Muğla: Every Thursday, a large market takes over Muğla (one of the oldest cities in Turkey). Located just under 90 kilometres away, this ancient town’s market is full of colourful fabrics, fragrant spices, fresh vegetables and fruit. Take a trip to the old town where you can enjoy historical architecture and a local museum.
Ölüdeniz: One of the main beach resorts in the area, Ölüdeniz is nestled in a protected lagoon next to a lush national park. On the white sandy beach, you can relax and enjoy the sun — or get out on the water and paddle around the lagoon on a SUP board. If you want to get your adrenaline up, Ölüdeniz is one of the world’s top places for paragliding. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars around.
Fethiye: Fethiye, a 40-minute drive from Dalaman, was levelled by an earthquake in 1958 — the only thing spared was the nearby ancient abandoned cliff-side city of Telmessos. You can visit the ruins and marvel at the temple adorned with classical columns. This town is also a popular stop over for gület cruises (Turkish yachts). Also nearby is the ghost town of Kayaköy.