A rather less characterful resort than some, with hotels in a straggling row along the sea front, a mainly pedestrianised boulevard with limited traffic access. Back from the sea front lies a patchwork of stony, unpaved tracks and paved and concrete roads with further hotels, apartments and holiday homes interspersed with agricultural plots and sites awaiting development. On the outskirts lies an area of tall grassland and greenery. Overall, the resort has a low-key, laid-back atmosphere.
For those seeking a beach location and a compact, easily accessible resort. Best for families and quiet-loving couples. Some nightlife, but plentiful transport to nearby Fethiye town, which has a greater selection. Popular with British and German holidaymakers.
Location: In SW Mediterranean Turkey, in the region of Fethiye. 2 mls
N of Fethiye town. 9 mls N of Olu Deniz. 38 mls E of Dalaman airport by winding,
often scenic road.
Position: On flat coastal land, with a long, fairly
narrow, arcing beach; faces the town of Fethiye to the S across the bay. Green
mountains rise in the distance.
Dialling Code: 252
Postcode:
48300
An ample number of smaller hotels (most open summer only) and apartments, mainly just below middlemarket category. A few larger, better-equipped hotels, but most properties are friendly, family-run affairs with the bare essentials, spread along the beach front and off the main roads around the resort.
A long, narrow arc of dark sand and shingle lined with sun loungers and sunshades extends around a broad bay with sheltered waters. Backed by an appealing, mainly pedestrianised boulevard with a grassy verge and small trees; lit for evening strolls. Safe to swim; some water sports offered. Turtles lay eggs in the sand at certain times of the year.
A small selection of shops with jewellery, clothes, shoes, beachwear and water-sports equipment. Many small, well-stocked minimarkets. Souvenirs and local handicrafts; plentiful spices, teas and Turkish delight. Fethiye town has abundant shops and a large covered market (Tues).
Daytime: some water sports, including surfing; horse riding; Turkish baths
and massage; water park with slides and fitness centre; fishing.
Nightlife:
more low-key, with a good selection of bars, cafes and cocktail bars, many on
the beachfront boulevard and with bay views; couple of discos. Larger hotels
offer seasonal evening entertainments with live music and often belly-dancing.
More active nightlife can be had in nearby Fethiye town.
Ample choice of restaurants, cafes and snack bars serving local and Turkish fare, seafood or Italian dishes, including pizza. British breakfasts for the homesick. Restaurants line the beachfront boulevard, offering airy dining with fine views of the bay. Nearby Fethiye town offers more variety.
Frequent dolmus (minibus) to Fethiye town, as well as a taxi-boat service along the river to Fethiye town (½-hourly during the summer season). Car, bicycle and moped hire all available. Plentiful taxis from a couple of ranks and around the resort.
Boat trips to nearby islands; fishing trips (including shark fishing); Dalyan turtle beach; Pamukkale (Cotton Castle); Saklikent Tlos Gorge; various truck safaris in the mountains; Marmaris; Olu Deniz. See also Fethiye.
Dalaman (DLM)
Flight
time from the UK: 3 hrs. 45 mins.