Kalkan is a historic harbour town, an enchanting place in one of the most beautiful locations on Turkey's gorgeous Lycian/Turquoise coast.

Kalkan bay will take your breath away. It's crystal clear turquoise water, and mountains that rise steeply behind it provide a dramatic and beautiful backdrop in which to enjoy your stay. Kalkan has not been touched by mass tourism, and as a result remains unspoiled, upmarket and very charming, with amazing views at every turn.

Strict building codes ensure the towns historic preservation, and the many fine restaurants contribute to the special atmosphere that brings back visitors time and time again.

Narrow cobbled streets that wind away from the harbour with bougainvillea covered wooden ottoman balconies and historic architecture are typical of the old town, and the warm Turkish hospitality will stay with you long after your holiday is over.

Beach Clubs
There are a number of beach clubs around the bay that can be reached by free shuttle service from the harbour. These are wonderful paved platform terraces and gardens with ladders going into the sea. They offer swimming, sunbathing, water sports and restaurant/bar facilities and have sun beds and umbrellas for hire.

Water sports
Jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing and banana boat rides are available from the beach clubs around the bay.

Diving
Kalkan's crystal clear waters are popular with scuba divers and is a top location for diving along Turkey 's coast. It has several sites including islands and reefs with a huge variety of marine life including turtles, nurse sharks, dolphins and barracudas. Kalkan Dive centre can be contacted at www.kalkandiving.com

River Canoeing
Enjoy a day canoeing on the Xanthos River near to Kalkan. Experienced guides take you downstream through some beautiful scenery. A barbeque lunch is served along the way, and there is an opportunity for a revitalising mud bath before the tour finishes at beautiful Patara beach for a swim.

Boat Trips
Relax on a day trip around the bays and Islands of Kalkan on a traditional Turkish Gullet and visit beautiful Kaputus beach, Snake Island , the blue cave and aquarium bay. Tours leave at 10.00 am from the harbour, an easy stroll from the villa and return around 5.00 pm . There is plenty of time for swimming, and lunch is served on board. A very popular trip is to the ancient sunken city of Simena in the area of Kekova, one of the most beautiful areas of the Lycian/Turquoise coast.

Sightseeing
Within easy reach of Kalkan are the ruins of the ancient Lycian capital of Xanthos, its port Patara, religious centre Letoon, and also Pinara. Xanthos was discovered in 1838 by the archaeologist Charles Fellows. Today a mixture of ruins from Roman, Lycian and Byzantine times including the Tomb of the Harpies, theatre, Neried monument and Inscribed pillar can be seen. At the holy lycian centre of Letoon there are 3 temples dedicated to Leto, Artemis and Apollo, gods of mythology. Patara is very close to Kalkan and famous as being the birth place of St Nicholas who has entered into Christian tradition as Father Christmas, and for having many interesting ruins. It was an important commercial centre and harbour during the 5 th century. A day trip to Patara can include beautiful Patara beach, one of the best in Turkey and a perfect place to relax after a bit if sightseeing.

Olu Deniz which is famous for it's stunning white sand beach, and nearby Fethiye can be reached by car or bus from Kalkan in under an hour.

There are several beautiful beaches in and around Kalkan. The main beach in Kalkan is next to the harbour and old town. It has crystal clear aquamarine water and white pebbles. Sunbeds and umbrellas can be hired for around 3 Turkish Lira a day. It's location next to the harbour make it a very popular place for soaking up the atmosphere of the early evening and watching the boats come back to harbour.

Kaputus Beach
Ten minutes from Kalkan is beautiful Kaputus beach, a sandy cove at the foot of a mountain gorge. The turquoise water is incredible and this beach is used in many travel brochures for Turkey . There are cheap and frequent Dolmuses (shared minibuses) from Kalkan.

Patara Beach
Patara beach is a completely undeveloped 12km stretch of sandy beach voted one of the best in the world by Times online for 2005. is part of a national park and there are some very nice Lycian ruins a short walk away. Dolmuses make the frequent 20 minute trip and cost 2 turkish Lira each way. The beach is closed after sunset as it is one of a very few places where the endangered loggerhead turtles come to lay there eggs.

 

Kalkan is transformed at night. it begins to bustle at dusk and there is excitement in the air, and the delicious smell of food being prepared. Kalkan is famous for it's fine dining and outstanding service in some of the most beautiful roof terrace and harbourside restaurants, most of which have incredible views over the bay. Infact Kalkan has well over 100 restaurants, more than everywhere else on the Turkish coast per inhabitant, which makes for incredible choice, quality and outstanding value. Restaurants serve everything from Traditional Turkish dishes to International Cuisine. Meals are often lingered over for hours in the refreshing evening air finishing after midnight. After dark the old town really comes alive. There are jazz and other live music bars, and several disco bars if you want to party late. Or maybe you might prefer to listen to a violin recital at the harbour side, or enjoy a Turkish night with music and belly dancing.

The streets are busy with shoppers in the evening, and shops stay open until at least midnight selling some beautiful hand crafted carpets, intricately decorated ceramics and gold and silver jewellery sold by weight. Infact you can find just about everything in Kalkan from the latest O'neal surf gear to Turkish delight. Several Tailors are ready to make made-to-measure suits from Excellent Turkish cloth, and high fashion boutiques offer the latest in designer fashion.