A holiday in the South of Turkey offers guests an enticing array of experiences, with Villa Kulak as your idyllic base, the home is strategically positioned 1km from the historic centre of Kalkan and 1.5km from the nearest beach.
Kalkan's charming Old Town boasts narrow streets adorned with traditional Ottoman architecture, providing a picturesque backdrop for leisurely strolls. For history enthusiasts, there is an array of museums in town, ranging from a toy museum to a museum of local history, meaning there is something for everyone. The coastal town of Kalkan started as a humble fishing village and has since evolved into a vibrant destination, blending its historical roots with contemporary sophistication. Visitors can meander through the labyrinthine streets, discovering boutique shops, charming cafes, and waterfront bars that come alive at night. The town's lively nightlife complements its relaxed daytime ambience.
Kalkan's beaches add another layer to its allure. Kaputas Beach, with its striking turquoise waters and golden sands, invites sun-seekers to unwind and indulge in water sports. Meanwhile, the renowned Patara Beach, part of a protected area, spans an impressive 12km and offers a serene escape surrounded by natural beauty.
A short drive from Kalkan, approximately 30km away, Kaş enchants with its picturesque harbour and vibrant atmosphere. Diving and fishing enthusiasts can explore the clear Mediterranean waters surrounding Kaş, teeming with underwater caves, colourful coral reefs, and diverse marine life. Kaş also boasts well-preserved ancient ruins and some of Turkey's finest shopping streets, making it a town that seamlessly merges history with modernity.
A visit to Patara is a must for a day filled with sun and sand. Just 16km away from Kalkan, Patara offers a 12 km-long beach, providing a tranquil escape surrounded by natural splendour. The beach also serves as the backdrop to the ancient city of Patara, offering a unique blend of historical exploration and beach relaxation.
To enhance your coastal experience, consider a boat trip from Kalkan, exploring the nearby bays and islands. These excursions offer opportunities for swimming, snorkelling, and basking in the Mediterranean sun, providing a memorable addition to your South Turkey holiday.
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.
