Koycegiz is a town and a district of Mugla Province in the Aegean region of Turkey.Koycegiz, which is 60 km. away from Mugla,is a unique beautiful borough with its citrus gardens, spread around the lake with descending from a plain, its village houses, its calm lake, marshes around the lake, its mountains changing their colors from purple to blue.

The town of Koycegiz lies at the northern end of a lake of the same name (Koycegiz Lake) which is joined to the Mediterranean Sea by a natural channel called Dalyan Delta or simply as Dalyan. Its unique environment is being preserved as a nature and wildlife sanctuary. A road shaded with trees leads to the township that carries the same name as the delta, Dalyan, which is situated on the inland waterway, and which actually depends the neighboring district of Ortaca administratively. Dalyan is highly popular with visitors and its maze of channels is explored by boat. The restaurants which line the waterways specialize in fresh fish. High on the cliff face, at a bend in the river, above the ancient harbor city of Caunos, tombs were carved into the rocks. The Dalyan Delta, with a long, golden sandy beach at its mouth, is a nature conservation area and a refuge for rare loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) and blue crabs.

Climate

Mediterranean climate is seen at coastal part of the Koycegiz, and continental climate is seen at mountainous regions of it. Koycegiz, which is the second place for rain after Rize in Turkey, winter rains can continue for 3 or 4 months.

History

Province center of Koycegiz, which took its name from the lake near to it, become a Dalyan village for a while, but as a result of disturbance of connection with Muğla due to floods it is moved to its today's place. It was homeland for Carians and Menteşoğullarına, and become government during Murat II period. Together with the establishment of our Republic, it become a province of Muğla city.

Sightseeing

Ancient Cities

Kaunos Ruins

It is accepted that the first settlement is till to the 1000 B. C. Lycia, Caria and Romans are the ones who were settled there. Acropolis and ramparts, theater, Roman bath, round fountain revealed during excavations, temple and agora are the visible ruins here.

Rock Graves

Rock graves near to the Dalyan channel which connects Köyceğiz lake and Mediterranean are dated as 4th century B. C.

Religious Monuments

There is a mosque constructed during Menteşe period. Benliler Mausoleum, Nasuh Dede Mausoleum and Kargın Kürü Mausoleum are valuable to see religious places.

Thermal Springs

Sultaniye Thermal and Mineral Springs It is operated by Caunoses in 100 B. C. Ruins of this afterwards widen thermal spring with new additions during Bizantium period are within the lake today. It is recommended for rheumatism, nephritis, mental tiredness, skin and gynecological diseases, kidney and urethra diseases. As well as it can be reached with a short road voyage from Köyceğiz, you can also reach there via motor from lake.

Transportation

By Road

It is reached via bus voyages from İzmir, Ankara and İstanbul. Transportation to the other provinces and internal city is made via minibuses.

Coach Station Tel: (+90 - 252) 262 46 87

By Air

Nearest airport to the province is Dalaman Airport. Transportation from airport, 35 km. away from province is made via taxis and minibuses.

Havalimanı Tel: (+90 - 252) 792 52 91