Beautiful beaches and mountains
Datça peninsula looks on the map as a long narrow noodle surrounded by the sea (at the narrowest point it is not even a kilometer wide) and therefore it is surprising that the highest mountain Boz Dagi has staggering 1,144 m asl. It is a nice one-day long trip, where you can travel in very picturesque mountainous landscape, see ruins of the ancient town of Knidos on the western hill /100 km from Marmaris/ or swim in the beautiful beaches on the southern side. Anyway Datça Peninsula is worth a visit. Do not forget to buy excellent local honey here.
View of Marmaris from the pass
The journey from Marmaris rises to the pass (250 m asl) and there are gradually nicer and nicer views of the entire town.
The way through Datca
The road goes on in agricultural landscape up to the village Hisaronu, where the road branches off to Bozburun Peninsula, which is also a very nice trip. But we’ll continue through the narrowest passages of the peninsula to the next even higher pass (350 m asl), from where there are wide views.
View of the Gulf of Gökova
From the pass there is a nice view of the huge Gulf of Gokova.
Beach Kovanlık near Aktur
From the pass the road winds back down to the sea to the beautiful beach Kovanlık near the village Aktur.
Windmills
You will then get to very flat farmland (considering local conditions) before the town Datça. Along the way you will see the famous windmills. If you want to see the town, make it on the way back if you have some time. But there is nothing very interesting to see.
View of Boz Dagi
After a while you will pass the turnoff for the ferry to Bodrum and then the traffic calms down considerably and the surrounding landscape will be much nicer. Again, you will be rising into the mountains, this time to those highest on the peninsula.
Hives in the pine forests
You will pass a lot of hives in the pine forests along the road. Beekeeping is one of the things that make Datça famous. If you dare to come close to the hives, you will notice a lot of hornets flying here to dine the hardworking bees.
Local delicacies
Everywhere are sold honey, almonds and olives – mainly along the road and in the surrounding villages. Surely it is better to buy it here than in a supermarket – you will get better products and support local residents.
Village with mosque
Then awaits you the most beautiful passage of this trip – the passage in the pine forests high in the local karst mountains. You will pass the turnoff to winding road leading to Mesudiye and on to the sea, where you can link to on the way back, if you choose more interesting and circular route. The road rises further up to 580 m asl, where is the turning to the highest mountain on the island – Boz Dagi (1 144 m asl). Unfortunately, there is no entry, because soldiers have radar on the top. It is a shame as it could have been very awesome outlook point. There is then another turning to Mesudiye and a way in farmland to Yakakoy. Then begins the most arid part of the peninsula.
View of the western end of the peninsula
You will pass beautiful outlook place, where is also an abandoned bench – the possibility for a little snack. On the horizon is visible also the Greek island of Nisyros.
Beach Domuzini
There are many beaches on the peninsula that can be only yours.
Knidos in sight
The last part of the road is the narrowest and you must be very careful. Fortunately, the traffic is very weak here. In sight is already a beautiful bay at the ruins of the ancient town of Knidos and the lighthouse at the very end of the peninsula. The trip to the ruins and the surroundings is described here.
View of Boz Dagi
After seeing the ruins of Knidos waits for you the way back. You can either go to Marmaris the same way as you arrived, i.e. about 100km, or you can make several detours to either local beaches around Mesudiye or to the largest town on the peninsula – Datca.
On the way back you will have nice views of the highest local mountain Boz Dagi with military station on the top.
Landscape in the peninsula
You will again admire the beautiful mountains and pine forests on way back.
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