When you reach Dalaman you will quickly find that there is very little to see and do beyond the airport. While hopefully the area will soon have more to offer that caters to the tourists, at the moment it is little more than a farming town that happens to have an international airport. It's the nearby towns that attract visitors, and with good reason. So when you reach Dalaman, the best thing to do is rent a car or head to the local bus station to see a few of the fabulous sights of Turkey.

Ephesus     249 km

It will be a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive from Dalaman, but the trip to Ephesus is definitely worth the time. The ancient city is the most well-preserved on the Mediterranean and contains the incredible Temple of Artemis that is a must-see. The Gate of Hercules is another ancient Greek monument that was built in the 4th century and leads to the temple of Emperor Domitian. Another gate with some interesting ancient graffiti is the Gate of Augustus, which leads to the marketplace. Finally, don't leave without visiting the Church of the Virgin Mary, a fascinating building that was rebuilt as a church in the 4th century.

Marmaris     88.9 km

Marmaris is the place to go if you want to experience the wild Turkish night life. There are bars, restaurants, discos and clubs that cater to the high energy tourists and locals who like some excitement. Also popular are boat trips out to see the surrounding bays, coves and beaches. If you have children or are a kid-at-heart yourself, then you might be interested in visiting either of the 2 water parks in the area. The Turkish baths offer a great way to relax. And don't miss the castle ruins, though it's best to go in the morning before it gets too hot.

Fethiye     52.3 km

The city of Fethiye was built on the ruins of the ancient city of Telmessos, thereby making it a great place to visit to see some of the are's history. The highlight of the city are the rock tombs that were carved into the cliffs. Be sure to try to see them at night, as the lights shining on them appear to make them glow from within. You'll also find the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater within the city, near the marina. The marina itself is another popular location to see many boats and perhaps have a cup of coffee and do some people watching. This is a popular area for scuba divers, and many shops can be found around town to take you out for the day.

Dalyan     24.1 km

Dalyan is an incredible place to visit for anyone who is interested in wildlife. The entire place is an environmentally protected area due to the endangered loggerhead turtles that have lived on the shores for so many years. If you head to the Dalyan Delta you can also get a glimpse of some of the incredible bird life, including storks, cranes, kingfishers and even sparrow hawks. The Saturday market is worth visiting for both the fresh produce and the knock-off designer merchandise. If you're interested in a bit of night life, there are a few discos just outside of town.