Location description from owner

The Turkish Mediterranean Coast region

Kalkan is nestled in the curve of a beautiful bay surrounded by the Taurus Mountains, and was originally an old Turkish trading port. Kalkan has so much to offer holiday makers. Apart from the beautiful warm climate there is much to do and see within the immediate area and a little further afield. It is steeped in history and for those wishing to explore archaeological/historical sites, it will be a truly fulfilling experience. Its a unique and charming part of Turkey's Mediterranean coast - you are sure to return once you have visited.

One of the more sophisticated resorts along the Turkish coastline, Kalkan's narrow cobbled streets, traditional white washed stone houses and wooden balconies spilling with bougainvillea contribute to its charming feel. Streets lined with shops and restaurants lead down to its stunning harbour. It has such appeal that many visitors return year after year and even choose to buy homes and become residents.

Kalkan has become renowned for its excellent dining. There is a choice of over 150 restaurants which offer everything from top quality international to local cuisine to suit all tastes. Choose to dine at one of the quaint cafes tucked away in the backstreet, or a romantic rooftop restaurant offering breath-taking views of Kalkan's bay and starlit skies, or dine at one of the harbour side restaurants overlooking the spectacular marina.

Kalkan

Apartment Pearl is centrally located in the heart of Kalkan's historical old town - a sophisticated and charming place with breath-taking views at every turn.

BARS

Most restaurants offer after dinner drinks and cocktails; you can sit and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the vibrant evening atmosphere. There are also a number of bars and cocktail gardens catering for the night owls, offering music and dancing until the early hours of morning. Many locals frequent the bars after closing their businesses and enjoy socialising with the holiday makers.

One thing you can be sure of is a warm welcome from the local Turkish people who are renowned for their hospitality. They will inevitably invite you to sit and join them for Turkish or apple tea (or something a bit stronger!) and a friendly chat.

DINING

RESTAURANTS

Kalkan is a gourmet’s paradise and has become renowned for its excellent dining. With a choice of over 150 restaurants there is something to suit all tastes and pockets – from top quality international cuisine to traditional rustic Turkish dishes. You can choose to dine at one of the quaint cafes tucked away in the backstreets – some with live music. Alternatively indulge in dinner at a romantic candlelit rooftop restaurant under the stars offering breath-taking views of Kalkan bay, or dine at one of the chic harbour side restaurants overlooking the spectacular marina. Guests at the Pearl will all receive a list of my personal recommendations which is regularly updated.

SHOPPING IN KALKAN

If you enjoy shopping, then Kalkan is a shopper's delight. Feel free to take your time to wander and browse around - no need to rush as they stay open until late every evening. There is an abundance of shops offering: handmade pottery, glass, painted ceramics, made to measure clothing from the finest cotton, beautiful boutiques with unique designs, antiques, bespoke gold/silver jewellery, gift items, rugs/kilims, and designer leather handbags, jackets, shoes, sandals and not forgetting Turkish Delight!

BEACH TIME

Daytime can simply be spent lounging around the apartment poolside or at the beautiful local white-pebbled town beach (sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire). There are many harbour side restaurants/cafes offering lunch, snacks and drinks.

There are two other beautiful beaches within easy access:

KAPUTAS

A 10 minute dolmus (shared local mini bus) ride, towards the next neighbouring town of Kas. A small bay with a stunning turquoise grotto, dramatically positioned at the bottom of a striking gorge, it has been pictured in many brochures for its outstanding beauty. There is no cafe but a few enterprising locals venture down selling sandwiches and cold drinks. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire. The only thing to take into account is the number of steps leading down to the beach but well worth the effort.

PATARA

In the opposite direction - a 15 minute dolmus journey takes you to the unspoilt 18km of golden sands (with not a single hotel along its shore) set against a backdrop of spectacular undulating dunes. The journey there is interesting and enjoyable; passing through an old village called Yesilkoy.

Patara was voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world in 2005 and remains one of the few beaches in the world where the Loggerhead Turtles come to lay their eggs. A small entry fee is charged which contributes to protecting the ancient ruins which you can also see along your way.

There is a cafe with shade and seating offering lunch, cold/hot drinks, beer and ice-creams. There are also showers, toilets and changing facilities. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire.

BEACH CLUBS

Alternatively, you can chose to visit one of the six beach clubs scattered around Kalkan's harbour (Indigo, Yali and Caretta are within walking distance). Mahal and Palm Beach are situated across the bay and can be reached by a short taxi ride or from the harbour by a regular local water taxi. A little further afield, at the other side of the bay, is Kalamar Beach Clubs which offers visitors a free pick up service to the club. All beach clubs offer excellent swimming, sunbathing, water sports facilities and you can purchase lunch and cold beverages.

MUST DO's

GULLETS

A must is to book a traditional gullet(wooden boat) for a day's excursion. This is a memorable and enjoyable experience you will not forget. Whilst you cruise around the nearby islands, stopping along the way to enjoy swimming in the crystal clear sea your captain prepares a feast for lunch. Tours leave 10am from the harbour and return around 5pm. Wander down to the harbour for information and to book.

SCUBA DIVING

Kalkan has some wonderful local reefs, islands and walls which you can discover through local dive clubs down at the harbour.

WATER SPORTS

There are professional companies offering a full range of exhilarating sports activities including: water ski-ing, scuba diving, jet skis, banana boats, ringos, snorkelling and sailing. It is also possible to arrange paragliding and white water rafting. Water sports are based out of most of the beach clubs.

HORSE RIDING

There are quite a few tour operators in town who can help you make a booking for riding alongside Patara Beach, with horses are calm, good-natured and are suitable for inexperienced riders.

HAMAM
Relax and enjoy a traditional Turkish steam bath where you will get a loofah scrub and an amazing olive oil soap massage. Most hotels with spas (e.g Lycia Spa Hotel, Asfiya Hotel, Kalkan Regency) are happy for non-resident visitors to use their facilities. One of the oldest Turkish baths can be found in Fethiye.

TURKISH BARBER

Guys - why not take the opportunity to visit one of the highly skilled kuafers (hairdressers) for a haircut or a close shave with a cut throat razor! He may even throw in a neck and shoulder massage!

LOCAL MARKET ON THURSDAY

A few minutes walk - Selling herbs, spices, Turkish delight, clothing, shoes, jewellery, food (cheeses, olives) and a wide selection of locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables.
Kalkan has much to offer the holiday maker. Apart from the wonderful warm climate there is much to do within the immediate area and a little further afield.

FURTHER AFEILD - MUST SEE/DO

SAKKLIKENT GORGE

Beautiful 20km long canyon - one of the largest in Europe. For those with energy, there is an exhilarating 4km walk/climb from a river entrance to the waterfall source at the top. Note: there is no way around the gorge so as far as you walk up you have to come back down the same way. Low sensible shoes should be worn.

Before or after going through the gorge there are numerous rustic style restaurants on a series of wooden platforms suspended just above the water's edge decked out with Turkish rugs and comfy cushions, shaded by overhanging trees. Try a traditional pancake filled with meat or cheese - they are delicious!

For a fun 45-mins or up to a few hours (depending which trip you choose) adults and children can hire out an inflatable ring (two can share) with paddles and float down the shallow Sakklikent river. Trips can be booked just outside the gorge or from a tour agent in Kalkan.

PATARA RUINS

The sites are fascinating and worth exploring as excavations are still uncovering new finds - or perhaps visit the amphitheatre, baths, temple of Agora, triumphal arch, many sarcophagi and one of the oldest lighthouses in the world. You may be interested to know that Patara is also the birth place of St. Nicholas known to the British as 'Father Christmas'..

TLOS

One of the oldest and largest settlements of Lycia. Rock cut tombs are cut into the face of the Acropolis hill. At the top see remains of the theatre, a Haman (Turkish Bath) and wonderful views of the Xanthos valley. Easy to spend a few hours here just looking around and taking in the surroundings.

YAKAPARK (TROUT FARM) - NEAR TLOS

Serving fresh trout, shish kebab and cold mezze during the day and throughout the evening; you may like to dine -Turkish style - and sit on lovely tapestry seating cushions. Whilst sipping your drink you can watch the trout swimming in a water canal that surrounds the bar.

XANTHOS

An important former Lycian capital in a splendid natural setting, which appears suddenly nearby the road's edge. Many points of interest: amphitheatre, impressive rock cut tomb mounted high on a pedestal, a monument to 'harpies' the legendary creatures who would carry people after death to the heavens and an assortment of ruins from Roman, Lycian and Byzantine times. There is a small cafe to buy drinks, ice-creams and souvenirs.

LETOON

The history of Letoon is closely linked with that of Xanthos - just six kilometres away. You can see the foundations of the three temples dedicated to Leto, Apollo and Artemis, familiar gods of mythology.

Underneath dusty paths lie beautiful colour mosaics - which can be seen by removing the layer of dust covering these spectacular remains. It is here you can also see small turtles nestling in natural pools.

KAS

Being the neighbouring town to Kalkan, approx. 35 mins away by local dolmus, the journey alone is well worthwhile as you see miles of magnificent coast, passing Kaputas beach and other small inlets for swimming. Plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops can be found. There are also two white pebbled beaches and scattered swimming platforms.

TROUT FARM RESTAURANTS AT ISLAMLAR

Visit one of the Trout farms in Islamlar - always a few degrees cooler due to the natural springs is inviting in the heat of the day. The views from the elevated position are spectacular. Trout couldn't be fresher - caught from one of the trout pools and cooked to your liking. Experience and see traditional Turkish village life.

PLACES TO VISIT FURTHER AFIELD

PINARA

A unique and tranquil atmosphere exists here. A walk uphill following the paths takes you to a cliff which is pockmarked with small rectangular holes (burial tombs) giving it a peculiar 'honeycomb' appearance. There are the remains of a Christian Church, a theatre, tombs and scattered sarcophagi.

MYRA & KEKOVA (SUNKEN CITY)

Kekova Island and the town of Kale make an ideal day trip. Usually referred to as the 'sunken city', which was devastated by an earthquake in 2nd century AD. One way to enjoy this trip is by a Gullet - a double-decked glass bottomed boat which operates from Kas, stopping in tiny bays for swimming and snorkelling. You will see the remains of the Lycian city. The more interesting sights are to be seen at the water's edge. At the top of the village is St Nicholas Church and the Island of Simena (Kalekoy castle). The castle houses one of the smallest theatres-seating approx. 300.

There are waterside restaurants offering Turkish food and locally caught fish.

EPHESUS

An overnight trip to the ancient site - once the capital of Roman Asia is a real treat. Ephesus is one of the best preserved cities on the Mediterranean Coast and is one of 'The Seven Wonders of the World' where the Temples of Artemis - the first ever major structure built entirely of marble and the largest edifice in the ancient Greek world - can be seen, not forgetting the Library of Celsus, cave of the seven sleepers, Bath and Hall of Verulanus, Byzantine Walls, Theatre and many more.

PAMUKKALE

White calcium-laden mineral springs, which cascade over a cliff, gleaming white pools of warm water stretch for miles - it's an amazing sight. Visitors are able to soak in the warm therapeutic pools.

ASPENDOS

One of the largest theatres (seating up to 10,000 people) with outstanding acoustics: Every year concerts, ballets and operas are held here. People from all over the world visit - particularly during the months of June/July when these special events take place.

All of the above trips can be arranged through one of the companies based in Kalkan's town who will organise everything on your behalf. Alternatively, car hire is a good way of visiting sites independently and again, companies offering car hire are to be found in the town.