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7 places to visit in the Datça district of Muğla: Knidos Ancient City, Old Datça (Datça Quarter) and Palamutbükü Cove. Plan your trip to Datça with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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The district covers 436 km². The average altitude of Datça district centre above sea level is 10 metres.

History: Knidos

Finds on the Datça Peninsula go back to 2000 BC, and the first known native people were the Carians. Knidos was moved to the tip of the peninsula in the 4th century BC for commercial reasons. Strabo notes that Knidos was founded on the coast and on an island in front of it. Under Turkish rule, the peninsula was attached to the Menteşe Principality in the 13th century and was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, when it took the name Datça. Datça became a district in 1928. Its first centre was Reşadiye Quarter, and in 1947 it moved to its present location, İskele Quarter.

Geography

The Datça Peninsula has a mountainous and rugged landscape, and its highest points are Bozdağ (1,174 m), Kalecik Dağı (881 m) and Karadağ (786 m). The peninsula’s 235 km coastline is decorated with 52 coves, large and small, like lace. Datça has a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. On the peninsula, which is surrounded by sea on three sides, the cool northerly winds that blow in summer dispel the scorching heat.

Economy

Because of Datça’s rugged terrain, the land suitable for farming is limited, but in rural areas farming forms the basis of the economy. Almond production on sloping land is particularly important to the district’s economy, and Datça is among Türkiye’s leading almond producers.

History and Culture

Datça became a district in 1928, and its centre moved to İskele Quarter in 1947. The peninsula was attached to the Menteşe Principality in the 13th century and came under the Ottomans in the 15th century. The first excavations at Knidos were carried out by Charles Newton between 1856 and 1858. Knidos was a centre of culture and art as well as a centre of trade.

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Places to Visit in Datça

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Nature
  • 3 Beach
Knidos Ancient City - Datça Photo: Mehmet Ali Acar (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Ancient City

Knidos Ancient City

Ancient settlement at the tip of the Datça Peninsula, moved there in the 4th century BC.

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Old Datça (Datça Quarter) - Datça Photo: Semih Ekinci (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source
Historic

Old Datça (Datça Quarter)

The historic centre of Datça, with stone houses, narrow streets and façades covered in bougainvillea. It has fine examples of Ottoman-era civil architecture. Restored houses now host boutique hotels, art galleries and cafés.

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Nature

Palamutbükü Cove

Cove on the north coast of the Datça Peninsula, known for its clear turquoise water and pebble beach. Its position near ancient Knidos attracts both sea lovers and history enthusiasts, and there are small fish restaurants nearby.

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Nature

Kargı Cove

A small cove surrounded by pine trees, 2 km from Datça centre. Its Blue Flag beach and shallow, calm sea make it suitable for families, and the sunset view is especially impressive.

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Beach

Kızılbük Cove

A cove within the boundaries of Mesudiye village.

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Beach

Hayıtbükü Cove

One of the well-known coves of Datça.

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Beach

Gebekum Beach

A sandy beach 7 km long, suitable for swimming.

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Places to Visit Around Muğla Province

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While you are in Datça, you can also see the highlights of Muğla province. These places are in other districts.

  • Bodrum Castle (Castle of St Peter) — A castle built by the Knights of St John around 1402, partly using stones from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
  • Mausoleum of Halicarnassus — A monumental tomb built by Artemisia for her husband Mausolos, king of Caria, and counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • Ölüdeniz — South of Fethiye, with its turquoise water and sheltered lagoon, this is Türkiye's most photographed beach.
  • Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) — A valley and beach south of Ölüdeniz, enclosed by sheer cliffs and reachable only by sea.
  • Kayaköy (Levissi) — A ghost village 8 km south of Fethiye, made up of hundreds of abandoned stone houses spread across a hillside, where Greeks lived until the 1923 population exchange.
  • Dalyan Canal and Kaunos — A reed-fringed canal linking Köyceğiz Lake to the sea, with the ancient city of Kaunos on its bank.

Practical Information for Visiting Datça

Suggested time
2-3 days
Best time to visit
May-October, February (Almond Blossom Festival)
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Datça

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  • Datça Bademi ile Yapılan Tatlılar (sweets made with Datça almonds)

    Datça's geographically indicated almonds are used in biscuits, almond paste and acıbadem sweets. Thin-shelled and intensely aromatic, Datça almonds are a product known around the world.

  • Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri (wild herbs cooked in olive oil)

    More than 50 edible herb species that grow on the Datça Peninsula are cooked in olive oil and served. Sirken, radika and gelincik are the most preferred species.

  • Balık Güveç (fish casserole)

    Fresh fish of the day baked in a casserole with tomatoes, peppers and garlic. It is cooked using traditional methods in Datça's fishing villages.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Datça

  • Datça Almond Blossom Festival (Datça Badem Çiçeği Festivali)

    Held every year in February, the festival covers the peninsula in a pink and white blanket as the almond trees blossom. Music performances, local product stalls and nature walks are the main events.

  • Can Yücel Heritage

    The famous poet Can Yücel spent the last years of his life in Datça and immortalised the town in his poetry. His house in Old Datça can be visited as a cultural venue.

Local Products

  • Datça Domatesi (Datça tomatoes) — Datça Domatesi was registered as a protected designation of origin on 17 April 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1571). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables, and mushrooms. Registered by: Datça Municipality.
  • Datça Nurlu Bademi (Datça Nurlu almonds) — Datça Nurlu Bademi was registered as a protected designation of origin on 24 November 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1504). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables, and mushrooms. Registered by: Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Economy

Datça's economy is built on tourism, almond growing and olive growing. In summer, when the population of the district increases 10-fold, boutique hotels and yacht tourism come to the fore. Datça almonds and olive oil are products with export value.

How to Get to Datça

Datça can be reached by road from Marmaris, a 75 km drive, or by ferry from Bodrum. It is 170 km from Dalaman Airport and 1.5 hours by sea from Bodrum-Milas Airport. Körfez Deniz Taşımacılığı runs ferry services.

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Datça: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Datça?

The 7 highlights of Datça are: Knidos Ancient City, Old Datça (Datça Quarter), Palamutbükü Cove, Kargı Cove, Kızılbük Cove, Hayıtbükü Cove and Gebekum Beach.

What is there to eat in Datça?

Datça Bademi ile Yapılan Tatlılar, Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri and Balık Güveç are the standout dishes on Datça tables.

What is Datça famous for?

Datça is known for Datça Domatesi and the Datça Almond Blossom Festival. Datça Domatesi is registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected designation of origin.

How do I get to Datça?

Datça can be reached by road from Marmaris, a 75 km drive, or by ferry from Bodrum. It is 170 km from Dalaman Airport and 1.5 hours by sea from Bodrum-Milas Airport. Körfez Deniz Taşımacılığı runs ferry services.

How long should I spend in Datça?

Suggested visit length: 2-3 days. Best time to visit: May-October, and February for the Almond Blossom Festival.

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