Datca; The peninsula stretching like a long tongue to the point where the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas meet, the Ancient City of Knidos, its clean and virgin coves, the sun, sunsets, almonds, wines, cuisine, is a place where it is impossible to go and get enough of it in one go. Every time I went to Datça, I made different discoveries, tasted different flavors and witnessed wonderful views. Places to visit in Datça, Datça beaches, food and beverage and accommodation suggestions, activities to do and many more topics Datca travel guide I put it together in this article. Everything you will need when planning a trip to Datça is in this article!
What You Will Find In This Article
Places to Visit & Beaches & Food & Beverage & Accommodation Map in Datça
The places to visit in Datça, Datça Beaches, food and beverage suggestions and accommodation suggestions that I shared in this article are on the map below. You can save it for yourself by clicking on the map.
List of Places to Visit in Datça
There are many places to see in Datça, but the places to see are not very close to each other, so going by car or renting a car in Datça will increase your travel comfort.
> Click to rent a car in Datça at an affordable price.
List of places to visit in Datça It is briefly listed below;
- Datca Center – Iskele Neighborhood
- Old Datca
- Resadiye Neighborhood
- Knidos Ancient City
- Deveboynu Lighthouse
- UKKSA – International Academy of Culture and Arts in Knidos
- Kizlan Historical Windmills
You will find detailed explanations of the places in the list one by one in the continuation of the article.
Datca Center – Iskele Neighborhood
Although Datça Peninsula comes to mind when we say Datça, Datça actually has a district center. The district center consists of 3 main neighborhoods; Old Datça, Reşadiye and Pier.
Iskele District is the place that comes to mind when Datça center is mentioned, where social life is lived, official institutions are located and people live happily. Kumluk and Taşlık beaches, Sevgi Yolu and Datça Harbor are the main sights in the İskele Mahallesi.
The famous fish restaurants on Kumluk Beach with their chairs thrown onto the beach and the fancy lighting of these restaurants are among the most iconic places of İskele Mahallesi. If you walk from Kumluk Beach to the north from the beach, you will reach the Love Road, which is lively with trinkets and souvenir stands starting in the evening; If you walk towards the south, you will first reach the harbor where the boat tours depart and then the amphitheater. If you continue, the order continues as the marina and Taşlık beach.
If you enter the side streets between Kumluk Beach and Port, you can find places that make Datça beautiful, such as small cafes and leather shops.
Old Datca
When you say Old Datça, don't think that there is no one anymore, on the contrary, one of the most lively places in Datça is Old Datça. The ancient name comes from the fact that the first settlement in the region was here. This is a very beautiful neighborhood decorated with stone houses built with maximum two floors, bougainvillea adorning the streets for a long time of the year, and narrow stone-paved roads that take you to another world. Whatever you look for in Old Datça, such as ice cream shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, souvenir shops, jewelers, leather shops, taverns, pensions, hotels, they are at touristic prices, unfortunately...
One of the reasons why Old Datça is popular is that our famous poet Can Yücel spent the last years of his life here. The house where Can Yücel lives in Old Datça is not open to visitors, and there are photographs and poems on its door as you can see in the photo above. The part you can see is limited to these, since there are people living inside, it would be very nice if you take care not to make too much noise while taking pictures.
Resadiye Neighborhood
The name Datça got its name when it joined the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. However, during the reign of Sultan Reşat, one of the last Ottoman sultans, the name of the city was changed to "Reşadiye". The name of Reşadiye Mahallesi also dates from this period. In the Republican era, the district was renamed Datça and the city center was moved to the seaside where the İskele Mahallesi is located.
Like Old Datça, Reşadiye Neighborhood is worth seeing with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, ornate courtyards and almond trees, where the historical texture is preserved. Mehmet Ali Ağa Mansion, known as the Big House in Reşadiye, is one of the must-see places.
Kizlan Historical Windmills
Kızlan Village is the most windy area of Datça. The village attracts attention as the place where historical windmills with 300 years of history are densely located. As you approach Datça, you start to see the mills when you approach Kızlan Village. Most of the six mills are located on a hill. Two of the six mills have been restored, one was restored by a businessman and the other was restored by the district governor's office, and they serve as cafes.
If you want to see the original inner mechanism of the mills, you can visit the windmill at the top.
Knidos Ancient City
The Ancient City of Knidos is located at the westernmost tip of the Datça Peninsula. The settlement in the area where the ancient city is located BC. It dates back to the 14th century. Knidos lived its strongest times in the Hellenistic Period and became one of the most important cities of Caria. It became rich with olive oil and wine trade and spread towards the whole Datça Peninsula.
When the city collapsed towards the sea with an earthquake, east and west ports were formed. There are many churches and temples among the city ruins. There is a small theatre, a stoa, a few buildings around the harbor street and the remains of the city walls, which are still standing and you can clearly see. I suggest you spare at least 3-4 hours to visit the entire ancient city.
Knidos Ancient City 2023 entrance fee 25 TL, you can visit for free with Müzekart.
Traveler Tip: Plan in the afternoon to see the ancient city, after touring the city, take a walk to the Deveboynu Lighthouse, located at the westernmost end of the city, for the sunset. You can take food and drink with you and end the day with a wonderful Aegean view. There is no place to shop in the ancient city, I suggest you go with supplies.
Deveboynu Lighthouse
You can reach Deveboynu Lighthouse by walking 20 minutes from the west port of the ancient city of Knidos. The path is a bit stony and bushy, so it's better to choose comfortable shoes and an outfit that won't expose your legs.
Traveler Tip: If you watch the sunset from the viewing points on the road to the lighthouse instead of watching the sunset, you can capture the views as in the photo above. Don't be sad if you can't walk to the lighthouse, the view from the viewing points is also extremely beautiful.
UKKSA – International Academy of Culture and Arts in Knidos
On the way from Palamutbükü to the Ancient City of Knidos, UKKSA – International Knidos Culture and Art Academy, located in Yaka Village, will come across on your way. This is an academy that hosts artists from 65 countries. There are exhibitions, workshops, cafeteria and guest house on 11.000 acres of land. It is also possible to purchase works of art exhibited in the indoor and outdoor exhibition areas. You can follow the events and workshops on the websites and join them. Entry is free.
Datca Beaches
What would you say if I said that there are many beaches, coves and bends where you can swim in Datça, there are exactly 52 bays? Of the 52 sheep, 7 of them are blue flagged. The sea is very clear and mostly stony and pebbly. In Datça, the sea is colder than in the Mediterranean, as in most of the Aegean Coast. For those looking for a cold and clear sea, this place is great!
Below you can find the list of Datça beaches.
- actor:
- Karaincir Beach: :More suitable for families with children
- Kumluk Beach: Located in the center of Datça, the beach, although sandy, is not preferred for swimming because it is not crowded and very clean.
- Taslik Beach: The other beach located in the center of Datça, the part away from the port is more suitable for swimming.
- Kargi Bay:
- Aquarium Cove:
- Hayitbuku: One of the beaches suitable for families with children, it is not very deep and is a small pebble beach. There are many facilities along the beach, if you wish, you can lay your own towel and swim in the sea.
- Kizilbuk (Gabaklar),
- Kurubuk: There is no facility, you can go to a point close to the sea with your car. It's a pretty rocky beach.
- Ovabuku: One of the beaches suitable for families with children, it is not very deep and is a small pebble beach. There are many facilities along the beach, if you wish, you can lay your own towel and swim in the sea.
- Palamutbuku: One of the most popular beaches of Datça. It is a stony beach, there are many facilities along the coast, if you wish, you can lay your own towel and swim in the sea.
- Akcabuk: This place is used as the private beach of Akçabük Camping. It has a clean, sparkling, stony and rocky beach.
- Knidos Ancient City beaches: There are two separate bays in the ancient city, you can swim in both of them.
Best Beaches in Datça You can find details about the beaches in my article.
Activities to Do in Datça
Datça is one of our holiday destinations with its natural and historical beauties. I tried to briefly list the activities that can be done during these tours.
Datca Boat Tour
One way to discover the beautiful bays of Datça is daily boat tours. These tours to the bays with/without land transportation; It departs from the port in the center of Datça in the morning, after visiting 5-6 coves and having lunch on the boat, it returns to Datça in the evening.
If you do not want to be included in crowded boat tours, it is also possible to make a trip that includes the route you want by hiring your own boat by agreeing with the boat operators in the port.
Hiking – Carian Trail
Photo ecodiurnal.com taken from the page.
An important part of the Carian Way, which is one of the most important ancient walking routes of our country along with Lycia and Phrygia, passes through the Datça Peninsula. Apart from the Carian Way, many hiking routes that end in the sea cover the Datça Peninsula. Especially the spring and autumn months are ideal for hiking. You can access hiking routes through apps such as Maps.me and Wikiloc.
Lycian Way Walk ve Phrygian Way Don't forget to check out my articles!
Dive
Although not very well known, Datça Peninsula also offers different options for diving lovers. The most popular diving spots; Thin Nose, Three rocks, Dick's Rocks.
At the diving spots, you have the chance to see underwater creatures such as stingrays, groupers, lagos, and barracudas, as well as amphorae from the Ancient City of Knidos.
You can join Datça diving tours of the diving schools in your city, or you can organize your diving with the diving boats here when you come to Datça. But a reminder; Since the cold waters of the Aegean are still felt, I recommend that you choose the hot months of summer for diving, otherwise the water can be very cold for diving.
Windsurf
The winds that can turn the windmills on the Datça Peninsula, of course, provide a suitable environment for windsurfing. Datça, one of the important kitesurfing centers of our country, hosts many domestic and foreign athletes every year. It is also a suitable place for those who want to try kitesurfing as an amateur.
Wine Tasting & Vineyard
We said that the Ancient City of Knidos was enriched by the production and trade of wine and olive oil. Today, a few small wine producers are trying to continue the Datça Peninsula's 4000-year-old wine tradition. Wines produced from Datça Karası and other grapes grown in Anatolia meet with wine lovers in beautiful wine/vineyard houses. You can visit these producers for a tasting, a bite to eat, or a selection of on-site wines.
I visited Knidos Winery facilities close to Reşadiye Neighborhood in Datça. I didn't have time to eat something and enjoy a long glass of wine in the pleasant garden of the vineyard house built between the vineyards, but I took my two bottles of wine and continued on my way, both turned out very good.
Let me write down the places with wine producers in Datça;
- Knidos Winery located in Reşadiye Neighborhood,
- Datça Vineyard and Winery (also known as Datça Vineyard) close to Kızlan Village.
Datça Almond Blossom Festival
Datça is an important almond producer, where 85 different almond varieties are grown with waterless agriculture. 10% of almond production in Turkey is met from Datça Peninsula. Datça almond, which makes a difference to almonds grown with irrigated agriculture with its size and taste, deserves to be celebrated. With the organization of Datça Municipality, Almond Blossom Festival is held every year in February at the time of almond blossoms.
Many events are organized in the festival, which lasts for 3-4 days, including handmade souvenirs and local foods, almond products, colorful and creative workshops, dance performances and stage performances. Environmental tours and nature walks are also organized as part of the festival. Those who want to watch the nature that the almond trees turn pink and white and enjoy the events can follow www.bademcicegifestivali.com for the festival calendar.
Datca Travel Guide
If we have completed the list of places to visit in Datça, we can move on to topics such as the history of Datça, its location, the best time to go, accommodation options, eating and drinking opportunities. Datça travel guide continues to its fullest, keep reading!
Datca History
Finds dating back to 2000 BC were found on the Datça Peninsula. In ancient times, first the Carians and then the Dorians lived in the region. After the Dorians, the Romans dominated the region, and in this period, the city of Knidos increased its importance thanks to trade. Until the last period of the Eastern Roman Empire, Knidos continued to be an important trade center. Losing power due to earthquakes and pirate attacks, Knidos became a part of Menteşeoğulları in the 13th century, and joined the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century and took the name Datça.
In the Republican era, the city center of Datça was moved to the seaside, where today's İskele Mahallesi is located.
Where is Datca?
The Datça Peninsula is located at the point where the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas meet, between the Gulfs of Gökova and Hisarönü. Located at the westernmost tip of Muğla, Datça Peninsula is surrounded by Marmaris in the east, the Mediterranean in the south, the Mediterranean and Aegean in the west, and the Aegean Sea in the north.
On Datça's Google Maps application Click to see its location.
You can see the distances to the centers around Datça below;
- Datça city center is 70 km from Marmaris,
- The distance between Datça city center and Gökova is 95 km.
- The distance between Datça city center and Akyaka is 99 km.
- The distance between Datça city center and Koycegiz is 128 km.
- Datça city center is 157 km from Dalyan,
- The distance between Datça city center and Dalaman is 155 km,
- The distance between Datça city center and Dalaman Airport is 162 km,
- The distance between Datça city center and Fethiye is 193 km.
- The distance between Datça city center and Bodrum is 233 km, but it is only 45 km by ferry and it can be reached with a 1,5-hour journey.
- Datça city center is 80 km from Milas-Bodrum Airport if you pass by ferry to Bodrum.
How to go to Datça?
One of the important reasons why Datça has remained untouched and not over-urbanized is that it is not easy to access and there is no airport very close to it.
How to go to Datça by road?
There are direct bus services to Datça from major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. However, since Datça is a small city, bus services are not very frequent. If you can't find a direct bus, you can also consider reaching Datça with the county minibuses that go to Muğla center or Marmaris center and go from there to Datça.
How to go to Datça by Airline?
Datça is located in the middle of two busiest airports; Milas-Bodrum Airport and Dalaman Airport.
- To reach Datça from Milas-Bodrum Airport; You can first go to Bodrum with the airport shuttles, and from Bodrum to Datça by ferry. However, in order not to experience long waits, it would be appropriate to check the times of the ferry services in advance and arrange your flight accordingly.
- To reach Datça from Dalaman Airport; You can reach Datça directly with the airport shuttles.
How to go to Datça by Seaway (Ferry)?
Since it is difficult to reach Datça, ferry services between Bodrum and Datça are one of the fastest transportation methods. Ferries operating between Bodrum and Datça depart from Kale Port in the very center of Bodrum, and arrive at Karios Marina in Karaköy in Datça. This port is 9,5 km from the center of Datça. You can reach Karaköy by minibus from Datça center.
Since the number of voyages from Bodrum to Datça and from Datça to Bodrum is very limited, I recommend that you check the ferry times on the date you will go when planning this line in advance.
For all transportation options The timetable on the website of Muğla Municipality. you can check.
Best Time to Go to Datça
The best time to go to Datça depends on what you want to do;
- If you are going to Datça to swim; The best time to go is definitely the summer months, the period from June to September. The season is not very long in Datça because the water warms up late, and it is very difficult to swim in the sea in spring due to the windy and cool weather.
- If you are going to Datça to walk the Carian Trail or other walking routes, the best time to go is spring and autumn.
Whenever you go to Datça, where you will witness the unique meeting of green and blue, you will enjoy it.
Where to Stay in Datça?
Accommodation options in Datça are endless. In every corner, there are many options such as hostels, hotels, boutique hotels, rental houses for every budget. I have added what I have experienced and know here;
Datca Center, Bora Hotel
Located in the center of Datça on the peninsula between Kumluk Beach and Taşlık Beach, the location of the hotel is very good, the rooms are clean, modest, and the breakfast is hearty. If you are looking for a central place, you can choose this place.
Yazı Village, Yolculook Pension & Cafe
Yolculook Pension & Cafe is located in Yazı Village between Palamutbükü and the ancient city of Knidos. The hostel opened by our traveler friends is a very enjoyable place where families with children can stay. They have also recently started renting out their newly renovated homes through Airbnb.
You can contact via Instagram pages: instagram.com/yolculook
Hayitbuku, Berke Cafe & Pension
Hayıtbükü is one of the best places to stay in Hayıtbükü with its cafe under the huge trees and sea-facing rooms on the beach. Moreover, they serve the beer in a cold glass in the cafe, my favourite.
Datça Tent and Caravan Campgrounds
Although there are many hotel and hostel options in Datça, the number of camping areas is not that high. When choosing the camping areas I will stay;
- I ask if there is a campground they can recommend to the locals of the place I'm going to,
- I search for a camping area on the route I will go through the Google Maps application and look at the comments of the results,
- I call campsites I like online and ask about prices and opportunities,
- I go and look at the campsites that pass the filter above, if I like it, I stay.
There were two campsites on the Datça peninsula that made me feel comfortable in terms of transportation; Located on Taşlık Beach Temperate Camping and Akcabuk Beach Akcabuk Camping. Since my friends are staying in Akçabük, I chose that place too. They have plenty of space for both tent and caravan, they also provide tents if you don't have your own. The sea and the restaurant are also beautiful, since it is located in the middle of the peninsula, it was easy for me in terms of access to other bends. There is also a small market inside, where you can meet your small needs.
What to Eat and Where to Eat in Datça?
Have you heard of the three “Bs” of Datça? When it comes to Datça, HONEY, ALMOND, FISH are eaten and all three B's come from here. We will talk about each one in turn.
It is really necessary to spend a lot of time in Datça to make the list of eating and drinking recommendations properly. The list goes on and on when it comes to the best Aegean appetizers, dishes made from fresh vegetables, delicious pastries, wines made with the local Datça Karası grape, soda and almonds… Let me still make a few suggestions.
Datca Merkez, Kumluk Restaurant
The restaurants on Kumluk Beach, located in the center of Datça, offer a very nice environment with both the chairs thrown to the beach and the lighting. Although the prices are a bit high as this is the easiest and most popular place in terms of transportation, the best places to eat delicious and different Aegean appetizers are located on this beach. Kumluk Restaurant is one of the most known and recommended places.
Old Datca, Agapi Cafe Bistro
If you want to get away from the crowds of the streets in Old Datça and have a drink in a green garden, listen to music and fill your stomach, Agapi Cafe Bistro is one of the places I would recommend you to stop by.
Old Datca, Mehtap Cafe
If you go to Datça and say, "What are you doing in Datça, what are you doing in a hurry", the place to go is Mehtap Cafe in Eski Datça. Of course, you can drink tea and coffee while you're there.
Eski Datça, Ice Cream Shop Atakan Usta
Atakan Usta, one of the famous ice cream shops of Old Datça, makes Atakan Usta ice creams with goat's milk. Prices are still above normal, maybe 1-2 balls can be bought to taste.
Palamutbuku – Payam Restaurant
Palamutbükü is one of the most suitable places to swim in Datça, stay for a few days and enjoy the sea and holiday. In Palamutbükü, there are many accommodation options such as pensions and hotels, and there are many places where you can both benefit from the sun loungers and umbrellas and eat on the beach. I chose Payam Restaurant to eat on the beach. Since I went for breakfast, I tasted their pastries, the chard pastry was very good.
If you eat here, you can benefit from the sun loungers and umbrellas for free. Payam also has a parrot as its mascot, you will definitely see it when you go.
One of the recommended places in Palamutbükü was Organic Restaurant. One of the recommended places especially for dinner. I haven't tried it, let me know if you do.
Tekin Usta Goat Milk Ice Cream
One of Datça's famous flavors is goat's milk ice cream. The most famous ice cream shop is Tekin Usta Ice Cream. The prices were very high when I went, you can try other ice cream shops, they are all good. The prices of Madsar Usta in Palamutbükü were quite affordable compared to Tekin Usta.
Datca Almond
They call its almond, one of Datça's three B's, the most delicious almond in Turkey, or even the best in the world. Many different kinds of almonds are produced in Datça and when these almonds are produced with the dry farming method, they do not harm the nature.
When the outer shells of the almonds are green and fresh, the edible state is called "çagla". It is also very nice to eat it fresh, it is also valuable because its time is short.
Depending on the season, you can eat Datça almonds with honey, figs, plain or iced.
Datça Soda
I didn't exaggerate when I said there are all kinds of almonds in Datça, they even have almond sodas. You can find it in the kiosks in the markets, you can really feel the almond aroma clearly when you drink it.
What to buy in Datça?
Of course, honey and almonds are bought before Datça. Then, figs, thyme, sandals made of leather, silk hand-wovens, bags, key chains and many other products, shanks, beads are waiting for you in many stalls in every part of Datça.
Datca Travel Videos
You can see the videos of my Datça trip in June 2021 in two parts below. Don't forget to watch the videos and share your comments.
Datca Photos
Below are the Datça photos I used in this article. All of these photos are copyrighted by me, unauthorized use is prohibited.
