Dalaman is a small farming town on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey with very little to offer in the way of things to do or see. In fact, Dalaman is mainly known for being a transit city. The international airport in Dalaman connects tourists via bus to nearby destinations that have many more attractions. Recently there has been a push to create a more tourist-friendly atmosphere in Dalaman, with a good start at the Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort and Spa. However, even that resort is actually located in the nearby town of Sarigerme Beach. The most that you can do within the town limits of Dalaman itself is to frequent the few restaurants, cafes and shops that are mainly located within the airport terminal. Bear in mind that the prices are quite high. Other than that, you're going to have to venture out of Dalaman in order to find anything interesting. Here are some of the attractions you can find in in the surrounding areas.

Spas

For an incredible mud bath experience, you can venture out to the sulfur baths of Dalyan. Rumor has it that the sulfur enriched mud is an excellent treatment for rheumatism and various skin problems. If you prefer bathing in waters rather than mud, the Sultaniye Thermal Spa is an excellent choice, with waters ranging between 32 and 42 degrees C. The water is enriched with chloride, bromide, hydrogen sulphide and various other minerals that are good for the body. Therme Maris Spa Hotel offers a similar bathing experience along with a solarium, massages and other treatments good for both the mind and body. When there, you can also see and feed the loggerhead turtles in the area.

Beaches

Naturally, many people visit the Mediterranean coast for its beaches. Dalaman beach is a great place to start. From there you can easily reach Sarsala Cove, a clean, clear and natural area just 12 km from Dalaman that offers both a small beach and splendid forests. Iztuzu Beach is perhaps the most famous in the area, with its fine gold sands and peaceful atmosphere. It is, and will remain, largely unspoiled due to being a protected turtle area. You're likely to get a glimpse of the turtles from time to time, but do your best not to disturb them.

Nature

The nearby Dalaman River is fantastic for sports enthusiasts, as it's extremely popular for white water rafting. If you'd prefer something less risky, you can head to the Dalyan Delta for some of the best bird watching in the area. A very popular walking trail will take you from Gokbel to Iztuzu. The walk is peaceful and beautiful, taking 2 to 3 hours to complete and ending in the lovely beaches of Iztuzu, so bring your bathing suit!

Ruins

If you head along the Kapda Peninsula you can view some of the incredible ruins in the Dalaman area. Three that are largely untouched and quite spectacular are the ruins of Kyra, Lydia and Lissia. Within these ruins there is evidence of Byzantine architecture that helps to date the areas, though nothing definitive has been said of the time period in which they were thought to have been constructed.