With a stay in Villa Ay 3 you could hardly be better placed to enjoy Turkey’s gorgeous Lycian Coast, tucked just a short walk from the centre of Kalkan, in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains.
Kalkan is an enchanting former fishing village that has undergone a spectacular transformation over recent years to become an increasingly popular beach resort! In the centre of the town, just 2km away, is a small pebble beach, perfect for snorkelling and from here you can take a boat trip out to the impressive Blue Cave, or just a little further south on the coast to the hidden Kaputas Beach. Also, just a 10-minute drive away is the picture-perfect beach of Kaputaş, a striking gorge where luminous turquoise seas meet the dazzling white beach, a perfect bay of beauty set against the striking backdrop of the impressive cliffs dramatically dropping off into the sea! And only 20 minutes north is the world-famous twelve kilometre stretch of golden sands of Patara Beach, backed by ancient Lycian ruins and with the most magnificent sunsets!
The town boasts a stunning architecture, with whitewashed houses reminiscent of the nearby Greek islands, with the contrasting and dazzling ubiquitous bougainvillaea creating endless photogenic streets. Over 200 restaurants, serving everything from wholesome Turkish food to sophisticated local delicacies can be found, whether you fancy one of the waterfront cafes or one of the rooftop restaurants amid the tree-lined hills with unrivalled views of the bay! Indeed, from the laid-back atmosphere during the day, during which you can visit these bustling markets selling spices and rugs, jewellery and foods including traditional fresh golmeze, these pretty cobbled streets begin to burst with life as the sun sets.
In this location you’re just three hours from Antalya, a city rich in history and art, centred around the winding streets of Kaleiçi, the old quarter, making it a perfectly accessible day trip! Meanwhile, you’re also just one hour from Fethiye, well worth a visit on market day. And if you’re looking to explore the surroundings, you can’t get much better than a brief saunter along the historic Lycian Way hiking path, a marked walking route covering over 500km offering breath-taking views across this impressive coastline and the endless azure sea.
The Region
Kalkan has become a boutique resort, with cobbled streets and converted Greek houses, which belonged to the Greek merchants before the exchange of population in the 1920’s. Once quiet fishing harbour, these days you are more likely to see traditional wooden gulets taking tourists to soak up rays on the sparkling turquoise Mediterranean. A boat trip is a must-do, from the boat you can snorkel and usually a delicious lunch is prepared on board. Keen walkers should check out the Lycian way for designated walking paths in the area.
You cannot come to this area without spending some time exploring the many Lycian sights, such as Xanthos, Patara, Myra or the sunken city of Kekova.
Patara is said to be where democracy started (they excavated a stone voting block) and is also said to be the birthplace of St Nicholas, who became bishop at nearby Myra. The ruins here include an ancient theatre, city walls, government building, and agora. The lighthouse on the site is said to be the earliest of its kind. Visit Patara in the late afternoon and finish the trip with a drink on the sandy beach watching the amazing sunset.
The Saklikent Gorge is a great place to visit, especially if you want to cool off in the fresh waters whilst walking up the gorge. For the more energetic there are rafts and rings to ride the flowing waters. Further down you can enjoy a day canoeing toward the beach.
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 and most tasty you’ve ever had; and the fresh chips cooked in olive oil take some beating.
By night both Kalkan and Kas come alive. Kas has more of a bohemian feel, people ambling through the cobbled streets, passing the ancient tomb in the street, haggling for textiles, carpets and other goodies, maybe stopping for the traditional Turkish ‘maras’ ice cream, a tulip-shaped glass of tea or a wonderful kebab in the shadow of the mosque. Most of the villas in Kas are just out of town on the Cukurbag Peninsula. A reasonable (5km) taxi or Dolmus (local bus) ride into town. Be sure to try the Piyaz, a white bean salad with tahini sauce.
Travelling along the coast towards Kalkan you pass the modern marina, the children’s beach park (run by the local hotel school) and halfway to Kalkan the stunning Kaputas Beach, cut in a gorge with all different shades of turquoise in the sea.
Kalkan is a more sophisticated resort, with the villas built onto the mountainside. Evening are spent enjoying the rooftop restaurants, perched on the top of the old ‘konak’ houses. Then wandering to a seaside bar for a cocktail, after shopping for glass lanterns, Iznik pottery, handbags or pestemel towels. Do visit the ‘pastane’, local patisseries which do the most delicious morning pastries and you must try the ‘Gozleme’ pancakes at the Thursday market.
Other things to do in the area include scuba diving as the visibility is excellent, paragliding, horseriding on Patara Beach or kayaking around the sunken ruins at Kekova.
