Local Area Information

The historic town of Kalkan is an enchanting place and one of the most beautiful locations along Turkey's gorgeous Lycian Coast. With the complete absence of mass tourism, Kalkan remains a charming and unspoiled haven of lush nature, brilliant blue crystal-clear sea, historic architecture, ancient history and warm traditional Turkish hospitality.

Once a simple fishing village, today’s Kalkan is quietly sophisticated and postcard pretty with a few good quality low-rise hotels and apartments and a multitude of excellent roof-top restaurants offering all manner of culinary delights together with stylish and atmospheric Blues and Jazz bars. The village shops stay open till around midnight and are well stocked with interesting antiques, crafts, jewellery, clothing and accessories.

The narrow streets twist down to the harbour, which is the focus of the village and here you can enjoy a meal whilst watching the world go by or looking at the array of elegant gulets, some of which are available for private hire. During the day, you can make use of one of the local ‘beach clubs’, engage in some of the local sporting activities (such as water-skiing, para-scending, scuba-diving, trekking etc), take a trip to one of the magnificent historical sites, drive a jeep up into the mountains, cruise on a gulet or simply relax by your pool. The famous 18km long Patara beach is 45 minutes away by dolmus (bus) and Kas, (the nearby town), 30 minutes away.

Of the historic sites in the region Saklikent Gorge, Turkey's deepest gorge, is a popular attraction. Kalkan is a very special place - first-time visitors will invariably return time and time again. Kalkan curls snugly around an ancient harbour sheltered at the foot of the towering Taurus Mountains. The town overlooks a beautiful bay in which islands seem to magically float upon the shimmering sea.

Not only is Kalkan beautiful, but unlike other Turkish coastal resort towns Kalkan's main economy is tourism and therefore its citizens put much pride and effort into the town's historic preservation. Because of this Kalkan has retained the texture of its history with its distinctive Greek architecture (it was once a Greek and Turkish fishing village). Very strict building codes keep the town small and architecturally blended with the historic heart of the town known as "Old Kalkan".

Kalkan is Turkey’s best-kept secret – nestling as she does on the foothills of the rugged Toros Mountains. Close your eyes, imagine what a Mediterranean harbour should look like: White Villas covered in Bougainvillaea, winding cobbled streets, roof terrace and harbourside restaurants and bars – that’s Kalkan.