Kaunos, an ancient city known for its rock-cut tombs, invites you on a journey to the past

Founded by one of the twins from Miletus, Kaunos is situated in the village of Dalyan in the Koycegiz district of Mugla. Perched on a steep slope, it overlooks a river now known as the Dalyan Cayi. Kaunos, straddling the border between Caria and Lycia, left its mark on the region through trade, architecture, and politics. Once a port and trading hub, it gradually distanced itself from the sea due to the formation of the Dalyan Delta.

What can be found in the ancient city of Kaunos?

 In this ancient city, traces of the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods can be seen... Until the end of the 6th century CE, this ancient city was home to various civilizations and rulers: Egyptians, Persians, Bergamians, and Rhodians. The ancient city of Kaunos is surrounded by extensive walls spanning about 3 kilometers... The wall on the northern side dates back to the medieval period. The Long Wall, starting from the north of the port and ending on a steep rocky slope behind the Dalyan village.

The ancient city of Kaunos features an acropolis (Upper City) perched at a height of 152 meters, with a theater seating 33. Ruins of temples, a basilica church, a chapel, a fountain, a Roman bath, a pedestal, a stoa, and an agora can also be found here. The most notable feature here is undoubtedly the rock-cut tombs located near the ancient city. Hollows are carved into these tombs. Large fires once burned in these hollows, serving as beacons for ships arriving at the port of Kaunos to load cargo. These remarkable stone tombs, used until the Roman era, are clearly visible from the Dalyan village, located in the Ortaca district of Mugla.

How to get to the ancient city of Kaunos?

Kaunos is 88 kilometers from Mugla and 39 kilometers from Koycegiz. You can reach this ancient city by sea or by land. If you arrive by sea, you need to board ships sailing from Dalyan to ?ztuzu, or a ferry capable of carrying several cars. Upon arrival at the port, it takes about 10 minutes to reach the ancient city.

You can also come here by land. For this, you can use your own car or public transport.

If you prefer to use public transport, you can take minibusses from Ortaca or Koycegiz, but we recommend renting a car with a driver for a more comfortable arrival. The journey will not only be enjoyable due to the luxurious car services but also fast and safe thanks to experienced drivers familiar with the region.

What are the visiting hours?

Entry to the ancient city of Kaunos is charged, and you can visit it by paying 3 euros. However, citizens of the Republic of Turkey with museum cards can visit for free. This ancient city is open every day and has different visiting hours in summer and winter. In the summer period from April 1st to October 31st, it is open from 08:30 in the morning until 19:30 in the evening, and in winter, from October 31st to April 1st, from 08:30 in the morning until 17:30 in the evening.

https://www.airportfasttransfer.com/62-s-ofo-rlu-vip-arac-kiralama-hizmeti.html