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Sitting right on the Mediterranean, Kalkan is nestled along the picturesque Turquoise Coast of Turkey. Less touristy then neighbouring Kaş, Kalkan retains an authentic small town Turkish charm, offering a stunning blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and leisurely experiences making it a must-visit destination.
After spending two weeks road tripping around Turkey we spent one month in Kalkan. It was the perfect base to explore the area and as we discovered, there was a lot to see!
How to get around
After flying into Dalaman Airport and completing a two-week road trip of Turkey we took a private minibus from Fethiye to our accommodation in Kalkan. Getting around the town is easy on foot, although it is a tad hilly so readily available and affordable taxis are your next best option.
Public transport connects the towns along the coast and while cheaper, we found the schedule to be confusing at first. Eventually we figured it out and it was an excellent way to get around. Of course the easiest way to explore the region is to hire a car. Half way through our month long stay we hired a car from the township for a couple of days and used it to day trip around the area.
Where to stay
We decided that spending one month on the Mediterranean in a chaming Turkish village was a burden we would happily endure. Ha! We stayed for a month in an airbnb at Patara Prince Resort in Kalkan and I’m telling you it was divine.
Something about day after day waking up and sipping coffee while overlooking the Mediterranean did something to us. That, coupled with snorkelling in the clearest water, eating food from the local market and exploring the nearby beaches made for one of the most memorable months.
The benefit of a longer stay is affordable accommodation and time to really immerse yourself in the culture and get to know the local community. Twice weekly we walked into town and enjoyed buying fresh fruit and vegetables from the local vendors who we knew by a first name basis. ‘It’s second breakfast time’ the man would yell to the girls, before feeding them cheese and olives! The Turkish love children. We also managed to enrol the girls in weekly tennis lessons offered at the resort.
What to do
Kalkan
Kalkan is truely stunning. An old fishing town known for its white-washed houses and brightly coloured bougainvillea. You could easily spend a morning wandering the street, perusing the shops, and dining in any of the many cafes and restaurants by the port.
There are many beach clubs around the harbour that offer access to the water and full use of their facilities. Water taxis straight from Kalkan township to the beach club are available and often free in exchange for a meal or drink.
Old Town Kaş
The cute little seaside town of Kaş is well worth adding to your Turkish itineary. Similar to Kalkan but more touristy, a lot of people base themselves here instead of Kalkan and even prefer it, although it really depends what you’re looking for. Kaş is beautiful but we preferred the laidback feel of Kalkan.
The old town of Kaş sit’s right on the waterfront and is a hub for day trips and tours. You could be forgiven for thinking that you might be wandering a Greek island because of the similarities in sweet boutiques, lovely cafes and al fresco dining under the bougainvillea.
Spend all day walking around the town and finding coves to swim at or a club to dine in overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean.
Kekova and Sunken City Boat Tour
We caught an early bus from Kalkan to Kas so that we could take the ferry to the Greek Island of Meis. Unfortunately we missed that boat and were left at the port wondering what we would do with our day. After chatting to a couple of the local guides taking tourists out on day trips we decided on a tour to Kekova and the Sunken City.
It turns out this particular tour was one of the best reviewed and it did not disappoint. We managed to get a super discount too, because we were able to walk between the different tours and negotiate prices.
To say this was a great day out would be an understatement. This day was incredible. The boat itself was extremely comfy with cushioned beds to lounge on, bathrooms and a bar. Highlights included swimming in crystal clear waters, visiting the famous Simena Village, cruising around the Sunken City and enjoying a delicious lunch on board.
You can no longer swim at the Sunken City but the boat will take you to another cove with ancient ruins that you can swim over. The boat docks in the middle of the bay allowing you to jump off the boat and swim over the ruins to shore where you can then explore more ancient artefacts on land. Don’t forget to pack water shoes – walking on sharp painful rocks without them is not a lot of fun!
TIP: We decided not to do a Kayak tour over the Sunken City choosing the boat tour instead. I’m glad we did this. There were so many boats cruising the City it would have taken away from the unique experience.
The perspective from higher up on the boat also brings a unique view of the underwater ruins, particularly because the water is so clear!
After lunch the boat takes you to Simena Village where you can climb the stairs to see Simena Castle. You’ll need to pay extra to go inside the Castle. We skipped the Castle tour and continued walking up the hill, taking in the breath-taking views of the bay below. There are plenty of places to enjoy freshly homemade ice-cream by the locals too!
If you do one tour while in Kas make sure it is this one!
Saklıkent Gorge
This is a day trip we nearly didn’t do and oh my goodness I’m so glad we ended up doing it! About 50-minutes drive from Kalkan, Saklikent Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the world. The first part of the gorge is entered into by walking on wooden platforms attached to the rocks. At the end of the walkway is a gathering area where people sit around taking photos of each other or buying flavoured slushes and corn on the cob from one of the kiosks.
This is where the fun really starts. From the end of the walkway you scramble across the rocks, wading through small rapids of freezing water before entering deeper into the Canyon. There are many signs warning tourists of the potential dangers and there are bins of helmets that you are encouraged to wear for free (in case of falling rocks).
TIP: Make sure you’re wearing shoes that can get wet. Many people were wearing sandles or flip-flops and were having a miserable time trying to walk through the mud.
There are lots of sharp rocks beneath the water that will hurt if you’re not wearing appropriate shoes. You can hire shoes from one of the kiosks but they didn’t look all that comfortable. We wore our Teva sandals!
The out and back trail is about four kilometres long and ends with a small waterfall. To get there is a slippery mission, climbing over boulders and through thick mud. About one kilometre into the gorge is a small waterfall where you’ll be met by a group of locals insisting that to go any further without a guide risks serious injury. We had heard about this and knew that you didn’t have to have a guide so formed an impromptu tour group with two other couples.
The guides would have charged a crazy fee and honestly it was a lot more fun exploring the area on our own. I will say that depending on the season you may require some assistance, especially if the water levels are high. We were there in the dry seasons and had no trouble at all on our own.
TIP: Go in the shoulder seasons if possible and early in the morning if you want to avoid huge crowds. We were there in the off-season and got there as soon as the gates opened at 9am. By the time we were leaving it was getting really busy.
Patara Beach
Don’t make the same mistake as us. We didn’t realise that not only does it cost to go to Patara Beach but that it also closes at sunset. We travelled from Kalkan late afternoon and despite knowing we’d only have just over an hour here, still decided to pay the entry fee.
Patara is the longest beach in Turkey and the beach and dunes are protected due to the Loggerhead turtles that nest here. It’s also the location of one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Turkey. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to explore any of the city. If we were to do this again, I would have come a lot earlier to explore the ancient ruins before heading to the beach to cool off and watch the sunset.
Despite the reviews indicating that this might be one of the nicest beaches in Turkey we didn’t love it. The actual sand felt dirty and the entrance fee was high considering we only had one hour to enjoy it. Our mistake, I know, but we felt there were other beaches that were a lot nicer and free.
Kaputaş Beach
This has to be one of the most stunning beaches in Turkey with it’s brilliant white sand and stunning turquoise waters. We took the Dolmus from Kalkan and it was an affordable, easy ride and we didn’t have to worry about parking.
Kaputas Beach is a small cove and given how popular it gets you’ll want to get there as early as you possibly can. You can pay for a chair and umbrella (if you’re lucky enough to find a free one) otherwise you can just find a spot on the sand on the left side of the cove.
TIP: Bring your own snacks and water. There is a small restaurant but its costly.
It’s a steep walk down to the water so keep in mind once you go down you have to get back up! There is also limited shade, especially as the day goes on, so make sure you bring enough clothes to cover up and not get burnt!
Free Diving
While in Turkey Tom decided to get his free-diving certification. His instructor just so happened to be a freediving national record holder. For three days Tom took the bus from Kalkan to Kas and studied the fundamentals behind freediving before practicing and learning in a supportive and safe environment, eventually diving to depths of more than 20 meters.
This was perfect timing before heading to Marsa Alam in Egypt where Tom was able to really take advantage of this new found skill, getting up close and personal to the stunning underwater world of the Red Sea! If you’re looking for a free diving instructor than look no further than Freedive Cosmos in Kas!
Turkey is truely a stunning country of rich ancient history, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, making it a must-visit destination filled with surprising discoveries at every turn!
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