Mackerel Bay Population: 200
Beyond Datça at the far end of the Reşadiye Peninsula is the tiny beachside settlement of Palamutbükü where life revolves around a series of small places to stay and restaurants to feed their guests. In my imagination this was a place of ramshackle fishing huts nestling amid greenery. In fact the hillside here is conspicuously barren and the buildings, while low-rise, are as concrete as those in Datça itself.
Much of the beach is carpeted with sun loungers and umbrellas although there are still stretches where you can lie on the sand if you want to. There’s not much to do in Palamutbükü but people rave about it as a quiet and beautiful retreat for a safe family holiday, a place just to kickback and do absolutely nothing.
A small yacht harbour has been added to the western end of the beach.
Excursion boats en route to or from the ruins at Knidos drop anchor here so their passengers can swim although they don’t usually put to shore.
Sleeping
Being without a car (or private yacht) I have never stayed in Palamutbüku. However, general opinion seems to favour the Bük Hotel (tel: 0252-725 5136) at the far western end of the beach as a great place to stay.
Transport info
You need your own car (or boat) to get to Palamutbükü.
Day trip destinations
