Historic, charming, and buzzing with cafes, restaurants, boutiques and colourful markets- Kalkan is one of the most beautiful places to holiday in the Turkish Riviera. The town enjoys a glorious position, inviting exploration of the region’s ancient sites, wildlife and rural hidden gems. From the villa, the centre is less than ten minutes away by car so its convenient to come and go as you please. The town itself has the prettiest waterfront setting and it rises up the hillside from a thriving harbour. Framed by the Taurus Mountain range, Kalkan is sea facing boasting marvellous shades of blue. Even when meandering through cobbled passageways in the old town, your eyes will find glimmers of glistening sea.
Outdoor adventuring opportunities are plentiful and some of our favourites include tandem paragliding from the peak of Baba Dag Mountain. Enjoy the descent over the ‘ghost village’ of Kayakoy and famous lagoon at Olu Deniz. Take in a section of the popular Lycian Way walking trail which is considered to be one of the ten best walking routes in the world, stretching over 500km. It is unquestionably one of the best ways to explore Turkey’s vast landscape and see a scattering of historical artefacts. It is also possible to secure excursions locally, such as kayaking over the sunken city of Kekova or rafting down the icy cold Xanthos river near Saklikent Gorge.
If a subdued pace of life is more your thing, then make time to visit some of Kalkan’s beaches and laid back beach clubs. Swimming opportunities are plentiful so it might be nice to venture beyond the pool and soak up the local scene. Kaputas Beach is possibly one of the best in the region, famous for its turquoise waters, it’s a paradise. Patara Beach is another popular choice, known for its 18 kilometre stretch of golden sand. The area has avoided mass tourism due to its nature reserve status and ancient Lycian site. Stop off for some photos and a wander around the ruins before heading for the beach.
If you fancy a leisurely lunch out of the sun, or an evening away from the town, flee for the mountains. Islamlar is an authentic rural village set in the foothills of the Taurus range. The area is famed for its slightly cooler air and fast flowing spring water. Enjoy a wonderfully local feast, including fresh trout in one of the many village restaurants.
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.
