Over 200 endemic species
Datça’s ecosystem, flora and fauna are home to more than 200 endemic species.
Datça & Knidos
Datça, pearl of the Aegean
An oxygen-rich corner where pine forest meets the sea. Once named Turkey’s most beautiful bay, it can hold its own against any destination in the world.
Çiftlik and Kurucabük
Aktur Datça is made up of two bays, Çiftlik and Kurucabük, 4 km apart and linked by a free shuttle. Even in midsummer the low humidity keeps the air fresh, and the cool nights make for deep sleep.
- Datça centre
- 25 km
- Marmaris
- 35 km
- Knidos
- 58 km
- İzmir
- 330 km
Ancient city
Knidos
58 km from Aktur
Knidos, at the tip of the Datça peninsula, was an ancient city far ahead in art, science and architecture. The Dorians first founded it at Burgaz, 2 km from Datça centre; in the mid-4th century BC the city moved to Tekir Point, where its ruins stand today.
It was home to Euryphon, who founded the second largest medical school of the age; Eudoxus, whose inventions for measuring time and seasons were among the most influential of the day; Sostratus, architect of the Lighthouse of Alexandria; and the painter Polygnotus.
You can still see two large theatres, one standing by the harbour, a temple of Apollo on the hill, and the remains of the temple of Aphrodite overlooking both harbours. The round plinth that once held the legendary statue of Aphrodite remains; people came from far and wide just to see it. Perhaps this is where tourism began.
Nature and flavours
Honey, almonds, fish
Don’t leave Datça without trying its three signature flavours.
Festivals
Arts events take place on site every year, and Datça hosts many festivals.