Revealed: the 'real' turkey

Overseas buyers seeking the ‘authentic’ Turkish experience may have found their dream location.

Hidden away in the south-west corner of Turkey, Dalyan is a pretty riverfront town that, at first glance, appears almost untouched by tourism.

That's not to say the area doesn't get tourists, but the majority visit just for the day, to visit its mud baths and Lycian tombs or take boats downriver to the Dalyan delta.

This environmentally sensitive area is home to all manner of wildlife, including the endangered loggerhead turtle, which nests along the protected, six-kilometre stretch of Iztuzu (Turtle) Beach. And according to one expert, the dramatic beauty and unspoilt charm of the region is also attracting property buyers who want a piece of the "real" Turkey.

A slice of authentic Turkey

Vreni Morris of the Aquavista agency, enthused: "Dalyan has a very traditional town Centre. It's a fabulous area if you want authentic Turkey, and is untouched compared to other resort locations.

"Homeowners here have the best of all worlds: a thriving small town in a beautiful location with easy access to miles of pristine beaches.

"And although there has been more building around the town, planning restrictions mean that properties are low-rise and generally tasteful. You tend to get villas rather than apartments, and they're usually attractively built, often using stone and timber.

”And because development is done on a small scale, you get better quality than you might find elsewhere.  Prices in Turkey are not really going up at the moment, but it means buyers aren't being asked silly prices and the market is more steady."