Dalaman is located on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and is best known as home to the regions international airport. Dalaman primarily serves as a gateway for holidaymakers visiting the nearby resorts of Sarigerme, Dalyan, Gocek, Fethiye and Marmaris. It is also popular with commuters using the frequent daily flight services to Istanbul and throughout Turkey.

WHY INVEST IN PROPERTY IN DALAMAN REGION?

Dalaman town is not the most popular or touristy of areas. It is a traditional working town with mainly Turkish residents, it does however have a good range of affordable properties ranging from villas to apartments on complexes with a good range of facilities. A property in Dalaman town will most probably suit those looking to take advantage of the affordable price tags and excellent transport links. But it’s the areas surrounding Dalaman that normally attract foreign property investors, primarily Sarigerme and Dalyan, with the up and coming Koycegiz and Akkaya now also gaining increased interest. The Dalaman region is diverse with a number of areas to consider.

DALAMAN CENTRAL

Dalaman is a small, quiet town with a good range of facilities and impressive mountain and sea backdrops. It is classed as an area of natural beauty due to rare wildlife living on the surrounding marsh land. The past ten years have seen the Ministry of Tourism greatly improve the local infrastructure and invest heavily in the local economy. This has brought with it a toll tunnel through the mountain near Gocek and wider highways and road accesses to the nearby resorts allowing for far quicker transfer times to resorts.
The center of Dalaman offers a traditional mix of small shops, mini-markets, supermarkets and local stores and cafes along its main high street. Just a five minute drive from the airport, it is popular with those looking to do a last minute spot of shopping before their departures, or with those looking to kill a little time before their flight. There are excellent local bus services to many places of interest including Dalyan, Koycegiz and Akkaya. Compared with the regions nearby resorts of Fethiye and Gocek, Dalaman has not yet established itself as a tourist destination so is not on many investors radar. A few years ago there was talk of investment projects planned for the area including an international golf course and new marina. These proposals are supposedly still in the pipeline yet no firm date or time frame has been given. If this should happen, the areas housing demand and investment potential would substantially increase. Properties in Dalaman are reasonably priced with 2 bed apartments starting at around £40,000. This area would suit those wanting an affordable property in a Turkish community yet still wanting to be within easy reach of major resorts and the airport.

SARIGERME

Sarigerme, or Osmaniye village as it was formally known, is a resort that has sprung to life over the past 10 years. Situated just 12km along the coast from Dalaman Airport, it’s seen a flurry of investment with a good number of quality apartments and villas now available for sale with prices starting from around £70,000.
Sarigerme actually refers to the areas beach, a fabulous 7 km stretch of sandy Mediterranean coastline ideal for sunbathing. The actual village resort centre, 850m behind the shore, is called Osmaniye – but few now refer to the area as this. The popularity of the area has grown due to the magnificence of the beach and ease of access to the airport and nearby resorts. This has attracted a number of luxury resort hotels to be built including The Hilton Hotel. Sarigerme is a popular holiday destination for Europeans, Russians and Brits seeking an all-in vacation in Turkey and property investors wanting to secure deals in an up and coming area. Considering the presence of the resorts, Sarigerme doesn’t feel or appear overly commercial and has managed to retain a laid back village feel. The resort centre is small but hosts a good selection of bars, cafes, restaurants, shops and amenities. It’s in a great location and transport links are good so it’s an excellent base to discover the region and the many historic areas and resorts nearby.

DALYAN

This historic fishing village is unique. Located 25km from Dalaman International Airport (30 minutes drive), it is a peaceful holiday backwater lying on a reed-lined river bank facing the ancient Lycian rock tombs of Kaunos. Despite being a popular day trip and tourist destination during the summer months, this picturesque fishing village still retains a traditional feel and is surprisingly unspoilt by mass tourism or large scale property development. This is an up and coming property investment area and it surprises us that it doesn’t attract a lot more attention.
Dalyan is a designated area of natural beauty and those that visit the area will see why. Much of the pretty village centre, and the Dalyan Delta it lies within, is protected. The area is home to over 100 species of birds. The nearby beach of Iztuzu, one of the finest sandy stretches in Turkey, is a protected breeding ground of the endangered Loggerhead turtle (Caretta C

aretta) along with two other species of turtle and many rare plants and flowers. Dalyan village centre has a lot to offer. Sat on the banks of the Dalyan river, it’s home to an eclectic array of little shops, boutiques, mini-markets, restaurants and bars. Along the reed lined banks are some fabulous little hotels, international and local restaurants and cafes making it a great place to explore or stop off for a bite to eat or a drink to escape the summer heat. Mornings and evenings tend to be busy along the harbour. Arrays of brightly coloured chug boats meet the many tourists on their daily excursions. They ferry them along the river to marvel at the rock tombs towering above, enjoy the local mud baths supposedly containing healing qualities, and relax on the beach of Iztuzu before returning them to their coaches for their journey back to the resorts. The evenings are a different story. The resort reverts back to a sleepy, atmospheric village with bags of charm and character. Apartments in Dalyan start at around £60,000, villas from around £120,000.

ORTACA

Ortaca’s name aptly means ‘town in the middle’ it is a traditional working-class town between Dalaman and Dalyan. Its economy is largely dependent on agriculture and the farming of tomatoes, citrus fruits and pomegranates – you will see many make shift street side stalls selling local produce as you drive through the centre.
Ortaca’s popularity and real estate options have grown significantly over recent years largely due to the town’s convenient location just 15 minutes from the Dalaman airport, 20minutes from Sarigerme Beach and 10 minutes from the wonders of Dalyan. You can find a property and land at a good price in Ortaca. It is not the prettiest town but it is developing fast. The population is 95% Turkish but the transport connections, wealth of amenities and plans to develop the area bode well for investment and property purchasers are taking note. An apartment in the area can be picked up for as little as £30,000, lower in some cases, meaning it’s a good bet for those on a tight budget, investors looking for future rewards, or those looking to live in a Turkish community with tourist resorts within easy reach.

AKKAYA

The scenically stunning little village of Akkaya is often referred to as the ‘Secret Valley’ it is tucked away and reached via a small, winding road around 25 minutes away from Dalaman Airport by car. Remarkably untouched, Akkaya is nestled amongst pine trees and mountains surrounding Koycegiz lake. There are a few independent villas and one main development/complex in the area featuring private properties for sale spread over a large expanse of land leading towards the lakeside. The area boasts a few little mini-markets, local restaurants and a popular ‘hidden’ restaurant where guests can enjoy their food and a drink either traditionally served on a table, or on specially built platforms and eat privately in ‘birds-nests’ built up in the trees offering amazing views of the lake, surrounding mountains and countryside. This area will suit those looking for a rural escape within easy reach of the airport and Dalyan. Villa prices start at around £85,000 due to its remote location.

KOYCEGIZ

Suprisingly Koycegiz remains largely untouched by mass tourism and property development. A fabulous location surrounding the impressive Koycegiz Lake, it is a very pretty resort with a good selection of local amenities, bars, local restaurants and shops.
Koycegiz is famed for its honey and thyme as well as the presence of rare Liquid Amber (incense) trees. Koycegiz has grown over recent years and now homes a growing number of foreigners who reside in the area year round, attracted by the reasonable property prices and beauty.

DALAMAN TRANSPORT LINKS

Airports – Dalaman is home to the regions main international airport offering regular charter and scheduled flights to many European and international destinations throughout the summer (March to November), and via Istanbul off-season. The airport is on a large, military controlled plot just 5 minutes drive outside the town centre. It has both international and domestic terminals.
Buses – Dalaman has a large main bus terminal as you enter the centre of the town. You can catch buses to all the main resorts, towns and cities in Turkey from here. Local dolmus services also operate throughout the town. These take you to many villages and suburbs locally.