To the east of the popular Turkish resort city of Marmaris lies the less-visited Datça Peninsula. The main town here is called Datça Town and is a bustling seaside escape that radiates charm.
This is one of my favorite places in Turkey, as well as the Mediterranean coastline. It’s often overlooked in favor of more built-up locations, but the lack of large hotels is one of the things I like most about Datça.
I spent a few weeks here, taking in the sights, relaxing on the myriad of nearby beaches, and generally just enjoying the laid-back vibes.
In this Datça guide, I’ll cover most of what makes the town such a special place. That includes an overview of the beaches, some day trips that are worth looking into, and Datça Town’s highlights. I also share some hotel and food recommendations, plus some more adventurous stuff.
These are the top things to do in Datça, Turkey.
EXPLORE DATÇA’S BEACHES
The Mediterranean is quite beautiful all along the Datça Peninsula, so you can expect direct access to nice beaches from Datça town. Most of these have a rocky shoreline, but the waters are clear, refreshing, and offer a much-needed escape from the summer heat.
Here are the beaches you can get to on foot from the center of Datça:
Kumluk Beach (Kumluk Plajı)
I would consider this the city beach, as it sits between the two main pedestrian peninsulas. It has softer, dark sand that runs along the shore, with several restaurants putting out tables and chairs for guests who come almost to the water’s edge.
While swimming here wasn’t as appealing as some other beaches in Datça, I ended up here a lot for sunset and the fun atmosphere.
Taşlık Beach (Taşlık Plajı)
The small sand beach lines a bay just south of the marina. Despite feeling more secluded, it’s quite popular because it sits next to Datça Gölet and a large family-friendly park.
There are restaurants in the area and views of the Greek islands off in the distance, too.
If you’re traveling with kids, this is the beach I’d recommend. With that being said, it can get busy as it’s close to a lot of the accomodations.
Saklıköy (Meteoroloji Plajı)
Through a small neighborhood full of guesthouses, south of Taşlık Beach, is the hidden Meteoroloji Beach. You’ll want to follow offline maps, as there are limited signs pointing in the beach’s direction.
It’s a rocky hideout at the bottom of steep steps that has a direct view of the islands of Symi and Nimos. It was empty when I was there in spring, but during high season it can get crowded, as it’s quite small.
The area around it is also not a bad place to stay if you’re looking to be away from the crowds.
Hastane Altı Beach (Hastane Altı Plajı)
A long, expansive rock beach that runs north of the town’s central peninsula.
There’s a promenade (Datça Sevgi Yolu) that leads along the backside all the way to the Datça Burgaz Archaeological Site. There are stairs down to the water in several places along the walkway.
It’s lively here with cafes, bars, and restaurants running along parts of the promenade and plenty of shaded areas to sit near the beach. Evenings are lovely to walk here; the water is crystal clear, and more often than not you can find a place to sit by yourself.
Güneş Bay (Sunset Beach) and North
The part that’s dubbed Sunset Beach sits next to an abandoned building and has access to a swimmable rock beach. North of this is the wild coastline area that runs along the Datça Burgaz Archaeological Site all the way to the north.
You’ll find far fewer people here than anywhere else, and access to the water varies from cove to cove. The whole region feels undiscovered, with far fewer people than any of the main beaches, and the shoreline remains hidden in parts during high tide. It’s also prone to high winds, but it’s super beautiful. I’d recommend wearing swimming shoes in the water.
MORE NEARBY BEACHES
For those traveling by car, you’ll have a few more beach options. Here are some within a short drive:
Karaincir Beach (Karaincir Plajı)
Ovabükü Beach (Ovabükü Plajı) / Hayıtbükü Bay (Hayıtbükü Koyu)
Palamutbükü Beach (Palamutbükü Plajı)
Kargı Cove
WANDER THE STREETS OF ESKI DATÇA
Eski Datça, or simply Old Datça, is a charming little neighborhood inland from the coast and a newer part of the town. In the offseason, there isn’t much going on past the few things that stay open.
It’s still lovely, though, with a relaxing feel and cute stone homes and alleyways. But not exactly somewhere that can capture you for the day.
However, as the summer hits, it becomes a bit of a mini hub of cafe culture and small-scale tourism. The coffee shops come to life, handicraft stores open up, and lovely restaurants offer a shaded escape from the heat. It gets crowded during dinnertime, but it’s hard to beat the energetic atmosphere.
I really enjoyed wandering through the maze of cobblestone streets, with their blooming pink-flowered trees and boutique shops. Especially the area near Can Yücel Street, which had a little memorial on the outside of the door dedicated to the late Turkish poet.
I recommend coming to Eski Datça at either end of the day. In the morning, you can wander around before settling in for a coffee at one of the dozens of cafes. Or you can come for a music-filled evening dinner and try some of the staple Mediterranean dishes found in Datça.
STAYING IN ESKI DATÇA
This area is a nice alternative to the more coastal hotels and guesthouses. Most places are quite seasonal, but you’ll get to stay in a lovely neighborhood that is often calmer during the early mornings and late nights than the new town.
Two guesthouses that stand out are Zeyt Inn Hotel and Eski Datça Otel.
EXPLORE THE TOWN
Unlike some of the more popular Turkish seaside destinations, the historical parts of Datça, like Eski Datça, are outside the main city center. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things to see in the busiest part of town.
Here’s a short overview:
Datça Burgaz Archaeological Site | I mentioned this site a bit in the beach section, and to be honest, there isn’t a ton to see. The ruins are very much ruins, with dirt and bushes overgrowing the site for the most part. There’s also very little information to find here, but it’s still a beautiful spot to come for the views. It sits at the northern end of the promenade behind Hastane Altı Plajı. The tattered remains of Burgaz West Church are also nearby.
Datça Harbor | The harbor is quite scenic and sits on a small peninsula separating Kumluk Plajı and Taşlık Plajı. You can find boat rentals here, grab a coffee or some food at the nearby restaurants, or just take in the sights of nice sailing vessels.
Fatih Cami | This is the most prominent mosque in Datça and is the one you’re most likely to hear the call to prayer throughout the day. It’s quite large, with a single minaret and a picturesque interior. The outside was being renovated when I was there, so it should be a stunning site by the time you see it.
Market Place Datça Municipality | The large, busy market gets quite packed on the weekends and is the best place to go for fresh local produce. I stayed in Datça for weeks, so I ended up here every Saturday for my weekly fruits and vegetables.
Most stalls have prices on them, so you won’t worry too much about haggling. There’s a row of clothing stands, too. If you’re in town over the weekend, I highly recommend stopping by.
RELAX NEAR DATCA GOLET
Near the end of Taşlık Beach (Taşlık Plajı), by the Atatürk City Park, is a small pond called the Datça Gölet. This simply translates to Datça Pond, and it’s a nice little slice of developed nature to relax at when you’re tired of the beach.
The main draw here is the thermal waters that flow from the pond into smaller, knee-high pools near the edge of the beach. In the summer, this section is quite busy, as the whole area is surrounded by restaurants that serve coffee and food and usually offer towel rentals.
There’s better food to be had around town, but the atmosphere is quite nice.
Despite the water coming from hot springs, it’s only a few degrees warmer than the sea in most months. The pond and pools are filled with fish, among which some of the smaller ones will nibble at your skin if you keep still.
I was here in early spring and found it to be quite peaceful, especially since a family of ducks liked to float around the larger pond. Since the park is nearby, it is a popular place for families with children.
HIKE PART OF THE CARIAN TRAIL
If you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure in Datça, hiking part of the Carian Trail is worth considering. This is the country’s longest trail and covers parts of the country where the Carian civilization once inhabited.
It’s also not the easiest, as it’s mostly rugged mountain and coastal trails under direct sun. Needless to say, it won’t be for everyone.
Turkey has many historical routes, most famously the Lycian Way, but the Carian Trail is equally impressive. There are four main portions to it: the Bozburun Peninsula, the Gulf of Gökova, the Carian Hinterland, and of course, the Datça Peninsula. Other parts in Muğla and Dalyan exist, too, but they are not as connected.
Parts of the Datça Peninsula, however, are easily accessible from Datça town. To the west is Knidos Ancient City at the end of the peninsula, and to the east is wonderful coastal walking until Emecik.
I don’t recommend any of these in the peak of summer. But if you find yourself in Datça in spring or fall, then managing a single-day or overnight hike on the route is a great way to see some of Turkey’s iconic nature.
ENJOY THE VIEWS FROM THE DATÇA VINEYARD
I had a great time visiting Datça Vineyard (Datça Bağ), and a lot of that boiled down to the friendly staff and stunning views.
Oh, and the wine isn’t too bad either.
The vineyard sits atop the hills to the east of town, above where Datça Burgaz Archaeological Site is located, and offers panoramic coastal sights from the outdoor seating area. It’s quite noticeable by its large windmill, which happens to be near a handful of other picturesque historical windmills.
My partner and I came here in the afternoon and enjoyed two wine tasting boards, which included 4 varieties each.
I found the blush wine to be very good, along with some other decent semi-sweets.
There are a few parts to the property, including the vineyard, the wine shop, a wine bar that doubles as a restaurant, and a guesthouse. It’s quite a relaxing place where you can wander around, and I found the staff to be quite knowledgeable.
This was easily one of my favorite things to do in Datça, so I recommend it for any wine lover.
Make sure you time your visit so you can catch the magnificent views of the peninsula.
Other farms and vineyards worth a stopover include Olive Farm (more shop than farm) and Knidos Winery.
CHILL OUT AT KARGI COVE
Nestled in a picturesque bay, the rocky beach at Kargı Cove is one of Datça’s best spots to relax. I first came here in the spring and found myself thoroughly enjoying the calm waters and magnificent views of the Greek island of Symi.
There were only a few others besides my partner and me, and half of them were made up of friendly local animals!
It isn’t always like this, though. During the summer months, the beach fills up with sunbed rentals, and the stone shops and restaurants that line the beach are humming with energy. It’s also possible to get here by boat taxi at this time.
Kargı Cove itself isn’t too big, but since it has a bit of a drop-off as you enter the crystal-clear waters, the sea stays cool for most of the year. This makes it ideal for swimming and snorkelling in the summer when you want some relief from the sun.
Getting There | Kargı Cove is about an hour’s walk from the city center. While doable and quite scenic, it’s a bit of a trek, especially when the weather is hot. For those looking to avoid taxis, you can opt for local transport. The 9-2 bus runs between here and Datça every hour or so, starting before 8 am and ending just after 8 pm. For a detailed schedule, you can have a look at the Muğla transport website.
DAY TRIPS FROM DATÇA
Datça is a lovely town for those seeking a lesser-visited place in southwestern Turkey, which means you’re a bit out of the way from most things. However, there are still some spots you can manage to see that are within earshot.
Some of the more popular places include:
Marmaris | This route is frequented, as you’ll most likely cross through the coastal city if arriving in Datça by public transport. Marmaris is best known for its beaches and its kid-friendly Atlantis Water Park, but there’s also a picturesque Old Town and the iconic Marmaris Castle, which houses the city’s Archaeology Museum.
Knidos Ancient City | I’ve mentioned the ancient city ruins in the Carian Trail section, but it’s worth mentioning again. If you’re a history buff, you’ll enjoy wandering around the remains of the Carian settlement, especially the old theatre and seaside views. It’s covered under the museum card, but you’ll have to rent a car to get there or convince a taxi to drop you off and wait.
Bodrum | If you’re up for a ferry ride to another historical town, then Bodrum is somewhere to consider. It’s a popular resort destination that’s known for its castle, historical walled city, ancient theatre, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. You’ll just have to keep in mind that ferries from Kairos Marina are limited, even in the summer months.
GETTING AROUND DATÇA
As a smaller town, Datça is easily navigable on foot. Most of the places I mention can be reached by walking, and for those you can’t, you can always hop on a bus. I found the bus system a bit difficult to navigate when it comes to finding routes and schedules, but the drivers themselves are really helpful.
For local routes, you can check the link I mentioned in the Kargi Cove section. You’ll want to put in the places in the search bar based on how they are spelled in Turkish, or else you’ll run into some difficulties.
For all other buses, there is only one main station worth knowing.
Datça Bus Station (maps) | The main bus station is also known as Datça Otogarı. This is where you’ll catch buses to and from the city. Most buses go to Marmaris, where you’ll have to then change to another bus to popular destinations like Muğla and Denizli. There are supposed to be some direct buses to those places, but those routes weren’t very active when I was in Datça.
WHERE TO STAY IN DATÇA
Datça hasn’t been hit with a huge wave of tourism like some other coastal Turkish towns, so you’ll mostly see family-run hotels and guesthouses. This also means there are limited options, with most being right in Datça town or along the seaside.
I’m not always a fan of Airbnb, but my partner and I found a great apartment in the heart of the town on the platform, so I think it’s an option to look into in Datça. If you’re visiting in the offseason or want a longer stay, you’ll find some amazing deals that rival and often exceed what you’d find on other sites.
For shorter stays, here are some more great options:
Orcey Hotel | A popular property with nice rooms in the heart of the town. If you want to be close to the main beach, it’s a wonderful option.
Bademli Konak Otel | Spectacular hotel option, a couple of minutes’ walk from the sea. The building is stunning, and the rooms are clean and modern.
Datca Beyaz Ev Hotel | A hotel that feels more like a guesthouse. It has mostly double rooms and is well located.
Veziroğlu Apart | A beautiful apartment just a few steps away from the water.
For more options, check here.
