Dalaman is a small but strategically important city in the province of Muğla, in southwestern Turkey. It is known as the main air gateway of the region, because it is here that the international airport is located, through which tourists get to such resorts as Fethiye, Marmaris, Gözek, Kaş and Kekova.
But Dalaman is more than just an airport. It's a green, fertile and tranquil corner of Turkey, surrounded by rivers, mountains and orange orchards.

📍 Geography and climate

• Region: Mugla province (southwest Turkey)

• Location: between Fethiye and Marmaris, near the coast of the Aegean Sea

• Population: about 45,000

• Climate: is subtropical, Mediterranean

  • Summer: hot and dry (+30-35°C)

  • Winter: mild (+10-15°C)

• Beach season: from May to October

Due to its location, Dalaman is ideal as a starting point for traveling around the Mugla region - all the popular resorts along the coast are easily accessible from here.

✈️ Dalaman International Airport (DLM)

Dalaman Airport is one of the most modern airports in Turkey.

• It serves more than 4 million passengers a year

• It receives flights from Europe, the Middle East and Russia.

• From here it takes only:

  • 1 hour to Marmaris

  • 1 hour to Fethiye.

  • 30 minutes to Gözek.

The airport is known for its glass and steel architecture, excellent service and convenient logistics. That is why it is considered the "gateway to paradise" for tourists in southwestern Turkey.

🏞 Nature and surroundings

Although the city itself is small, Dalaman's surroundings are a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers.

🌊 Dalaman River (Dalaman Çayı)

• Winds between the mountains and flows into the Mediterranean Sea

• A great place for rafting and kayaking.

• The river is known for its scenic beauty, with citrus groves and cliffs all around.

🏝 Sarigerme Beach

• One of the best beaches in the region, just 15 km from the city.

• It is about 7 km long

• Fine golden sand and clear turquoise water.

• Great for families and water sports enthusiasts

• Entrance through a well-maintained park with pine and eucalyptus trees.

🏞 Köyceğiz Lake (Köyceğiz Gölü)

• A large freshwater lake 30 km from Dalaman.

• It is connected to the sea by the picturesque Dalyan delta.

• Here you can go boating, see pelicans and flamingos.

🏛 Historical sights

Dalaman and its surroundings abound with monuments of ancient Lycia, Caria and Rome.

• Lycian Tombs - carved right into the rocks along the Dalaman-Dalian Delta

• Sultaniye Kaplıcaları Thermal Springs - therapeutic mud baths next to LakeKöycegiz.

• Kaunos Ancient City - ancient port, theater, temples and sarcophagi

🍊 Culture and village life

Dalaman is a typical Anatolian town with an atmosphere of coziness and hospitality.
It is surrounded by orchards, rice fields and olive groves.

Here you can:

• Stroll through the market and taste the local orange juice

• Buy olive oil, honey, spices and pomegranate sauce

• Visit farm cafes serving fresh, locally sourced food

🍽 Cuisine of the region

Dalaman's cuisine reflects the richness of the Aegean region - light, flavorful, with lots of herbs and olive oil.

Try:

• Gözleme - homemade flatbreads with cheese or herbs

• Balık ekmek - fried fish in bread, popular on the coast.

• Kuzu tandır - slow roasted lamb.

• Yoğurtlu meze - appetizers with yogurt and garlic.

• Baklava and şerbetli tatlılar - sweets with nuts and syrup.

🏨 Where to stay

Although the city of Dalaman itself is small, there are many great places to stay nearby:

• Sarigerme - resort area with 4-5★ hotels on the first line

• Ortaca - a cozy town between Dalaman and Dalyan

• Dalyan is an eco-resort with boat trips and hot springs.

• Göcek - luxury yachting center with boutique hotels and restaurants

🚗 How to get there

• ✈️ Dalaman International Airport (DLM) - the center of the region

• 🚗 Excellent roads to Fethiye, Marmaris, Göcek, Dalyan.

• 🚌 Buses (dolmushi) run between all resorts

• 🚤 Sea transfer is possible (yachts and boats)

✅ Why go to Dalaman

✔ Quiet and green area without crowds of tourists
✔ A convenient starting point to all Aegean resorts
✔ Nature, mountains, river and sea in one place
✔ The magnificent Saragerme Beach
✔ Opportunities for active vacation - rafting, surfing, hiking
✔ Real Turkish authenticity

📌 Conclusion

Dalaman is not just an airport, but a gateway to the most picturesque part of Turkey, where mountains, sea and history merge.
Here you can get a taste of real life: in the morning - fresh oranges, in the afternoon - swimming in the sea, in the evening - a walk along the river to the chirping of cicadas.

If you are looking for tranquility, nature and comfort, but want to stay close to the sea and culture - Dalaman will be your ideal choice.