Villa Seker overlooks Kalkan Bay on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. The quiet cove, a 1.5km walk away, is a favourite place for swimmers because of its crystal-clear turquoise waters. Kalkan has various beach clubs scattered around the rocks and a pebble beach there are lots of options for sunbathing and swimming. You can also take part in water sports like scuba diving or jet skiing. Kalkan benefits from the majestic pine tree-lined Taurus Mountains as its backdrop.
From the villa, you can walk to Kalkan centre, where you’ll find an exquisite harbour dotted with colourful boats and lined with local restaurants. Note, it's a steep downhill walk. There’s also a beautiful and historic old town which extends back from the sea. You can meander through the streets, admiring the traditional whitewashed houses draped in brightly coloured bougainvillaea flowers or dine at one of many roof terrace restaurant with spectacular views of the town. To relax take a Turkish Bath and enjoy the seaviews from one of the beach clubs. Of an evening dress up to wander the cobbled streets, enjoy a cocktail by the harbour and a dinner watching the sparkling lights of a rooftop restaurant.
To immerse yourself in the rich history of this charming part of Turkey, you can visit the church turned mosque by Kalkan's harbour, enjoy the ruins of one of the many Lycian sites or venturing furthering afield you can take a boat trip to 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.
If you need to cool down from a days sunbathing take a drive up to ones of Islamlar's Trout farm restaurants, and enjoy a feast of pan friend trout, fried cheese, freshly picked rocket and village bread. Another cooling adventure can be had at the nearby Saklikent Gorge, walking along the gorge's cooling waters.
For more outdoor adventures, the dramatic Taurus Mountains with tree-lined hills and deeply cut canyons beckon. The popular Lycian Way – a long-distance footpath that takes you around the coast – is also a must visit. The route stops at spectacular sites including the ghost village of Kayakoy near Fethiye, with abandoned Greek buildings, alongside unspoilt remote beaches. The more bohemian town of Kas is a 30-40 minute drive, while the seaside resort town of Fethiye is a one-hour drive away.
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.
