Lake Köyceğiz
The town of Köyceğiz is named after the beautiful lake at its northern end, which flows into the Mediterranean via the Dalyan Delta. If you’re fond of places that are definitely off the beaten track, then the quiet town of Köyceğiz is a perfect getaway. Take a stroll by the lake or a take a boat tour and indulge in the town’s famous mud bath at the Sultaniye Kaplıcaları (Sultaniye Hot Springs). The nearby Dalyan Delta is also quite noteworthy as it’s being preserved as a nature sanctuary and the town of Dalyan is lined with restaurants that serve up excellent fresh fish.
Lake Bafa
An exceptional landscape where a serene saltwater lake is surrounded by mountains and the roofs of remote and traditional villages, Lake Bafa is a definite destination for nature lovers. Once part of the Aegean, the unspoiled lake was conceived through the development of the Great Menderes Delta. Reaching a maximum depth of 25 meters, the lake is surrounded by a lush environment of tamarisks, pine trees, and olive groves. The adjoining protected national park is also quite important due to around 30,000 different birds who call the area their home. Stay at one of the few down-to-earth pensions by the water and take part in activities such as bouldering, trekking, mountain biking, and kayaking.
Ölüdeniz
Okay, so Ölüdeniz is more of a lagoon than a lake, but it also happens to be one of Muğla’s most important bodies of water that is less crowded than the top tourist beaches. Ölüdeniz literally means ‘dead sea’, and received such a name because of its extremely calm waters, even during storms. The beautiful blue lagoon, located at the mouth of Ölüdeniz, is truly spectacular with its sandy beach and secluded atmosphere. Visitors will fall for the famous turquoise and aquamarine colors of the water, while activities such as paragliding and scuba diving are truly memorable. You’ll find a few small hotels (larger construction projects are thankfully prohibited) that make use of the beautiful landscape where the green mountains meet the perfect light-to-dark-blue of the sea.
