When locals travel to Datça, they don’t do so in a hurry. In fact, this sleepy enclave in the Aegean is so famous for its laid back atmosphere that the town adopted a popular phrase as its motto — If you are in a hurry, what are you doing in Datça?
Indeed, Datça promises a peaceful escape to all who visit. There aren’t many traditional tourist attractions in Datça, nor are there loud nightclubs. You won’t find any Datça tours advertised on GetYourGuide or Viator, either. Perhaps most surprising (or not ☺️), there aren’t crowds of tourists with a guide waving around a flag on a pole.
Actually, we have a theory for the lack of crowds — it’s hard to get here! You’ll need to either take a 2-hour ferry from Bodrum or drive through the winding turns and switchbacks of the peninsula. However, Datça is well worth the effort and will reward you for your troubles.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced whirlwind vacation, you’ll be disappointed. However, if you want to savor every moment, enjoy pleasant strolls by the seaside, and take time for yourself, you’ll definitely find it in Datça.
In this Datça travel guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about the town, including what to do, where to eat, accommodations and hotels in Datça, and so on. While this blog post might differ slightly from our usual travel guides (like we said, Datça revolves around a life of leisure!), we hope it’ll help you in planning your trip to Datça.
So go ahead: eat some ice cream, take photos of the old houses and bougainvillea flowers, swim in the little coves dotted around the peninsula, see the sunset along the beach, and most importantly — slow down and be merry. 🙂
DATÇA: The Basics
Where is Datça?
Datça is located in the southwestern part of the country, known as Turkey’s Aegean Region. Datça is actually a port town located on a peninsula that has the same name (Datça Peninsula) — if you’re wondering about the name, it’s pronounced da-tch-aa (the ç makes a ch sound :)).
The closest towns and cities are Marmaris (72 km / 45 mi) and Bodrum (45 km / 28 mi by ferry). Three Greek islands, Rhodes, Symi, and Kos are also nearby.
The closest airport to Datça is Dalaman Airport (DLM), which is 162 km (100 mi) by car. Technically, Milas–Bodrum Airport (BJV) is also very close if you take the Datça-Bodrum ferry (a total of 80 km / 50 mi) — otherwise, it’s 200 km (124 mi) overland.
Datça town center is indicated with a yellow star, while Old Datça (Eski Datça) is a green star. The entire Datça Peninsula is outlined in blue.
What is Datça famous for?
😌 A certain je ne sais quoi feeling of tranquil wellbeing — There are two famous sayings in Datça. You’ve already heard the first one (If you are in a hurry, what are you doing in Datça?), which plays on Datça’s peaceful and slow-paced lifestyle.
The second is our favorite folk phrase — God sends his servants, whom he wants to live long and healthy, to Datça. Actually, it was written by Greek philosopher Strabon sometime in 20 AD, but the phrase has remained true to this day. Once you travel to Datça, you’ll understand the meaning behind these two sentences better. 🙂
🍯 Honey, Almonds, Fish — An interesting combination, right? Datça is famous for the 3 B’s, bal, badem, balık, which translates to honey, almond, and fish — the three things that you can find practically anywhere along the Datça Peninsula.
You’ll find fish on every meyhave (taverna) menu, dozens of flavors of honey stocked up the shelves in stores, and almond-flavored pastries in cute little bakeries (try the Datça bademli kurabiye). Datça also hosts the Almond Flower festival (Badem Çiçeği Festival) every February to coincide with the almond harvest.
🌺 Bougainvillea flowers — If honey, almonds, and fish are the most popular foods in Datça, then bougainvillea are the most popular flowers! You’ll see beautiful hues of yellow, pink, red, purple, and even white flowers adorning streets and houses around Datça.
🪟 Stone houses — Speaking of houses in Datça … Eski Datça (‘Old Datça’) is famous for its quaint old stone houses, many of whom have been restored and turned into family-run hotels, cafes, and boutique stores.
🏖️ Coves and hidden beaches — There are more than 50 coves that are scattered around the Datça Peninsula, which typically end with “bük.”
🌊 Where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet — Last but certainly not least, we leave you with this interesting tidbit — the end of the Datça peninsula (near Knidos) is where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas reunite. 🥰
How many days do you need in Datça?
While it’s typically easy for us to answer this question for other cities, it’s a little more difficult with Datça. Like we mentioned above, Datça isn’t just a place where you can tick off your to-do list — it’s where you come to recharge and savor the ‘slow rhythm’ of the area.
If you’re traveling around the Aegean or Mediterranean coast of Turkey, then 2 to 3 days is enough to enjoy Datça, visit Old Datça, and do a one-day road trip around the Datça Peninsula. Of course, there’s really no limit to how long you can stay — it’s not uncommon for locals to rent a place for a month and just chill in Datça. 🙂
Datça Travel Tips
🧿 One of the things that surprised us the most is that Datça is expensive! Seriously, we spent less money in Bodrum and Istanbul than we did in Datça. We recommend either booking an apartment with a kitchen or at least a hotel that has breakfast included if you want to save some money.
🧿 One of the most popular questions when planning a trip is when to go to Datça? The best time to visit Datça is between April to October. The shoulder season (April to May and September to October) offers pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, while the summer season (June to August) is perfect for swimming and exploring the beautiful coves around the peninsula. However, it’s best to book accommodations ahead of time, as it gets very popular during the summer.
🧿 Consider adding Bodrum to your itinerary, either as a day trip or your next destination after Datça. You can travel between Datça and Bodrum via the direct ferry.
🧿 Most importantly, remember the Datça motto – if you’re in a hurry, you might be in the wrong place! Relax, unwind, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. 😉
Getting to Datça
By ferry
The most popular way to get to Datça is via the Bodrum – Datça ferry! Depending on the season, there are sailings every other day (during the low season) or multiple sailings a day (during summer). The crossing takes a little over 1.5 hours and offers lovely views.
We’ve written an entire blog post about the Bodrum Datça ferry, including the timetables, pricing, amenities, what it’s like onboard, and much more. Click here to read →
By car
If you’re going on an Aegean / Mediterranean road trip through Türkiye, then Datça is an excellent destination for your itinerary. Traveling to Datça by car will give you the freedom to explore the entire peninsula and visit hidden coves, beaches, and historical attractions.
There is one thing we should warn you about — there are many winding turns on the highway to Datça (Marmaris Datça Yolu / Marmaris Datça Highway). While the road is well-maintained and smooth, it is a bit slow getting to Datça because of all the twists and turns. 🙂
Likewise, it’s best to rent your car in a larger city like Marmaris (or even Dalaman Airport), as there are only local rental companies in Datça.
Click here to check prices and reserve your rental car →
By bus
You can reach Datça by bus from many other neighboring cities like Marmaris, Akyaka, Muğla, Aydın, Denizli (Pamukkale), and Izmir. Likewise, Datça is reachable from other major destinations like Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, and Bursa.
Click here to see bus routes and buy your ticket →
By group transfer
If you’re flying into an airport and want to travel directly to Datça, then we recommend Mavi Transfer. We used them to go from Datça to Dalaman Airport and were really pleased with the service and price.
You can check their prices here →
Getting Around Datça
You can see the Datça Peninsula via two options: either renting a car or using public transportation.
By rental car — If you want to go beyond Datça’s city center and plan to explore the entire peninsula, then we definitely recommend renting a car. You’ll have the freedom to stop and explore coves and hidden beaches, go to Knidos Ancient City, see the sunset from the lighthouse, and so on.
Note: As mentioned above, car rental websites like RentalCars typically don’t work in smaller towns like Datça, so you’ll need to find a local rental agency or rent from a larger city (like Dalaman) if you plan to do this option.
By public transportation — If you plan to stick to Datça center and Eski Datça (i.e. not explore the entire peninsula), then public transportation is enough. Datça’s public transport is run by MUTTAŞ and includes more than 15 lines. You can check the routes, timetables, and even live bus tracking on their website (you can use your browser to translate it).
Best of all, you can pay with your credit card — each bus has a contactless payment device near the doors!
What To Do in Datça
Stroll around the harbor…
The best way to get into the peaceful ‘atmosphere’ of Datça is to take a leisurely stroll along its harbor. By that, we mean getting away from the bustling central promenade and walking towards the south, where you’ll be met with colorful fishing boats and plenty of shaded benches to sit and admire the view.
Tip — the harbor is especially pretty during the early morning or at sunset!
… and eat ice cream 🙂
While you’re there, why not do as the locals and enjoy some ice cream as well? There are two legendary ice cream kiosks practically next to each other — Çınar Dondurma and Tekin Usta.
After trying a flavor or two, we’re sure you’ll fall in love with the creamy consistency and delicious taste. The secret ingredient? The local ice cream is made with goat’s milk!
(By the way, if you missed the chance to try Tekin’s famous ice cream in Datca, they also have a branch in Istanbul — shhh! ;))
Don’t Miss the Old Stone Houses of Eski Datça
Eski Datça, which translates to Old Datça, is an absolutely enchanting village. While words don’t do this idyllic gem any justice, the best way we can summarize Eski Datça is by mentioning its winding cobblestone streets, beautifully-restored stone houses, picturesque boutique hotels and cafes, and colors upon colors of bougainvillea flowers on practically every street!
You can easily spend an hour or two (or more!) walking along the streets and dreaming of which house you’ll buy when you win the lottery. 😉 If you want to learn even more about Eski Datça, we have an entire photo blog post — click here!
You can travel to Eski Datça by bus or taxi. The taxi costs about 200 TL one-way (look for drivers who will use the meter) and there are a few taxi kiosks in Datça center.
If you prefer the bus, take the 9-1 route (Datça – Eski Datça Reşadiye), which costs 25 TL. Click here for the timetables.
Walk Along Lover’s Road & See the Burgaz Ruins
At first glance, you might be thinking, what does a romantic path have to do with ancient ruins?
To which we reply — nothing, they’re just within walking distance. 😁
Sevgi Yolu (or if you prefer to be poetic, Lover’s Lane) is a sweet little path that begins right where Kumluk Beach ends. The cobblestone street is covered with lush green trees, a few benches, and a cute atmosphere.
Eventually, Lover’s Lane turns into another street and leads to the Datça Burgaz Ruins (Datça Burgaz Ören Yeri). While there are few ruins (it was recently excavated), the views from here are amazing — and you can even see Symi on a clear day!
Be Merry at a meyhane
Aegean has a tavern culture (known as meyhane in Turkish), and Datça is no different. Lively conversations, the clinking of glasses filled with rakı, and the delicious smells of grilled seafood fill the air as guests gather to share stories over delicious meze plates.
However, a word of warning: be careful where you eat! Datça is famous for its restaurants on the beach, with glimmering fairy lights and being so close to the water that the waves practically kiss your feet. It sounds magical, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately, these restaurants are selling you the atmosphere instead of flavor. The food typically doesn’t taste that great, and to add insult to injury, the dishes are very overpriced. (Sorry, we were bummed too 🥲)
Some good meyhanes in Datça include Ege Meyhanesi, Meyhane Datca, and Güzeliz Meyhane (in Old Datça).
Taste Local Datça Products
Datçans are immensely proud of their local products, such as almonds, honey, olive oil, thyme, and other herbs. There’s a large bazaar every Saturday in the city center, but if you can’t make it, then no worries — there are a handful of local cooperative shops in the center that sell local products. 🙂
Exploring Datça by Car
If you have a car (rental or your own), then you can explore even more interesting places around the Datça Peninsula 🙂 Here are some must-see places:
See History Come Alive at Knidos Ancient City
One of the most popular things to see in Datça is Knidos Ancient City. Located on the tip of the peninsula, Knidos was built around 2,000 BC and became one of the most important Carian cities.
In fact, Knidos was especially known for the arts, culture, and sciences, judging by the many theaters, architectural ruins, and statues that were excavated. This is also supported by the fact that many remarkable scholars came from Knidos, including Eudoxus the astronomer, Ctesias the writer, and Sostratos the architect (who built the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world!).
Unfortunately, a series of large earthquakes left Knidos damaged, and over time, locals completely abandoned it. However, not all hope is lost — Knidos was first excavated around the mid-1800s and turned into an archaeological site in the 1990s.
Nowadays. Visitors can see many of the ancient city’s ruins, including temples, theaters, an acropolis, a sundial, streets, and much more. Of course, Knidos is also visited because it’s where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas reunite. 🙂
Knidos is located about 35 km (22 mi) from Datça center and it takes about an hour to drive there. The archaeological site is open from 9AM to 5:30PM every day during the off season, and 8:30AM to 7:30PM during the summer.
If you don’t have a car but still want to see Knidos (as well as other spots on the Datça Peninsula!), there is an amazing private tour that also includes a stop at Palamutbuku, two beaches, and lunch.
See the Sunset from Deveboynu Lighthouse
While you’re at Knidos Ancient City, don’t miss Knidos Lighthouse as well!
Technically called Deveboynu Feneri (Deveboynu Lighthouse), this lighthouse is located on the furthest point on the Datça Peninsula and has some of the most amazing views in the entire region! You can get here by taking a 25 to 30 minute walk after you enter Knidos Ancient City. Don’t forget to take a picnic, water, or snacks, and enjoy the sunset with your travel buddies. 🙂
Explore Datça’s Coves & Bays
We’re not exaggerating when we say Datça is full of pristine and idyllic bays — there are more than 50 bays on its 253-kilometer stretch of coastline, or about one bay for every 5 km. 😉
The ‘Golden Three’ (AKA the most popular bays in Datça) are Hayıtbükü, Ovabükü and Palamutbükü. Even better, they’re all within 8 kilometers (5 mi) of each other!
Some other beautiful bays include Kızılbük, Kurubük, Kargı, and Akvaryum Koyu.
Historical Windmills
Located 7 kilometers (about a 10-minute drive) from Datça town center, these historical windmills stand as a testament of Datça’s Aegean culture.
There is also a partially-dilapidated windmill in Çeşmeköy, further west of Datça and on your way to Knidos.
Where to Eat in Datça
☕️ Soso Cafe — This was our absolute favorite during our trip to Datça! Located in the center of town, Soso Cafe is run by a sweet local couple and named after their cat (Soso). 🙂 The coffee is sourced from local Turkish roasters, and the bowls are super delicious and reasonably priced. Location →
☕️ D-PO Pizza — Legendary pizza. That’s it, that’s all there is to it. 😅 People come from Istanbul to eat the pizza at d-po, that’s how good it is. Location →
Meşhur Datça Badem Kurabiyecisi— The name of the cafe literally translates to ‘Famous Datça Almond Cookie Shop,’ which is very fitting 🙂 Datça is famous for its almonds, so one local baker decided to take the idea and create this local delicacy! Of course, they also sell dozens of other baked goods, but the almond cookies are definitely worth a try. You’ll know that you’re at the right place when you smell the delicious smell of cookies! Location →
Yeni Cafe Restaurant — Run by a local family, this restaurant emphasizes healthy and high-quality dishes (including vegetarian and vegan options!). Location →
Burger-Datça — This aptly-named place run by a father and son duo sells delicious (you guessed it!) burgers. We loved the cheeseburger and the mushroom burger, but you really can’t go wrong. 🙂 Location →
Eski Meyhane – A classic meyhane owned by a local Datçan family. The location deserves a special mention, as you’ll be dining under an old pomegranate tree with colorful accents. Location →
Kuzi’s Gastro Pub — A great choice if you can’t decide what to eat — they had pierogi (which was the most unexpected thing ever for us 😅) and five other varieties of dumplings from around the world, as well as burgers, pizza, and cocktails. The service was super friendly, and there’s indoor and outdoor seating (near the beach). Location →
Datça Belediyesi Sosyal Tesis — If you’re traveling to Datça on a budget, this is an excellent place to eat. Run by the local municipality, the cafe has snacks, sandwiches, gözleme (my personal favorite 🤤), and drinks. Location →
Baba Lokantası — Another local favorite, this lokantası (canteen) offers budget-friendly and homemade food. Since they cook everything fresh, the menu changes daily. 🙂 Do note that it’s cash-only though. Location →
Where to Stay in Datça
Saklı Yaz Datça Adult Only — Ah, what an absolutely gorgeous hotel! 😍
This exclusive boutique hotel feels like something from Santorini, with its whitewashed walls, blue accents, and boho touches. As a nice touch, the rooms have a jaw-dropping view of the surrounding sea — imagine waking up to that every morning!
Mendelle Datça — Another beautiful boutique hotel that perfectly encapsulates the understated luxury of Datça. Plenty of natural light, locally-sourced decor, and friendly service make this a delightful stay.
Bademli Konak Otel — This beautifully-restored traditional stone building feels as if you’ve been transported to Old Datça — but actually, you’re located in the heart of Datça! The rooms are spotless, the employees are friendly, and breakfast is included.
Cape Krio Boutique Hotel & Spa — Located just a 5-minute walk from central Datça yet surrounded by a lush forest, Cape Krio is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy peace and quiet. Most of the rooms have a lovely sea view, and there is also a huge outdoor swimming pool. The hotel includes a spa, on-site restaurant, fitness center, and bar.
Beyaz Konak Evleri — If you want to feel like a local, then be sure to book Beyaz Konak. The apartment-style accommodations have everything you need, including a full kitchen, washing machine, fridge, and living room.
Hotel Villa Tokur — Similar to Beyaz Konak above, Villa Tokur offers hotel-style rooms as well as apartment-style rooms.
Orcey Hotel — Orcey is definitely one of the most unique hotels in Datça, as it has an old windmill right in the middle of the hotel complex! That’s not all, though — you can reserve this room (Mill Room, also known as Junior Suite with Sea View on Booking.com) and have an epic view of the sea and garden. 🙂
Marphe Hotel & Suites — Located in a quiet area near Datça, Murphe Hotel is perfect for larger groups, as they mainly focus on villas and large suites. The Villas can hold up to 4 adults and 2 children.