Kalkan

The historic town of Kalkan is an enchanting place and one of the most beautiful locations along Turkey’s gorgeous Lycian Coast.

“It is the closest place to the stars on Earth”. (Kalkan)” Herodotus (circa 484–425 BCE) the Father of History

A delightful and romantic harbour village, nestling in the foothills of the rugged Taurus Mountains on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and one of the most beautiful locations along the Lycian Coast.

A village of whitewashed Greek and Turkish architecture, shuttered windows and balconies draped in brilliantly coloured bougainvillea. Winding cobbled streets, lined with colourful local shops selling arts and crafts and “designer bags and jewellery”, cafes, roof terrace restaurants, bars and some of the finest restaurants in Turkey are to be found in Kalkan.

The waters around Kalkan bay have a Blue Flag award for cleanliness and are ideal for swimming and all forms of water sports. Learn to dive at one of the diving schools or join a gullet in the crystal clear waters, fringed with rocky coves and white-sand beaches. Spend the day on the pebbly town beach or at one of the many Beach clubs dotted around the bay. Have an adventure with one of the activities offered in Kalkan from paragliding to kayaking, various water sports and diving.

Kalkan (formerly Kalamaki) in the 19th century was the only protected marina between Kas and Fethiye and during this period Greek and Turkish people settled. An important trading centre and harbour with its own customs house dealing with silk, cotton, wine, grapes, olive oil, sesame seeds, acorns, charcoal and wood.

Kalkan is surrounded by history – Xanthos – UNESCO world heritage site which was the capital of ancient Lycia; Letoon an important religious centre, Tlos an ancient ruined Lycian hilltop citadel; Patara; Myra, and the sunken city of Kekova. The newly opened museum at Demre, the Lycian Civilization Museum is also worth a visit.

Kalkan is also a great base for walks along the Lycian Way, voted one of the world’s top-ten long distance walks by the Sunday Times. A different trek every day through mountains, by the sea and local villages, and then back to Kalkan for a wonderful evening in Kalkan.

Market days in Kalkan, Kas and Fethiye are also worth a visit.

There is something for everyone in Kalkan.