzu are also popular amongst tourists and make a great spot for sunbathing and swimming. The dramatic cliff faces flanking the river accommodate some Lycian tombs like those seen in Fethiye and the town also serves as a good base from which to explore the fantastic ruins of Kaunos. It is possible to organise boat trips up the river from Dalyan to Kaunos as well as the hot springs of Sultaniye and a number of other sites of natural and historical significance.

Patara

Patara is an interesting place and with its fabulous ruins and 18km long stretch of beach should, by rights be a major tourist destination. However, poor transport links mean that it remains relatively untouched and one of the best kept secrets in Turkey. There are plans afoot to reconstruct the Patara ruins and turn the town into another Ephesus, but for the time being, it remains a traditional Mediterranean coastal village. As well as the historical significance of this Lycian port town, Patra boasts to be the birthplace of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus as he is more commonly known in western lore.