Beaches & Bays

Each bay in Datça has its own character. Some stand out for their clear water, some for their calm, and some for what you find on the road there. The suggestions in this guide aren't a ranking — they're a small starting point depending on your day, the wind and the mood you're after.

Close to the Centre

Datça Centre & Kargı

Bays that can be reached from Portakal Suites on foot or with a short drive.

Hastane Altı Plajı
200m walk Family friendly

Hastane Altı Plajı

Atmosphere: Central · comfortable · easy access
Sea: Pebble · clean · cool
For whom: Families with children · those who want a short break
Best time: Early morning and evening

One of the closest beaches to Portakal Suites — just around 200 metres on foot. Very practical for a quick dip, an early-morning swim or popping back to the apartment during the day.

Portakal Note

This tends to be the beach guests visit most during their stay.

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Kumluk Plajı
Central beach Evening walk

Kumluk Plajı

Atmosphere: Lively social spot
Sea: City beach · easy access
For whom: Those who want to spend time in the centre
Best time: Sunset and beyond

Kumluk, right in the heart of Datça, is a beach where you can swim during the day and where restaurants and evening strollers bring the shore to life after dark.

Portakal Note

One of the most enjoyable evening walks in Datça.

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Taşlık Plajı
Clear sea Close to the centre

Taşlık Plajı

Atmosphere: Lively and central
Sea: Clear · mixed gravel and sand
For whom: Those who don't want to stray too far from the centre
Best time: Morning hours

Located in the centre of Datça, Taşlık stands out for its clear water and easy walkability. There are venues along the beach.

Portakal Note

One of the stronger options in the centre for water quality.

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Kargı Koyu
Clear sea Natural bay

Kargı Koyu

Atmosphere: Natural · lively · family friendly
Sea: Clear · cool · pebbly
For whom: Swimmers · families
Best time: Early morning

Kargı Bay, roughly 3 kilometres from the centre, is one of the most popular spots in the area — known for its cool, clear water. The bay has largely kept its natural character and draws plenty of visitors in summer.

Portakal Note

It can get crowded in the afternoon — going early makes it much more enjoyable.

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Mandalya Koyu
Quiet corner Couples

Mandalya Koyu

Atmosphere: Calm · small scale
Sea: Clear · sheltered
For whom: Those seeking quiet · couples
Best time: All day

A small, sheltered bay on the road to Kargı. Calmer than Kargı and the water tends to be a little warmer.

Portakal Note

A lovely alternative for a peaceful sea break away from the crowds.

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Eastern Datça

Emecik & Karaincir

Karaincir’s family-friendly beaches and Aktur’s pine-fringed bays.

Karaincir Plajı
Sandy beach Family friendly

Karaincir Plajı

Atmosphere: Relaxed · family friendly · lively
Sea: Sandy · shallow · generally calm
For whom: Families with children · those who want to swim comfortably
Best time: Morning and quieter days off-season

Karaincir is one of Datça's most popular family beaches. Its sandy shore and gently shallow sea make it a natural choice for families with young children.

Portakal Note

One of the family beaches we recommend most to guests who prefer sand. Among the most comfortable seaside options in Datça, especially for families with children.

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Periliköşk Plajı
Natural bay Sense of discovery

Periliköşk Plajı

Atmosphere: Calm · natural · full of character
Sea: Clear · stony
For whom: Nature lovers · photography enthusiasts
Best time: Morning and sunset

In the Karaincir area, Periliköşk is one of those quiet bays that has kept its natural shape. The small island opposite can be reached on foot when the sea level allows.

Portakal Note

Water shoes are useful here.

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Aktur
Pine forests Calm atmosphere

Aktur

Atmosphere: Natural · peaceful · tranquil
Sea: Clear · clean · sheltered
For whom: Nature lovers · tranquility seekers
Best time: Morning hours

Aktur is one of Datça's most special areas — bays surrounded by pine forests and a calm that holds even in the busiest summer weeks.

Portakal Note

One of the most beautiful places in Datça where sea meets green.

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The Mesudiye Area

The Bays of Mesudiye

The calm, natural shores of Hayıtbükü, Kızılbük and Ovabükü.

Hayıtbükü
Shallow sea Families

Hayıtbükü

Atmosphere: Lively · family friendly · popular in summer
Sea: Shallow · calm · mixed gravel and sand
For whom: Families with children · those looking for calm water
Best time: Early morning

One of the best-known bays in the Mesudiye area. Its shallow, typically waveless sea makes it especially popular with families.

Portakal Note

Very busy in summer — arriving early makes a real difference.

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Kızılbük (Gabaklar)
Natural beach Spacious

Kızılbük (Gabaklar)

Atmosphere: Natural · open · relaxed
Sea: Clear · pebbly
For whom: Nature lovers · those looking for a quieter bay
Best time: All day

Just next to Hayıtbükü, Kızılbük draws you in with its wider shore and natural feel. The surrounding landscape and open views are among the highlights of the area.

Portakal Note

A nice alternative for those who want a little more breathing room on the Mesudiye side.

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Ovabükü
Long beach Beachside venues

Ovabükü

Atmosphere: Relaxed · summery · lively
Sea: Clear · stony
For whom: Those who want to spend a long day at the beach
Best time: Morning and afternoon

Ovabükü has one of the longest beaches in the Mesudiye area — a great place to spend the full day, with beachside venues and a wide stretch of shore.

Portakal Note

One of the nicest stops for those who want sea and good food in the same place on the Mesudiye side.

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Heart of the Peninsula

Palamutbükü & Nearby Bays

Datça's most famous bay and the natural wonders surrounding it.

Palamutbükü
Datça Classic Clear sea

Palamutbükü

Atmosphere: Lively summer beach life
Sea: Very clear · pebbly · wide bay
For whom: First-time visitors to Datça · those who want a full day at the sea
Best time: Morning and sunset

Palamutbükü is one of Datça's best-known and most-visited bays. It's a peninsula favourite — long coastline, clear water and plenty of venues along the shore.

Portakal Note

One of the bays we recommend to first-time visitors to Datça.

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Akçabük
Quiet corner Natural setting

Akçabük

Atmosphere: Calm · peaceful · natural
Sea: Clear · stony
For whom: Those who want to get away from the crowd
Best time: All day

Tucked between Palamutbükü and Kurubük, Akçabük is a lovely option for a quieter day. Its close-to-nature atmosphere is one of the things people love most about it.

Portakal Note

A nice pit stop on the way to Palamutbükü.

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Kurubük
Turquoise sea Photo spot

Kurubük

Atmosphere: Natural · calm · full of character
Sea: Very clear · stony
For whom: Natural bay lovers · photography enthusiasts
Best time: Morning hours

Kurubük is one of those Datça bays that has kept its natural look. Seen from the road above, its turquoise colour makes it one of the most photogenic bays on the peninsula.

Portakal Note

One of Datça's classic postcard views.

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Gerence — Aquarium Bay
Aquarium Bay Snorkelling

Gerence (Akvaryum Koyu)

Atmosphere: Natural · calm · full of character
Sea: Very clear · turquoise · stony
For whom: Snorkelling enthusiasts · clear-water seekers
Best time: Morning hours

Known in Datça as "Aquarium Bay," Gerence is one of those bays that really earns its name. The colour and underwater visibility are striking.

Portakal Note

Once you see the water, you'll understand immediately why it's called Aquarium Bay.

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Northern Coast & the Peninsula’s End

Kızlan, Cumalı & the Tip of the Peninsula

Less known, more untouched, more remote — for those who really want to explore.

Gereme Koyu
Sunset Long beach

Gereme Koyu

Atmosphere: Calm · natural · wide open
Sea: Clear · stony
For whom: Sunset lovers · those looking for a quiet bay
Best time: Evening and sunset

On the Kızlan side, Gereme stands out for its long shoreline and natural character. One of Datça's quieter corners, the bay comes into its own at sunset.

Portakal Note

One of our favourite sunset spots in Datça.

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Murdala Koyu
Untouched bay Off the beaten path

Murdala Koyu

Atmosphere: Unspoilt · silent · exploratory
Sea: Clear · natural
For whom: Adventure seekers · nature enthusiasts
Best time: Morning and afternoon

Murdala is one of the lesser-known bays on the Datça peninsula — a unique place for those who want to be alone with nature. Getting here takes a little more effort, but the calm more than makes up for it.

Portakal Note

A beautiful experience for those who want to see Datça's wilder, more natural side.

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Knidos
History and the sea Ancient city

Knidos

Atmosphere: Historic · impressive · exploratory
Sea: Clear · natural
For whom: History enthusiasts · first-time visitors to Datça
Best time: Morning or sunset

At the very tip of the Datça peninsula, Knidos is one of the most special stops in the region — ancient ruins, extraordinary views and a sense of being at the edge of the world.

Portakal Note

If you're only going to one historic site in Datça, make it Knidos. Ancient ruins, two different harbour views and that end-of-the-peninsula feeling — it's one of the most impressive spots on the whole peninsula.

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