DALAMAN CENTRAL

Dalaman is a small, quiet town with a good range of facilities and an impressive mountain backdrop. It is classed as an area of natural beauty due to rare wildlife living on the surrounding marsh land. The past 20 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, 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 investor radars. 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 is a resort that has sprung to life over the past 15 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.
Sarigerme actually refers to the areas beach, a fabulous 7km stretch of sandy Mediterranean coastline ideal for relaxing and 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 a Hilton. 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 upcoming 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

The historic fishing village of Dalyan 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 impressive 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 caretta) 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 boats meet the many tourists on their daily excursions. They ferry them along the river to marvel at the rock tombs towering above, wallow in the local mud baths supposedly containing healing qualities, and relax on the beach of Iztuzu before returning them to their coaches for their journeys back to resorts. The evenings are a different story. The resort reverts back to a sleepy, atmospheric village with bags of charm and character. Property for sale in Dalyan tends to be a little cheaper than many of its neighboring towns and villages.

ORTACA

Ortaca, it’s name aptly meaning ‘town in the middle’, is a traditional working-class town equidistant 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 the local produce as you drive through the centre.
Ortaca’s real estate options have grown significantly over recent years largely due to the town’s convenient location just 15 minutes from the Dalaman airport, 20 from Sarigerme Beach and 10 minutes from the wonders of Dalyan. You can find a property or land at a good price in Ortaca. 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.

AKKAYA

The scenically stunning little village of Akkaya is often referred to as the ‘Secret Valley’ as 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 the 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 take to 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.

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 cheap property prices and beauty.