MARMARIS GUIDE
Dalyan Day Trip from Marmaris by Car: Kaunos, Turtle Beach and Mud Baths
Last updated: 2 November 2026
Share this guide
Dalyan is about 84 km and 1 h 15–25 min by car from Marmaris, a small town on the Dalyan river that links Lake Köyceğiz with the sea. The Kaunos rock tombs, İztuzu Beach where turtles nest, the mud baths and Sultaniye hot springs all fit into one day. In this guide you will find our measured distances, how to cross to Kaunos with your car on the raft, whether to reach İztuzu by car or by boat, the beach rules, timed day routes and what you need to know when you go with a rental car.
At a glance: Dalyan from Marmaris
- Marmaris → Dalyan
- 83–84 km, about 1 h 15 min – 1 h 25 min
- Dalyan → İztuzu Beach
- About 12 km, 20–30 min; also by boat in summer
- Kaunos
- On the far bank of the river; cross by small boat or car raft
- İztuzu rule
- No entry 20:00–08:00 during the nesting season
- Day trip
- About 200 km; within the 300 km daily limit
- Toll roads
- None
Quick Answer: How Far Is Dalyan from Marmaris?
Distances and times are one way by car; we measured them with two routing services, and as the results differ by a few minutes we give ranges. The "about 1 hour" on some tour pages is shorter than the real drive.
| From → To | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Marmaris → Köyceğiz | 62–63 km | 55–60 min |
| Marmaris → Dalyan | 83–84 km | 1 h 15 min – 1 h 25 min |
| İçmeler → Dalyan | 91–92 km | 1 h 30 min – 1 h 40 min |
| Dalyan → İztuzu Beach | 12 km | 20–30 min |
| Marmaris → Sultaniye hot springs | 76–77 km | 1 h 30 min – 1 h 40 min |
| Dalyan → Dalaman Airport | 30 km | 45 min – 1 h |
Dalyan is much closer to Dalaman Airport than Marmaris is; for the airport road see our Dalaman Airport to Marmaris guide.
Dalyan by car
Pick up the car free of charge in Marmaris centre, at your hotel or in İçmeler. Choose your dates and see the price straight away.
Driving from Marmaris to Dalyan
The road is paved all the way and there are no tolls. In order:
- Leave Marmaris north on the D400 to the Gökova junction; turn right towards Fethiye without climbing the Sakar Pass.
- The D400 Muğla–Fethiye road runs past Köyceğiz; a short detour into Köyceğiz centre is enough for a break by the lake.
- Before Ortaca, turn south at the Dalyan sign; from here it is about 13 km to Dalyan.
- In Dalyan, cars are left in the car parks near the river; the centre is busy in summer, so arriving early makes parking easier.
Kaunos Ancient City and the King's Tombs
Kaunos lies on the far bank of the Dalyan river, at Çandır in Köyceğiz district. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism the site is open 08:30–19:30 in the summer period (1 April–1 November) and 08:30–17:30 in the winter period (1 November–1 April). Kaunos has been on UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List since 2014.
The king's tombs, the symbol of Dalyan, are temple-fronted tombs from the 4th century BC cut into the limestone slope. You cannot go inside; they are best seen from the riverside in Dalyan or from a boat.
- By small boat: a short crossing from the riverside in Dalyan, then a walk to the site.
- By car: a car raft runs between Dalyan and Çandır; it takes a few cars at a time and the crossing takes about 1–1.5 minutes.
- On a boat trip: most boat trips from Dalyan stop at the Kaunos landing.
İztuzu Beach (Turtle Beach): By Car or by Boat?
İztuzu is a sand spit about 4.5 km long where the Dalyan river meets the sea, inside the Köyceğiz–Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area declared in 1988. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nest here; at the eastern end of the beach is DEKAMER, the sea turtle rescue centre.
- By car: about 12 km and 20–30 minutes from Dalyan. At the eastern end, where the road arrives, there is a paid car park, a café and showers.
- By boat: in summer boats leave the riverside in Dalyan for İztuzu; the river trip winds through the reeds and arrives at the western end of the beach, where the river meets the sea.
- The two ends of the beach are linked on foot, but walking 4.5 km on sand takes a long time; choose which end you want beforehand.
Dalyan Boats: Which Places by Car, Which by Boat?
In Dalyan some places are easy by car, others only by boat. Boats leave from the riverside; in summer there are shared boats and private boats for hire, and in winter there are fewer sailings.
| Place | By car | By boat | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaunos | Yes, with the raft | Yes | Rowing boat across is the shortest way |
| King's tombs | Seen from the riverside | You pass close by | You cannot go inside |
| İztuzu Beach | Yes, 12 km | Yes, in summer | Paid car park if you drive |
| Mud baths | Not easy | Yes | Where the river opens into the lake |
| Sultaniye hot springs | Yes | Yes | South-west shore of Lake Köyceğiz |
| Lake Köyceğiz | Yes | Yes | Lakeside walk and views |
Mud Baths and Sultaniye Hot Springs
- The Dalyan mud baths are where the Dalyan river opens into Lake Köyceğiz; most visitors arrive by boat. After the mud you rinse off in a warm pool.
- Sultaniye hot springs are on the south-west shore of Lake Köyceğiz; the water is about 40 °C. By car it is about 76–77 km from Marmaris; from Dalyan the road is long, so going by boat from there is more practical.
- Leave silver jewellery at the hotel; the sulphurous water and mud can tarnish silver.
- Opening hours change with the season; ask the operator before you go.
Lake Köyceğiz and Ekincik
Köyceğiz is a quiet town on the Marmaris–Dalyan road, on the north shore of the lake of the same name; a short stop in the lakeside park breaks the drive. The Dalyan river starts at the southern end of the lake and flows through the reeds to the sea.
Ekincik is a bay on the coast west of Dalyan. By car it is about 83–84 km from Marmaris; in summer boats from here go to the Dalyan river and Kaunos. Ask about the boats locally.
Ready-Made Routes: Classic Dalyan Day, Boat Day, Before a Dalaman Flight
Routes start in Marmaris centre. Distances are what you drive; boat trips and stops are not included in the time.
Classic Dalyan day
Marmaris → Dalyan → raft to Kaunos → Dalyan → İztuzu → Marmaris
- Distance
- About 200 km
- Driving
- About 3.5–4 h driving
- Trip length
- Full day
Best for: First-time visitors
Set off around 08:00 and see Kaunos when the site opens. Have lunch by the river in Dalyan, spend the afternoon at İztuzu and leave the beach before 20:00.
Boat day in Dalyan
Marmaris → Dalyan (park the car) → by boat to the mud baths, Kaunos, İztuzu → Marmaris
- Distance
- About 170 km
- Driving
- About 2.5–3 h driving
- Trip length
- Full day
Best for: Those who want a break from driving
Leave the car in a car park near the river in Dalyan and spend the day by boat: the mud baths, past the king's tombs, Kaunos and İztuzu. Ask about the boats and return times at the riverside.
Last day before a Dalaman flight
Marmaris → Dalyan → İztuzu → Dalaman Airport
- Distance
- About 125 km
- Driving
- About 2.5–3 h driving
- Trip length
- Daylight before your flight
Best for: Those flying home from Dalaman
Load your luggage, see Dalyan and İztuzu and drop the car at the airport. Tick the drop-off-elsewhere option when booking and leave time before your flight.
Do the route on your own schedule
Without a tour timetable you can see Kaunos in the morning and İztuzu in the late afternoon. Choose your dates and see the price straight away.
Practical Tips for the Dalyan Trip
When to Go to Dalyan
May–June and September–October are the most comfortable months for Dalyan: warm but not stifling, and the boats are running. In July and August İztuzu and the riverside are crowded; an early start makes things easier.
From November Kaunos switches to winter hours and there are fewer shared boats. In winter Dalyan is a quiet place to visit; seeing the king's tombs and the riverside by car is still easy.
Without a Car: Bus and Tours
There is no known direct line from Marmaris to Dalyan; you usually take a bus to Ortaca and change to the Dalyan dolmuş (about 13 km). With the change and waiting, the trip takes longer.
There are also day tours from Marmaris to Dalyan, tied to their timetable. With your own car you can stay at Kaunos as long as you like and go to İztuzu whenever you want.
A Rental Car for the Dalyan Trip
You can pick up the car free of charge in Marmaris centre, at your hotel or in İçmeler; the fee for other points is shown on the booking screen. See our delivery points page for all points.
A Dalyan trip stays within the 300 km daily limit. If you fly home from Dalaman, you can leave the car at Dalaman Airport; the fee is shown on the booking screen. For licence and deposit rules see our rental terms.
To see prices in advance, our Marmaris car hire prices guide shows the current table. To carry on to Ölüdeniz after Dalyan see our Fethiye guide, and for other day trips our places to visit around Marmaris guide.
Distances and times are approximate and vary with traffic and season.
Share this guide
Frequently asked questions
How far is Dalyan from Marmaris?
From Marmaris centre to Dalyan it is 83–84 km by road, about 1 h 15–25 min by car. There are no toll roads.
What are the best things to do in Dalyan?
The Kaunos ancient city and king's tombs, İztuzu Beach, the mud baths, Sultaniye hot springs, Lake Köyceğiz and boat trips on the Dalyan river.
How do I get to Kaunos?
Cross by small boat from the riverside in Dalyan and walk, or take your car on the Dalyan–Çandır car raft. Most boat trips also stop at Kaunos.
What are the opening hours of Kaunos?
According to the Ministry: 08:30–19:30 in the summer period (1 April–1 November) and 08:30–17:30 in the winter period (1 November–1 April).
Can you go up to the king's tombs?
No, you cannot go inside the tombs. They are best seen from the riverside in Dalyan or from a boat.
Should I go to İztuzu by car or by boat?
Either works. By car it is about 12 km from Dalyan and the car park is paid; in summer boats also go from the riverside.
Why is İztuzu Beach closed at night?
Sea turtles nest at night, so during the nesting season (roughly May to the end of September) the beach is closed from 20:00 to 08:00.
Where are the Dalyan mud baths?
Where the Dalyan river opens into Lake Köyceğiz; most visitors arrive by boat. If you want to drive, Sultaniye hot springs on the lake shore are easier.
Can you see Dalyan in one day?
Yes. A day trip covering Kaunos, İztuzu and Dalyan centre is about 200 km by car and stays within the 300 km daily limit.
Will I see turtles in Dalyan?
In the nesting season you may see turtles at İztuzu and in the river, but not always. Do not disturb or feed them.
Is there a bus from Marmaris to Dalyan?
There is no direct line; take a bus to Ortaca and change to the Dalyan dolmuş.
Can I leave the car at Dalaman Airport after Dalyan?
Yes. Tick the drop-off-elsewhere option when booking; Dalaman Airport is one of our delivery points and its fee is shown on the booking screen.
