KALKAN (Turkey)
Kalkan is a picturesque town on the Turkish Riviera, with beautiful beaches and crystal clear sea, my tips on what to see and where to stay
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Kalkan
A hidden gem of the Turkish coast that you will love. I think this place is not that well known to Czechs, which is why I was interested.
If you are looking for a place where luxury, peace and an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere meet, Kalkan will capture your heart. This former fishing village located between Kaş and Patara is today an elegant resort full of beautiful views, stylish cafes and boutique hotels that smell of lavender and the sea.
The town center itself is magical. You will find many ancient houses, they reminded me a bit of Greece, pink flowering bushes and other colorful plants, palm trees, cozy restaurants and bars, a harbor and thanks to the location on the hill you will have a beautiful view. I must not forget the crystal clear sea, which was warm even at the turn of September - October and is even saltier than in Croatia.
As for the beaches. The public beach by the port is dotted with larger pebbles, I recommend a padded sunbed and water shoes. Or you can rent a sunbed and umbrella. Entrance to the beach is free. On the side you will also find romantic corners and small beaches between the cliffs. Otherwise, most tourists use beach clubs for sunbathing, because in addition to the public beach, there are more cliffs around Kalkan and not everyone would fit on the public beach. There are a lot of beach clubs here. They are paid, sunbeds and umbrellas are already included in the price, there are also restaurants. Access to the water here is usually via steps or ladders, so you don't need water shoes here.
If you are a guest of the True Blue Kalkan or Payava Boutique Hotel like me, you will have free entry to the Yali Beach Club.
What to see and experience in Kalkan
1) Kaputaş Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey – azure water, dramatic cliffs, white pebbles and golden sand. Entrance fee about 50 TL (sunbeds and umbrellas are paid, but you can bring your own towel, only the shade is a problem, it is only in the restaurant), parking above the stairs, but parking is difficult, the beach is too popular, I recommend taking a taxi. Be prepared for 150 steps, but the view is worth it. Water like in the Caribbean.
2) Patara Beach
An endless sandy beach 18 km long with dunes, and at the same time a place with a rich history. Part of it is the archaeological site of Patara, once the capital of the Lycian League. Ideal for romantic walks at sunset. Darker fine sand, shallow sea. You don't need water shoes, suitable for children and non-swimmers. You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, but of course you can bring your own. There is no shade. It is common for families to have picnics here and have their own equipment. There is also a restaurant. However, the entrance fee is quite high - 15 Euros per person, including excavations and the museum. Locals get discounts.
3) Kalkan Center
Narrow streets full of flowers, white houses with blue shutters and Mediterranean cafes. In the evening the city transforms - music, lights and the smell of the sea. Be sure to stop for a cocktail overlooking the harbor. Lots of shopping options, especially clothes, handbags, jewelry, souvenirs. You can usually pay by card, but if you want better prices, I recommend having cash, preferably Turkish lira, Euros are not so convenient.
4) Boat Trip
Boats depart from the port daily for full-day boat trips – swimming in caves, stops at islets, barbecue lunch on board. The price is around 800-1000 TL per person (including food).
5) Water sports
At the port you can arrange an adrenaline experience like parasailing, you can rent a jet ski, or you can try a waterboard powered by high water pressure that will lift you up.
6) Nearby towns
Nearby towns like Kaş are certainly worth a visit (for example, the True Blue Kalkan hotel organized tours to local markets for its guests) or Fethiye, Xanthos or Saklıkent, but I personally haven't been there.
Honestly, you won't be able to do much more in a week if you also want to swim and sunbathe :)
Where to stay in Kalkan
My personal experience with hotels:
There are a few hotel rooms, but the mainstay is spacious apartments with fully equipped kitchens where you can cook comfortably. The apartments have terraces and are cleaned daily, and a very rich breakfast is included in the price. There is also a fairly large swimming pool, which is set in a beautiful citrus garden. Click on the hotel name to read my detailed review.
A pleasant smaller hotel in Nordic design, also with a swimming pool, where some rooms are right by the pool, higher rooms have a sea view. The rooms are spacious enough, functionally equipped, there is a small supermarket within walking distance and there are a couple of restaurants right opposite the hotel. There is also a very good breakfast. Click on the hotel name and read detailed information.
Where to eat in Kalkan
For steak lovers, I would definitely recommend the Sade Restaurant in the center of Kalkan, whose terrace is located on a higher floor and you have a beautiful view from here. In the season, be sure to make a reservation, the restaurant is not very big. The steak here was really amazing, cooked on fire and exactly the right way I wanted it. In addition to steaks, there are also fish specialties, meat and other meals.
There are also many restaurants in the port, where it feels especially romantic in the evening. I was at Kleo Cafe Bar & Restaurant almost at the end. The prices are good and you can choose from pizza, traditional Turkish dishes, meat, fish, fajitas, salads and soups. And of course, the frozen strawberry daiquiri, my favorite cocktail in the summer, was great! And it was also the biggest I have ever drunk :)
My tips and recommendations for Kalkan
✅ Come in May or October. Prices are lower and there are not so many crowds. I was there at the end of September and it was just right. Hotels are half empty as well as beach clubs and beaches. Quite a few people gather in the city center in the evening for dinner and in bars. The city is especially popular with British clientele. And the sea was still warm. Warmer than in August in Croatia :)
✅ Bring water shoes – most beaches are pebbly.
✅ Don't forget to bring cash – preferably Turkish lira. Smaller businesses don't take cards. Taxis don't take cards. And if you want to haggle in shops, be sure to have cash.
✅ I took a taxi a lot, the terrain here is very hilly, whether to the center or to the beaches. I always asked the price in advance. I usually paid 200 Turkish liras around the city. You need to have cash.
✅ Sunsets from the rooftop bar – that's Kalkan romance that you will love.
✅ Be sure to visit Kaputaş beach, the photos, views and turquoise sea are incredible.
✅ If you need a ride from Dalaman International Airport, which is about 1.5 hours to Kalkan, I recommend Kiwitaxi. You can conveniently order a car in advance on the website, choose the type, depending on how many of you are, you can see the price right away, the driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign, help you with your luggage and even stopped at nice viewpoints along the way so I could take photos. The car was a multi-seat Mercedes van, I was also given water. No stress right from the arrival, just peace. Plus, you can use my discount code.
Summary
Kalkan is a place where you can slow down, breathe in the sea air and forget everything around you for a moment. It is a small but luxurious town with a soul, ideal for couples, travelers and those who want to experience Turkey differently. Whoever comes here once, comes back again. 💙
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