Villa Kaktus in a secluded area of Kalkan and overlooks the turquoise coastline. The old fishing town (a short drive away) is a treasure trove of narrow streets, whitewashed houses and inviting boutiques. It also has a Thursday market selling everything from handmade rugs to fresh produce, Look out for Turkish specialities like gozleme (thin dough crepes) with cheese and spinach fillings.
By night guests relax in harbourside bars and rooftop restaurants serving a variety of delicious cuisine.
The villa is also within driving distance of several beaches as well as serviced beach clubs. Popular choices include Kaputas Beach with crystal-clear waters and Patara Beach, a 12-mile long stretch of shoreline that’s also a National Park. Both have crystal clear waters that are ideal for swimming. There’s also the opportunity to take part in water sports like sea kayaking and scuba diving, and you can jump on boat trips from the harbour, stopping at crystal clear coves and eating a hearty lunch cooked by your captain. From Kas you can take a boat to visit the small island of Kekova where you can snorkel and explore the part-sunken ruins of Dolchiste, an ancient town which was destroyed by an earthquake during the 2nd century.
For more outdoor exploring, there are lots of walking and hiking routes in the area. The best known, and arguably most scenic, is the Lycian Way – a 310-mile tying-together of goat tracks and paths, which will lead you to unspoilt beaches, lush forests and soaring peaks, and stops at the ghost village of Kayakoy near Fethiye, where you’ll find abandoned Greek buildings.
To immerse yourself in the rich local history, you can visit the ruins of the Lycian capital at Xanthos or the ancient lighthouse or government chambers at Patara, said to be the place where democracy started and most definitely the birth place of St Nicholas who later became bishop at nearby Myra. The lively bohemian town of Kas is a 30-40 minute drive from Kalkan, while the seaside resorts of Fethiye are a one-hour drive away with plenty more restaurants, shops and fascinating cultural sites to explore. Fish lovers just have to visit the fish market, where one of the surrounding restaurants can cook your purchase, simply delicious.
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.
