Kalkan Travel Guide

Kalkan is a small former Greek fishing village on the Lycian coast, built in steep terraces above a horseshoe-shaped harbour. Whitewashed houses, bougainvillea and rooftop terraces look out over the bay, and in the evening the whole village seems to move up onto the roofs for dinner with a view. Kalkan is quiet and a little upmarket. Most visitors stay in private villas with a pool, and there are almost no large all-inclusive hotels. It is a favourite with couples, families and British holidaymakers, many of whom return every year.

Why go to Kalkan

• For a peaceful villa holiday: private pools, sea views and no big resorts.
• For food with a view: Kalkan is known for its rooftop restaurants rather than nightlife.
• For two of Turkey’s best beaches: Kaputaş and Patara are both a short drive away.
• For Lycian history: the UNESCO sites of Xanthos and Letoon, and ancient Patara, are close by.

🗺️ Plan your visit: Dalaman Airport transfers · Kaş · Butterfly Valley · Where to stay in Turkey

Top things to do in and around Kalkan

• The old town and harbour: wander the steep lanes in the late afternoon, then choose a rooftop restaurant for sunset.
• Kaputaş beach: about 7 km east, a small sandy cove at the foot of a gorge, with water in every shade of turquoise. It has been named among the best beaches in Europe. Arrive early: it fills up fast and parking is limited.
• Patara beach and ancient Patara: 15–20 km west, one of the longest sandy beaches in Turkey, about 12 km of golden sand and dunes. Loggerhead turtles nest here, so the beach is protected and closes in the evening. Right behind it are the ruins of Patara, with a theatre, the old assembly building and a long colonnaded street.
• Xanthos and Letoon: two Lycian sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, 20–25 km away. Xanthos was the capital of ancient Lycia; Letoon was its main religious sanctuary.
• Saklıkent Gorge: about 45 km away. Wade through icy water between canyon walls hundreds of metres high. Wear water shoes.
• Bezirgan: a traditional village on a high plateau above Kalkan, known for its old wooden granaries and village breakfasts.
• Boat trips: day boats leave from the harbour for swimming stops in coves and sea caves along the coast.
• Diving and snorkelling: Kalkan has its own dive centres and clear water, and the famous dive sites of Kaş are half an hour away.

Beaches

• Kalkan town beach: small and pebbly, right by the harbour.
• Beach clubs: several clubs around the bay, many on the Kalamar side, have sun decks and ladders into deep water. Some charge an entrance fee or a minimum spend.
• Kaputaş: sandy, turquoise and very photogenic. Go early or late.
• Patara: huge, wild and sandy, great for long walks. Follow the turtle rules: no lights on the beach at night in nesting season.

Getting there and around

• Dalaman Airport: about 120 km, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
• Antalya Airport: about 220 km, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours.
• A hire car is very useful, because villas are spread over the hills and taxis are expensive.
• Dolmuş minibuses connect Kalkan with Kaş and Fethiye, and in summer with Kaputaş and Patara.

Where to stay in Kalkan

• Old town: boutique hotels and apartments within walking distance of the harbour and restaurants.
• Villa areas: Kalamar, Kızıltaş, Kışla, Ortaalan, Kömürlük and İslamlar in the hills. Most villas have a private pool and a sea view.
• Kalkan’s streets are very steep. If walking is difficult for you, check how far your villa is from the centre before you book.

When to go

The best months are May, June, September and October. July and August are hot. Kalkan is a seasonal village: from about November to April many restaurants and shops close and the town becomes very quiet.

What to eat

Kalkan’s rooftop restaurants mix Turkish and international cooking, with plenty of meze and fresh fish. Up in the hills around İslamlar, trout farms serve fresh trout by the springs. Eating out in Kalkan costs more than in most Turkish resorts.

What visitors say: practical tips

• Visitors love the views, the calm and the quality of the restaurants.
• The steep streets are the most common complaint, especially for older visitors and families with pushchairs.
• Kaputaş gets crowded in summer: go early in the morning or after 4 pm.
• Prices are higher than in big resorts, but most people feel the setting is worth it.
• A car makes day trips to Patara, Xanthos and Saklıkent much easier.

Day trips from Kalkan

• Kaş (about 27 km): Kekova boat trips, diving and a lively little harbour.
• Patara, Xanthos and Letoon (15–25 km).
• Saklıkent and Tlos (45–60 km).
• Fethiye and Ölüdeniz (about 80 km).

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Kalkan bay by Babbsack (CC BY-SA 3.0, colours adjusted); Kalkan harbour by Kitkatcrazy (public domain); Kaputaş beach by Liselottediehl (CC BY-SA 4.0).