Kalkan
Kalkan is a town in Mediterranean Turkey. It is an enchanting, historic town and one of the most beautiful locations along Turkey's gorgeous Lycian Coast. There is an absence of mass tourism, and it remains a charming and unspoiled haven with brilliant blue crystal-clear sea, historic architecture, ancient history and warm traditional Turkish hospitality.
Get in
By air
Dalaman airport is the closest at about 1hr 30mins by taxi from Kalkan.
In season charter flights operate to Dalaman from most UK airports. Scheduled flights operate all year round flying direct to Dalaman or with a change of plane in Istanbul. Try Thomas Cook for the cheapest direct flights.
Taxi transfers from Dalaman, some flight providers offer a transfer to Fethiye where there's a bus service to Kalkan.
It is a fairly easy 90-minute drive from Dalaman to Kalkan, passing though a toll tunnel near Dalaman and then a straighforward drive, bypassing Fethiye before arriving in a dramatic sweep into Kalkan by a new road.
By bus
Daily bus service from Istanbul Otogar leaving at 21:00 arriving in Kalkan the next day at 11:00.
Other buses from Izmir, Afyon, Fethiye, Antalya
Buses used to arrive and leave from the centre of the village but now leave from the new bus station at the top of the hill above the Thursday market by the Petrol Ofisi petrol station. It's a long walk from most places in Kalkan.
By bicycle
From Fethiye
Lots of traffic to start, thins out after a while. Turn right at the Zorlar roundabout, wide, long inclines but nice coming down on the other side. After Yesilkoy very steep, tight corners and narrow, watch out for traffic in both directions, until junction with Islamlar road, then downhill, steep, very narrow, watch out for traffic in both directions. Watch out for the junction with the Bezirgan road. Will improve when the new road is finished. Some water sources (signposted) and service stations.
From Kaş
Fantastic views of the sea. Best Mediterranean ride in Turkey until you get to Silifke. Narrow in places. Tight corners. Watch out for overtaking traffic. Narrow bridge at Kaputas.
From Korkuteli
Difficult conditions before April and after September. Several passes (cols) to go through.
Fethiye/Mugla direction
Follow signposts to Saklikent. Then back road from Saklikent to Uzumlu. Carry on straight after Saklikent gorge. Now fully tarred. Not much traffic. Level until Uzumlu. No water or service stations. At Uzumlu take Islamlar-Akbel road direction right Akbel, sudden ups and downs, mainly up, at earthquake houses (deprem evleri), big junction, turn left onto Kalkan road.
From Elmali to junction with Kas - Antalya road.
Nice road, not much traffic. Long inclines, cold in autumn, spring. Expect snow or rain before April and after September. Fantastic mountain views.
From Elmali via Sutlegen and Bezirgan.
Not much traffic. Fantastic views. Expect snow or rain before April and after September. Road inaccessible to cars sometimes. Long inclines but great downhill ride into Kalkan after the top of Kaputas gorge.
Get around
In the village on foot or by taxi. Alternatively rent a moped - probably the most common form of transport. Not necessarily safe but definitely fun! In the centre of Kalkan you can find vendors on the street who rent mopeds for around £30 a day give or take. Petrol is not cheap and Turkey regularly has the highest petrol prices in the world.
See
- Make sure to take a trip on a local dolmus to world renowned Patara Beach.
- A trip to Demre is also recommended to see the ruins.
- Enjoy a one hour bus trip to Fethiye on market day.
- Tlos ruins
- Xanthos & Letoon ruins in Kınık
- ruins
- Saklikent gorge
- Meis/Kastellorizo - Greece's easternmost island. Take the boat from Kaş
- Kekova
- Bezirgan village
- Green lake at Gombe
- Visit the stunning beach at Kaputaş - 10 minutes away on the dolmuş
Do
Kalkan is renowned for its scuba diving and water sports.
Kalkan is a place that appeals to the older visitor. There are no large discos but there are many music bars. During the summer period (July onwards) there are more young people around. A few bars suit this age group and get busy in the early hours
- Take a boat trip. Some boats will take you to Patara or Kaputas. Some will just hug the bay. Lunch provided. Quality varies.
- Trips to Saklıkent Gorge or horseback riding along Patara beach can be arranged in Kalkan.
- Walk the Lycian Way.
Buy
Lots of small shops in the village. Best buy would be a Turkish rug. There are many shops selling fake goods, especially T-shirts.
Eat
The thing you will remember most about Kalkan is the restaurants. There are over 200 in this small fishing village. They vary from the very simple providing wholesome Turkish food to the sophisicated located in beautifully restored village homes. Many of them have roof terraces and it is wonderful to eat under the stars and gaze at the lights of the town.
Have lunch at a trout farm in Islamlar, a village up on the hills north of Kalkan. Much cooler than Kalkan in the summer.
Drink
- Efes - local beer
- Ayran - local salty drink made of yoghurt
Sleep
- Pansiyon (guesthouse) accommodation in the village.
- Lots of villas to rent but many outside the village or a long walk from the restaurants and harbour
- Some Villas are also within 10-15 minutes walk to the centre and beach.
- True Blue Boutique Hotel, Menekşe Sk. 25, ☎ +90-535-740-90-85, e-mail: info@truebluehotel.com.tr. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. A boutique hotel with an elegant interior design.
Go next
- Bus to Istanbul, Izmir, Afyon.
- Bus to Antalya for Ankara, Black Sea coast, Hatay.
- Bus to Fethiye for Gaziantep, Sirnak, eastern Turkey, Turkish Airlines shuttle to Dalaman.
- Taxi transfer to Dalaman or Antalya airports.
- On foot via the Lycian Way.
- Bicycle see getting in.
| Routes through Kalkan |
| Marmaris ← Kınık ← | W  |
→ Kaş → Antalya |