What happens in Datça through the year? A winter swimming marathon in January, almond blossom in February, open-air concerts in summer, fresh almonds in July and the olive harvest in November — a season by season calendar.
An open-water race held every January at Taşlık Beach, with 1,500 m and 5,000 m courses; the longer one is open to swimmers 18 and over. The twentieth edition took place in 2026. It draws swimmers from abroad who want to get into the Datça sea in midwinter, and entries close weeks in advance.
When the almond trees come into flower, usually in mid-February, Datça Municipality holds this festival. There are walks through blossoming orchards, craft workshops, street music and stalls of local produce. It feels less like a crowd event and more like a weekend at the town's own pace. Exact dates are announced by the municipality each year.
In winter most of the peninsula is left to itself. Some seafront businesses close, but the centre, Eski Datça and the villages carry on all year. The weather is ideal for walking and accommodation is at its cheapest.
The best time of year for the eight Carian Trail stages on the peninsula. It is not yet hot, the countryside is in flower and the springs are full. Walking groups and cyclists arrive in numbers during these months. You will find the stage details on the Places to Visit page.
From the end of April, boat tours, guesthouses and seafront businesses open one by one. May is the easiest month for anyone who wants to see Datça before the crowds: the sea is still cool but the bays are empty and nothing needs booking.
Concerts and performances run all summer at the Datça Open-Air Theatre; past seasons have included names such as Teoman and Fuat Saka. The programme is busiest in July and August, and tickets are usually announced shortly before each event.
The municipality's summer children's festival, with play areas, workshops and activities such as the Knidos archaeology workshop for children. Dates are announced with the summer programme.
Fresh Datça almonds appear at the end of July and last only about twenty days. During this short window you can find them at the market and at roadside stalls, still in their green husks. They are not available the rest of the year.
The dry almond harvest begins in August. In the orchards the trees are still shaken down with poles. This is the easiest time of year to buy almonds straight from the grower, and the roadside stalls are at their busiest.
September and October are the months when the crowds thin out while the sea is still warm. Boat tours run into mid-October, accommodation prices drop and the bays are easy to enjoy. The most balanced time for a first visit.
The olive harvest starts in November, and this is when the season's new oil appears at the small producers on the peninsula. We explain where to buy it on the Local Products page.
At the start of each month the municipality publishes a programme of theatre, talks, exhibitions and concerts on its social media accounts. In summer it fills up to nearly one event a day.
The periods on this page show events and harvest times that recur every year. Exact days and times can change, so if you are travelling specifically for a festival or a race, check the official announcement first.