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The Bozburun & Datça Peninsulas

SÖGÜT, SELIMYE, AKYAKA & THE  DATÇA PENINSULA - ‘the real hidden Turkey'

The craggy mountainous Bozburun Peninsula is the real hidden Turkey. Almost a living museum, it provides an insight into life in rural Turkey much as it was 50 to 100 years ago. Even in the peak of summer, the peninsula remains peaceful and uncrowded.

The Bozburun Peninsula

The road leads south west from Akyaka on the Bay of Gökova to two peninsulas: the northerly Datça Peninsula (known otherwise as Reşadiye) with its dramatic scenery, and the craggy mountainous untamed tendrils of the Bozburun (or Daraçya) Peninsula.

The Peninsulas are a short drive, but a million miles away, from the unattractive sprawl of Marmaris. Unlike Marmaris, Bozburun and Datça’s mountains, woodland and coastal scenery have been heavily protected by conservation laws.

The entire region is a living museum, providing an insight into life in rural Turkey much as it was 50 to 100 years ago. Even in the peak of summer, its beaches and interiors remain devoid of tourist hordes.

Heavily wooded mountains – ideal for trekking – plunge down to a scattering of coastal villages and beaches. Remote ancient sites such as Amos, Loryma and Knidos Hydas wait to be explored, all in glorious settings that you may well have completely to yourself.

Village life is geared around agriculture, fishing and the building of the traditional gulet (still handmade in the boatyards of Sögüt, Selimye and Bozburun).

The villages of both peninsulas are easily explored from your wonderfully remote hideaway. The scenery is beautiful and the walking splendid. In short, this region provides an opportunity to experience a taste of the real, rural Turkey whilst luxuriating in the comfort of our featured properties.

Sögüt

Villas: Vaha, Saranda, Aşkim, Sevdam & Ruyam

Located on the Bozburun Peninsula, Sögüt is incredibly rural – a real Turkish village in ‘Hidden Turkey’. It consists of two bays (one of which is a long ribbon of hardpacked sand) a mosque, a mini market, two lokantas (cafés), and three restaurants which serve wonderfully fresh local fare.

Selimye

Payam Evi

This beautiful and peaceful bay, dominated by an old castle, is a short drive from Sögüt. A ribbon of simple houses follows the waterfront which is dotted with sleepy restaurants all of which enjoy the most idyllic of settings. The swimming is wonderful both on this bay and another to be found just over the hill. Rural, peaceful bliss!

Akyaka

Villas Terra Incognita

This village is not really located on the Bozburun and Datça Peninsulas. We include it within this section as it is located close by and retains the same authentic ‘Turkish’ flavour.

The pretty town of Akyaka with its ‘Ula-Mugla’ style of architecture,  renowned river restaurants, sandy town beach and the stunning pebble beach at Çinar is only a 12-minute drive from our featured property.

Further afield, Marmaris and the Bozburun and Datça Peninsulas in one direction and the Dalyan Delta in the other are a 45-minute journey, with the towns of Göcek and Fethiye a little further.

The Datça Peninsula

Bördübet

The Datça – or to give it its Ottoman name, Reşadiye – peninsula is renowned throughout Turkey for its natural beauty and climate. Strabon of Cappadocia (56BC – 21AD), one of the first philosophers to relate climate to health, said, “God sends his subjects to whom he wants to give long and healthy lives to Datça…” We can’t promise you that but we can certainly guarantee an unforgettable experience!

The road from Marmaris follows the spine of the peninsula with dramatic and panoramic views of the Aegean on one side and the Mediterranean on the other.

Picturesque coves with crystal clear waters are spread along the route leading to the harbour town of Datça.

Datça has a very Turkish feel with relatively few foreign visitors. A wide choice of restaurants is spread between the two natural harbours and the overall environment allows you to get a real feel for traditional Turkish life.

Pine forests are intermingled with oak, myrtle, gum and carob trees. Almond trees, olive and citrus groves, grapevines and all manner of herbaceous plants are there to be discovered as you explore the mountains, valleys and plains of the peninsula.

The region is particularly historically rich as it was one of the most important commercial and cultural centres throughout the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean from the times of Ancient Greece through to the Byzantium Period.

The ancient site of Knidos was the centre of all this activity.

These villages of the Bozburun and Datça Peninsulas provide the ideal location for those looking to escape completely from modern-day tourism as we know it. There’s plenty for the active to experience, but it’s also a great place to just relax.

Turunç Bay & Kumlubük

Please click here for information on these beautiful horse-shoe bays on the Bozburun Peninsula.