Kalkan holidays

Kalkan holidays

If you’re looking to treat your family or your better half to a little slice of luxury, then book one of our holidays to Kalkan. Once an idyllic fishing village, this holiday resort is now a mixture of old-school Turkish charm and modern, high-end hotels. Among the narrow streets, you’ll find brightly-decorated shops, cafés, and restaurants.

This isn’t the place to find pizzas and burgers: the tavernas and restaurants here serve traditional Turkish cuisine, although they’ll make something simpler for confused-looking holidaymakers!

History buffs can spend some time visiting some of the finest Roman ruins in the region, while if you’ve got a taste for adventure you can go kite-surfing, quad-bike across the sands, horse-riding at sunset, take boat trips along the coast, or wallow in a rejuvenating mud-bath at the nearby springs.

However, if your idea of downtime is to park yourself on a sun lounger and catch some rays, Kalkan is blessed with some of the best beaches around!

Things to do

The best place to get your bearings is on the picturesque waterfront. There, you’ll find some laid-back bars and rustic restaurants in which to enjoy a cheeky drink or a leisurely lunch. If the sapphire-coloured sea takes your fancy, make for the marina, where you can hop aboard a coastal cruise.

Anyone with even the faintest interest in history should visit some of the area’s historical sites. Xanthos boasts a superbly preserved Roman amphitheatre, alongside some imposing tombs and a Byzantine street.

Alternatively, lose yourself in the markets in the Old Town and hunt out some treasures of your own.

Excellent beaches

The Blue Flag beaches that line the coast of Kalkan are beautiful. A long stretch of soft, white sand shelves gently into calm, glistening waters. The tranquil waves make the beach ideal for relaxing afternoons, reclining on sun loungers under parasols.

If you’re after a more upbeat activity, there are lots of water sports available, from water skiing and paragliding to banana boats and canoeing.

Cafés and restaurants line the coast where you can eat fresh seafood and sip on delicious cocktails. A pleasant, pebbly beach lies next to the beautiful harbour, where the sun-soaked sea is a perfect romantic spot to sit and watch the boats dance on the horizon at nightfall.

History and culture

Kalkan was once a working fishing town and a safe harbour between Kaş and Fethiye. Its traditional character can still be seen through the cobbled streets of whitewashed houses that sit along the shore. Kalkan is close to significant, historic landmarks including Kayakoy; an evacuated ghost town and the Lycian city ruins of Tlos. Tourism has only become apparent in the last 40 or so years so the town still thrives on the traditional Turkish laid-back way of life.

Lively nightlife

Aside from its romantic setting and rich history, Kalkan has a vibrant nightlife to keep you entertained. Whether you want a quiet drink in a scenic setting or a dance floor in a buzzing nightclub, this modern town has it all.

Drink cocktails in a feel-good contemporary atmosphere at Club Karma, where resident DJs play the latest summer hits giving you a chance to grab your friends and dance the night away.

A popular place for a drink and a meal during sunset is the Botanik Garden Bar, with its unique setting along a peaceful river, decorated with green flora. With the glow of the garden lanterns, it’s easy to relax on the hammocks that hang from the blossoming trees.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations including: Antalya | Bodrum | Dalaman | Dalyan | Fethiye | Hisaronu | Icmeler | Istanbul | Izmir | Marmaris | Olu Deniz | Ovacik | Turunc

 

Map of Kalkan

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12-26 ℃

The summer months get extremely hot, with temperatures in the thirties. If you prefer cooler conditions, book your holidays to Kalkan in the spring or autumn.

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Flights here land at Dalaman Airport, which is about 122km from the resort.

Kalkan is best for...

Couples: Still sporting much of its original character, Kalkan is a tangle of whitewashed, narrow streets, and boasts a sun-soaked marina lined with intimate restaurants and beautiful scenery: all the ingredients for a romantic getaway. 

Night owls: On top of a selection of superb restaurants and bars, most of Kalkan’s shops stay open until midnight, so you can indulge in some late-night haggling. Don’t expect rowdy clubs: the locals prefer the sound of live gypsy bands, rather than thumping techno.

Sightseers: Situated an easy distance from Patara and Xanthos, Kalkan is the gateway to Lycia’s fascinating remains.

Fast facts for Kalkan

Language: The language spoken here is Turkish, while the locals speak some English, a phrasebook or an app is a good idea especially if you’re sightseeing away from the usual tourist spots. 

Currency: You’ll need to exchange your Sterling for Turkish Lira, before jetting off on your holidays to Kalkan.

Local time: Kalkan is 2 hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Dalaman Airport. The transfer time to Kalkan is 2.5 hours. 

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Kalkan is 4 hours.

Visas and health: If you’re a British Citizen and you’re travelling to Kalkan for a holiday, you will not need a visa unless you are planning on staying for more than 90 days in a 180-day period. If you need any more advice on Turkey visas, or entry requirements - please visit FCDO website for the latest guidance.  

Holiday destinations related to Kalkan:

Getting around Kalkan

By dolmus: The local mini buses in Turkey are called dolmuses, and are a very handy and cheap way of getting around resorts. Dolmuses leave from the main square and head to the coast and local places of interest.

By bus: Buses are generally used for longer journeys, and are a good option for day trips and excursions if you don’t want to drive. There’s a bus ticket office in the main square.

By car: There are plenty of car hire companies available on your Kalkan holiday, especially at Dalaman Airport. Prices are competitive and car hire is ideal for visitors wanting the freedom to travel on their own time. 

Events in Kalkan

For water babies: The first of July sees the Festival of the Sea soaking Kalkan to the bone! What begins as a memorial ceremony to those who’ve lost their lives at sea, erupts into a celebration that anyone can take part in. Expect swimming races, kayaking competitions, and even a contest to see who can walk a plank that’s been covered in olive oil! 

For culture vultures: At the end of June, nearby Kas holds the International Lycian Culture and Arts Festival. Around 30 minutes’ drive from here, the festival is a three-day event featuring an opening parade and performances, exhibitions, and concerts, plus lots of food in the city’s squares and venues.

Kalkan weather

Temperature: Summer average of 25-28°C

Best time to visit: April and May are popular for more comfortable temperatures. Summers get very hot here, with temperatures peaking in the low thirties. While this might be ideal for sunseekers, if you want to get some sightseeing done and would prefer things a little cooler, book your break between March and May or in the autumn, between September and November.

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