The beaches and coves of Datça

The main sandy beach of Datça town. Cafés, restaurants and the marina are right behind you. The sand is soft and the water shallow, which suits families with children. It is the busiest spot in summer, so early mornings are calmer.

A rocky shoreline beside the marina, looking onto Kent Park. Together with the neighbouring soda lake it offers a quieter alternative right in town. Water shoes make it much easier.

Within walking distance of the centre and a 2026 Blue Flag beach. The northerly wind keeps the water cooler than elsewhere, which makes it a favourite on hot days and popular with windsurfers.

A small cove below the meteorology station, reached down a flight of steps. Despite being so close to town most visitors never notice it, which is exactly why it stays quiet.

A rocky entry point in the İskele district, close enough to walk to from the centre. Ideal for a short cooling-off break away from the crowds.

The closest escape from town, known locally as the gateway to the sea. A sheltered, spotless cove shaded by eucalyptus trees. A few minutes by car, and walkable too.

A pebble cove just before Kargı. There is a beach bar on the shore, which makes it a practical choice if you want to stay all day.

The first place that comes to mind when people say Datça, and the liveliest cove in the south. The pebble shore keeps the water astonishingly clear, though it deepens quickly. Fish restaurants and guesthouses line the seafront.

A calm cove of mixed sand and pebbles, well known for its restaurants. Ideal if you want to swim all day and have dinner right on the shore. The water deepens quickly here too.

The most sheltered of the three southern coves and a favourite with families thanks to its shallow water. Protected from the wind, the sea is usually mirror-flat, and the sunset here is something else.

The most isolated of the three. The final stretch is a rough track, so the crowds never make it here — you often get the sheltered sand-and-pebble shore to yourself.

A cove on the Palamutbükü side, nicknamed the Aquarium for how clear the water is. One of the regular swimming stops on the boat tours.

A quiet shore reached through almond groves, close to Knidos. The most practical place to cool off after visiting the ancient city.

An extraordinary cove between Mersincik and Knidos, where 2,500-year-old stone steps lead down to the sea. Reachable only on foot or by boat — one of the most special spots on the peninsula.

A very quiet cove at the end of a dirt road leading off from Cumalı village. The rough access keeps it empty most of the time; a higher-clearance vehicle helps.

One of the peninsula's lesser-known coves. There is next to nothing in the way of facilities, so bring your own food and water.

A famous cove that is very hard to reach by land and is normally visited by boat. There is bungalow accommodation on the shore, and it is a classic stop on the blue cruise route.

Belonging to Emecik village, its wide sandy beach and long shallow stretch make it one of the easiest beaches for families and beginner swimmers. The water warms up quickly in the sun.

A little-known beach right next to Karaincir, named after the mansion nearby. The water is aquarium-clear, making it a good alternative to Karaincir if you want fewer people.

A 2026 Blue Flag campsite shore in the Aktur area on the Bozburun road. Well kept, calm and comfortable for a full day.

The 2026 Blue Flag beach of the Aktur holiday village. Although it is a private facility, Turkish coastal law keeps access to the shore itself open to everyone.

The 2026 Blue Flag shore of the resort at Kızlan. Tidy, clean and largely sheltered from the wind.

A residential-site shore towards Kızlan. Close to town and quiet, a practical option if you would rather skip the busy beaches.

The dune area near Kızlan. Its protected nature-park status has kept the landscape intact, and the constant wind makes it a regular haunt for surfers.

A natural harbour on the Aegean, Gökova side of the peninsula. A broad cove where the blue-cruise boats shelter, protected even in winter.

A rocky cove behind the wind turbines. The poor road keeps it empty most days — a favourite with those who like the wind, and with photographers.

One of the most photogenic coves, turquoise and completely undeveloped. There is no shade and no kiosk, so bring your own parasol and water — and take your rubbish back with you.