Beaches

Kalkan Town Beach
Located to the east of Kalkan’s harbour. Awarded a Blue Flag for cleanliness, this pebbly beach offers crystal clear waters and very pleasant surroundings. There are numerous cafés nearby where you can sit and watch the world go by. Sun beds and umbrellas are available for rent on the beach.

Kaputas beach
This lovely beach is nestled at the foot of a striking mountain gorge and can be reached in about 10 minutes via a dolmuş (shared taxi/minibus) ride, from the Kalkan bus station. Kaputas beach is often used in travel brochures for Turkey due to its outstanding beauty. The turquoise waters are ideal for swimming, but please note that it gets deep rather quickly. There are just under 200 steps which lead you down to the beach. Umbrellas can be hired and there is a cafe and toilet facilities.

Patara beach
Patara beach is simply not to be missed. Its 18km stretch of sand and dunes forms part of a national park, and is a breeding ground for the giant loggerhead turtle.

Children of all ages can happily spend hours here, playing in the shallows, or soaking up the sunshine on the vast expanse of beach. It is possible to wade out quite far and still only be up to your knees in the water. A great place for the whole family and because of this vital conservation project, and the fact that Patara is a National Park, you will be charged a small entrance fee per person. However, you will not be disappointed, Patara has been voted as one of the top beaches in the World.

There is a small café serving food, drinks and ice cream, there are also toilets and shower facilities. Umbrellas and sun lounges can be hired for a fee. Please take care when swimming as there are strong undercurrents at Patara. Children should be closely supervised at all times.

Day Trips & Activities

Boat trips
A boat trip along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is a definite must when in Kalkan. Some of the most beautiful vistas can be seen along this stretch of coastline and seeing it from a boat offers a totally unique viewpoint. Take a day trip around the bay and the small islands on a Turkish wooden “gulet” for a completely relaxing experience – this is a lazy day spent swimming, eating and drinking (and a mud bath if you desire). Lunch is included in the price with drinks extra.

Contact Details: sunsetboat@hotmail.com +90 536 841 44 69

River canoeing
For a real fun family day out, try out the river canoeing on Xanthos River. This gentle downstream trip will carry you through the beautiful and lush surroundings of the ancient Lycian lands to Patara beach where you finish off with a swim. A barbecue picnic is provided along the way and even a mud bath if you fancy it! This canoe trip is suitable for young and old and sure to be a memorable experience!

Scuba diving – Kalkan Dive Centre
The crystal clear, turquoise waters of the Mediterranean provide ideal conditions for scuba diving, and Kalkan is regarded as one of the best locations on Turkey’s coast for this. Kalkan Dive Centre visit several dive sites, including reefs, islands and a wall which is home to a huge variety of marine life. Expect to see, among others, sardines, starfish, octopus, turtles, stingrays, barracudas, groupers, dolphins, nurse sharks, mackerel, squid and sea bream. Lessons can be provided for beginners, but all levels are catered for.

Contact Details: www.kalkandiving.com

Water Sports
An excellent range of water sports can be found at many of the beach clubs in and around Kalkan. Whether you want to go waterskiing, jetskiing, or have a ride on one of the many inflatable rides, there is plenty of choice to be found.

Contact Details: aristoswatersports@gmail.com

Places Of Interest

Saklikent Gorge
Saklikent (Hidden Valley or Lost City) 18 km long, 300 meters deep and is steep and narrow. After Verdon in France and Vikos in Greece, it is considered to be the third longest canyon in Europe. This gorge valley with a stream flowing through the icy waters is located about an hours drive away from Kalkan. The cold spring water originates from the Bey Mountains and walking through it is spectacular with sheer walls towering high above you. The best time to visit is in summer, when the canyon offers cool and shade from the summer sun and the water levels are at their lowest, sometimes only ankle deep.

There are several small restaurants set up in and around the gorge, and it is a great experience to relax on one of the Turkish rugs provided with a cool beer and watch the rushing waters pass below. The gorge is open from the beginning of April to the end of September. It is advisable to wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet as your feet may get a bit of a soaking, but there are shoes to hire before you enter the gorge. There are guides available to assist you, but please be aware that they will want payment for their knowledge!

Tlos
Tlos is an ancient ruined Lycian hilltop citadel 4 kilometres northwest of Saklikent Gorge. One of the oldest and largest settlements in Lycia, Tlos was one of the few Lycian cities to continue its existence through the 19th century, and was once one of the six main Lycian cities said to have begun more than 4,000 years ago. The city was home to a magnificent stadium which has a seating capacity for 2,500 people. There are also two bath houses, gymnasium and market hall. For history enthusiasts, you can find several Lycian sarcophagi and rock tombs here, including the Tomb of Bellerophon. This tomb features the Greek mythological hero Bellerophon riding the winged horse Pegasus.

Kekova and the sunken city of Simena
Kekova Island and the town of Kaleköy make a fascinating day trip for anyone looking for culture as well as sun and relaxation. The ancient sunken city of Simena originally formed two areas – an island and a coastal section of the mainland. On the mainland you will find the quaint fishing village of Kaleköy (‘castle village’), where homes sit among ancient, medieval buildings. Kaleköy is presided over by the well-preserved castle built by the Knights of Rhodes. You can see the smallest amphitheatre in Lycia in here, and although it is a bit of a trek to reach the top, the views you are rewarded with are well worth the effort.

Across the bay, you will see the partly submerged ruins of the residential part of Simena, destroyed by the catastrophic earthquakes in the 2nd century AD. The sight of houses and staircases descending into the sea are both eerie and silently beautiful. The best way to reach this amazing place is to drive to the village of Üçagiz, where you can pick up the glass-bottom boat tour. This will take you initially to Kaleköy and then on to the sunken city of Simena.

Myra and the Church of St Nicholas
Myra makes up one of the main cities within the Lycian Union and is believed to date as far back as 5BC. The remains of this ancient site lie approximately 1.5km north of Demre, on the Kaş-Finike Road. In Roman times, Myra was situated on the sea and its port saw St Paul change ships on his way to Rome in around 60AD. By the turn of the 11th century, Myra was mostly abandoned, due to flooding, earthquakes and Arab raids. Although this ancient city is predominantly buried underground today, it is still well known for its impressive amphitheatre (the largest in Lycia) and the rock tombs which sit in the cliff above the theatre.

The Church of St Nicholas is a must-see for anyone who loves Santa Claus! Famous for his ‘miracles’ and kindness, legend has it that St Nicholas threw bags of gold down a chimney for three sisters who were facing a life of destitution. This legend led to the ‘birth’ of Santa Claus. Located just a short distance from Myra, the Church of St Nicholas is home to some beautiful marble mosaic floor tiling, and there are also some remains of wall paintings. More recently archaeologists believe they have discovered the tomb of St Nicholas himself under the remains of the church.

Pinara
The town of Pinara (formerly known as Pinale) dates its origins back to the 5th century. Its population grew as inhabitants of Xanthos settled here, having fled their own city when it became overpopulated. In 334 BC, Alexander the Great conquered Pinara, Xanthos and Patara and evidence of tombs from this time can still be seen today. Along with the theatre, which dates back to the 2nd century BC, this city remains wonderfully untouched. Surrounded by fragrant pine forests, ancient olive groves and situated in a beautiful mountain setting, this wonderful town offers stunning views over Xanthos valley. You can reach Pinara from the main highway (D400) between Kalkan and Fethiye.

Xanthos
Xanthos was the capital city of the Lycian Federation, and was regarded its greatest city for the majority of Lycian history. Steeped in history, this fascinating place is full of interesting features including an outstanding amphitheatre, the ruins of a temple thought to be dedicated to Artemis, the Harpy Tomb, the Pillar tomb and a recently excavated Roman-Byzantine street. Enjoying independence up until 545 BC, Xanthos was besieged by the Persian army, whereupon the townsfolk decided to either take their own lives, or fight to the death, which they did. It was attacked again in 42 BC by Brutus, who left only 150 surviving inhabitants.

British explorer Charles Fellows visited Xanthos during the 19th century and took the majority of his finds back to England, where they can still be seen today in the British Museum. Although widely acknowledged as dating back to the 8th century BC, there are reasons to believe the settlement could in fact date back to the Bronze Age, or the first centuries of the Iron Age. Located near the village of Kınık, a trip to Xanthos is easily combined with visits to Letoon and Patara. Easily found by car, this beautiful site lies off the main highway and is well signposted.

Patara Ruins
Adjacent to Patara beach Patara ruins is steeped in history. Patara was a flourishing maritime and commercial city and is the birthplace of St. Nicholas in 270 AD, who lived most of his life in the nearby town of Myra (Demre). Patara was also the major naval and trading port of Lycia. Situated at the mouth of the Xanthos River, it was plagued by piracy and looted from the Arabian fleets. Patara’s population was sporadic, as these raids devastated the Lycian people. Reduced to the size of a village, Patara established itself as a naval base for the Byzantine Empire in the 10th century. Its port is thought to have been used at least until the 15th century, as the Sultan Cem signed a treaty here in 1478/9. Poverty was always present however, and with not enough manpower to maintain the harbour, the sand eventually buried much of this thriving settlement.

The site is currently being excavated during two summer months each year by a team of Turkish archaeologists. At the end of 2007, all the sand had been cleared from the theatre and some other buildings, and the columns on the main street had been partially re-erected (with facsimile capitals). The excavations have revealed masonry in remarkable condition.

In May 2020, a 1,900-year-old statue of a woman was discovered in Patara. In October 2020, a 2,400-year-old kitchen and a “women’s room”, with mirrors, ornaments and fragrance pots, were found at Patara.In October 2020, archaeologists announced the discovery of 2,000-year-old cylindrical ancient Greek snake altar in well condition. Researchers thought that the altar was used for the religious and funerary purposes. The altar engraved with a coiled snake with Greek letters. Today, a large part of Patara remains buried in the shifting sand dunes. One such building is the famous Temple of Apollo, but recent excavations have led to many exciting finds, including the discovery of the parliament building used by the elected representatives of the Lycian League. Semi-circular rows of stone seating and stone-vaulted entrances were freed from the tonnes of sand that had buried it. A throne-like seat was also unearthed, thought to be where the Lyciarch (President of the League) sat. Another fascinating find has been the remains of what is thought to be the oldest lighthouse in the world, nearly 2000 years old.

Bezirgan village
Bezirgan is an authentic working Turkish village and a whole world away from the experience of Kalkan. Life in this high mountain valley (yayla) has not changed much in the past 100 years, and its inhabitants live off the land, many following the same pattern as their ancestors.

There is plenty to see in Bezirgan and you can’t help feel relaxed as you are greeted by its friendly people who are full of Turkish hospitality. The village houses are full of charm and depending on the time of year you visit, you may get to see their animals being shorn, wool being processed, or planting for the next harvest taking place. The rich soil found there provides fertile land for the villagers and lush grazing for their livestock.

You are free to walk around the village and observe their daily routine, and you may even find yourself envying their simplistic, slower pace of life! There is much to be said for enjoying the simple pleasures, and as you sit outside one of the tea houses, and watch the local men play backgammon or dominoes as you sip your tea, you will be drawn into this charming, simple world.

www.anenglishmanabroad.net

Islamlar – Mountain trout farm
Located around 15/20 minutes from Kalkan, in the mountain village of İṣlamlar, you will find several restaurants offering fresh trout reared in pools of clean mountain water. The trout is delicious and the mountain setting offers a welcome respite from the summer heat.

Walking The Lycia Way
The Lycian way is a 509 km way-marked footpath around the coast of Lycia in southern Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya.  It was researched, designed and implemented by Kate Clow with Terry Richardson.  The Lycian Way is a coastal walk and mild temperatures mean it can be walked throughout the winter months as well as the summer.

According to the Sunday Times the Lycian Way is one of the ten most beautiful long distance hikes of the world. The route is graded medium to hard; it is not level walking, but has many ascents and descents as it approaches and veers away from the sea. Part of the Lycian Way crosses just above Kalkan and carries along the hills and the coast to Patara Beach. There are shady sections with footpaths and mule trails; it is mostly over limestone and often hard and stony underfoot.

Useful Web Sites
www.korsankalkan.com
www.kalkanturkey.com