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Dilek National Park

Dilek National Park

Dilek National Park

Dilek National Park

Dilek National Park is in Aydın, one of the most important touristic cities of the Aegean Region. It is a unique natural wonder. This national park, which covers the entire peninsula, is a botanical garden where almost all the plants that spread along the coasts from the Mediterranean to the Caucasus are naturally seen together. The peninsula is also a natural land area with raptors and wild animals. Underwater riches are surrounding the national park and a delta with hundreds of bird and fish species. The park fascinates people with its cultural and natural beauties. The entrance of the National Park is in the Güzelçamlı town of Aydın’s Kuşadası District.

Largest National Park in the Aegean Region

This peninsula is the largest national park within the borders of the Aegean Region. The Aegean Sea surrounds three sides of the national park. The name of the park comes from the 1,237 km-long hill. This hill is the highest on the peninsula. In 1994, Menderes Delta was included in the Dilek Peninsula, which was declared a national park in 1966. Thus, this fantastic natural beauty was taken under protection.

The National Park is a unique nature museum where the plant species existing in all Anatolia from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea are naturally seen together. Due to this exceptional diversity, the Dilek Peninsula has been recognized as the “Flora Biogenetic Reserve Area” in the European Biogenetic Reserves Scheme by the Council of Europe.

Things to Do in Dilek National Park

The national park attracts visitors with its unique beaches, historical and touristic sightseeing areas, and magnificent natural beauties, especially in summer. You can do various activities such as botanical tours, scientific and nature walks, bicycle tours, bird watching, and paragliding here. You should definitely visit Büyük Menderes Delta, Dilek Tepe, Lale Island, Olukdere Canyon, Zeus Cave, and Ayayorgi in the national park.

There are 4 bays adorned with the beauty of the Aegean Sea in the north of the national park. Beautifully protected by National Park rules and laws, the beaches are blue flagged. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic is not allowed in the national park after Karasu Bay. However, in order not to miss many beauties, you can see the uniquely beautiful bends in the national park through yacht and boat tours. With these boat tours, you have the chance to see places such as Samos Strait and Bayrak Island. On boat tours, the guide introduces you to these places, and you have the opportunity to see places that cannot be visited on foot and to swim in their bays.

It is forbidden to camp or to stay overnight in the National Park. You cannot remain in the peninsula after 19:00, but there are camping areas near.