Dalaman is a resort town in Lycia on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The town and surrounding district had a population of 43,036 in 2020.
In tourist literature, "Dalaman" can refer to any of the resorts served by Da
Though the town itself is modest, its location makes it an ideal staging point for a day‑long loop of the Turquoise Coast. From the harbour you can catch a local ferry to the quiet bay of Sarıgerme, then follow the footpath that skirts the Dalaman Stream and climbs into the pine‑clad hills, where an impromptu picnic offers views of the sea beyond. The same route can be reversed to reach the less‑traversed valley of Sarıkaya, a place where traditional stone houses sit beside terraces of olive and citrus trees, giving a glimpse of the agricultural rhythm that sustains the district beyond the summer crowds.
Seasonal rhythm of the market
Visitors timing their stay with the weekly market will encounter a side of Dalaman that tourists often miss. Held on Tuesdays in the town square, the market blends produce from the mountain hinterland—fresh figs, wild herbs, and cheese from goat herders—with fish caught that morning off Sarsala Bay. The chatter is multilingual, reflecting the flow of seasonal workers from inland Turkey and the occasional European expat, each offering a quick lesson in the dialects of southwestern Anatolia. Sampling a cup of thick, unfiltered tea while watching the market’s ebb and flow feels like stepping into the area's living calendar.
Beyond the airport: sustainable travel tips
Most arrivals disembark at Dalaman Airport and head straight for the resorts, but the district's public minibus network (dolmuş) provides a low‑impact alternative to private taxis. A short ride on route 101 will drop you at the edge of the Dalaman River’s floodplain, where a modest walking trail leads to a small observation platform built by a local environmental group. From there you can watch seasonal bird migrations—herons and sandpipers use the river’s reed beds as a stopover. Choosing the dolmuş not only reduces carbon footprint but also supports the local economy that keeps these quiet conservation sites maintained.
Introduction
This article is about the town and district center. For the airport, see Dalaman Airport.
District and municipality in Muğla, TurkeyDalamanDistrict and municipalityAerial view of İztuzu Beach
LogoMap showing Dalaman District in Muğla ProvinceDalamanLocation in TurkeyShow map of TurkeyDalamanDalaman (Turkey Aegean)Show map of Turkey AegeanCoordinates: 36°46′N 28°48′E / 36.767°N 28.800°E / 36.767; 28.800CountryTurkeyProvinceMuğlaGovernment • MayorSezer Durmuş (CHP)Area608 km2 (235 sq mi)Elevation15 m (49 ft)Population (2022)47,482 • Density78.1/km2 (202/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+3 (TRT)Postal code48770Area code0252Websitewww.dalaman.bel.tr
Sarsala Bay in Dalaman
Dalaman is a municipality and district of Muğla Province, Turkey. Its area is 608 km2, and its population is 47,482 (2022). It is situated on the southwestern coast of Turkey.
Dalaman Stream (Dalaman çayı) forms much of the western border of the district, where its neighbors are Köyceğiz and Ortaca districts. The town of Dalaman is located in the coastal plain, whereas the rest of the district – towards Fethiye district on the coast and towards the high mountains on the northern border to Denizli Province – is upland, dominated by the valleys of the Dalaman Stream's eastern tributaries.
Composition
[edit]
There are 25 neighbourhoods in Dalaman District:
Akçataş
Altıntaş
Atakent
Bezkese
Bozbel
Çöğmen
Darıyeri
Ege
Elcik
Gürköy
Gürlek
Hürriyet
Kapıkargın
Karacaağaç
Karaçalı
Kargınkürü
Kavacık
Kayadibi
Kızılkaya
Merkez
Narlı
Sabunlu
Şerefler
Söğütlüyurt
Taşbaşı
Dalaman Airport
[edit]
Main article: Dalaman Airport
Dalaman Airport
Dalaman Airport serves as a gateway for the tourists who visit this part of Turkey, heading especially to seaside resorts to the west and east of Dalaman such as Marmaris, Fethiye, Köyceğiz, Dalyan, Ölüdeniz, Hisarönü and also Dalaman itself. Dalaman Airport (IATA: DLM, ICAO: LTBS) is small in comparison to other airports in Turkey, has parking spaces for 14 jet aircraft and is served by many operators. Turkish Airlines offer daily flights to Turkey's commercial and financial capital Istanbul. The Airport serves as a seasonal base for other airlines notably Pegasus Airlines and Free Bird Airlines. A new international airport terminal has opened in July 2018
Climate
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Dalaman has a hot Mediterranean climate. Summers are long and dry whilst winters are short and cool. Dalaman is a very sunny place throughout the whole of the year especially in June and July. Dalaman holds the record for one of the highest recorded air temperatures in Turkey.
Climate data for Dalaman
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
25.3(77.5)
25.0(77.0)
31.0(87.8)
34.0(93.2)
38.0(100.4)
43.5(110.3)
48.5(119.3)
43.1(109.6)
42.0(107.6)
39.0(102.2)
32.8(91.0)
25.0(77.0)
48.5(119.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
15.8(60.4)
16.1(61.0)
18.5(65.3)
21.8(71.2)
26.3(79.3)
31.5(88.7)
33.9(93.0)
33.9(93.0)
31.1(88.0)
26.7(80.1)
21.3(70.3)
17.0(62.6)
24.5(76.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
5.6(42.1)
5.8(42.4)
7.0(44.6)
9.6(49.3)
13.5(56.3)
17.8(64.0)
20.7(69.3)
20.6(69.1)
17.2(63.0)
13.3(55.9)
9.4(48.9)
6.9(44.4)
12.3(54.1)
Record low °C (°F)
−4.0(24.8)
−5.3(22.5)
−1.3(29.7)
0.0(32.0)
6.1(43.0)
9.7(49.5)
13.0(55.4)
14.0(57.2)
7.8(46.0)
4.2(39.6)
−1.5(29.3)
−1.3(29.7)
−5.3(22.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
191.2(7.53)
147.5(5.81)
91.0(3.58)
51.6(2.03)
25.1(0.99)
8.0(0.31)
2.8(0.11)
1.9(0.07)
20.4(0.80)
70.7(2.78)
159.6(6.28)
211.4(8.32)
981.2(38.61)
Average rainy days
12.2
10.8
9.0
7.4
4.3
2.2
1.4
1.5
2.1
5.0
8.8
12.1
76.8
Average relative humidity (%)
64
63
64
66
66
57
57
59
56
61
66
67
62
Mean monthly sunshine hours
158.1
156.8
213.9
237
300.7
342
365.8
347.2
300
244.9
183
151.9
3,001.3
Source 1: Devlet Meteoroloji İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü
Source 2: Weather2
Education
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There are five kindergartens, 13 primary schools, ten secondary schools, five high schools, one public education center, and one vocational training center affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in the district.
