(Kenan Evren Bul. Tel. 0252 692 1554) This little restaurant is on the main road to airport, so it's an easily accessible traditional Turkish breakfast stop. Delicious dishes come in filling portions at just YTL7.

  (Sarigere Merkez, Ortaca. Tel. 0252 286 8019) As the weather hots up, choose to sit in the shade inside or lounge outside by the pool. As well as bar snacks and grills, there's a full à la carte menu.

  (Gulpinar Cad, Dalyan. Tel. 0252 284 5407) A restaurant built around a palm tree, this is a favourite with locals and expats. It serves traditional local cuisine and international dishes, alongside an extensive range of cocktails and a good wine list.

  (Ataturk Mah, Fethiye Karayolu Uzer. Tel. 0252 282 9661) A relaxed dining experience amid water features. Try the special icli (stuffed kebab) starter, followed by a sizzling meat grill. Book ahead.

  (14B Cumhuriyet Cad. Tel. 0252 692 4423) A snazzy new café attracting a youthful crowd. Try the mouth-watering Mexican chicken with a frothy cappuccino for YTL10. No alcohol served. Open 8.30am-midnight.

  (Gulpinar Mah, Dalyan. Tel. 0252 284 5427) In a wonderful location with scenic views across the delta, this place serves great food—savour an Ottoman or Anatolian stir-fry. Accomplished local musicians play traditional Turkish music and international hits every night.

  (Sarisu Str, Dalyan. Tel. 0252 284 4526) With its trendy Egyptian-style décor, this bar rocks until at least 3am and offers karaoke three nights a week. Try a delicious Colour of Leon's—but be warned it's very potent!

Petek boasts a fantastic selection of local crafts and jewellery (6 Gulpinar Cad, Dalyan. Tel. 0252 284 3898).

For just a small fee you can enjoy the facilities of the Spa Therme Maris hotel for the day. Relax and pamper yourself with health and beauty treatments, then plunge into the swimming pools, sauna or mud baths (Tel. 0252 694 8334. www.thermemaris.com).

Koycegiz has it all: two kilometres of lakeside promenade for a leisurely stroll, a long sandy beach and a little village square with restaurants. Don't miss the fantastic street market if you're here on a Monday.

Be sure to visit the Dalaman festival from 12-19 May. There's live music every night in the town square, including big names in the world of Turkish pop: Ferhat Göçer, Gülşen Bayraktar and Lerzan Mutlu.

 – Head to Gocek Marina, with plenty of shops, restaurants and an art gallery. Why not take a boat trip while you're here? Spend an unforgettable day swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing in secluded bays. If you're lucky, you may see dolphins and flying fish. It's easy to organise a trip from the marina.

Dalaman is home to the rare liquidamber orientalis tree, it has a host of medicinal uses.