Dalaman holidays

When to go to Dalaman

Dalaman is glorious all year round; summer is hot and dry (32C) while winter is short, warm (14C) but can be rainy at times. The sea temperature is between 20-25C from May to October, but can drop to 16C in early spring.

For a cheap holiday to Dalaman, stay away from school holidays: half-terms, summer, Christmas and Easter. Instead, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of April to May, and September to October, when the weather is still warm but there are fewer crowds (and cheaper prices).

What to do in Dalaman

Events for your diary

In October, visitors to the International Ölüdeniz Air Games gawp at daring paragliding and hang gliding displays, as the sky is transformed into an aerial acrobatics show.

The Dalaman Cycling and Sea Festival gives visitors a chance to get a taste of the place on two wheels, through 150km (93 miles) of cycling past some of the best secret spots and natural highlights the area has to offer. Register in advance to avoid disappointment!

Where to stay in Dalaman

Marmaris

Marmaris, the most well-known beach resort in the area, lies on a sweeping bay on the south-west coast of Turkey, just beyond the point where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. Thanks to the nearby Atlantics Waterpark and Star Aqua Park, it’s also a fantastic and highly affordable holiday destination for families with young children. Beyond the beach and harbour, Marmaris has a buzzing Carsi Market where you can haggle to your heart’s content.

Sarigerme

Twenty minutes by car from Dalaman Airport is easy-going Sarigerme, where the best section of its beach is part of a national park and you have to pay a small fee to enter. An all-inclusive holiday package here is likely to see you staying close to this beach so you can easily walk to it.

Fethiye

The holiday town of Fethiye has plenty to boast about, including rocky coves, peaceful beaches, pine-covered mountains, offshore islands and nature, and a wide range of resorts from boutique to cheap. The biggest attractions here include the Roman amphitheatre, ruined Crusader castle, and several magnificent Lycian rock tombs.

Ölüdeniz

Half-an-hour’s drive away from Fethiye is the spectacular Ölüdeniz, where an all-inclusive holiday gives you the chance to laze around its renowned blue lagoon and soothe your aches with a Turkish bath. To jazz up your holiday, you could give paragliding, the most famous outdoor activity in Ölüdeniz, a go.