Knidos Ancient City: A Journey into History

Knidos Ancient City, located in the southwest of Datça, is an ancient city dating back to the 7th century BC. With its history, natural beauty and unique atmosphere, Knidos is a place that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

In this blog post, we will give detailed information about the history of Knidos Ancient City, list the places you should see in the ancient city, tell you how to get to Knidos and what you should know before visiting Knidos.

Knidos Ancient City and History of Knidos:

The ancient city of Knidos was founded by the Dorians in the 7th century BC. The city quickly became an important trade and cultural center. Knidos was captured by the Persian Empire in the 4th century BC, but regained its independence after the conquests of Alexander the Great. Knidos maintained its importance during the Roman Empire.

Knidos hosted many important events. In 356 BC, Sostratus, the architect of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, considered one of the seven wonders of the world, was born in Knidos. Knidos is also famous for the statue of Aphrodite. This statue was created by Praxiteles and is considered one of the most beautiful statues of the ancient world.

Places to see in Knidos:

Acropolis: Located at the highest point of Knidos, the acropolis is one of the most important structures of the city. On the acropolis, there is the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Apollo and a theater.
Theater:The Knidos Theater was built in the 4th century BC. With a capacity of 13,000 people, the theater also draws attention with its acoustic feature.
Letoon: Letoon, the sacred area of Knidos, is dedicated to Apollo, Leto and Artemis. There are temples, stoas and mausoleums in Letoon.
Agora The agora of Knidos was used as the commercial center of the city. There are shops, baths and stoas in the agora.
Necropolis: In the necropolis of Knidos, there are graves of important people of the city. The graves in the necropolis date from the 4th century BC.

In addition to these:

The sundial is also one of the remarkable structures in Knidos. This sundial dates back to the 4th century BC and is considered one of the oldest sundials in the ancient world.
Artifacts found during archaeological excavations in Knidos are exhibited in Datça Museum. Among these artifacts are sculptures, mosaics and amphorae.

How to get to Knidos Ancient City:

You can reach the ancient city of Knidos by minibuses departing from Datça, by private cars or by sea taxi. Knidos is about 35 kilometers from Datça.

Knidos Ancient City is an ideal place for history and nature lovers. By visiting Knidos, you can experience the atmosphere of an ancient city, enjoy the magnificent scenery and witness history.

Things to Know Before Visiting Knidos:

The entrance fee to Knidos is 5 Euros for foreign citizens. Turkish citizens can enter free of charge with the Museum Card.
Each visitor must have their own personal card to enter.
You can get a “Mobile Museum Card” for 60 TL to enter the Ancient City of Knidos. If you want a physical card, you need to choose the “Museum Card” option for 60 TL.
These cards are only valid between the ages of 18-65. Visitors under 18 and over 65 can enter free of charge by showing their Turkish ID card.
The Ancient City of Knidos is open to visitors every day of the week between 09:00 – 20:30. Box office closing time is 20:00.
There is no place to buy food and drinks in Knidos. Therefore, it is recommended to bring food and drinks with you.
It is recommended to wear a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays in Knidos.
It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes in Knidos.

Old Datça Hotels A Unique Experience: Accommodation and Taste at Zeyt Inn Hotel

Zeyt Inn Hotel offers a wonderful accommodation experience for guests who want to experience the atmosphere of Old Datça intertwined with history. By staying in restored stone houses, you can build a bridge between the past and the present. Each of our rooms is carefully decorated and designed for your comfort.

For an energetic start to your day, you are invited to a breakfast full of local flavors in our hotel restaurant. You can discover the unique taste of olives and olive oil with almonds and olives. Our breakfast menu prepared with fresh products will help you start your day successfully.

Zeyt Inn Hotel is not only an accommodation facility, but also an experience that will allow you to deeply feel the spirit of Old Datça. Every moment you spend here will turn into an unforgettable vacation memory.