Caunos is an ancient city in the Bay of Dalyan river, thirty kilometres from Marmaris. The establishment of the antique city is attributed to the 10th century BC. Legend says that the city of Kaunos was built on the border Licia-Karja. In the city and now archaeological excavations under the guidance of a renowned archaeologist and Professor of Cengiz Ichika. Kaunos stores long history – during its existence the city was besieged and the troops of Alexander the great, and the warriors of ancient Rome.

As a result of researches on the site of the ancient city were discovered objects relating to Ancient, Medieval, Byzantine and Roman periods. The city, which was one of the main ports in the period of ancient times, now estranged from the sea coast in connection with the formation of the Delta of Dalyan. Strabo, one of the foremost geographers and historians of antiquity, said, "Kaunos is located on the shore, and Kalbi flows near." He also notes that the city had the shipyard and port, the entrance to which was closed.

Considering the geographical location of Kaunos can be concluded that it is opposite of Rhodes town on the South coast Kare. On the North side of the city Menderes airport is surrounded by mountains, and its Western part, opposite the sea - Lycian rock tombs. It is separated by valleys from other parts of Karli, and its front part looks toward Likly, located along the southern and Eastern parts.

The ancient city is situated at a height of 152 meters above sea level, the Acropolis is located on the South-West of the city. A small tower on the Peninsula, which has a height of about fifty meters built in the form of a tongue, stretching between two hills towards the sea. During the ancient and early classical era city walls, built on the back of Kaunos, a Small tower and the Acropolis, as well as intra-city walls, formed for the city a kind of protective shield. As still not in all areas have been excavated, are not clear of the exact layout of the ancient city. We only know that it has been extended terraces in the period of Hematomyelia. Previous terraces have been restored, and in subsequent periods built new and larger.

The city's name is mentioned already in the third Millennium BC.e. Kaunos was moved by the presence on its territory a large number of peoples: the Ionians, Carians, Persians, Lycians, Romans, Byzantines and Greeks. The beylik of menteshe distributed here in 1291 his power, and in 1392, these lands were annexed to the Ottoman state by Sultan Bayezid. One of the symbols of Kaunos steel rock burial sites Dating from the fourth century up to n. e. These clearly visible from Dalyan tombs were also used in Roman times. In the tombs of the Lycian type often set lounger, consisting of three stones, this lounger laid the dead man and the façade of the tomb was decorated with a pediment and two ionic columns. However, not all tombs can be approached, for the brave there is a rope ladder. Have long decayed remains of people buried here. Eternal memory of bygone civilizations guarded by two lion heads, with which the surface of the Carian tombs look at each other.

Kaunos was an important trading port and town. Over time, the Bay as a result of silt sediment lost its importance and became shallow. According to Herodotus, the people of Kaunos I called themselves natives of Gerita. The city was founded by the son of Miletos the Kaunos, expelled from the parental home because of a forbidden connection with my sister.

The pier is a ten minute walk from the town. Arriving here at the yachts leave their ships near the island of Delikli and fit the channel for boats to berth. The city port was located in the vicinity of the lake Suluklu at the foot of the Acropolis. The sea in those years was at the level of the Acropolis. When the whole of Anatolia was under the influence of Persia, during the Persian invasion, Kaunos was placed under the control of Mausolus. After Alexander the Great defeated the Persians the city began to manage the Princess of Hell, then Antigonus, and after Ptolemeus. The city turns in Rhodes and Bergamo Kingdom.

The fragments located on the North side of the walls are medieval buildings. The longest wall starts from the North side of the port, and extending to the cliffs near the village of Dalyan. The Northern part of the wall was built during the reign of Mausolus. Buildings in the North-West side were built during the Hellenistic period, and those that are located directly near the port belong to an even earlier epochs.

At the foot of the Acropolis is the theatre. His takedowns thirty-three rows of seats. One located to the West of the theatre buildings, the Church is like a Basilica. The rest of the ruins belonged to the temple and bath. At the rear of the structure, which has a contour in the form of an unclosed circle and decorated with smooth columns, you can see the podium, standing on three steps. Historians suggest that it also ruins of some temple. What served as the basis round the Foundation is unknown.

During excavations in the old port area in the Northern part has been found gallery of honor. In its vicinity there is a set of pedestals, but the statues themselves could not be found. Source found near the gallery, now restored.