Kalkan Guide

Kalkan is an old Greek town on the Turkish Riviera, notable for its colorful shops, antique shops and historic buildings. It is 20 minutes from Kas. A little further on is Kaputas Beach, a stunning sandy cove at the foot of spectacular mountain scenery. The water is always crystal clear and turquoise.    

Another nearby beach is the magnificent Patara Beach, which stretches for 18 km with sand dunes and is unspoiled by any development. However, near the dolmus stop towards the end of the beach there are a few simple restaurants selling food, drinks, sunshades and sea beds. A little further on are the magnificent Lycian ruins. This beach is closed after sunset because it is one of the few places in the world where the endangered loggerhead turtles come to lay their eggs.   

Kalkan is approximately 25 kilometers from the center of Kaş district of Antalya. It resembles Bodrum with its narrow streets, harbor, old Greek houses and white cozy houses. It is a quiet, calm and untouched town.

Kalkan's history dates back to about 3000 years before today. Traces of the Lycian Civilization have been found in lands such as Antalya and Fethiye, but no traces of the Lycian period have been found in Kalkan. For this reason, it is thought that the town was founded about 200 years ago by Greek merchants from the island of Meis, just across the sea. The town has been a safe harbor for merchants for centuries. There is a very active trade. Goods coming from the harbor were transported inland by various routes.   

Today Kalkan is a small holiday town that is just beginning to be discovered. It is a town worth seeing with its sea of every shade of blue, clean beaches with blue flags, sandy beaches where caretta carettas breed, lush nature and history.   

It is like a corner of paradise. Historian Herodotus used the term “the closest place to the stars in the world” when talking about Kalkan in his works. The island of Meis, which looks as if you could touch it if you were to reach out, is a small fishing town with its whitewashed streets smelling of flowers reminiscent of Bodrum and its friendly people. Although it has been discovered in recent years, its beauty has not yet been completely spoiled. Compared to many holiday resorts, it is quite calm and ideal for relaxing. 

Kalkan also has a lively nightlife. The town center comes alive as the sun sets. There is plenty to do: shopping, dinner, cafes or a relaxing stroll along the windy, bustling streets or the peaceful harbor.
   

Day and night in Kalkan are as lively or as quiet as you like. From sunbathing on the beach to strolling through ancient Lycian ruins or meeting the nomadic people in the highlands of the Taurus Mountains. At night, the lively town of Kalkan offers great restaurants, bars and shopping options to suit all tastes.   

Kalkan has welcomed many local and foreign tourists in recent years. Especially British tourists love Kalkan so much that they never return to their country. There are many accommodation facilities in Kalkan to host all these guests. You can find many different categories of facilities from large holiday hotels to small and boutique hotels, from pensions to apart hotels. 

Kalkan hotels are usually located by the sea or in the center of the town. Kalkan hotels located a little further back and higher up have a magnificent view. They are built in the lap of lush green nature. Kalkan boutique hotels open in April with the start of the summer vacation season and continue to serve until November. You can also find vacation hotels open all year round. They usually work as bed and breakfast. Most Kalkan boutique hotels also have their own swimming pools. Therefore, they also have suitable conditions for families with children. Kalkan boutique hotels have all the modern facilities of today. 

For accommodation suggestions, you can check our Kalkan Hotels page.