Kalkan, Turkey – an enchanting harbour town, its steep cobbled streets lending it a laid-back charm all of its own
Kalkan, Turkey, is a charming holiday spot. Narrow roads lead down to the seafront, dotted with exquisite boutique shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, which just ooze the flavour of Turkey. Holidays to Kalkan are often spent whiling away the hours in the restaurants along the marina, just watching the boats as they slip in and out of the harbour. Part of Kalkan’s charm is in its setting on a steep hillside spread around a bay, which is also one of the reasons it has escaped mass tourism. It does mean, however, that Kalkan holidays are not recommended for anyone who has difficulty in walking, neither is it the easiest place to push a pushchair.
The town has its own small pebble beach or you can take the regular dolmus (minibus) service out of Kalkan - Turkey’s best-known beaches of Kaputas and Patara are only a short ride away. Kaputas is a stunning shingle and coarse sandy beach about 15 minutes drive away with the clearest turquoise waters you have ever seen. Spectacularly unspoilt, Patara is a stretch of 18km of superb sand, approximately 20 minutes away from Kalkan.
Exploring the surrounding area by boat is by far the most relaxing approach to sightseeing from Kalkan. Turkey’s stunning turquoise coast is just waiting to be discovered and you should not miss a trip to the ancient castle of Simena and the fascinating sunken city of Kekova.
Kalkan holidays are of the laid-back, lazy variety, where time can pass doing virtually nothing except relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere. After a day spent swimming in the clear Mediterranean waters, what could be better than an early evening promenade through the narrow streets of Kalkan to explore the charming shops, before settling down with a cold glass of wine to admire the views over the harbour-front. It is certainly easy to understand why holidays to Kalkan have such a loyal following amongst our clients, and prove particularly popular with couples of all ages.
