Dalaman holidays

Dalaman holidays put you on Turkey's southwest Turquoise Coast, where one airport opens up to a variety of resorts from lively to laid-back.  Dalaman Airport (DLM) serves Marmaris, Icmeler, Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Dalyan and several smaller resorts, so holidays to Dalaman can feel very different depending on where you stay – from an All Inclusive beach hotel to a quieter bay or somewhere with more going on after dark. With roughly a four-hour flight from the UK, short transfers to most resorts, and sunshine from May to October, it’s a part of Turkey that keeps people coming back. See our Turkey holidays for more places to stay. Every Dalaman holiday is ATOL protected, so you can book with confidence.

Why choose a Dalaman holiday?

A Dalaman holiday gives you several very different resorts from one airport. Marmaris is the place for busy waterfronts and bigger hotels, Icmeler, Calis and Turunç move at a gentler pace, Ölüdeniz pairs the Blue Lagoon with Babadağ Mountain, while Dalyan swaps beachfront hotels for riverboats and wildlife. Across the region you’ll find sweeping beaches, sheltered bays, a top line-up of All Inclusive hotels, with a season running May to October and easy transfers that mean your holiday starts sooner. The pine-covered hills that reach down to the coast also give this part of Turkey a greener feel than many other Mediterranean beach destinations.

Which Dalaman resort is right for you?

 The resort you choose shapes the kind of trip you’ll have. Some are built around long beaches and busy waterfronts, while others are better if you’d rather spend your days on a boat or your evenings somewhere more low-key.

Marmaris

Best for: Groups, families and holidays with more going on
Approx. transfer from Dalaman Airport: 1 hour 20 minutes

Marmaris is the largest resort in the area, with a long promenade, a busy marina, and plenty of places to eat, drink and spend the evening. It’s also where you’ll find many of the region’s larger All Inclusive hotels. Take a look at our Marmaris holidays for lively nightlife and a buzzing harbour promenade.

Icmeler

Best for: Families and couples
Approx. transfer from Dalaman Airport: 1 hour 30 minutes

If Marmaris sounds a little too busy, Icmeler is usually the next place people look. The sheltered bay, pine-covered hills and relaxed seafront make it somewhere you’ll soon get your bearings. Check out our Icmeler holidays for a quieter bay with calm, family-friendly waters.

Turunç

Best for: Couples and quieter breaks
Approx. transfer from Dalaman Airport: 2 hours 30 minutes

Getting to Turunç means following a winding coast road before the bay comes into view. Once you’re there, life centres around the beach, the harbour and finding somewhere to eat overlooking the water. See our Turunç holidays for a laid-back village feel away from the crowds.

Fethiye

Best for: First-time visitors and exploring the area
Approx. transfer from Dalaman Airport: 50 minutes

Fethiye feels like a real Turkish town as much as a holiday resort. The working harbour, marina and market give it a more local feel, while Ölüdeniz and Çalis Beach are both close enough for a day trip. Take a look at our Fethiye holidays for a working harbour town packed with local charm.

Çalis Beach

Best for: Families and slower-paced beach holidays
Approx. transfer from Dalaman Airport: 1 hour

People drift down to the promenade before dinner, then stay to watch the sun disappear behind the bay. The long, flat seafront is made for family strolls, whether you’re pushing a buggy or heading back from the beach.

Ölüdeniz

Best for: Scenery, couples and families
Approx. transfer from Dalaman Airport: 1 hour 30 minutes

The Blue Lagoon is what brings many people here, but you’ll soon find yourself looking up as well as out, with paragliders floating down from Babadağ throughout the day. Sheltered water makes swimming a favourite with families. Discover our Ölüdeniz holidays for that famous Blue Lagoon and paragliding views.

Hisarönü and Ovacık

Best for: Value and hilltop stays
Approx. transfer from Dalaman Airport: 1 hour

Set in the hills above Ölüdeniz, Hisarönü and Ovacık often feel a bit cooler on summer evenings. Hisarönü has more bars and restaurants, while neighbouring Ovacık is more of a laid-back choice. Compare our Hisarönü holidays and Ovacık holidays.

Dalyan

Best for: Nature and couples
Approx. transfer from Dalaman Airport: 30 minutes

Dalyan doesn’t have a resort beach of its own – but İztuzu Beach is only a boat trip away, along with reed beds, Lycian rock tombs and the town's mud baths. The river shapes the rhythm of the day, giving Dalyan a different feel from the nearby beach resorts. Explore our Dalyan holidays for river cruises, ancient ruins and turtle-spotting beaches.

Dalaman town

Best for: Late arrivals and early flights

Dalaman town is where most holidays to Dalaman begin. While the beaches and larger resorts are further along the coast, it’s a practical place to stay if you’re arriving late or flying home early.

Dalaman All Inclusive holidays

You'll find most Dalaman All Inclusive hotels in Marmaris, Icmeler and Fethiye, with plenty of choice depending on how you like to holiday. Marmaris has a strong run of beachfront resorts right on the water, along with adults-only hotels for couples who'd rather skip the kids' clubs. Icmeler and Fethiye lean more towards family villages, with pools, kids' clubs and entertainment built around younger guests. Some people like to fill every day with trips, while others are happiest lounging by the pool from the moment they arrive.  Check out our All Inclusive Marmaris holidays, Icmeler All Inclusive holidays or All Inclusive Fethiye holidays if you'd rather have meals and drinks covered for the whole trip

Family holidays in Dalaman

Family holidays in Dalaman are all about calmer beaches, fewer “Are we nearly there yet?” moments, and hotels designed with kids in mind. Families with little ones often head for İçmeler, Çalış Beach or Turunç, while Ölüdeniz’s sheltered lagoon is a popular spot for a swim. Many hotels also have pools, kids’ clubs and entertainment, leaving less for you to organise. See our Icmeler holidays, Turunç holidays and Ölüdeniz holidays for more low-key coastal alternatives nearby

Cheap & last-minute holidays to Dalaman

Cheap and last-minute holidays to Dalaman are often easier to come by if you’re flexible about when and where you travel. Marmaris and Icmeler have plenty of hotels, so they’re often the first resorts people check when a last-minute break suddenly becomes an option. Booking earlier gives you more choice, but it’s always worth keeping an eye on last-minute Marmaris holidays and cheap Icmeler holidays.

Things to do in the Dalaman area

The Dalaman area has tons to see beyond the beach. One day might be spent watching paragliders drift over Ölüdeniz, the next taking a boat to Butterfly Valley or İztuzu Beach, cooling off in Saklıkent Gorge or staying by the promenade for sunset at Çalis Beach. Patara Beach is another favourite for a day out. Check out our pick of things to do in Dalaman to plan day trips and excursions before you go.

Dalaman vs other Turkey gateways 

The Dalaman area makes sense if you haven’t settled on one type of holiday. Along Turkey’s greener southwest Turquoise Coast, one airport serves everything from Marmaris and its bigger All Inclusive hotels to slower-paced spots like Icmeler, Turunç and Dalyan. Bodrum holidays are centred around the peninsula, while Antalya is better known for larger All Inclusive beach resorts.

Best time to go to Dalaman

The Dalaman holiday season runs from May to October, with warm weather throughout the summer and into early autumn. July and August bring the hottest temperatures and the busiest resorts, while May, June, September and October are often a better fit if you’d rather swap peak-season crowds for a little more space. Flights from the UK to Dalaman Airport take around four hours, with most resorts an easy drive from the airport.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations including: Dalyan | Fethiye | Hisaronu | Icmeler | Kalkan | Marmaris | Olu Deniz | Ovacik | Turunc