History and Turtles - Encountering the Delights of Dalaman

Dalaman is a popular destination airport for tourists heading for the popular Turkish resorts such as Marmaris or Fethiye in the south west of the country. As you may expect in this beautiful and historic region, there are plenty of interesting and exciting things to do and see when you arrive.

If you pre-book airport transfers, Dalaman airport itself will be left quickly behind and you can travel to your chosen resort accommodation in style, ready to make the most of your holiday.

Historical Aspects

Fethiye occupies an idyllic location in a beautiful bay surrounded by 12 islands. On a hill above the port you’ll see the ruins of an ancient crusader stronghold, built by the Knights of Rhodes. There are also some interesting Lycian rock tombs, as well as some truly spectacular scenery. With the historical legacy of the area going back some 12,000 years there’s sure to be something for any history and archaeology enthusiast. In the ancient ruins at Letoon, you’ll find three ancient temples dedicated to the goddess Leto and her children Apollo and Artemis. Just a few kilometres away, at the ancient Lycian capital of Xanthos, you can visit the Tomb of the Harpies, a Nereid monument and Lycian, Roman and Byzantine ruins.

Natural Delights

Nearby at Oludeniz you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the Blue Lagoon, while the spectacular Saklikent canyon offers cool river swimming and picnic spots.

If you are looking for somewhere that is relatively unspoiled as a holiday destination then Dalyan and the nearby Iztuzu beach may be the ideal location - particularly if you are also a wildlife enthusiast.

The beautiful Iztuzu Beach, for example, was under threat in the 1980s by hotel developers who wished to build there. One of the main problems, though, was that the area is a breeding ground for the loggerhead sea turtle, which is an endangered species. Celebrities and conservationists mounted a successful campaign to have development stopped, and the end result was that the beach and its surroundings have been designated a protected area.

These days if you visit this beautiful beach you’ll notice that there are markers that indicate nesting grounds, which should be avoided. You’ll also find that the beach is closed between the hours of 8pm and 8am during the months of May to October, as this is the period during which these protected turtles lay their eggs beneath the sand and when the baby turtles, once hatched, dig to the surface and then make their way to the sea.

Wildlife and history are not the only things this Turkish holiday destination has to offer though, and once you have reached your accommodation using the airport transfers, Dalaman will present a host of activities and attractions for you to discover yourself.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for airport transfers, Dalaman is easily accessible. Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.