Datça Car Rental

What Is Datça Like?

According to Go Türkiye, Datça sits where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean and is one of Muğla's must-see seaside towns; settlement in the area goes back to 2000 BC, and traces of civilisations from the Carians to the Byzantines can be seen. According to English Wikipedia the peninsula is nearly 100 km long and the town lies midway along the peninsula that carries its name.

The town consists of three parts: Old Datça, New Datça and the coves dotting the peninsula. New Datça is the main settlement on the south shore; the "Sevgi Yolu" seafront, full of hotels, restaurants and cafés, is here. Old Datça stands out in the hills above with its stone houses and bougainvillea-lined lanes. The area is famous for its almonds, whose blossom opens in January–February; pine and thyme honey are also among its known products (Go Türkiye).

How to Get from Marmaris to Datça

• Distance and time: about 73 km by road from the centre of Marmaris; two map sources give 61–64 minutes of driving. Some sources give slightly shorter figures such as 62–72 km; in summer, traffic and slow vehicles can add time. The road is winding. For details see our Marmaris to Datça guide.
• From Dalaman Airport: about 167 km; maps show 2 hours 29 minutes – 2 hours 40 minutes of driving. See our Dalaman Airport to Marmaris guide for the airport side.
• Because the peninsula is long, it is also about 35 km between the centre of Datça and Knidos; a car is a great help for visiting the coves and Knidos.

Things to See and Do in Datça

• Old Datça: according to Go Türkiye many of its stone houses have been turned into boutique hotels, cafés and local-craft shops; the lanes are good for walking. The house where the famous poet Can Yücel lived and died is also here.
• Sevgi Yolu and the town beaches: Go Türkiye lists the Taşlık, Kumluk and Hastane Altı beaches in the town centre; ask on the spot for their current status.
• Saturday market: according to Go Türkiye a traditional market is set up in New Datça on Saturdays; on Sanatçılar Sokağı (Artisans Street) local artists show their handicrafts.
• Palamutbükü: according to Go Türkiye a fishing village with good restaurants, small hotels and a 2.5 km beach.
• Knidos: the ancient city at the western tip of the peninsula; the remains include the round Temple of Aphrodite, floor mosaics and an amphitheatre overlooking the sea (Go Türkiye). Go Türkiye suggests waiting for the sunset; ask about visiting conditions before you go.

Around Datça by Car: Distances

We measured the distances with two route planners (17 October 2026); traffic and the season change them.

• Datça – Old Datça: about 3.2 km, 5–6 minutes.
• Datça – Palamutbükü: about 26–27 km, 38–52 minutes.
• Datça – Knidos: about 35 km, 50–71 minutes.
• Datça – Marmaris centre: about 73 km, 61–64 minutes.
• Datça – Dalaman Airport: about 167 km, 149–160 minutes.