Knidos
Knidos Antik Kenti
An ancient Greek city at the tip of the Datça Peninsula, with twin harbors, a theatre and the Aphrodite temple ruins overlooking two seas. The sunset here is among the most beautiful in Turkey.
Knidos was one of the six Dorian cities of ancient Greece, located at the westernmost tip of the Datça Peninsula. It was famous for Praxiteles' nude statue of Aphrodite, and it was the birthplace of the astronomer Eudoxus. The site is built into the hillside and preserves two ancient harbors, one on each side, a theatre, the round foundation of the Aphrodite temple, a sundial and Byzantine church mosaics. From the slopes you can see both the Aegean and the Mediterranean at once. At sunset the sun sinks into the sea and the view is stunning. Entry can be covered by a museum pass. It's about 35 km from Datça town. The mountain road is narrow, so drive yourself or take a boat from Datça.
Opening hours
approx. 08:30–19:00 (summer); shorter in winter