Datça

Datça is the main town of the Datça or Reşadiye Peninsula, a scenic 70-km neck of land forming the boundary between the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. It's rugged, forested, and considered part of Turkey's Southern Aegean region. The main tourist attraction is the ruins of Knidos at the western tip, including the legendary Aphrodite of Knidos sculpture. Unlike the resort-heavy coast further west, Datça remains relatively unspoiled, making it ideal for travelers seeking authentic Turkish experiences, beach coves, and hiking along the Carian Trail.

The ancient city of Knidos was a major Greek port and home to the celebrated Aphrodite of Knidos sculpture by Praxiteles, created around 364 BC. This was the earliest classical sculpture of a full-sized erotic nude female, depicting the goddess shedding her drape for a ritual bath. The original was likely transferred to Constantinople's Palace of Lausus but was destroyed in a fire of 475 AD. Copies survive, with the Colonna Venus in the Vatican's Museo Pio-Clementino considered the closest. During the Ottoman period, the village of Reşadiye served as district capital, giving its name to the peninsula.

Datça is 70 km west of Marmaris on the D400 highway. The road follows the ridge of the peninsula with good surface but is undivided. Bus 48-16 runs hourly from Marmaris to Datça daily 07:00-18:30, taking 90 minutes, with returns 09:00-21:00. Private dolmuşes also serve the peninsula. Ferries from Bodrum sail 2-3 times daily June-August and four times weekly April-May and September-October, taking 1 hour 45 minutes. As of May 2023, fares are 275 TL for adults and 925 TL for a car plus 125 TL per occupant. The ferry pier (Kairos Marina) is 10 km northwest of town. Datça harbour is a Port of Entry into Turkey for sailors arriving from Greek waters.

Buses run as far west as Palamutbükü. Exploring Knidos and the small coves (bük) on the western peninsula requires a vehicle. The north coast has numerous secluded coves accessible mainly by boat trips departing from Datça harbour.

The peninsula is best visited April through October. Summer months (June-August) see daily ferries from Bodrum and more frequent boat trips. April-May and September-October offer milder temperatures and fewer tourists. The Carian Trail section along the peninsula accounts for 241 km of the 820 km hiking route, with water sources and stores being few and far between on the north coast.

Accommodation on the peninsula consists of small independent places; package holiday companies and chain hotels don't venture west of Marmaris. Options include Fuda Otel on Sevgi Yolu (B&B double 4000 TL), Yavuz Apart Hotel on Dr Turgut Dündar Cd (double 1500 TL room only), Tunç Pansiyon (simple white-washed apartment block), Villa Tokur 500 m south of town (B&B double 3000 TL), and Iskandil Apart Hotel in Palamutbükü, 20 km west of Datça. Ilıca on Park Cd offers basic cabin accommodation.

Local specialties include almonds and a dessert made of almond and dried figs. Cafe Inn on Atatürk Cd 51 serves Italian and Mediterranean food (M-Sa 09:00-22:30). Yakamengen in Yaka Köyü offers traditional Mediterranean cuisine in a former olive mill (Tu-Su 17:00-23:30). Baba Lokantası provides good home-cooked food at prices popular with local construction workers. For drinks, Knidos Winery is north of Eski Datça, and Datça Vineyard is 7 km east on D400. Vena tavern in Eski Datça serves beer and wine daily 16:30-02:30.

Boat trips depart from Datça harbour with half-a-dozen operators, reaching secluded coves like Hayıtbükü with its stand of Phoenix theophrasti (Cretan date palm, the only palm species native to Turkey). Horse riding is available at Datça Binicilik Merkezî in Hızırşah near Eski Datça. Rock climbing is possible on bluffs above Hızırşah with a dozen routes. The Carian Trail's western section runs from Datça to Knidos along the south coast, looping back along the north. Palamutbükü is one of the most developed coves with white sand beach and shallow sea (thigh-high 150 m out), plus ruins of an Apollo temple.

Key sights include: Hisarönü village at the peninsula's foot; Ovabükü with coves on a narrow forest loop; Karaincir on the south coast (where ancients attempted to cut a canal); Bencik Koyu meaning "where the fish leaps across" on the north coast; Palamutbükü resort village with its Apollo temple ruins; Reşadiye, the former Ottoman district capital; Hızırşah Culture House (former Greek Orthodox Taksiarhon Church, 19th century) now used for cultural events; and Hızırşah Mosque from mid-14th century Menteşe beylik era. Knidos at the western tip features ancient ruins including the Temple of Aphrodite.

Almonds grow locally, and a local delicacy is a dessert made of almond and dried figs. Several supermarkets exist in Datça, including Carrefour on Atatürk Cd by the bus station, open daily 08:00-23:00.

Datça and its approach road have 4G coverage from all Turkish carriers. As of March 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Marmaris is the sprawling resort at the peninsula's foot, the gateway to almost anywhere else in Turkey. Bozburun is the other peninsula reached by turning south at Hisarönü. Bodrum, reached by ferry or roundabout road, has more historic sights. Symi (Greek island visible to the south) has no direct ferry from Turkey; travel via Marmaris and Rhodes.