With an exotic history which dates back across the centuries, Kalkan is the unspoilt jewel of the Lycian Coast, which looks almost the same today as it did hundreds of years ago. The resort, despite being a popular holiday destination by Brits, still holds the charm of a Turkish fishing village, meaning accommodation options along this Mediterranean coast are almost as individually quaint as the town itself. Choose an apartment rental or one of the many Kalkan villas available instead of a hotel room to ensure you wake up and live in the spirit of a local.
Find and book the perfect apartment or villa by the sea in Kalkan
Visit Kalkan, the most captivating fishing village of the east!
Nestled on the fringe of the turquoise water in the middle eastern country of Turkey, this nostalgic town is primarily built around its beautiful Kaputaş Beach and old town quarter. With evidence of the city's Roman presence in Xanthos, the colourful street food and adventure underneath the sea, there is even more to this village than what initially meets the eye. Kalkan is incredibly compact, so wherever you choose a holiday apartment, villa or bed and breakfast, you will only ever be a short walking distance to the towns many attractions.
When to go to Kalkan
With temperatures rarely plummeting below 20 degrees, Kalkan promises a warm and sunny climate, whenever you choose to visit. If you want to make the most of Kalkan's eternal summer, decide to visit between May to June and September, when the climate is around 30 degrees, but it is still out of season for the mass summer holiday crowds.
What types of holiday rentals are available in Kalkan?
Securing a traditionally Turkish holiday rental in Kalkan is easy through Likibu, where there are ideal accommodation options for every budget. Couples can choose a bed and breakfast with air conditioning to wake up in a room with a view and enjoy a continental breakfast over the Vevčani mountainous landscape, or a penthouse overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. For larger parties or families, secure a traditional house with a garden or a spacious villa with a pool. With quaint interior and the space to try your hand at Turkish cooking, a self-catered holiday home is an ideal place for your group to come together after a day exploring the colourful coast.
How to get to Kalkan?
With budget airlines including easyJet and Jet2 flying directly from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle to Dalaman airport, Kalkan is even more accessible from the UK than you might have ever imagined. With an estimated flight time over just over 4 hours and nearly a 2-hour drive from the airport, remember to pre-arrange an airport transfer to your accommodation, as travelling 122 kilometres in a local taxi can be more expensive.
Where to book an apartment or villa in Kalkan?
Saribelen
For those who want to spend their days drenched in the seaside sun, choose a villa with a private pool in Saribelen. There are a collection of beaches to lay upon, but one name stands out against the rest as the most magnificent beach on the Lycian Coast, and that is Kaputaş Beach whose golden shores stretch across the heart of this waterfront neighbourhood.
Kalkan Old Town
Just like every ancient city, Kalkan boasts a charming old town, but this rustic quarter stands out above the rest as a cocktail of Greek and old Kalkan architecture thanks to the Orthodox influence which alighted these ancient streets. Now, not only home to a selection of historic structures and whitewashed houses, Kalkan Old Town has become the beating heart of the resort, as these corners are bursting with boutiques and restaurants.
Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park
Located just beyond the centre, this dramatic mountain region showcases some of the finest forestry, glaciers and lakes in the country, meaning this sublime environment is unmissable for any visitor with a craving for Turkish adrenaline. Securing a bed and breakfast in this rural area will allow you to fuel up before exploring this natural haven all day long.
Kalkan Centre/Ortaalan
Offering an atmosphere which is an attractive medium between the bustling old town, and the serenity of the waterfront, Kalkan centre provides an array of bars, restaurants and a financial buzz from the renowned companies who made this ‘new town' their home. There is, however, still some room for some reasonably priced holiday rentals, many of which even have a sea view.
Kisla
Hidden on the opposite side of the bay to the centre, a holiday apartment on this side of the town may mean you have to compromise the convenient walk to the to central amenities. This is, however, worth the sacrifice if you would enjoy watching the sunset over the water from your balcony, as this side of the bay promises the most memorable evenings the country can deliver.
Komurluk
This western neighbourhood is the most stylish in Kalkan, as though the area may be small, it is crawling with contemporary chalets and luxury apartment rentals among its exclusive Palm Beach club, impressive views of the harbour, and local art shops. Discover a high-end apartment or beautiful guesthouse for a fraction of the cost you might be expecting and prepare to immerse yourself in the glamour of this middle eastern coast today.
What activities to do?
Bathe upon Kaputaş Beach
There is no beach quite like Kaputaş, framed by the mountain gorge; it truly is the epitome of the Kalkan coast. There is no better place to bathe the day away than on the sands of this Turkish paradise, so reserve a beachside apartment rental and hit the sands early to reserve your spot for the day.
Hike through Saklikent Gorge
There is no limit to where you can hike along the mountainous landscape of Kalkan, but among the sublime heights and vast forest land, you can find Saklikent Gorge, a 300m deep gorge which lays at the foot of an 18km canyon. Meaning ‘hidden city', ‘Saklikent' includes ancient ruins, water rafting along the river and even the chance to try some fresh cuisine, cooked up right there in the regions best kept secret city.
Explore Xanthos
You do not necessarily need to be a history enthusiast to appreciate the splendour of the ancient Roman ruins of Xanthos. Gaze upon the Amphitheatre and Harpy monument which stands in this timeless area, and do not forget to leave your camera in your apartment, as these ancient views and structure behind a mountain backdrop is one of the most powerful statements in Kalkan.
Sample some local Kalkan cooking in the Old Town
Or, remember to visit the old town, at least once! Having the chance to try some traditional Turkish cooking is an opportunity which cannot be missed. Though Kalkan may not be the first place which comes to mind when you mention world class cooking, the old town offers an array of tiny restaurants which cook up some of the most vivid flavours on the planet, and they are all served up in the most quintessential quarter of the town.
Ride a Gulet on the Mediterranean Sea
There is nothing quite as authentic as a ‘gulet', a wooden boat which is the staple of Turkish maritime tradition, therefore, there is just no better way to spend an afternoon on the sea, than from the comfort aboard one of these vessels, where, with a little bit of luck, you might even spot a turtle on your travels.
Take a trip to the village of Simena
The dreamlike village of Simena is widely accessible by boat from Kalkan, and the atmosphere around this sunken city promises not to disappoint. With the ruins of a Byzantine castle and the crumbling architecture which can be spotted before you even before leaving the boat, there is something truly mystical about this slice of Kalkan.
