Kalkan
KALKAN
"An oasis of sophistication" Sunday Times
YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH KALKAN
The Turkish Tourist board has this to say about Kalkan: “Turkey’s Mediterranean shore, the ”Turquoise Coast”, is nearly 1600 km (994 miles) long and is scattered with fine-sand beaches and sprinkled with classical cities turned to picturesque ruins. The Turquoise Coast includes the town of Kalkan, a small peaceful Mediterranean resort and fishing town. Kalkan has not been touched by mass tourism. More sophisticated than the usual resort town, Kalkan appeals to travelers looking for more than a “sun and sea” holiday. Because of its great charm, Kalkan has a growing number of perennial visitors who say the town is the only holiday destination they would choose to visit repeatedly. There is simply no other town quite like Kalkan along Turkey’s coast. Kalkan curls snuggly 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. Narrow streets twist down to the harbour through the historic town and are lined with listed whitewashed villas with shuttered windows situated alongside small local specialty shops and restaurants. Overhead hang original ornately carved Ottoman timber balconies garlanded with brilliantly coloured bougainvillea cascading to the streets below. It is a very special place. Why Kalkan is so special? Not only is Kalkan beautiful, but unlike many 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). Strict building codes ensure that the historic heart of the town known as Old Kalkan retains its unique architectural charm. The spirit and magic of Kalkan unfolds as you meander through the narrow streets of the old town to the harbour below. Besides the famous “Kalkan Style” historic architecture, the many excellent restaurants of Kalkan contribute to the special atmosphere within Kalkan. Good dining has always been the way of life in Kalkan and continues today. In fact, Kalkan is said to have the highest number of restaurants and bars per inhabitant or square meter on the Turkish coast. Additionally, Kalkan is especially renowned in Turkey for its numerous roof terrace restaurants and bars which offer a wonderful view of the town, sea and stars. You can also sit at one of the many fine harbour-side restaurants and watch the fishermen leave early in the morning as you eat breakfast, or see them return with the day’s catch in the evening. Kalkan is a small town (of only a few thousand) and this creates a wonderful intimate feeling. But don’t let its size mislead you – there is plenty to do in and around Kalkan. During the day the town is surprisingly empty as most guests choose to swim or explore the multitude of beautiful ancient Lycian and natural sites of the area. However, everything changes in the evening when Kalkan bursts alive for a long, festive night. Kalkan has many special features but without doubt it is the people who make the town extra special. The people of Kalkan happily welcome you, and you may at first be surprised by the universal friendliness within the town. Warm Turkish hospitality and friendliness is the basis of life here and the people of Kalkan sincerely enjoy getting to know their guests. So don’t hesitate to accept one of the many tulip-shaped glasses of çay (tea) you will be offered while you amble along Kalkan’s winding streets."
Beaches
Kalkan Town Beach
The Kalkan Town Beach is located adjacent to the entrance to the Harbour. The beach is awarded the internationally recognised Blue Flag status. Sunshades and sunbeds can be hired for a small payment.
The beach is man made and comprises small pebbles. A safe swimming area is designated from which boats are excluded. At the harbour side there are restaurants and bars where you can find fresh orange or pomegranate juice or the famous ice cold EFES beer.
The water is crystal clear and warm but with pockets of cold which seep from the underground natural springs. It is recommended that beach shoes are worn to make it easy to enter the water and return from the sea.
Kaputas Beach
Kaputas beach is famous for its crystal clear turquoise water and features in a number of promotional photographs of Kalkan.
Many of the daily gulet boat trips from the harbour will stop for a short while at Kaputas beach which is located only a few kilometers out of Kalkan on the road to Kas. There is a regular dolmus service (bus) from the centre of Kalkan, alternatively a taxi ride will get you there easily.
Please note there are over 100 steps down from the road to the beach and there are limited refreshment and toilet facilities.
Kalkan ‘Beach’ Clubs
There are several high quality ‘beach clubs’ located a short, free boat ride from the harbour where you can relax on sunbeds with shades and enjoy a cool refreshing drink and swim from the beach platforms in the crystal clear water of Kalkan bay.
Water sports including jet ski, ringos, dinghy sailing, skiing, kayak and speed boat rides can be organised from the beach clubs.
Situated to the right of the harbour, Indigo is the one beach club you can easily walk to. In addition to water sports and an excellent restaurant, the beach club hosts live music and cinema nights. It’s the perfect location for a sundowner at the edge of the sea.
The Kalamar Bay ‘beach’ Club provides a taxi service to pick you up from the Emir apartments. There is waiter service for drinks and snacks and a good restaurant with free wi-fi access.
There are canoes, pedalos, and a sea trampoline to enjoy. Diving instruction is available at the Kalkan Dive centre.
Perhaps the most romantic and luxurious of the beach clubs is The Mahal. Drink or dine at the sea’s edge watching a spectacular sunset.
Patara Beach
Patara beach offers 18 kilometres of open sandy beach and safe bathing in a protected site of special architectural interest only a short drive from Kalkan or by local Dolmus (bus). Patara beach is listed as one of the top 10 beaches in the World. There is one restaurant – cafe on the beach with shower and changing facilities
If you are a competent rider why not explore the dunes on horse back.
Patara beach provides 18 kilometres of golden sand where turtles lay their eggs a few metres from the shore line. The beach is a nationally protected site with massive sand dunes and many ancient ruins, including an amphitheatre, many of which remain undiscovered beneath the sand from the time when Patara was a very important trading port.
Kalkan Harbour
The beautiful Kalkan harbour is just a ten minute downhill stroll from the Mina penthouse apartment and is often described as the jewel in Kalkan’s crown. The harbour itself is home to many fine restaurants, cafés and bars. The constant comings and goings of the yachts, gulets, fishing boats and water taxis make sitting at the sea’s edge a complete delight.
A day long boat trip or sunset cruise is a must. Boats can be hired privately or you can choose to share with others. The views, the company, the food all add up to a day to remember and booking, especially in high season, is advised. Many of the boats are owned by local families who have been welcoming guests for years and lovers of Kalkan all have their annual favourites.
Places To Visit
If you are feeling adventurous and wish to explore beyond the boundaries of Kalkan you may wish to hire a car, book a tour or alternatively arrange for a driver to take you to the many places of interest in and around Kalkan.
We list below some of the activities that are available.
Saklikent Gorge
When it gets just too hot in the high season a half day trip to Saklikent Gorge provides welcome relief from the heat. The ice cold water from the mountain has carved its way through the rocks for many centuries and the walk through the gorge is not for the faint hearted.
Take a swimming costume and secure beach shoes in order to transverse the flowing water and slippery rocks. After the walk through the gorge, there are many restaurant platforms built out over the water, perfect for eating the freshly caught fish, drinking and relaxing.
It’s fun for all the family to take a Ringo and drift down stream over the small rapids and then be transported back to your vehicle for another refreshing drink.
Fethiye
You will have passed Fethiye on the way to Kalkan from Dalaman airport. Its about an hour’s drive and well worth a visit. The market day is Tuesday when the town fills with villagers from the outlying hamlets. It is the largest town in the area, famed for its historic fish market , fine harbour and marina and the pedestrianised Old Town with its local crafts, artisan shops and truly Turkish eateries.
At the far end of the harbour you can see the beautiful Turkish Gulets being built.
Kayakoy
Approximately 15 minutes drive from Fethiye is the ‘Ghost Village’ of
Kayakoy. After the inhabitants left the village in 1992 to return to
Greek soil, the houses numbering approximately 3,500 were left empty and
deserted. The event is documented in Louis de Bernier’s ‘Birds Without
Wings’
Meis Island
From Kas harbour take the daily ferry for the thirty minute ride the the delightful Greek Island of Meis. Experience a different culture, architecture and dine in one of the many restaurants fronting the harbour. You will need your passport as you are entering the Euro zone.
Patara
Patara was in Roman times a flourishing maritime and commercial centre. It is the birth place of St Nicholas who lived in nearby Myra. There remain many important sites close to the amphitheatre which have not been excavated but the archaeologists are every year discovering new treasures as they piece together the remains of this important Roman City.
Patara is famous for its beautiful 18 kilometer of unspoilt sandy beach where you can swim, sunbath or ride a horse over the dunes. Entrance to this protected national site is via a daily pass which can be purchased on entry which gives access to the ruins and beach areas.
Patara village has a number of small restaurants and tourist shops and you can hire a canoe and explore the Patara estuary.
Kekova
The sunken city of Simena and the Crusaders’ Castle are located at Kekova. Glass bottom boats will take you over the sunken city of Simena, now known as Kale, which was hit by a series of earthquakes in the second century when the land slipped many metres below sea level creating an island. The inhabitants belongings are still visible demonstrating the sudden and devastating effect of the earthquake.
Restaurants
Kalkan is famed for its variety of restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets. Traditional Turkish food is of high quality with many varied flavours and styles of cooking. Fresh fish is a speciality of the restaurants on the sea front together with the finest quality steaks and kebabs.
Many of the restaurants offer rooftop seating areas with spectacular views across the harbour and Kalkan Bay.
Things To Do In Kalkan
Kalkan is a place to relax, enjoy and wind down to the slower pace of life in Turkey. There are many trips and activities that can be organised with agents in the town – from jeep safaris and paragliding to deep sea diving and hiking – but there are also a wide range of things to do within easy walking distance of the Mina apartment.
Lazy Day At Sea
Every morning the gulets set off from the harbour to a number of secluded coves where you can swim in the crystal clear, turquoise waters. Swim, eat, relax, repeat. Lunch – or dinner if you choose to sail out for sunset – is usually cooked by the owner or family from local ingredients and is ample and delicious. This, plus cake and tea is included in the daily fee. Drinks, soft or otherwise, are available at an extra cost. These trips are hugely popular and a must while in Kalkan. Strolling, early evening, along the harbour side means you can seek out your favourite gulet and meet the families. Booking ahead, especially in high season, is highly recommended.
Market Day (Thursday)
From home grown vegetable, fruit and spice stalls to the ‘genuine fake’ clothes, shoes and handbag stalls, Thursday is market day in kalkan and another experience not to be missed. Enjoy soaking up the atmosphere while practising your bargaining skills. The hard part will be finding space to take everything home!
Water Activities
There is a wide variety of water sports and activities available in Kalkan which you can organise yourself or the beach clubs will arrange for you to be picked up from their decks. Choose to kayak, water ski, jet ski, ride the waves on a speed boat inflatable or just pedal a pedalo. For the more adventurous there are also a number of dive boats in the area with experienced, qualified instructors who will offer group or individual lessons.
Paragliding
Thrill seekers can arrange to be collected from the Emir and taken high into the Berzigan Mountains to paraglide down to the harbour. Lasting 30 – 45 minutes, it’s not for the faint hearted.
Turkish Baths
Again a tradition of the area and not to missed. There are many excellent hamans in Kalkan to choose from, many attached to the bigger hotels which also organise weekly Turkish Nights in high season offering traditional Turkish food and entertainment. A visit to one of the Turkish barbers in the Old Town is also recommended.
The Lycian Way
For anyone who enjoys walking, the Lycian Way, which has recently been fully marked and signposted, ranks as one of the top ten walks in the world. Starting at Fethiye, it follows the coast some 500 kilometres, all the way to Antalya and part of the route skirts Kalkan. Suitable for the cooler months, good walking boots and equipment are essential.
Weather
During the summer months clear blue skies are almost guaranteed as Kalkan benefits from an average of 300 days of sunshine a year.
The hottest months are July and August when temperatures reach the high 30sC. A gentle breeze in the afternoons helps to keep temperatures at a comfortable level, alternatively if it gets too hot, just dip in one of the two Emir pools or the sea where the temperature is generally 24-26C.
In the evenings the temperature remains a very pleasant 20C just perfect for dining on the Mina penthouse terrace or one of Kalkan’s many excellent rooftop restaurants.
If you are interested in the climate and weather forecast the Turkish State Meteorological Service provide excellent satellite photographs and a detailed five day forecast for the whole of Turkey.
