3 Best Sights in The Turquoise Coast, Turkey

Unspoiled İztuzu Beach stretches for 5.4 km (3.4 miles), with the Mediterranean on one side and a freshwater delta on the other. Caretta caretta (loggerhead) sea turtles lay their eggs here in summer, which means that this is a conservation area and there are rules in place so you don't disturb them; there's even a turtle hospital you can visit at the far end of the beach (where the minibus from Dalyan stops). It gets crowded near the boat drop-off point, but walk a few hundred yards away, and you'll have the sand to yourself. Regular boats (dolmuş tekne) from Dalyan cost about 30 TL for the return trip, so skip expensive tours or private rentals, unless you're venturing farther afield. Be aware that although you can catch the boat to the beach starting around 9:30 am, the hourly return trips don't begin until the early afternoon. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

Once a prosperous seaport (until silt from the river pushed the coast farther away), the ancient ruins at Kaunos date from the 4th century BC and reflect a unique blend of Carian and Lycian influences. The entrance is near the top of the site, where you'll find a crumbling Byzantine basilica with the remains of a floor mosaic, a massive Roman bath, and a well-preserved semicircular theater that is cut into the hillside in the Greek style. An old Roman street leads down the hill to the ancient port, passing the nice temple terrace and the agora, which has a restored fountain house and a ruined portico dotted with the foundation of statues. There is a lovely, panoramic view of İztuzu Beach from the ruined city walls. The site can be reached in 15 to 30 minutes by boat tour from Dalyan. Alternatively, you can find the sandal geçiş (a rowboat crossing) in the center of town and then walk south for 30 minutes, or take the tiny car ferry from the edge of town, which drops you closer to the ruins.

Boat tours of this large, tranquil lake and its refreshing, sulfurous mud baths can be arranged through tour companies at the riverside dock in Dalyan. In summer, there is also a regular boat service to the bustling Monday market in the eponymous Köyceğiz village. If you're staying in Marmaris, it's an hour bus ride to Lake Köyceğiz.