Kalkan Harbour and Town Beach

Kalkan Town

Situated on Turkey's beautiful south west Mediterranean coast, between the towns of Fethiye and Kaş, the small town of Kalkan is nestled at the foot of the Taurus Mountains in a beautiful bay.

The heart of Kalkan is its Old Town, a maze of small cobbled streets winding down to the harbour. The streets are lined with many old Greek and Turkish buildings covered with bougainvillea, occupied by small boutique shops, restaurants and a few bar/cafes. Today the town is expanding out from this traditional centre, but the character of the Old Town and harbour remains unchanged.

Kalkan itself has a man made pebble beach, but is better known for its beach clubs and proximity to the famous beaches of Patara and Kaputas cove. The beach clubs are private rock bathing platforms with intimate café/restaurants, just a 5 minute water taxi ride round the bay. The waters around Kalkan bay have a Blue Flag award for cleanliness and are ideal for all forms of water sports. Learn to dive at one of the diving schools or simply charter a small boat and its crew for the day.

Like much of Turkey, Kalkan is surrounded by historical and geographical sites. Pinara, Patara, Xanthos, Thlos and Myra cover ancient settlements from the Byzantine, Roman and Lycian periods to name but a few. The river gorge at Saklikent and famous beach at Ölü Deniz are all less than an hour away.

Above all Kalkan is most famous for its high quality but reasonably priced restaurants. With over 100 to choose from, there is something for everyone. Most popular are the roof terrace restaurants of the Old Town where you can sit and watch the sun set overlooking the sea but there is a range of restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes.

It is no surprise therefore, that Kalkan, once the favourite summer resort for wealthy Turks has now become internationally renowned and is developing as a cosmopolitan town. The beauty of the location, the weather and the friendliness of the local people attract visitors back time and time again.

Kalkan Beaches Gallery

Your Trip Places To Visit & Things To Do

The markets

Buy your excellent fake copy T-shirts, watches, shoes etc from the various markets:

  • Fethiye ( Tuesday )
  • Kalkan (Thursday)
  • Kas ( Friday )

Excursions

  • Ephesus and Pammukale - two day trips run from Kalkan
  • Kas - Catch the regular bus or dolmus and enjoy the magnificent 29k coast road scenery
  • Fethiye - a one hour car journey will get you to this large town with its scenic waterfront, casbah shopping area in the old town, ancient rock tombs and modern supermarkets and famous market on Tuesdays
  • Sakilikent Gorge - the second largest gorge in Europe - magnificent, wade through the icy cold water at the head of the gorge
  • Olu Deniz and Karakoy ( The "Dead City" )
  • Ephesus and Pammukale - two day trips run from Kalkan
  • Trout Farms are a good idea for lunch. Drive up the hill towards Yesilkoy carry on towards Islamar where the temperature is cooler and you will find many restaurants with good reputations and great views - travel back via Berzigan for wonderful scenery.

Boat Trips

You will be spoilt for choice with the many boat trips on offer from the harbour.

Apart from the glorious scenery to admire as you sail around the many bays and islands, you will be served with the most delicious restaurant-quality food.

You can swim, snorkel and even have a mud bath if you wish. Sunset cruises are also great fun.We enjoyed all of this on Alis boat Zeus.

Beach Clubs

There are many beach clubs dotted around the bay including my favourites:

  • The fabulous and peaceful, Palm Beach Club directly below the apartments.
  • The romantic and award winning Mahal Beach Club with lots of sunbathing platforms edged with olive trees & silver leaves that contrast with the turquoise Mediterranean silky sea.

Most Beach Clubs have their own restaurants, friendly service with a smile, sunbathing platforms, sunbeds and parasols and a free boat taxi back and to the harbour..

Kalkan Beach Club at Kisla is good for families as small children can paddle in the water, there is a water slide for older children, they dont charge the usual 5tl for sun beds and they make great chips!

Water Sports

All water sports next to the harbour at Indigo Beach Club with Aristos Water Sports

Diving and snorkelling at Kalamar (2km) and Kas (29km) or Indigo Beach Club next to the harbour

Beaches

Kaputas beach with its 188 steps and wonderful turqouise sea (4km)

Patara beach - 17 km of uncrowded sand and warm sea (10km)

Food & Drink

Dining out has to be the highlight of your holiday.

You will find it impossible to visit all the restaurants in Kalkan but it is great fun discovering your own favourites. You will rarely get a poor meal wherever you go and almost all establishments offer something free, garlic or nan bread, starters or coffee. You will not be disappointed. The cheaper eating restaurants and cafes are situated at the top of the town near the roundabout.

If you fancy ‘eating-in’ most restaurants will deliver to the apartment free of charge and the view from Manzarali balcony is as good as any rooftop restaurant.

Click here for some top rated places from TripAdvisor

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