Tour

Three-day Dalyan

If you have three days in Dalyan, things almost divide themselves into three parts: one day for water and history, one day for the sea, and one day for the horses. The farm is like a third part, but it can also be taken out. If the weather is bad, you can move it; this is a draft, not a recipe. Crossing the canal and going down to Çandır is the rhythm of the day.

First day — boats and stones

It’s nice to get on the boat without the morning crowds. The shallows, the slow water, the cliffs. In the afternoon, the theater and ruins at Kaunos. The stairs, the sun, a little water. In the evening, dinner in the village. The fatigue of the day accumulates in our legs and in the heat; a long horseback ride the same afternoon weighs heavily. If we have to, we’d better go to bed early that night and leave the next day open.

Second day — İztuzu

Sand, swimming, turtle watching. By boat or by land. On the way back, Dalyan, a shower, maybe an early night. It’s better to let the horse rest today; salt and sun are enough. If the children don’t want to leave the beach, don’t force them — that’s their day in the sand. Let the horse stay until another morning.

Third day — Çandır

After breakfast, head to the canal. Cross over and walk to the farm. Take the lake tour for the scenery and water; the spa is shorter; take the combined tour if you want both. Children and those who have never ridden before start in the carriage. If you came without a car, let us know. It’s more pleasant to set out in the cool of the morning than to start at the top of the day.

If you have two days, you should squeeze the boat into one day and keep the horse for another day: one for the beach and one for the horse. A short canal tour in the morning and a ride on the farm in the afternoon can fit in — just don’t cram three hours into the same afternoon. If you have four days, include a “nothing day” in the mix; hang out in the village, have coffee, take it slow. In our boat and horse article, we explore this duo a bit more.