Villa Gokyuzu is situated at an elevated position in Kalkan, offering extensive views of the town, harbour, and the surrounding Turquoise Coast. Kalkan lies approximately 121 kilometres from Dalaman Airport, with a drive of around one and a half hours through rural areas and the Taurus Mountains. Once a Greek settlement known as Kalamaki, Kalkan retains both Ottoman and Hellenic architectural influences, especially visible in the old town’s cobbled streets and traditional white buildings. The town includes a wide range of restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops offering souvenirs and local crafts. A mini market is located near the villa for everyday necessities, and larger supermarkets, banks, and a weekly Thursday market can be found in the town centre, a short drive away.
The closest beach is about ten minutes away by car, located at the harbour. It features a pebble shoreline, calm waters, rentable sun loungers and parasols, and a café. Alternatively, private water taxis provide access to various beach clubs along the coast. These include options such as Villa Mahal, Indigo, Kalkan Beach Park, and Zest, each catering to different preferences. Notable nearby beaches include Kaputas, located within a gorge and accessed by a staircase, and Patara Beach, which combines archaeological sites such as ancient amphitheatres with a long stretch of protected sandy shoreline.
Boat excursions are commonly available from Kalkan’s harbour, offering both group and private options aboard traditional gulets. These trips typically include swimming and snorkelling opportunities, meals on board, and views of the coastline.
Onshore, visitors can access local spas and hammams offering traditional Turkish bathing experiences and massages. The Lycian Way walking trail runs through the area, passing through archaeological sites, villages, coastal landscapes, and natural environments. Nearby historical locations include the ancient cities of Xanthos, Letoon, Tlos, and Pinara, showcasing ruins and architecture influenced by Lycian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine cultures.
Further day trips include the town of Fethiye, known for its historical landmarks, seafood market, and retail options, and Kas, located 25 kilometres in the opposite direction along a coastal road. Kas features harbour views, preserved Ottoman architecture, artisan shops, and traditional restaurants. From Kas, it is possible to take a ferry to the nearby Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo), where visitors can explore coastal landmarks such as the Blue Cave and dine by the waterfront.
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.
