We have plenty of reasons for you to go to Kalkan in Turkey. This little enclave of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, surrounded by olive trees and the brilliant blue, clear sea, is a popular spot for holidaymakers and expats buying property. From Kalkan Beach to historic architecture nearby and renowned beach clubs, many people return year after year for this slice of Turkish delight.
Due to its exclusive, upmarket status, mass tourism is absent, and the breathtaking mountain backdrop and boat-lined harbour portray the original Kalkan. Twin the traces of ancient days with modern, upmarket lifestyles for one of Turkey’s best coastal resorts.
Why Go to Kalkan in Turkey
1. Dining out and Atmospheric Rooftop Restaurants
Kalkan's narrow, winding streets run up from the waterfront, meaning there's limited space for waterfront dining. However, ingenious restaurateurs have devised the idea of offering rooftop dining, allowing diners to enjoy sea views and spectacular sunset vistas while dining on the best food on the coastline. Kalkan's chefs pride themselves on offering locally sourced ingredients, including seafood and lamb. Dining in Kalkan is unforgettably romantic.
2. The Historic Old Town
Kalkan's quiet, cobbled streets and stylish homes engender an atmosphere of sophisticated charm in the historic town. You won't find stag parties, drunken antics or bass-pumping music bars in this Mediterranean haunt, just quaint cafes, shops, and restaurants housed in old Ottoman-Greek buildings with carved timber balconies hanging with wreaths of flowers. Although tourism has transformed many Turkish centres, Kalkan, a little further away from the airport, has escaped overdevelopment and the downsides of becoming a party town.
3. Amazing Beach Clubs on the Mediterranean Coast
Kalkan town lacks a sandy beach, but it makes up for this with its fantastic beach clubs. Seven beach clubs scattered along the shoreline, with beach platforms hewn from the rock, allow guests to recline on sunbeds next to the water or gain easy access to the sea. Some, like Kalamar Beach Club, have off-shore pontoons within easy swimming distance. Rent a sunbed and an umbrella for the day for a small fee. Food and drink are extra. Also, hire equipment like snorkels, pedaloes and kayaks and arrange jet skiing or waterskiing. Several slick beach clubs provide accessible water taxis from the jetty throughout the day.
4. Ancient Ruins and the Lycian Coast
To learn a little more about the ancient history of where you're staying, you're well placed in Kalkan because a short drive arrives at the Lycian towns of Xanthos, Letoon and Tlos. The remarkable Xanthos Lycian city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for tombs, including the Harpy column tomb, second-century AD theatre, and its recently excavated street.
Dominated by the acropolis, the Lycian town of Tlos is on the eastern side of Xanthos Valley and can be combined with a stop at Patara Beach and the ancient city of the same name. Check out the ancient stadium and the Tomb of Bellerophon. Letoon was Lycia's sacred cult centre and is a very atmospheric, romantic site with pools of water inhabited by terrapins and frogs, as well as lush vegetation. See temples to the three deities of Lycia, Leto, Artemis, and Apollo, as well as a theatre, Lycian rock tombs, basilicas, and submerged porticoes.
5. Scuba Diving Excitement
A 30-minute boat trip arrives at the most spectacular dive sites in Mediterranean Turkey. Beginners head to shallow waters around Snake or Heybeli islands and view the stunning rock pinnacles at Frank Wall. Advanced divers visit the dramatic wall at the southern tip of Snake Island, where barracuda, grouper, and smaller fish are abundant.
There are also sandy-floored caves and several reefs to explore. However, the most unforgettable dive site is Sakarya Reef, where divers see the Duchess of York wreck, a trawler sunk for insurance purposes about 90 years ago. The waters surrounding Kalkan are comfortable at 18-30 degrees, depending on when you visit. Perfect for exploring beneath the waves.
6. Swim on the Turquoise Coast
Many people prefer the comfort of a deckchair at one of Kalkan's beach clubs. But Kaputas Beach, a ten-minute dolmus ride from the town centre, is well worth a visit. Located at the foot of a gorge and surrounded by high cliffs, climbing down to the pebbly beach is hard but worth it. Despite the water being a beautiful turquoise colour and an area of natural beauty, crowds are rarely found here. There's little here by way of facilities - although you can hire an umbrella, a few people walk around selling snacks and cold drinks.
7. Day Trips to Greece
A 30-minute drive to neighbouring Kas takes you to a ferry terminal to catch a boat to the Greek Island of Meis. The boat ride takes another 30 minutes, and then spend your day exploring the pretty - and very colourful - port town (population 350), with narrow streets and Greek tavernas. Catch the local bus around the island to beaches, climb to the castle at the top for views over the sea or take a boat and visit the Blue Cave. Don't forget your passport.
8. Snake and Mouse Islands
Visible from just about every vantage point in Kalkan, the islands of Mouse and Snake lie side-by-side in the harbour. The locals note that the two islands float on the sea's surface. The islands are uninhabited - except for a few goats, which graze on the island and are watered each day by their owner, who takes a boat to visit them. Snorkelling and diving are famous around the islands.
9: Trips Along the Coastal Road
Hire a rental car and drive along the D400 coastal road and mountains for a great holiday. There are many spots of interest, such as Lycian ruins and nearby villages, to explore. Just over 1 hour away, the home of the original Santa Claus, Demre is also home to the ancient site of Myra. The famous Olu Deniz with the blue lagoon is a 90-minute drive in the opposite direction. Kalkan and Kas sit side by side, and both are easily reached via the local bus service. This stretch of coast has many hidden gems to explore.
10: Villas and Apartments Have Spectacular views
Whether you buy a property in Kalkan or opt for rental villas, expect amazing views to wake up to. The clear med waters, alongside Kalkan harbour, sit next to rolling green hillsides that give Kalkan an elevated status. Many luxury villas also have infinity swimming pools, and the architecture takes full advantage of those views.
11: Turkish Riviera Boat Tours
Despite being a small town in Turkey's Antalya province, Kalkan is a central sailing hub. People set out on private and charter gulet cruises to sail the turquoise water from one town to another. With picturesque views utterly different from those seen on land, they also stop by Lycian ruins and small fishing villages that remain off the tourism grid. Mass tourism seems miles away when you sail the south coast.
More About Turkey
We are Property Turkey, and we’ve helped many people purchase homes on the southern coast. We hope we have given you plenty of reasons to go to Kalkan, but if you want to know more about this gorgeous country, see our blog. Talking about everything Turkish, including places, food, history and living here, or owning a holiday home, it is your one-stop guide to Turkey.
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