Things To Do in Dalaman Area Holidays

We offer a range of experiences in Fethiye – from sunset safaris to laidback boat trips. Take a look at what’s on offer, and see what takes your fancy. View experiences >

The Dalaman coast’s good looks aren’t just reserved for its beaches and pine-stacked hills. Underwater, there’s a whole other world of coral reefs and shipwrecks that’ll thrill first-timers as well as experienced divers. If you haven’t got your PADI certificates, you can swot up at one of the coast’s diving schools. Plus, if you don’t want to go the whole hog, you can go snorkelling instead.

Ovacik doesn’t make a big noise about its nightlife. The bars along the main road have a laid-back vibe – they’re the sort of places where you can chat over cocktails. If you want to liven up your evening, head for the neon lights of Hisaronu. You’ll get pubs, bars and clubs spinning the tunes until the early hours.

Evenings in Olu Deniz are from the laidback school of thinking. Along the promenade, you’ll find a handful of dance bars serving cocktails and ice-cold Efes beers. Things tend to quieten down here pretty early, so most people up sticks and head to the nearby village of Hisaronu if they’re after a late night.

Ephesus takes top honours on Turkey’s must-see list and it’s no wonder – it’s considered the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. And with an amphitheatre that’s still being used, the impressive 2-storey columns of the Library of Celsus, and the 6th-century Basilica of St John, it’s a spot that’ll give history buffs a real kick.

This abandoned hill village south of Fethiye is spooky to say the least. It became a ghost town in 1923 after most residents were deported in a population swap agreed between Greece and Turkey. All that remains are empty streets, roofless houses and a couple of old churches, but it makes for a fascinating poke around nonetheless.

The Blue Lagoon is a nature reserve and you pay a couple of Lira to get in. The water here is as calm as a bath, and it stays shallow a long way out so it’s great for kids. It makes easy work for kayaks and pedalos, too. There’s a thin curve of sand for sunloungers, and a snack bar on hand for lunch.

Binlik translates as thousands. It’s an apt name for this bay, as it feels like there are lots of ways to enjoy it. There are only a couple of mooring places, so it’s really private. With that there’s peace and seclusion, and plenty of time to take in grandstand views of the Turkish coastline’s pine-dressed hills. This is a great spot for swimming and snorkelling, or you can just relax on the sun deck for a do-nothing few hours.

Among the 12 islands in the Gulf of Fethiye, this is the closest to the peninsula. It also goes by the name of Pig Island, on account of the drove of pigs that used to live here, but now it’s a calm and quiet place. There are a few inlets to drop anchor and explore the ruins of churches and Byzantium houses in the olive and pine tree forests. Otherwise, the waters are clear for swimming and the sea breezes cooling.