Dalyan Rock Tombs
Lycian temple-fronted tombs carved high into the cliff above the Dalyan river, best seen from a boat at dusk.
Cut into the rock face above the reed-lined Dalyan delta in the 4th century BC, these tombs belonged to the kings of ancient Kaunos, whose ruins sit just across the water. The temple facades — columns and pediments hewn straight from the cliff — glow amber at sunset. The river below carries small boats down to İztuzu, a protected loggerhead turtle beach.
“For temple-fronted tombs carved into a cliff, glowing over a reed-lined delta at sunset.”
Take an evening river boat rather than viewing from the road — the low light on the facades from the water is the whole point.
Viewed from boats or the riverbank; the tombs themselves are not accessible to visitors.
Good to know
- Is Dalyan Rock Tombs free to visit?
- Free. Free to view from the riverbank; the Kaunos ruins across the water charge separately.
- How long should you spend at Dalyan Rock Tombs?
- ~1h 30m
- When is the best time to visit Dalyan Rock Tombs?
- Sunset
- Is Dalyan Rock Tombs wheelchair accessible?
- Viewed from boats or the riverbank; the tombs themselves are not accessible to visitors.
