5 Places to Watch the Sunset in Datça

In Datça, sunset is a small daily ritual. Because the peninsula reaches out to the west, the sun sinks into the sea or behind distant hills and islands, depending on the season and where you stand. On summer evenings it sets late; in spring and autumn you can watch it go down and still be in good time for dinner.

Here are five of our favourite places to see the day out. Each has its own view and its own mood, and it's easy to fit several into one trip.

Knidos, at the very western tip of the peninsula, is the classic sunset spot. The ancient stones turn honey-coloured in the evening light, while the Deveboynu lighthouse on the cape and the silhouettes of islands on the horizon complete the picture. The site's opening hours vary through the year, so check the current closing time when deciding whether to watch from inside the site or from nearby. Exploring the ruins in the late afternoon and then staying on for sunset makes the most of the long drive. Knidos is roughly 35 km from town; remember that the drive back is winding and will be in the dark.

A few kilometres from town, a row of old stone windmills stands along a hilltop — one of the handiest sunset spots, being so close to the centre. As the sun drops, the mills turn into silhouettes against the sky, making this a favourite with photographers. The stone mills date from the days when the peninsula's grain was ground by wind power. It's often windy up here, so bring an extra layer, and take care when pulling off the road to park.

For a view down over the town and the bay, head up the slopes above Eski Datça (Old Datça) and Reşadiye. A short uphill walk from the stone houses, past olive groves and gardens, is all it takes to find a spot where the coastline, the harbour and the bay spread out below you like a map. Once the sun has gone, wander back down into Eski Datça's lanes for dinner — the easiest way to round off the evening. Please stay out of private gardens and fields.

You don't have to go far. From the harbour promenade or Kumluk beach you won't always see the sun slip right into the sea, but that's not really the point: the sky shifts from pink to violet, the water in the bay changes colour, the masts of the moored boats darken and the town lights come on one by one. Sitting on the waterfront with a tea or a cold drink as evening falls is one of Datça's most everyday — and best-loved — rituals.

For a completely different angle, head out to sea. In summer you can usually find sailing boats and other trips leaving the harbour in the early evening, so you can watch the sun go down from the water, well away from the shore. Evenings when the wind has dropped are especially lovely. It cools down quickly at sea, so bring a layer, and check the route and return time before you go.

Don't rush off the moment the sun disappears — the sky often saves its best colours for a few minutes later. Wherever you go, a few tips: