# Ancient City of Kaunos (Kaunos Antik Kenti) — Ancient Port Ruins

The ancient city of Kaunos is a major archaeological site by the Dalyan River, featuring an ancient theater, Roman baths, agoras, and Lycian rock tombs.

When tourists take boat trips along the Dalyan River and admire the majestic Lycian Rock Tombs, they are only seeing the necropolis of a once-powerful ancient port. The actual city of Kaunos hides behind the hill on the opposite bank. Visiting this archaeological park provides a complete picture of an ancient polis that flourished on the border between Caria and Lycia.

History and Decline

Kaunos was a major trading port that grew rich by exporting salt, dried fish, fruits, and slaves. Over the centuries, however, the Dalyan River deposited massive amounts of silt into the harbor. The bay silted up, the sea gradually receded, and the city lost its access to the open sea. Deprived of its commercial and military significance, and plagued by malaria outbreaks, Kaunos eventually fell into decline and was abandoned.

Highlights of the Archaeological Park

• Ancient Theater: A beautifully preserved Hellenistic theater built into the hillside with a capacity of 5,000 spectators. The upper rows offer a breathtaking panorama of the river delta.
• Roman Baths and Palestra: A monumental complex with high brick walls where citizens exercised and socialized in the baths.
• Agora: The marketplace containing the ruins of a circular fountain-temple and commercial stalls.
• Acropolis: Situated on a high crag (152 meters). The climb is steep and physically demanding, but the view from the top overlooking the winding Dalyan River, Lake Köyceğiz, and the turtle-nesting Iztuzu Beach is spectacular.

Practical Information

• Location: Near Çandır village, across the river from Dalyan.
• Access:
  1. From Dalyan: Cross the river via a local rowboat (approx. 30–50 TL), then hike 1.5 km (20 minutes) uphill along a dirt path.
  2. From Köyceğiz: Drive 40 km around the lake on paved roads through Sultaniye village to Çandır, where parking is available at the entrance.
• Infrastructure: Ticket booth, toilets, souvenir shop, and a small cafe at the entrance. There is very little shade within the ruins.
• Entrance: Around 3 EUR (100–150 TL), Müze Kart is valid for Turkish citizens.
• Tip: Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with good grip (especially for climbing the Acropolis) and bring plenty of water and a hat.