Unknown resorts in Turkey: Kalkan (Kalkan). Kalkan. Location and history
When you arrive in Kas, be prepared to experience an adventurous atmosphere. The streets of the city are narrow, cobbled, with white walls of houses surrounded by greenery. Due to the remoteness of Kas from the airports, only the most sophisticated tourists, mainly from Europe, get here.
It takes a little longer to get to Kalkan from Antalya - 4.5 hours (215 kilometers). Most of the route runs along the coast.
If you have an international driving license and a navigator, it is convenient to rent a car.
However, there is always the opportunity to get to Kas or Kalkan by taxi or use the hotel transfer (70-200 dollars, registration is made when booking a room).
In addition to Antalya, the city of Kas is connected by transport routes with Istanbul. (journey time 15 hours, the bus runs once a day), Ankara (11 hours drive), Izmir (8 hours, two flights a day), nearby Kalkan (only half an hour drive). And yet, in just thirty minutes, you can get to Kas by boat from the Greek island of Meis
Kas is a resort with inexpensive guesthouses, villas and hotels 2 and 3 * . The most popular are: Ekici Hotel, Kekova Hotel, Hotel Club Phellos, Bilgin Hotel. Accommodation - from $ 40 per day for a room in a boarding house to $ 80-90 for a room in a three-star hotel in Kas.
The guests are provided with a buffet breakfast with dishes and European cuisines, refreshing drinks in bars, quality service, bike rental and sightseeing tours, free guarded parking, as well as cozy rooms with exquisite interiors and amazing beautiful views from windows.
The narrow streets of Kalkan are lined with guesthouses, apartments, and villas. Most of the buildings are three stories high. The cost of living starts from $ 45 knocks for a double room in a boarding house; for 2 * -3 * hotels in Kalkan you will have to pay at least $ 85, but five-star rooms cost an average of $ 150 per day for two. Popular are: Club Patara Villas, Zinbad Hotel Kalkan, Kalkan Suites.
Of course, a small resort town is not suitable for a global tour, but if you need souvenirs, small household items, accessories, products on vacation, you can easily find it in shops and shops. There are no problems with food either.
Most restaurants - in the open air, and in the evenings candles are lit in them and it is pleasant to listen to live music with a glass of wine. Bars and cafes do not close until the last visitors. But the nightlife in Kas is represented by just a couple of clubs and discos.
Beaches in Kalkan and Kas
The beaches of the city of Kas are peculiar. There are several public ones, but each has a very small territory and a considerable distance from each other. On the beaches for vacationers are provided: free parking, sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, showers and toilets.
Despite the name, the beach, only 150 meters long, consists of several iron and concrete platforms located at different heights. From each platform a staircase leads into the water. The depth is significant, the beach is unacceptable for visiting with children. The cleanliness of the place has been awarded the Blue Flag.
Buyuk Chakil (Büyük Çakıl, "Large Pebbles")
This beach is half as long as Chinarlar. There are two bars on the territory, rock music sounds, wi-fi is free. Rest with children is quite possible due to the sandy entrance to the water with a smooth transition to the depth.
Estuary of aazy (Limanağzı, "Port Estuary")
Every 20 minutes there is a sea tram to Liman Azy. On this pebble beach you can not only sunbathe, but also ride kayaks and canoes, inflatable circles, visit a bar.
Leymona and Camping Beach
Again, instead of the usual beaches, there are several platforms belonging to hotels.
Public pebble beach, you can get to it by dolmush, driving 4 km along the highway towards Kalkan. Families with children and those who like to swim far into the sea will certainly like it here. From entertainment: children's and basketball courts, water slides. Akchagerme is marked with the "Blue Flag" for the purity of the water and the territory.
Inceboaz (İnceboğaz, "Narrow throat")
This tiny pebble beach connects the mainland to the peninsula. The depth of the sea is small. There is a diner.
"Aquarius" (Aquarius)
Another tiny blue flag beach. Lack of space - if you are not a guest of nearby hotels, you will have to pay for sunbeds. The entrance to the water is made in the form of concrete steps.
You can get to Kaputas along the D400 highway, covering a distance of 20 kilometers from the resort. The entrance is guarded by gendarmes.
The beach is a bay located among the rocks. The sandy shore is washed by emerald waves (sometimes quite high and foamy). The length is 150 meters. There are no umbrellas and sun loungers on the beach, you will have to take care of the shade yourself.
Patara Beach has a history of two millennia. Not far from its territory are the ruins of ancient castles and other ancient buildings. Earlier, during the prosperity of the state of Lycia, Patara served as a port.
Caretta turtles lay their eggs on the white sands of the beach, so immediately after sunset, the entrance to the territory is closed for vacationers. If you're lucky, in addition to turtles, you can meet rare species of birds. It is no wonder that due to such cleanliness, Patara was awarded the Blue Flag.
There is only one cafe, a shower and a couple of changing rooms on the territory. Sunbed rental - $5 per day.
The beaches of Kaputas and Patara are located between Kas and Kalkan. You can get to them by highway or by dolmush with a pointer - the name of the beach (they run every 20 minutes).
Sports in Kalkan and Kas
The first “Diving School” appeared in Kas back in 1986. At present, there are bots, safari guides for traveling to dive sites, of which there are about 15. There are also shops with diving equipment, but the assortment is not very rich.
Diving is possible all year round. This is facilitated by the weather and visibility under water. At the bottom of the sea you can see sunken ships, planes, underwater caves and amazing landscapes. This is why divers come to Kas and Kalkan.
The dive program is usually this: a briefing, a trip to the dive site and the dive itself, rest and lunch, then an afternoon dive. There are also night dives.
In addition to diving, surfing, paragliding, boat trips on yachts and fishing are available. These sports provide a charge of vivacity and pleasant emotions from the experienced moments. So, for example, a walk on a yacht with a glass bottom to the city of Kekova, which has gone under water, will not leave indifferent even the most skeptical traveler.
Sights of Kalkan and Kas
The city of Kas, with its snow-white walls of houses and tiled roofs, is an attraction in itself. What are its ornate ladders surrounded by green flower beds. There are not a large number of ancient ruins here, but among those that have survived to this day, one can note the Hellenistic theater (up to three thousand spectators could sit on 26 rows), a prehistoric tomb depicting graceful dancers (4th century BC), a two-story tomb depicting lion heads.
(15 km west of Kalkan)
Ancient city with a scattering of ancient buildings. Unfortunately, many of them have come down to us in the form of ruins. Walking between the remains of the ancient Lycian state in silence makes you think about the transience of time and the former greatness of the once mighty city.
Moving south-west from Kalkan, the traveler will see a valley containing the remains of ancient Lycian cities, previously majestic temples and bridges, aqueducts and walls of houses in which life once, many centuries ago, was in full swing.
Sinop
Traveling in the footsteps of ancient cultures, it is worth looking into the resort town of Sinop on the Böztepe peninsula. In Sinop, there is a wonderful “Mermaid Beach” with white sand, the ancient Sinop prison (formerly a fortress), the ancient mosque of Alaeddin, fountains, ancient tombs and the Balatlar church.
If you appreciate the beauty of Turkish nature, you should definitely head to the Saklikent Gorge. It is an hour's drive from Kalkan. During the extreme walk you have to overcome the bed of a mountain river and stone steeps.
Another natural attraction is Lake Borabay. The reservoir in the crater of the volcano attracts tourists with the purity of the waters and trout fishing. There are picnic areas near the lake.
Why are small resort areas attractive? In the absence of fuss, without noise disturbing the sounds of wind and waves, it is possible to touch the pieces of Turkish history, enjoy swimming in the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, relax on a uncrowded beach or engage in active sports.
At the same time, nothing will interfere with a measured rest in one of the inexpensive, but very comfortable hotels in Kas or Kalkan.
A wonderful resort town located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, in the charming resort of Kas.
The picturesque amphitheater Kalkan descends from the mountains to the coast. Winding cobbled streets merrily run down to the sea.
Tiled roofs of houses and hotels peek out from under the lush greenery. Balconies and terraces covered with ivy and flowers offer stunning views of the surroundings. And everywhere there is an amazing atmosphere of calm and serenity.
These places are not well known to tourists from the CIS countries. Large tour operators do not work here and there is no mass tourism.
The town is ideal for a relaxing holiday away from the tourist crowds. Kalkan is not like the traditional resorts of Turkey Many compare it with the famous Italian Riviera. It really is more like a European resort.
Kalkan Hotels. Türkiye
In a tiny and cozy corner of Turkey and hotels correspond to the general atmosphere. Small private hotels, comfortable houses and villas.
Since the town is accustomed to vacationers from Europe, the service here is appropriate. There are no problems with housing even in the high season.
Hotels, nestled on the slopes of the mountains, lure guests with gorgeous panoramic views. It's just amazing to watch from the private terrace as the evening sun sets on the sea, illuminating everything around with extraordinary colors.
Things to do? Kalkan. Türkiye
A feature of Kalkan is a huge number of bars, restaurants and cafes. Locals say that their number per capita is greater than anywhere else in Turkey.
The cuisine of Kalkan is beyond praise, the choice of dishes is huge, and the quality is excellent. And the location of many establishments allows you to enjoy stunning panoramas of the city and the beautiful Turkish coast while having dinner.
A huge number of shops and shops will delight lovers of shopping. There is practically no nightlife here, but restaurants, bars and shops are open until dawn.
As in all resorts in Turkey, vacationers are offered a variety of recreational excursions.
The beaches of Kalkan. Türkiye
There are three beaches in Kalkan. The central beach is located in the harbor of the city. It is covered with small pebbles and organized with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
In the western part of Kalkan there is a small and very cozy beach. And in the east - a beautiful artificial beach. It is also covered with pebbles, however, like the central one, it can be quite crowded.
The surroundings of Kalkan are literally dotted with wonderful small bays with beautiful natural beaches. You can get to them only by sea, which local boat owners will be happy to help you with.
Kalkan Photos |
Kalkan on the map |
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The beach and the city of Patara. The ancient settlement of Patara is located 15 km west of Kalkan. It amazes with unusual stone buildings that have miraculously survived to this day. And next to it is perhaps the most stunning Turkish beach - Patara. The huge coastline is covered with white sand. There are practically no people here, only the sea and you… Kaputas beach. 6 km east of Kalkan, surrounded by tall cliffs, one of the best beaches in Turkey lurks. The diversity of this small piece of the Turkish coast is amazing. The sea here shimmers with every conceivable shade of blue. Perfectly rolled small pebbles are convenient for swimming. And the emerald waves rolling ashore make you believe in the myth of Aphrodite emerging from the sea foam. Gorge Saklikent. This amazing wonder of Turkish nature is located an hour's drive from Kalkan inland. The canyon will bring a lot of impressions to lovers of hiking and extreme sports. Cross the bed of a mountain river, go through a crevice where the sun barely breaks through, overcome more bizarre boulders and enjoy the real "wild" beauty. The entrance to the gorge is paid. Valley of Xanthos. Famous place southwest of Kalkan. Several mysterious ancient cities are located here at once, which were once part of the powerful Lycian Union. Amazing ancient temples, bridges and aqueducts. Ancient streets where our ancestors walked. And the indescribable primordial silence ... |
Kalkan is one of those Turkish resorts that are almost unknown to Russian tourists, but which are definitely worth a visit. The town can be successfully considered an important center beach holiday, but here, unlike the more famous resorts, there is not such a large crowd of people. Mostly, Kalkan is visited by Western European tourists, and the elderly. The city is perfect for a relaxing holiday, including family.
In contact with
As in most beach resorts, Kalkan offers tourists all kinds of recreation at sea and under water, entertainment on the shore and a variety of cultural and excursion programs. Guests of the city can get acquainted with the historical sights of the region, taste dishes of local and European cuisines, spend unforgettable moments of shopping in local shops and shops.
General information about Kalkan (Türkiye)
It is believed that the Kalkan settlement itself (Wikipedia of the Turkish-speaking segment of the Internet gives just such a version) was founded 150-200 years ago by Greek merchants. Even before 1923, the Greek population prevailed in the fishing village, which Kalkan became at that time, but after the war between the two countries and the ensuing deportation, the bulk of the local residents were Turks. In ancient times, on the territory where the resort is now located, there was a Lycian civilization, distinguished by its original culture, writing, and architecture.
Kalkan, whose photo is strikingly different from other Turkish resorts, primarily in that most of the rooms for guests are located not in high-rise hotels, but in comfortable villas. Naturally, the cost of recreation in the resort is slightly higher than the price of similar services in more popular tourist destinations. In a 2007 survey of the best destinations, the British newspaper The Independent named Kalkan as one of the best destinations for a romantic getaway.
Sights of Kalkan
The main feature of Kalkan is that its main attraction is the center of the village or the Old Town. Not distinguished by special architectural delights, this place is unique for Turkey - the houses built by Greek settlers repeat the style of buildings so much that it seems as if you are in a Greek resort. It is not surprising that many buildings are taken under state protection and their demolition is prohibited.
All other historical sights are located outside the administrative boundaries of Kalkan, but shuttle buses run to them and sightseeing tours are organized:
- Xanth or Xanthus- the ruins of the ancient Lycian city, located 15 kilometers from Kalkan, and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. On the territory of the ancient city, which arose in the 1st millennium BC, imaginary facades of houses carved into the rocks, the tombs of the local nobility arranged in the form of villas with colonnades, and an ancient amphitheater have been preserved.
- The neighboring sanctuary of the goddess Leto and her children Apollo and Artemis - Letoon- also included in the list of specially protected world objects of cultural heritage of mankind. In the second half of the last century, the foundations of three temples dedicated to the listed deities were excavated here, and a stele with inscriptions in 3 languages (including Lycian) was discovered, thanks to which it was possible to make significant progress in deciphering the writing of the ancient civilization. In addition to religious buildings, the theater, the grave of a noble Roman, a spring with a pool, a Byzantine basilica of the 5th century have been preserved in Letoon.
- (10 km from Kalkan) - one of the most important cities of the Lycian civilization, which served as a port and one of the trade centers of the state. Among the ruins, the Arc de Triomphe, baths, tombs, a necropolis, an amphitheater are perfectly preserved. Today, the former harbor of Patara has silted up and is not connected to the sea.
- - another ruins of the ancient Lycian state, located 30 km from Kalkan. The acropolis, Roman baths, Byzantine basilica, rebuilt from Roman baths, have been preserved on the territory of the complex.
Sights of Kalkan
Resort beaches
The beaches of Kalkan will satisfy the taste of almost any vacationer - there are places for young people to relax with nightclubs and discos, and quiet cozy harbors for families with children or the elderly. The most famous beaches of the resort are:
- - the most popular beach of the town on the Mediterranean Sea. It offers sun loungers for rent, showers, drinking water and a small cafe where you can have a bite to eat.
- - a rather long beach for a small resort Kalkan. It is interesting for couples with small children - the sandy shore with small dunes descends very smoothly into the sea, gradually sinking into the depths.
- Kalkan Public Beach- the main public beach of the resort, surrounded by many restaurants and cafes. The gradual descent of the seabed is replaced by deep water space.
- Squid- the rocky beach of Kalkan, which is happily chosen by connoisseurs of diving and snorkeling. Visitors descend into the sea from special pontoons.
- Careta- a rocky beach suitable only for adults and teenagers who can swim - there is no smooth entry into the water, visitors descend into the water from pontoons. Night discos are also held here.
The beaches of Kalkan
City streets as a separate attraction of Kalkan
The streets of the Mediterranean Turkish resort are its own attraction. Steep slopes of narrow rocky lanes surrounded by snow-white houses make you want to stop and capture architecture unusual for Turkish reality in the photo.
Important! To move around the city (despite its small size) it is best to use a local taxi. If the descent is not particularly difficult, then the ascent, due to the very steep slope of the streets, rather quickly tires unprepared travelers.
On the streets of Kalkan you can enjoy shopping. The main goods sold in local shops are souvenirs from the resort and fakes of famous brands. Among the latter are mainly trademarks of British handbags and watches.
In the numerous cafes and restaurants of the city, travelers can enjoy exquisite Mediterranean food with a predominance of seafood. A separate highlight of Kalkan is the opportunity to try real Italian pizza in Turkey - people from the peninsular state who are masters of the art of cooking live in the city.
Resort hotels
Despite the fact that in Kalkan there are names or their components that are typical for all resort towns in Turkey - dogas, suite or villa - the possibilities of the resort village in providing rooms are somewhat different. The fact is that here, mainly, guest houses and apartments are located, and the number of multi-bed hotels is not as large as in popular resorts like. The most famous Kalkan hotels are:
Kalkan is a great place for lovers of a quiet family holiday, connoisseurs of Mediterranean cuisine, snow-white beaches and azure waters of the sea. Every traveler who has visited a cozy resort will certainly want to repeat the trip in order to once again enjoy a relaxing holiday at sea.
Kalkan, often called “another Turkey”, is a completely different Turkish resort in our understanding. Narrow steep streets lined with shops and cafes, a calm and cozy atmosphere, snow-white houses with terraces entwined with bougainvilleas - all this is Kalkan. With its atmosphere and architecture, Kalkan can be mistaken for a town in Tuscany or Greece. In addition, near Kalkan there is a beach-reserve Kaputash, which is guarded by the police. 
Kalkan is a small town on the Lycian coast. This city is not spoiled by mass tourism, which means that peace and quiet reign here. All those who want to relax on the Turkish coast from the bustle of the city go to Kalkan. Those who have visited this place at least once come back here repeatedly, and each time they fall in love with this town in a new way.
Get to the city
Kalkan is located two hours drive from Dalaman, where the nearest international airport is located, which receives flights from Europe, as well as domestic flights. There is no direct flight from Russia to Dalaman, but charter flights are added at the peak of the tourist season, which you can use. In addition, you can make a connection in Istanbul and Ankara. To get to Kalkan from the airport, you can use a shuttle or bus. 
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Weather
Kalkan is one of the southernmost resorts in Turkey, well protected by the mountain range. Summer here is dry and hot, the average daily temperature of the hottest months of July and August is +33 degrees. Winter is warm and rainy, in January the temperature is about +15 degrees. Thanks to this climate, the water during the summer season warms up to +25 - 27 degrees. 
Hotels
In the usual understanding of Turkish hotels in Kalkan, you will not find them, they simply do not exist here. All large and chain hotels with the favorite all-inclusive system are found in more adapted resorts for Russian tourists. Everything except the historical center of Kalkan is built up with villas, so they are rented out to visitors. You can also find small hotels where breakfast will be included in the price. 
Rest
Surprisingly, there are practically no Russian tourists here, and the staff does not know Russian. It is this fact that attracts here those who want to get acquainted with the real Turkey - another Turkey. Europeans, mostly British, prefer to relax here, so everything here is duplicated in English. In most cases, vacationers in this place are older and wealthier people, and besides, these are not the Europeans that we are used to seeing in typical Turkish resorts. Rich Turks also rest in Kalkan. In general, even people here are different. Everyone is very polite, friendly and welcoming. For shopping lovers, Kalkan offers a lot of shops that mainly sell local souvenirs and fakes of expensive brands. Those who want to taste authentic Turkish cuisine will also find a large selection of restaurants. And the natural beauty of Kalkan will not leave indifferent even the most inveterate travelers. 
Attractions
As such, there are no attractions in Kalkan, and Kalkan itself can be called the main attraction. A small, once a fishing town, narrow steep streets, snow-white houses with bougainvilleas, more reminiscent of Italy or Greece. The Old Kalkan area is an abundance of shops, restaurants and cafes. Another local attraction is nature. Stunning sea panoramas and no less beautiful mountain landscapes surrounding Kalkan. The most beautiful beach in Turkey - Kaputas, is located in the vicinity of Kalkan, and the road leading to the beach is considered one of the most beautiful on the coast of Lycia. The length of the beach is about 150 meters, striking with its turquoise water. In addition, the beach is carefully guarded. 
But in the vicinity of Kalkan there are plenty of attractions. Not far away is the Citadel of Tlos - a fortified city built over four thousand years ago, was considered the brightest city of the Lycian nation. You can also make an excursion to a small settlement called Kas, where an ancient Lycian tomb is located. You can ride on the Çukurbag peninsula or admire the Izmik ceramics. Another ancient settlement in the vicinity of Kalkan is Uchagiz, from where you can take a boat trip through the ancient islands of Lycia, for example, Kekova, which is simply strewn with ancient ruins. The island is home to the Semena settlement, where ancient Lycian tombs and a fortress are located. Just an hour's drive from Kalkan is the Saklikent gorge. Excursions are organized in the gorge, you can raft down the river, as well as have a bite to eat right above the water in local restaurants. In addition, just a twenty-minute drive from the gorge are two ancient Lycian cities - Letoon and Xanthos. Here are the ruins of amphitheaters, tombs, houses and other buildings.
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There are travelers who have great taste in choice. As a rule, such people can already determine just from a photograph how good the rest will be, how exciting it will be. If you are one of them, be sure to turn your eyes to Kalkan - an ancient city of charm on the Turkish turquoise Mediterranean coast.
Kalkan is part of the province of Antalya, located on the southwestern coast of Turkey. Once a small fishing village, today it has become a cosmopolitan seaside resort town.
Its long and clean promenade, surrounded by Blue Flag beaches, is a favorite of Europeans who come in search of warm sun, pleasant relaxation, chic summer bars and luxurious restaurants filled with seafood. The traditional buildings of the old city are highlighted by the white color of the cascading southern houses, decorated with flowering bougainvilleas and bright tiled roofs.
Kalkan holiday season
Already at the end of April, you can sunbathe and bask in the sun here - the air temperature exceeds +20 C, but the sea water is still somewhat cold. The high season starts in June and ends in October. The hottest months in Kalkan are July and August, the air can heat up to +38 C, the water temperature is +26 +28 C. The best time to relax in these places, in our opinion, is the third decade of August-early September.
The beaches of Kalkan
The blue flag for the beaches of this resort town is the norm. The main city beach is located to the east of the sea harbor. It is quite small, consists of pebble stones, surrounded by crystal clear blue water. For the convenience of vacationers - sun loungers, parasols, many beach bars and cafes. In addition to this wonderful beach, people go to Kalkan to sunbathe in a sandy bay on Kaputas beach - it is located about 10 minutes drive from the city, and also to the famous Patara beach - a 12-kilometer wide stretch of coast, included in the list of national parks in Turkey. It is an hour drive from Kalkan.
