Around 1000 BC Dorians invaded the southern part of Caria and established the Dorian Hexapolis with the cities of Cnidus (near Datça), Halicarnassos (modern Bodrum), Cos (Greek island), Kamiros, Lindos and Ialissos (the last three were in Rhodes). Cnidus was also the center of this City Union. It had quite an effective political and economic structure considering the period.
During the Persian invasion in Anatolia, Cnidus fell under the Persian attack (546 BC). In defense, the Cnidarians tried to separate themselves physically from the mainland by digging a channel through the neck of the peninsula (today Balikasiran).
Unfortunately, the rocks were very sharp and hard. Many Cnidarians were injured as a result and an envoy was sent to question the oracle at Delphi. According to the oracle, Zeus did not approve of their work and the Cnidarians abandoned their project. The Persians entered the Peninsula without any resistance and were greeted peacefully by the Cnidarians. Later, Cnidus was dominated by in turn of Athenian Empire, Spartans, Alexander the Great, Roman Empire and Byzantines.
In 1220 AD the Menteshe Tribe (a Turkish tribe) conquered Datça. In 1390 sultan Yildirim Beyazit attacked the Menteshe Principality and the Peninsula passed to the Ottoman rule. During the reign of sultan Resad in the 18th century, the name of the Peninsula was changed to “Resadiye”. After the Turkish Republic in 1923, the Peninsula regained its old name of “Datça”. Today, Datça is a district of the province Mugla and is located at 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Marmaris.
Some of the important sights to visit in Datça are: The mosque in Hizirsah village was inherited from the Seljuks period. It has been restored and is well worth seeing. Eski Datça (Old Datça, 4 kilometers) with beautiful old stone houses, holiday and permanent residences of many Europeans and Turks, is showing the typical architecture of the area. Regular minibus services are available to Eski Datca.
Cnidus was famous for its naked statue of Aphrodite. Kizlan and its windmills, which have become a symbol for Datça, is worth visiting. There are the remains of some ceramic manufactures between Old Datça and Hizirsah village which have been worked during the 4th century BC.
Datca is very green compared to a similar area. Datca is also very popular with campers as it has many national parks.
Airport Name: Dalaman Airport
Address: Ege, 48770 Dalaman/Muğla, Turkey
Code: DLM
Elevation: 6 m
Phone: +90 252 792 55 55
website: http://yda.aero/english/
Serves: Mugla, Fethiye, Marmaris, Dalyan, Dalaman
We highly recommend booking international and domestic flights with Turkish Airlines. Visit www.turkishairlines.com for prices and times.
If you wish to travel by bus or car please give the details of your journey so we can recommend a local transfer service. You must allow 3 days for us to make suggestions.
All companies we recommend are licensed by TURSAB. It is merely a recommendation we do not take any responsibilities for any of the services recommended on this website.
For areas to visit near Datca visit https://visit-turkey.org/destination/aegean-region/