In 480 BC Xerxes' Persian fleet passed the city on their way to a pivotal defeat by Athens at the battle of Salamis; Praxiteles is said to have carved his famous Aphrodite here; and St. Paul stayed in 52 AD on his way to Amphipolis, in Roman Thrace, and eventual matyrdom. Datça is reknowned throughout Turkey for its excellent climate and the longevity of its' residents.
Whilst it is wet in the early part of the year, from April until October there is virtually no rainfall. Spring and Autumn are mild, with the temperature usually in the mid /high 20s, and peak temperatures of about 35C in July and August, although these are eased by the constant sea breeze. The same breeze that is also responsible for the peninsular's unusually low humidity.
The spectacular views and scattered ruins of the peninsular are best, and often only, seen on foot. If you would like to explore the peninsular more during your stay, we can provide maps or lead a walk - please let us know and bring good walking shoes or boots.
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DATÇA
Datça is only tenuously attached to the Turkish mainland by a long, narrow ridge of mountains that fall into the sea. Owing to this isolation, and being almost entirely covered by National Park, the peninsular is largely undeveloped and has only one town.
There are no large resort hotels or mass tourism, and even in summer you can be almost alone on the more secluded beaches. The peninsular has six attended blue flag beaches, and the water is warm enough to swim from April to December.
Despite being a tranquil backwater now, the Datça peninsular has long been strategically important, first as an independent city state, and later as a trading post and military base on the busy sea route between Western Europe and the Middle East.
Knidos, once a thriving city on the tip of the peninsular that enjoyed various degrees of autonomy under Greek and Roman rule, was finally destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th Century.
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