The friendly Turkish village of Islamlar lies in the foothills of the towering Taurus Mountains on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. The incredibly beautiful area offers a compelling combination of a peaceful, utterly unspoilt terrain with the convenience of being close to the lively town of Kalkan. The villa is in a countryside spot, yet is close to local restaurants and shops for picking up essentials.
In the centre of Islamlar (or its surrounds), you can get an authentic insight into traditional rural Turkish life. Explore the olive groves and vineyards or head to one of the famous trout farm restaurants with locally-sourced ingredients and beautiful views down the valley. The villa is also close to parts of the Lycian Way Trail – a wonderful walking route that traverses the coastline.
A fifteen-minute drive from Islamlar will take you to Kalkan, an old fishing town and harbour between Kas and Fethiye. It’s famous for its white-washed houses, descending to the sea, and its brightly coloured bougainvillaea flowers. Dine on a roof terrace restaurant or bar with beautiful views of the town or while away the afternoon at one of the many harbour-side restaurants.
There are plenty of beaches in the area, including Kaputas Beach and Patara Beach. Both have small restaurants, decking with sun loungers and sunshades. You could also leave Kalkan harbour on a wooden gulet (classic Turkish sailing boat) to experience the full beauty of the coast. For an exciting cultural day trip instead, you could visit the sunken remains at Kekova. Boats go there from Kas, a 30-minute drive from Kalkan.
The Region
Islamlar sits 8 km above Kalkan. Once the place Kalkan folk went to cool off at one of the trout farms built to make use of the mountain’s springs. Today Islamlar houses many a villa, enjoyed by Istanbul Turks who prefer a holiday in slightly cooler and cleaner air. Here the locals grow grapes and pomegranates, but you’ll mainly see the men sat gossiping next to the local teahouse. The trout farms remain a place to come for a wonderful fresh meal, or a breakfast consisting of fresh local fare. The rocket will be the freshest & most tasty you’ve ever had; and the fresh chips cooked in olive oil take some beating.
